Democratic congressional members from Illinois are questioning President Donald Trump’s fitness for office and calling his threats to destroy Iran as a country "dangerous."

The Peru City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday governing e-bikes and other low-speed devices – and the police issued a warning that riders had better obey the new rules.

St. Bede Academy science teacher Dan Fitzpatrick has been selected to attend a prestigious international science program this August at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland.

Grand Ridge United Methodist Church will hold a potluck supper and gospel concert featuring the Wanda Mountain Boys Saturday, April 11.

AARP will offer a driver safety refresher course April 13-14 at Mendota Area Senior Services, designed to help drivers 50 and older maintain driving competency and stay safe on the road.

Bob Bartman is the new Ottawa varsity boys basketball head coach, taking over for Mark Cooper, who retired after 22 seasons.

A keen-eyed motorist may have saved a Peru church from fire early Easter Sunday.

McKinley Elementary School in Ottawa announced its March Champions of the Charter students.

Dinner includes chicken (light, dark or tenders), potato, salad and dessert. Dine-in or carryout options are available.

Deer Park Grade School announced its honor roll for the third quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

The Streator Public Library recently announced its upcoming events and programs for the first week in April.

Rain totals varied Friday and Saturday across northern Illinois.

The plant sale began as a fundraiser to support the guild’s operating expenses and activities and educational programs in 1998.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer a diabetes support group from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, April 9, in the OSF HealthCare Saint Paul Medical Center’s conference room C, 1401 E. 12th St., Mendota.

The University of Illinois Extension will hold a free Tomato Troubles educational program from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at the Oglesby Public Library, 111 S. Woodland Ave, Oglesby.

The Mendota Historical Society will hold a “Dr. Letitia Westgate: Medical Pioneer” program led by author Denise Moran at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Mendota Museum and Historical Society’s program space.

A spaghetti meal costs $15. $5 cash raffle tickets and $1 raffle basket tickets will also be available for purchase.

The University of Illinois Extension recently held its annual Oglesby Agronomy Summit for Illinois farmers, ag professionals and community members.

We are proud to honor 25 of The Times area's top boys basketball players from this past season, including first-team standouts from Woodland, Ottawa, Streator, Marquette and Newark.

About 1 to 3 inches of rain fell over the area Friday night, with a localized amounts near 4 inches across parts of central Livingston county, the National Weather Service said.

The Times Sports staff is proud to announce our 2026 Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Woodland senior Nolan Price.

The 881-kilowatt system is expected to span approximately 50,000 square feet of roof space and generate approximately 1 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually that will help power the facility plant, offsetting roughly 700 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each

The La Salle-Peru Area Career Center is partnering with a creative agency led by local alumni to produce digital content showcasing its career and technical education programs.

Gas prices have soared this week to a level not seen since 2022, as the war in Iran fuels economic concerns for consumers.

If you are the parent of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of La Salle-Peru Township High School District #120, you are urged to attend.

Connor Hopkins is joined over the phone by Jessica Brayfield, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties. Together, they discuss the upcoming home build here in the Illinois Valley, and what interested parties can do to help

La Salle County authorities have identified an Oglesby man as the motorist killed in a March 31 rollover crash in Wallace Township.

A Peru man charged with possessing nearly 2 pounds of cocaine and a prohibited firearm entered a negotiated plea Wednesday. Robert Wright was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Participants will gain practical communication skills, including signs used in everyday life and healthcare settings, and learn foundational signs covering basic communication, emotions, and health-related terms, helping to foster connection, understanding, and accessibility.

A Henry County man is headed to prison for four years after pleading guilty Thursday to hauling fentanyl-laced heroin on Interstate 80 near Ottawa.

A La Salle man was picked up Wednesday on a charge of grooming, the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

The National Weather Service issued tornado watch around 2 p.m. for North Central Illinois, including La Salle and Bureau counties, until 8 p.m.

ImpactLife will host a blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, April 3, at OSF Saint Paul Medical Center in Mendota, according to a news release.

The book explores the life of Dr. Westgate who was the first female physician to build and manage a hospital in the United States, according to the release.

A Streator man is going to prison for seven years for possessing a loaded ghost gun while wearing body armor.

Ottawa senior Mary Stisser is the 2025-26 Times Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Honoring 25 of the area's best high school girls basketball players as selected by The Times Sports staff, here is the 2025-26 Times All-Area Girls Basketball Team.

The Easter egg hunt was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 4, but has been rescheduled for Monday, April 6 due to possible inclement weather.

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation is highlighting the impact of its Arts Grant program as it opens a new application cycle with a deadline of April 15.

The First United Methodist Church in Ottawa will hold its 21st annual spaghetti lunch and supper on Thursday, April 23.

“My mindset is that these kids are going to be the leaders of our town, our community, our state, our country and our world,” Hochstatter said. “I want to help make them the best humans that they could possibly be.”

Zion United Church of Christ in Peru donated $2,500 to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry.

Here are the 2025-26 All-Interstate 8 Conference boys bowlers from the winter season.

Parkside Middle School in Peru has announced its high honor roll students for the second trimester of the 2025-2026 school year.

The winners of the contest were Bailey Miller from Earlville, Kiley Mason from Leland, Clair Boudreau from La Salle-Peru, and Aden Tillman from Mendota, whose essay was sent on to the next level of the contest.

The Oglesby Knights of Columbus, 307 E. Florence St., will host a fish and shrimp fry from 4 to 7 p.m. Good Friday, April 3.

In order to receive a permit, these vehicles must be evaluated by an Automotive Service Excellence-certified mechanic that has been registered by the city, and the city of La Salle itself before they can be legally operated on city streets.

Baker Lake could be re-opened in mid to late April, though Mother Nature could have some say in when the barricades comes down.

La Salle County sheriff’s deputies will step up April patrols to catch distracted drivers.

The Perfectly Flawed Foundation will host its 10th annual Earth Day Community Cleanup event, “A Decade of Difference,” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 18.