All senior citizens who are or will be 65 years old in 2026 and own and reside in their own home are eligible for the $5,000 Senior Homestead Exemption on their 2027 real estate tax bill.

Crews burn off part of the green area for a controlled burn on Monday, March 2, 2026 at Deer Park Golf Club in Oglesby. The burn helps to manage invasive species, remove thatch buildup, and encourage the growth of native plants.

La Salle-Peru co-op swimming coach Rob McNally has retired from coaching due to "personal issues." He coached the co-op since 2015 after helping resurrect the boys team and start the girls program.

Central Bank Illinois recently announced that it made a sizable donation to the Princeton Foundation.

The Friends of Princeton Public Library will be hosting its Spring Book Sale over March 26-28 in the Library’s Friends Sale Room.

The U.S. war in the Middle East "will affect oil prices significantly because of the uncertainty,” said Oguzhan Batmaz, assistant professor of economics at Lewis University in Romeoville

Over 125 participants from 13 teams plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Mendota during the 9th Annual Mendota Polar Plunge on Saturday, Feb. 28. The event, held in support of Special Olympics of Illinois, raised $36,000 for local programs serving the Mendota, La Salle and Peru areas. Despite temperatures of 39 degrees with a wind chill of 23 degrees, brave plungers took the icy dip to support athletes in Special Olympics programs.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois lawmakers are calling for an independent commission to investigate Illinois-linked crimes connected to international sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

A US strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader and sparked a growing war was years in the making, said a Northern Illinois University expert who has studied US–Iran tensions

From Capitol News Illinois: A federal judge ordered the release of 32 people detained by federal immigration agents without warrants or probable cause during "Operation Midway Blitz." Those people must be released by March 5 at noon

From Capitol News Illinois: Comptroller Susana Mendoza is endorsing Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim to be her successor

St. Thomas More Church in Dalzell is holding its annual ravioli/tortellini fundraiser, ending March 31.

A Mendota man accused of holding up a bank Friday – no weapon was displayed or even suggested – was released from custody Monday into home confinement.

A Peru woman awaiting trial for possession of nearly 2 pounds of cocaine was ordered detained Monday after a La Salle County judge concluded she’d committed too many violations of pre-trial release.

From Capitol News Illinois: State Sen. Sue Rezin is hoping the uproar over road funding will create unity among downstate politicians as they seek solutions. “Downstate needs to be made whole,” Rezin said. “We need to be made whole because we have crumbling roads and bridges.”

March 17 marks the 2026 primary, where La Salle, Bureau and Putnam county voters can pull a Democratic or Republican ballot to pick who appears on the ballot come November. All voters, partisan or not, can weigh in on referendum questions.

All four candidates vying to be the Democratic nominee for Illinois comptroller in the March 17 primary currently hold a variety of public offices.

The Putnam County Public Library District invites the public to a free screening of “Blue Carbon” on Thursday, March 12, at 4 p.m. at the Condit Branch.

The Princeton-Illinois chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met in February to celebrate Valentine’s Day and hear a presentation on adult education programs.

After a promising first season with Ben Johnson last year, the Chicago Bears believe Caleb Williams will take "significant strides" this offseason

The scholarship is designed to assist minority United Methodist students looking to attend a non-profit trade school, community college, college or university.

The decision to enact this was driven in part by advocacy from the Friends of Lake Kakusha environmental conservation organization.

More than 110 walkers from 18 teams braved the cold on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in downtown Ottawa to participate in the "Coldest Night of the Year" mile-long walk at Jordan Block Park. The community fundraising event brought together participants of all ages who bundled up against winter weather to support the cause. Walkers made their way through the downtown area, demonstrating community solidarity and commitment to making a difference.

The Putnam County Public Library District’s Granville Branch invites the public to attend a free art workshop, “Crayon Chic: Wearable Art,” on Tuesday, March 10, at 4 p.m.

The Putnam County Public Library District invites the public to a free craft workshop on Wednesday, March 11, at 4 p.m. at the McNabb Branch.

Scientific research has revealed a marked increase in heart attacks and strokes in the days following this time change each year, the American Heart Association said

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Feb. 22-28. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will present “Romantic Imaginations” at 3 p.m. on March 8 at Ottawa Township High School.

The Putnam County Public Library District’s Granville Branch invites the public to attend a free screening of “Her War, Her Story: Women of World War II” on Tuesday, March 10, at 1 p.m.

Illinois Valley Community College will be closed to the public on Friday, March 6, to allow employees to participate in professional development sessions. There will be no classes that day.

The Putnam County Public Library District invites the public to a free screening of “Triangle Fire” on Wednesday, March 11, at 5 p.m. at the McNabb Branch.

A single-family home in Peru that sold for $700,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County in the past week.

From Capitol News Illinois: A new bill introduced to the Illinois Senate would prohibit law enforcement agencies in Illinois from hiring individuals who serve as federal immigration officers for the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs between Jan. 20, 2025 and Jan 20, 2029

Democratic representatives across northern Illinois say President Donald Trump violated the Constitution by launching a military strike against Iran Saturday morning

Fire on Fifth Pizza will host a free Writers at Westclox author fair from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 14.

Ladd Cemetery will begin its annual spring cleanup on Monday, March 23.

A single-family home in Ottawa that sold for $74,500 tops the list of the best real estate deals in La Salle County in the past week.

La Salle-Peru senior Kiely Domyancich came up one win short of a state medal, plus more results in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

Once an improbable sighting, wild swans have returned to the Fox River Valley and across Kane County. Local environmental efforts over the decades have helped the resurgence.

Here are the winners for the best coffee shops in the Best of the Fox, Best of the Illinois Valley, DeKalb County's Finest and Sauk Valley Favorites contest.

Ottawa announced it will be opening up applications for the 2026 Veteran Banner Program.

Lead has been found in some homes and businesses in Utica, the village disclosed.

The Putnam County Public Library District’s Hennepin branch recently announced several programs and events it will host in March.

Cozy Corner in Streator reopened this week following a fire at the restaurant in January.

The Putnam County Public Library District recently announced programs and events that will be held at the district’s Hennepin and Standard branches in March.

March is the time when severe storm season often begins in Illinois. Understanding what weather terms mean is important in reacting to and being prepared for storm emergencies.

L-P senior Kiely Domyancich advanced to the blood round at state wrestling, plus more in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

In front of its home crowd, Wilmington's boys basketball team claimed the Class 2A regional championship with a 54-43 win over Seneca on Friday night.

Oregon never trailed in a 65-52 win over Mendota in the Class 2A Rock Falls Regional final Friday at Tabor Gym to win its first regional title since 2006.

Marquette defeated St. Bede to win the Class 1A Regional title on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at Serena High School. Check out photos from the game by MaKade Rios.