The Illinois Valley honors the everyday heroes making a difference in DeKalb County through their hard work, kindness and dedication."

Teams from Sterling, Rock Falls, Mendota, Princeton, Streator, La Salle-Peru, Ottawa, Coal City, Morris and Herscher all competed during the Class 2A Sectional track meet on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 in the Jeff Prusator Athletic Complex at Mendota High School.

Anthony Daniel Rodriguez made an appearance in the Bureau County Courthous on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 in Princeton. Rodriguez, a 42-year-old man has been charged in connection with a shooting near DePue that killed a 3-year-old child during a domestic disturbance Sunday.

Henry-Senachwine defeated Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell 16-1 on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Woodland High School.

Henry-Senachwine played Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Woodland High School.

The La Salle-Peru baseball team traveled to Maple Park Tuesday to take on Kaneland in an Interstate 8 Conference matchup.

State Sen. Sue Rezin R-Morris and local agencies gathered for a roundtable meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026 at the Utica Fire Station. The meeting served as an opportunity to discuss safety, visitor experience, and general updates related to Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks.

More than 800 runners competed in the Starved Rock Country marathon on Saturday, May 9, racing through downtown Ottawa, Utica and Starved Rock State Park. Full-marathon runners started and ended in downtown Ottawa, while half-marathon runners began in Utica and finished in downtown Ottawa.

WALLS 102 held their first Listener Appreciation Party sponsored by Leone's Polaris on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Auditorium Ballroom in La Salle. Over 250 guests and sponsors attended the event. The band Wreckin' Dixie performed while guests danced, listened to music, and won huge local prizes. Free food was given to all who attended. WALLS 102 is a Shaw Local radio station.