Mendota’s Oliver Munoz scored the Trojans' final six points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:30 remaining, to capture fifth place with a 46-45 win over Ottawa in the Plano Christmas Classic on Tuesday.

Marquette's Alex Schaefer became the first Crusaders wrestler to reach 100 career wins, and the team claimed the title of the Silver Bracket at the ABE's Rumble in Springfield. Plus more results from around the Times area.

A rundown of holiday hoops for the La Salle-Peru, Fieldcrest, Princeton, LaMoille and Putnam County boys basketball teams.

Newark senior center Cody Kulbartz's block in the final seconds helped secure the Norsemen's 59-58 victory over Streator in the 15th-place game of the 62nd Plano Christmas Classic on Tuesday morning.

Launch snowballs, test a blubber glove in icy water, explore the northern lights and warm up with hot chocolate at the Illinois State Museum.

There is one thing you will find behind every winning head coach and successful football program: a good assistant coach who is loyal and dedicated to the head coach and the mission of the team. For 38 years, for nine different head coaches, Charlie Waca was that assistant coach.

Peru firefighters soon will answer fire and rescue calls in Dalzell, as well.

The Chicago Bears' loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night raised a question: Is the Bears defense ready for the playoffs? Here's a look at what the numbers say.

The Chicago Bears fell a play short in a 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down the loss and what's next with a week left in the regular season

Expect some slick roads late Tuesday afternoon and again on New Year's Eve as periods of light snow move in

These 15 stories from The Scene saw the most visitors this past year.

Streator Public Library will host an axolotl-themed week of activities Jan. 12-17, featuring scavenger hunts, story times and craft programs for all ages.

Two officers were sworn in Monday to the Peru Police Department – another will join the ranks soon – while a longtime officer was made patrol sergeant.

Ottawa and Leland's boys basketball teams along with Marquette's girls were among those scoring tournament victories Monday, while Streator and Newark both fell and will meet each other; plus more in The Times Monday Roundup.

In many ways, 2025 has been a year of sharp, jagged stab wounds.

Bureau Valley FFA and Bureau County Farm Bureau will host a free weather preparedness seminar on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 5:30 p.m. at Ag View FS in Walnut

The biggest increase in hospital admissions for the flu in Illinois is in children ages 5 to 17. Only 1 in 5 Illinois residents has received the flu vaccine

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson met with reporters virtually Monday a day after his team fell a play short in a 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Here are three of the most interesting things Johnson said Monday.

A La Salle man faces up to five years in prison if convicted of damaging eight La Salle police squad cars and an officer’s personal vehicle.

From Capitol News Illinois: The Trump administration filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify a new state law that allows Illinois residents to sue federal immigration agents who arrest them in or near courthouses or if they believe their constitutional rights were violated

The Illinois State Fair will use digital ticketing exclusively for the 2026 season following a successful trial last year.

The law applies to both part- and full-time workers. It covers a broader swath of workers than the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

2025 saw a number of restaurants open across northern Illinois.

Prairie Creek Public Library in Dwight has fun activities scheduled for January and into the new year.

The Chicago Bears couldn't pull off some late-game magic in a 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. Here are the five big takeaways from tough loss out on the road.

The Chicago Bears had a chance to win their game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. But Caleb Williams and the offense fell a play short. Here's a breakdown of the final minutes of the Bears' failed comeback.

The Chicago Bears' DJ Moore and Darnell Wright will both be active Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers after they were added to the injury report over the weekend with illnesses.

The following property transfers were recently recorded at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office in the Bureau County Courthouse.

The following property transfers were recently recorded at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office in the Bureau County Courthouse.

Strong winds, with gusts ranging from 45 to 55 mph, will usher in a cold front Sunday night that could result in snow showers in some areas, the National Weather Service said.

The following property transfers were recently recorded at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office in the Bureau County Courthouse.

The Mendota school board reviewed a potential letter to city officials supporting traffic cameras near school buildings to improve school bus safety.

After more than a decade of whole milk being absent from school cafeterias, legislation allowing for more milk options awaits the president’s signature.

These 10 stories across Shaw Local saw the most visitors in 2025.

Here is a schedule of high school sporting events in the Ottawa/Streator area for the coming week.

Plano sophomore Jayden Zepeda scored 22 points off the bench, sending the Reapers past Sandwich 54-42 and into the semifinals of the 62nd Plano Christmas Classic.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Dec. 21-27. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Two Mendota High School students have been selected for state music honors, and a third received community recognition.

Legislation establishing continuing education credits for pesticide license renewals was recently signed into law.

Work at a new research farm dedicated to advancing the Illinois Soybean Association’s farmer-focused efforts was featured at a media event.

On Dec. 18, the pantry served 622 families as part of its Christmas distribution.

A hot start by St. Bede fueled a 51-23 victory over the Sandwich Indians on Saturday evening during the final game of the 2025 Lady Bruins Christmas Classic to claim second place in its own tournament.

The Chicago Bears won their first NFC North championship since 2018 on Saturday night after the Green Bay Packers lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

The following property transfers were recently recorded at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office in the Bureau County Courthouse.

Storms and falling temperatures are expected Sunday into Monday in northern Illinois.

The Mendota Community Unit School District board approved its final 2025 tax levy of $7,101,208 following a public hearing Dec. 15.

The following marriage licenses were recently recorded at the Bureau County Courthouse.

Planned Parenthood provided services for nearly 35,000 Illinois Medicaid customers across the state in 2024, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services said.

Established in 1936 by Sylvio “Rip” and Emma Gualandri, the establishment in Ladd has been serving chicken, crispies, pickles, fried appetizers, beer and liquor for 89 years.

Four area churches will host “Dinner with a Friend” Jan. 26 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Norway Community Building in Sheridan.