Andrew Roth, a senior at Bureau Valley High School, was named Mendota Elks’ Male Teen of the Month.

Food pantry operators say they've seen a large increase in visits in the last month and Congressmen from Illinois denounced cuts to federal SNAP benefits at a roundtable discussion in Geneva.

Ottawa Mayor Robert Hasty joined leaders from 15 river communities at the first annual Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative (IRCTI) Conference, Nov. 5–6 in Peoria.

Check out this list of national chains and locally-owned restaurants offering specials to service members on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11.

The Tiskilwa Historical Society will honor veterans with a free performance of “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh” by singer and storyteller Barry Cloyd at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at the Museum on Main.

Sandwich's Sunny Weber won a state championship Saturday at Peoria's Detweiller Park, plus more in The Times Saturday Roundup.

Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift will be active and play against the New York Giants at Soldier Field on Sunday.

Roger Masters, commander of American Legion Post 323 in Henry, spoke at the Chief Senachwine Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) meeting Nov. 1 at the Henry Public Library.

Open Prairie United Church of Christ will hold its annual Christkindlmarkt, a traditional German Christmas market, on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

OSF HealthCare will hold a free community health event on Friday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bureau County Metro Center, 837 Park Ave. W, Princeton.

A Wendy’s spokesperson confirmed the news on behalf of the franchisee. Restaurant team members have been offered employment opportunities at nearby restaurants.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Nov. 2-8. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees Audit/Finance Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12.

L-P co-op swimmer Sam Nauman qualified for state in two events plus more results in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

Columbia defeated Mendota 3-1 during the Class 1A State title game on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at Hoffman Estates High School.

For more than five decades, Mike Brown, best known as "Brownie," has been a fixture on the sidelines of area sporting events in the radio booth and press boxes for WLPO Radio. St. Bede’s last football game this season was also the last of Brownie’s long run.

Chicago Bears right tackle Darnell Wright has made headlines this season with some highlight blocks. Here's how Ben Johnson and his coaching staff have helped the former top-10 pick reach his full potential.

The app’s beta rollout invitations were sent out via email at support@busright.com with “You’re Invited to BusRight” in the subject line. The email included a link to create a BusRight account.

Region 3 will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at the Bureau Putnam Area Transit, 535 Elm Place, Princeton.

Putnam County High School announced its honor roll for the first quarter of the 2025-26 school year.

OSF HealthCare will host a “Get the Facts: Health Care Navigation and More” informative session for community members from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Graves-Hume Public Library, 1401 W. Main St., Mendota.

The IVCC men's and women's basketball teams beat Blackhawk Technical and more in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Chicago Bears will be without starting linebacker T.J. Edwards against the New York Giants on Sunday after he had surgery this week on his hand

The Chicago Bears are heading back home Sunday to start the second half of their season when they host the New York Giants. Here are the top five storylines to watch

An Ottawa man faces up to 30 years in prison if firing shots that struck and injured another Ottawa man, police said in a Friday press release.

The Chicago Bears are back home at Soldier Field on Sunday when they host the New York Giants. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar give the latest news from Halas Hall and preview what could be a must-win for the Bears

Fajitas Mexican restaurant is moving to the former John’s North Star in La Salle.

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, Nov. 27 in 2025. Make your dinner reservations now and leave the cooking and clean up to someone else!

Payton Frueh has run herself into the Princeton school record books as just the 10th individual girl to qualify in 46 years of the IHSA State Cross Country Meet. She has moved into Princeton’s top 12 all-time for 3.0 mile times.

Stubbz Galley closed for the season at the South Shore Boat Club in Peru.

Eighteen band and eight choir students from Ottawa High School have been selected to participate in the 2025 Illinois Music Education Association District 2 Band, Orchestra, Chorus and Jazz Festivals.

Washington defeated L-P 13-25, 25-18, 25-17 on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 in Sellett Gymnasium at L-P High School.

Barring successful petition objections, the roster is complete for governor and U.S. Senate candidates in the 2026 primary.

Unique Boutique has reopened at the Peru Mall for Christmas shopping.

OSF HealthCarepatients’ in Peru recently welcomed advanced practice registered nurse Krystal Hanson to its staff as a behavioral health provider.

State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is working to connect residents with food resources following the halt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits caused by the federal government shutdown.

Chicago Bears coordinators and assistant coaches met with reporters Thursday at Halas Hall as they prepared for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Here are three of the most interesting things they said.

The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will perform its first regular-season concert in Streator in recent history at 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at Streator High School.

The Chicago Bears got some players back on the practice field Thursday as the prepared for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

Andy Puck’s career as the head volleyball coach at Princeton High School was a good read from cover to cover. He won a regional championship in his very first season in 2002 and he won another one this season, which proved to be his last.

La Salle's Frosty on First festival kicks off Friday, Nov. 7 and continues Saturday, Nov. 8. Ottawa's Shop, Sip & Sparkle also runs Nov. 7-8.

Frosty on First will run from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, immediately following the Run Run Rudolph 5K

The Treehouses of Starved Rock are steps away from Starved Rock State Park’s system of picturesque hiking trails, canyons, waterfalls and bluffs.

Check out this list of the best bakeries and donut shops in DeKalb, Kane, Kendall and McHenry counties, the Sauk Valley and the Illinois Valley.

Three Wolfpack Athletics youth football teams based in Ottawa captured Pop Warner Football state championships at their age level last weekend in Plainfield.

A look at the Mendota, Coal City, Columbia and Chicago Academy boys soccer teams ahead of the Class 1A state tournament.

The Grundy County Health Department issued a news release Thursday asking residents to check their freezers after a listeria outbreak was linked to precooked pasta meals.

Congratulations to The Times Athlete of the Week, Ottawa boys cross country's Connor Medina!

Are the Bears good? The best answer I can give is, I don’t know, Marc Silverman writes

Seniors Angel Orozco, Alex Beetz and Luis Ramirez along with sophomore Abel Nanez, playing in front of veteran keeper Mateo Goy, have been strong for the Mendota boys soccer team this season. The Trojans play at state Thursday.