La Salle County

Chester Weger, 86, who spent nearly six decades in prison for killing Lillian Oetting, one of three women fatally bludgeoned in 1960 at Starved Rock, died June 22.

Here is the list of couples who applied for La Salle County marriage licenses from June 2, 2025, through June 16, 2025.

Illinois Valley Democrats will hold a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26 at the La Salle VFW.

Mayor Jeff Grove announced Smudzinski’s retirement during Monday’s city council meeting.

La Salle County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday plans for Fourth of July traffic enforcement with a focus on impaired and unbuckled drivers, running through July 7.

Author Rachael Mellen will appear at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 25 at Oglesby Public Library to discuss her new book on the Civil War.

The 42nd Annual St. Bede auction on Saturday, June 14 raised an estimated $390,000. Every dollar raised helps keep tuition more affordable for families, ensuring more students can benefit from its mission.

"Day" Jones interviews Myracle Johnson, the current National Christian Miss Jr. Teen. She also is involved heavily in 4-H in La Salle County. She made it all the way to the state 4-H public speaking competition this year, placing third

The Illinois Valley Food Pantry is moving to a new location.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, is seeking federal funding for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation to build a government office on tribal land, according to a news release from her office.

Many Illinois communities are adding back a 1% grocery tax that will otherwise expire on Jan. 1. Is your town among them?

A Streator woman was arrested on Thursday night after officers discovered drugs and a stolen pistol following a routine traffic stop.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the region, warning of "oppressively hot and humid" weather until early next week.

Two people charged with money laundering in La Salle County have autumn trial dates, but already the fall settings look shaky.

The Dayton man convicted in the Ottawa murder-cremation is headed back to La Salle County Circuit Court for do-over proceedings.

A Streator man is facing multiple charges after allegedly pointing a firearm at people while riding an ATV through city streets Wednesday evening, according to police.

Peru to host annual fireworks show July 3 with expanded activities and food vendors.

Attendees will learn how to plan their next charcuterie board and discover ways to substitute calories and fats with healthier options.

Chester Weger’s murder conviction stands. Wednesday, a judge denied the 86-year-old’s bid for exoneration in 1960 Starved Rock murders.

Here is the list of couples who applied for La Salle County marriage licenses from May 19 through May 30, 2025.

A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday and returned the following indictments

Luis Urena already is accused of shooting a Streator woman in the neck. Now, prosecutors allege he tried to kill her.

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth the eleventh American federal holiday. This is the first holiday to obtain legal observance as a federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was designated in 1983.

Zion United Church of Christ in Peru will hold its annual ice cream social from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 19. 

The Northern Illinois University Child Development and Family Center in DeKalb could get a boost thanks to U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville.

The historic Hotel Kaskaskia in La Salle will be auctioned from July 28-30.

More than 200 of the graduates attended Commencement on May 17, where they heard 2001 nursing program graduate Nicki McVey, of Geneva, give the keynote address.

The budget includes $4.2 million in grants for major capital investment, with the largest being the continuation of the Plank Road widening project and the OSLAD grant project at Washington Park.

Mendota Elementary wants to make it safer for parents to drop off their kids at Northbrook School. The Mendota City Council is all for it.

Two parolees face new felony drug charges and will remain held in La Salle County Jail, prosecutors said Monday.

Attendees can stroll through rows of unique cars, enjoy delicious food and experience the vibrant atmosphere that makes Heritage Harbor a destination for summer fun.

A motorist sustained unspecified injuries following a two-vehicle crash at 7:51 p.m. Saturday on Interstate 39 southbound near U.S. 6.

St. Bede Academy will destroy 2020 student records that are considered temporary records by the State of Illinois.

St. Bede Academy released this month its list of students who made the honor roll in the spring 2025 semester.

Oglesby Washington School issued its honor and high honor rolls for the third trimester of the 2024-25 school year.

Eakas produces various plastic and metal parts for the automotive industry.

Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary Post 4668 in La Salle announced that a Peru Parkside student is a state winner of the VFW Auxiliary’s annual Illustrating America art contest.

A La Salle man was charged with possessing child sex abuse material Thursday after La Salle police executed a search warrant of his residence, according to police.

A bill sponsored by Democratic U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood of Naperville that would require Amtrak to have at least one baby changing table in a restroom in each train car is one step closer to becoming law.

A Streator man will stand trial Aug. 4 for carrying a firearm that police said had been converted into an automatic weapon.

The Illinois Valley Alzheimer’s Caring Friends Support Group meets at 6 p.m. Monday, June 16 in the upper level of the Peru Public Library.

Grace United Methodist Church will hold a garage/bake sale June 12-14 at the church, 1345 Chartes St., La Salle.

St. Bede Academy’s 42nd annual auction will be Saturday, June 14.

Trinity United Church of Christ in La Salle will host vacation Bible school June 16-18 at the church.

The Juvenile Officer of the Year award is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions and dedicated service to juveniles within their agencies, local community and to the law enforcement profession within the recent year.

The teenager charged in the Arthur Street shooting in Streator will stand trial Aug. 11.

The La Salle City Council accepted multiple appointments and resignations during Monday night’s meeting.

"I play guitar. Haphazardly – the best I can. I taught myself just playing on my parents’ porch in Princeton," Todd Volker writes in a Write Team column.

Eighty-five youth competed in the multi-discipline Illinois 4-H Shooting Sports Contest, organized by 4-H staff and volunteers from Marshall-Putnam counties, with essential support from volunteers in La Salle and Stark counties.

The city will cap each donation at $500 individually each year, with the council capping donation funds at $6,000 annually. Both parameters exclude potential donations to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry in La Salle and the Illinois Valley Animal Rescue.