The Putnam County Public Library District will host several programs and events in March.

A look at Bureau County area boys basketball standings on Thursday, Feb. 19

Just weeks after winning Super Bowl XX, members of the Chicago Bears brought their talents to the hardwood in the Illinois Valley. On February 20, 1986, IVCC hosted the “Good News Bears,” a charity basketball team made up of Chicago Bears players for a United Way fundraiser

Edward Jauch: My top priority is to aggressively focus on narcotic enforcement. I believe the majority of criminal activity in the county stem from substance abuse.

Princeton wrestlers Augustus Swanson, Kane Dauber and Casey Etheridge have made it back to the IHSA State Wrestling Tournament, each a runner-up at the Byon Sectional. Now they want to rise on the podium.

The Bureau Valley seventh grade and the Princeton Logan eighth grade volleyball teams continued their quest for Starved Rock Conference tournament championships by winning Tuesday's semifinal matches. Bradford and Ladd advance to the BVEC girls basketball finals

St. Bede outscored Princeton 12-1 to end the second quarter and 12-3 to start the third on the way to a runaway 45-34 victory in Tuesday's regional semifinals at the Academy.

A Bureau County girls regional basketball update on Tuesday, Feb. 17

Senior Maddux Heitzler became the 16th 1,000 point. scorer in the history of Annawan Braves basketball. Tanner Carlson, who scored 2,045 points from 2004-08, is the all-time scoring leader. Annawan coaches Alex Coppejans (1,194) and Ben Buresh (1,123) are also on on the list

The show will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jeremiah Joe Coffee, 807 La Salle St. in Ottawa. The entry deadline is May 31.

As part of Shaw Local’s 2026 election coverage, we asked the candidates running for Bureau County sheriff to answer the same set of questions about public safety, leadership, and the future of the sheriff’s office. Now, you can listen to their responses anytime

Hall, St. Bede to open regional play at home. Bureau Valley, Princeton, DePue and LaMoille face quarterfinal games on the road. Senior Maddux Heitzler becomes 16th Annawan boy to score 1,000 points.

The performance was rescheduled from its original January date due to the weather.

The Putnam County Public Library District’s McNabb Branch invites the public to the “Bird Snack Station” on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 4 p.m.

The Putnam County Public Library District invites families to “Tales with Tails – Read to Hobo” on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m. at the Granville Branch.

Here's an update of Bureau County area girls basketball standings on Sunday, Feb. 15

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Feb. 8-14. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Putnam County Public Library District’s Granville Branch will host a free screening of “The Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps” on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m.

Putnam County Public Library District is launching a new teen book club focused on American history and civic engagement.

Michlig was recognized for her work in the health occupations program.

Princeton's Augustus Swanson (113 pounds), Kane Dauber (138) and Casey Etheridge (165) are returning to the IHSA State Wrestling Tournament, each placing second at sectional. The St. Bede girls advanced while Hall was eliminated in regional girls basketball action on Saturday

Little Jack Henegar got a big smile on his face when he saw his dad on the floor at the Storm Cellar. He was still smiling along with his dad, Jon, the BV coach when the coach’s Storm girls team scored the first 26 points of the game of the game on the way to dominating 51-11 win

Illinois Valley couples married decades share what makes love last: everyday gestures, teamwork and forgiveness.

Jackson Mason wanted the ball. He wanted to win the game for Princeton. And he did exactly that, hitting a step-back jumper at the buzzer for a 67-65 overtime victory over the rival Hall on Friday.

The Putnam County Public Library District will offer a free “Lock, Stock, and Liberty: The Story of the Kentucky Rifle” program for community members at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, online and at the library’s Granville branch, 214 S. McCoy St.

The Putnam County Public Library District will hold a free screening of the documentary “Free Renty: Lanier v. Harvard” at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the library’s Granville branch, 214 S. McCoy St.

Kevin Hieronymus takes a look at the area girls basketball regionals, including sites at Galva, St. Bede, Riverdale, Amboy and La Salle. Regional quarterfinals start Saturday.

The Putnam County Pubic Library District will hold a free screening of the documentary “How It Feels To Be Free” as part of its Docs & Dialogue series at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the library’s Condit branch, 105 N. Center St., Putnam.

The Illinois Master Gardeners will hold a program for community members to learn how to grow produce year-round indoors from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at the Princeton Public Library.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer a hands-on terrarium workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 27, at the Marshall-Putnam Extension Office, 509 Front St., Suite 4, Henry.

Princeton High School recently announced its honor roll for the first semester of the 2025-26 school year.

Here's a look at Bureau County girls statistical leaders for Bureau Valley, Hall, Princeton and St. Bede on Feb. 12, 2026

Princeton Logan will take the No. 1 seed for eighth grade and the No. 2 for seventh grade for the Starved Rock Conference Volleyball Tournament which starts Saturday at Peru Parkside. Princeton Christian Academy will host the BVEC girls basketball tourney starting Saturday.

Friends of the Hennepin Canal are set to host their ‘Hike the Hennepin’ 4.6 mile trek on this Sunday.

The GriefShare support group is returning to Evangelical Covenant Church, Princeton.

Kevin Hieronymus projects how the seeds will play out area boys basketball subsectionals. The IHSA will announce the seeds at 4 p.m. Thursday and pairings on Friday.

The LaMoille Lions Club will hold a fish fry 5-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 at the club, 308 Howard St.

Trinity United Church of Christ in La Salle announced a series of ecumenical Lenten programs with churches in the Illinois Valley.

Princeton sends four regional boys champions among five qualifiers to the Class 1A Byron Sectional starting Friday. They will be joined by wrestlers from St. Bede and PC-Hall. Two Princeton girls and one from PC-H will compete at DeKalb Sectional.

Freshman Carson Gruber poured in 24 points to lead the Storm to a Lincoln Trail Conference victory at the Storm Cellar on Tuesday night. In other games, the Hall and PCA boys and St. Bede girls fall just short

Putnam County Junior High has announced its 2nd quarter honor roll for the 2025-2026 school year.

Much of Illinois has been mired in drought for months and farmers aren’t happy. Neither is Dave Everson. He and other ice climbers are about ready to label winter 2026 the worst in a dog’s age.

E-P scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to overcome a four-point deficit, and used a 15-3 advantage over the final frame to claim a 54-46 win over host Princeton in Three Rivers East play

E-P had not beat Princeton in quite some time and they were motivated to win one for head coach Chris Brown, who was absent attending private family matters. And play they did, outscoring the Tigresses 17-8 in the fourth quarter to wrap up a 51-40 Three Rivers East win

The Bureau Valley and Princeton girls basketball teams have welcomed a foreign exchange student into their programs this season. Mie Lose of Denmark is playing for the Princeton JV and Irene Raga de Ancos is playing for the Bureau Valley JV.

Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased from any track athlete or at the door.

The Marshall-Putnam County 4-H Junior Meats Judging Team earned third-place finishes in its first two competitions of the Illinois Meat Series in January.

Brothers Aden and Cole Tillman have become the 20th and 21st 1,000-point scorers in the history of the Mendota boys basketball program. Here’s a look at the Mendota 1,000-point scorers through the Saturday, Feb. 7 games:

Bureau County Metro Center - Becoming a certified lifeguard is an important step for anyone interested in water safety, public service, or seasonal employment.

Coal Creek Brewing will host a Galentine’s Party A Shop and Sip event at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, as part of its Pop-Up Valentine’s Bar.