Mendota residents hoping to cool off in the municipal pool this summer will have to find another way to beat the heat.

Ottawa's Mark Cooper, the all-time winningest boys basketball coach in program history, announced last week that after 22 years and over 350 wins as head coach that he'll be retiring at the end of this season.

The meal includes 1/4 of fried chicken, a side of spaghetti, coleslaw and a cookie.

Peru’s fire chief said it from day 1: Fast-thinking by a city electrical employee and two officers kept a Feb. 9 residential fire from turning tragic. Monday, the responding trio their due.

The first COVID-19 fraudster sentenced in La Salle County thinks her five-year prison term was excessive. Ebony Green will ask for a lesser sentence at a March 19 hearing.

Nolan Price celebrated turning 18 on Monday by draining 3s on four consecutive possessions right before halftime, advancing past Earlville 70-25 in the opening round of regionals and breaking Woodland's single-season scoring record.

La Salle County Emergency Management Agency announced Monday an open house for La Salle County’s new Mobile Operations & Communications Center.

Postal workers gathered in Peru to picket for higher wages, better working conditions and an end to forced overtime.

For $35, participants receive a 16×20 canvas and access to paint supplies and guidance.

At the Mendota Township High School District 280 Board of Education’s last meeting, a number of personnel employment actions were approved.

Brody Hahn, 18, of La Salle will go on tour with Yo-Yo Ma and Interlochen Arts Academy March 7-15.

The Reddick Public Library District in Ottawa will host several programs and events in March.

The Hegeler Carus Mansion in La Salle is celebrating Women’s History with new tour experiences, events and workshops.

The Dwight boys basketball team grabbed the early lead in Saturday night's Tri-County Conference game against Marquette and hung on down the stretch for a 70-65 triumph at Marseilles Elementary School.

The Starved Rock County Community Foundation recently partnered with the Maierhofer family to establish the “HOF” Fund in honor of late Seneca farmer Jim Maierhofer.

A Streator man serving 80 years for murder wants a do-over trial. Malcolm Whitfield will make his case at a May 1 hearing.

A Peru woman charged with possessing nearly 2 pounds of cocaine was jailed Friday after La Salle County prosecutors alleged she violated her pre-trial release. Charnelle Mond plans to argue for another chance.

Behind nine 3-pointers, the Woodland Warriors cruised to a 78-44 win against Seneca at the Warrior Dome and clinched the Tri-County Conference title outright, finishing 9-0 in conference play.

Illinois’ 2025-26 boys basketball postseason begins on Monday. Here's a look at what awaits teams from across The Times coverage area.

Spring cleanup at Peru City Cemetery will begin Monday, March 2.

The Streator Public Library, 130 S. Park St., recently announced its upcoming events and programs for March.

The Ottawa girls basketball team held regional top seed Sterling 25 points below its season average, upsetting the Golden Warriors 33-27 for the 3A La Salle-Peru Regional title and a trip to next week’s 3A Galesburg Sectional.

Marquette avenged a 30-point loss from earlier in the season to beat Dwight 65-56 for the Class 1A Amboy Regional title. It is the Crusaders' first regional title since 2012.

Sports Boss Golf is having a free Callaway golf club fitting from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb 21 in Leland.

There actually were two robbery-burglary incidents at the Peru Kohl’s, both in November, and police have developed multiple suspects.

Neighborhood Forest is working with the Graves-Hume Library in Mendota to give adults the ability to get a free tree for their child and give them the joy of planting and watching their very own tree grow.

A registered sex offender is headed to prison for three years after pleading guilty Thursday totrying to solicit a teenage girl in Mendota.

Tickets for the retreat cost $125 per person. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. The deadline to register and submit a final payment is due two weeks before the start of the retreat.

Karly Brown is a proud alum of Mendota High School and currently serves as a registered nurse at the OSF St. Paul Medical Center in Mendota.

Peru Public Library will offer a free, in-person program, “Wits Workout,” from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays starting March 4, continuing for 12 consecutive weeks.

Streator seniors LA Moton and Joe Hoekstra combined to score 17 of the Bulldogs’ final 21 points in a 52-42 victory Wednesday over visiting Lisle that sealed a second consecutive outright Illinois Central Eight Conference championship.

A Peoria woman charged with stealing merchandise from the Peru Kohl’s – and striking a store worker while making her getaway – will stay in La Salle County Jail while awaiting trial, a judge ruled Wednesday.

St. Bede Academy will host the annual eighth grade “Shadow Days” beginning Wednesday, Feb. 25, and running through March.

He’s charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding. The car, which was stolen, damaged a fire hydrant. Police say Jaymeson Pogreba was drinking and his license was revoked. Nevertheless, he won't be held in jail.

Have your foot ready to brake at Illinois and Lindberg in La Salle: A new stop or yield sign may be going in.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer a “The Foods and Flavors of the Mediterranean Diet” program from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at the Utica Public Library, 224 Mill St., Utica.

The Kaneland boys basketball team shot 64% from the field and used a trio of big runs to stay unbeaten and clinch the outright Interstate 8 Conference title with a 70-43 victory over Ottawa at Kingman Gym on Tuesday.

With the clock ticking down the final seconds of overtime, junior sixth man Sharonn Morton was not the Streator boys basketball team's top scoring option. Tuesday, though, he was the winning option in a 36-34 victory over Herscher.

An aged parolee pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony drug charge. Kent Koehler would be 80 years of age when and if he completes his new sentence.

Two people were reportedly killed in a crash Saturday on Route 71 near Norway.

One of the victims killed in a Saturday morning crash on Route 71 near Norway has been identified as Francisco Moreno, 21, of DePue.

The Earlville High School blood drive is an opportunity to help one or more graduating seniors earn a scholarship through a blood donation.

Here are the IHSA boys basketball postseason schedules - regional play-in games through the state finals – for teams across the Illinois Valley, including La Salle-Peru, Ottawa, Princeton, Streator, Marquette, St. Bede, Mendota, Woodland and more.

Both Republicans running to represent Illinois’ 14th Congressional District cited financial issues among their top concerns – but the specifics varied greatly.

Peru is shutting down its ice-skating rink Tuesday for the season.

The Hegeler Carus Mansion was recently designated one of the 150 great places in Illinois by the Illinois Council of the American Institute of Architects.

The Ottawa girls basketball team shook off a slow start to top Plano 43-21 in the semifinals of the Class 3A La Salle-Peru Regional semifinals on Monday night. The Pirates will play Sterling for the championship at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Oglesby American Legion will hold its monthly steak fry from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26. 

The 14th annual Fox River Summit will be held March 12 in Burlington, Wisconsin and is open to those from Illinois and Wisconsin who have an interest in the Fox River.

Streator police are seeking information on a shots-fired incident Sunday afternoon in the area of East Elm and North Illinois streets.