More than 1,000 tulips bloom beneath flowering redbud trees on Monday, April 21, 2026, outside a home at the corner of Greenwood and Fourth streets in Spring Valley. The tulips return each year at this location, creating a vibrant display that serves as a sure sign of spring.

The Streator City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 15 at City Hall with a bridge project expected to be the main focus.

The city of La Salle is going to consider amending its newly implemented process for certifying non-highway motor vehicles, including golf carts, utility task vehicles and side-by-sides.

The bridge will be built one half at a time and one lane of traffic will be open and controlled by temporary signals during the project, which is anticipated to be completed in summer 2027.

L-P defeated Ottawa 3-1 on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at Ottawa High School.

From Capitol News Illinois: In its most recent version, the bill would require elementary and middle schools to implement a bell-to-bell ban, while high schools could allow students to use their cellphones during breaks and lunch

The Putnam County School District 535 will host an Illinois State Board of Education-mandated meeting for private and parochial school parents and school representatives and parents of homeschooled students with special needs.

The Putnam County Historical Society will hold its annual meeting at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Meeting House, 403 Old Highway 26, Hennepin.

The Illinois Valley Alzheimer’s Caring Friends Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, April 20 in the Peru Public Library.

The Oglesby American Legion will hold its monthly steak fry from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, April 23.

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois estate tax creates a heavy burden for families trying to pass down farms between generations. A bill in the legislature seeks to raise the tax exemption to $6 million, from $4 million

Congratulations to The Times Athlete of the Week, Marquette baseball's Caden Durdan!

Check out these restaurants where you can find the best breakfast and brunch in the Illinois Valley.

Aussem Dogs will be back this year, but the hot dog stand will have a reduced schedule.

The Putnam County Public Library District’s Granville Branch will hold a free presentation, “Stories Without Barriers: Free Audiobooks through NLS,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 21.

The Putnam County Public Library District’s Condit Branch will host a free film screening of “Free for All: The Public Library,” at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 23.

The skate park at the Illinois Valley YMCA is closed. It might stay closed unless local cities can chip in with the upkeep.

Nurses from across OSF HealthCare gathered for the organization’s inaugural Nurses Day in Springfield, meeting with lawmakers to advocate for policies affecting patient care.

Shaw Local is taking a look at a number of potential prospects who could fit the Chicago Bears’ needs in the first round of the NFL draft later this month. Here’s how Alabama offensive tackle could be a fit with the Bears.

Jack Oester's two-run single gave Princeton baseball a win over Mendota, the DePue-Hall and Mendota girls soccer teams won, and more in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

Serena and Somonauk baseball as well as Serena softball won pitchers' duels, Seneca track and field received multiple event wins from Lila Coleman and Noah Odum, plus more in The Times Monday Roundup.

Ottawa defeated L-P 6-0 on Monday, April 13, 2026 on King Field at Ottawa High School.

From Capitol News Illinois: ComEd customers in Illinois will see an average $19 monthly reduction to their electricity bills over the coming months, thanks to a policy in the state’s climate bill

The University of Illinois Extension will offer a hands-on sourdough starter workshop from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, May 12, at Illinois Valley Community College.

The Putnam County Public Library District’s Granville Branch invites the public to a free screening of “The Librarians,” at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 21.

The Putnam County Public Library District’s McNabb Branch will host a free film screening of “Banned Together: The Fight Against Censorship,” at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 22.

Serena Middle School has announced its 3rd quarter honor roll, recognizing 153 students for academic achievement across grades 5 through 8.

Shaw Local is taking a look at a number of potential prospects who could fit the Chicago Bears’ needs in the first round of the NFL draft later this month. Here’s how Clemson's defensive tackle Peter Woods could be a fit with the Bears.

Here are the 2026 preview capsules of boys track and field teams from around the Times coverage area.

Here are the 2026 preview capsules of girls track and field teams from around the Times coverage area.

A level 3 severe risk is now in place, with the strongest storms likely on Tuesday afternoon into the evening

Northern Illinois is home to some notably beautiful botanical gardens and arboretums waiting to be explored.

The Ottawa Public Works Department is hiring junior laborers for summer employment to maintain parks and public spaces.

The La Salle Public Library, 305 Marquette St., will hold several events and programs in April.

The Illinois Valley YMCA will hold a free Healthy Kids Day for families beginning at noon on Saturday, April 18.

Putnam County High School’s Interact Club will host a spring blood drive on April 24 in partnership with Putnam County Rotary and the American Red Cross.

All community members are welcome to donate. Donors will receive a $15 e-gift card.

U.S. producers intend to plant 3% fewer corn acres and 4% more soybean acres this spring, according to the prospective planting report

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

A 1,800-square-foot single-family residence, built in 2021, has changed hands.

The 29-foot-long by 15-foot-deep by 17-foot-tall inflatable house is going to be used at community events, school presentations, pop-up public events, and more to help residents engage in fire safety and prepare for real emergencies

America’s food and agriculture industries generate more than $10.4 trillion in economic value — representing nearly 20% of the overall national economy. This marks an increase of nearly $894 billion year-over-year

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

The Princeton-Illinois and Illini chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently celebrated their 130th anniversaries with a luncheon Saturday, April 4, at Lock 16 Cafe in La Salle.

La Salle, Bureau and Marshall-Putnam counties 4-H members demonstrated public speaking skilss during the 4-H Public Speaking Contest at Illinois Valley Community College.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for April 5-11. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Ottawa Noon Rotary Club has awarded a $4,114 grant to the Ottawa Center for the Arts to support new signage for its recently established venues, the Grand Hall and The Abbey.

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

Grand Ridge Grade School announced its honor roll for the 3rd quarter of the 2025-26 school year.

The Ottawa Concert Association will present “Divas of Soul,” a tribute concert featuring award-winning vocalist CeCe Teneal, at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Central School in Ottawa. The performance closes the 2025-2026 concert season.