Peru police are getting a new patrol officer and his last name will be familiar to city residents. Aidan DeGroot is the son of Sgt. Scott DeGroot and nephew of recently retired Sgt. Ed DeGroot.

The annual award seeks to recognize outstanding educators who go above and beyond for their students.

As Shaw Media celebrates its 175th anniversary, we are diving into our archives to examine four front pages from early May

Eleven La Salle-Peru Township High School students were recognized as Renaissance Students of the Month during a breakfast ceremony on Wednesday, April 29.

After a little more than one year of ownership, the Bresley family is selling Mendota’s Sports-n-Stuff after Friday, May 15.

Peru firefighters responded to a house fire Monday afternoon near the intersection of Market, Main and Schuyler streets in Peru.

The National Weather Service has issued a blowing dust advisory beginning at 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday for most of Illinois along Interstate 80 and south, along with patchy blowing dust west of the Fox River

The city of Mendota is starting its spring clean-up for residents’ yard waste on May 5.

Habitat for Humanity acquired the vacant lot at 1205 Jefferson St. following a bid to the Mendota City Council that was announced earlier this month.

The I.F. Doug Stonier and Ella Stonier Educational Trust provides scholarships to college students for the school year commencing in August.

Road work on U.S. 34 between Mendota and Earlville began on Friday with daily lane closures expected through mid-July.

Sergeant Raymond Gatza was honored as “hero-grade” for what CentralSquare, a public sector safety and administration software company, called, ”Showing up with purpose, making an impact and lifting others along the way."

Illinois folk singer Chris Vallillo will perform at 7 p.m. June 12 at The Abbey in Ottawa.

La Salle County Sheriff’s Office announced the results of the April enforcement campaign, held during Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

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

The Putnam County Public Library District’s Hennepin branch will offer a tour of the Reddick Mansion at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16.

A Streator killer serving an effective life sentence (parole date: 2117) struck out Friday in his bid for a reduced prison time. Malcolm Whitfield's loss in court means he now can turn to an appeals court.

A Mendota man was sentenced Friday to 7½ years in prison for a large meth seizure in 2024.

The Illini and Princeton-Illinois chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated their mutual 130th anniversaries Saturday, April 4.

Beth Findley Smith (R-Ottawa) was elected April 15, 2026, as the 14th Congressional District state central committeeperson (SCC) for the Illinois Republican Party, securing a four-year term on the party’s governing board.

Annie from Shaw Local Radio interviews Nathan Carroll from Mississippi River Distilling to talk about Whiskey Dinner with Mississippi River Distilling featuring Cody Road Whiskey. It is a four-course meal featuring pairings inspired by Cody Road Whiskey at Starved Rock State Park

The city of La Salle is amending its process for certifying non-highway motor vehicles by removing the stipulation that the vehicles must be certified by an ASE-certified mechanic.

How many TBM Avengers will fly into the May 15-16 show? City officials hope for 10 but think there will be 20,000 visitors -- along with a big revenue boost for the city.

Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of La Salle-Bureau-Putnam Counties Jessica Brayfield said that Habitat for Humanity is hoping to break ground in May and looking to have the project completed by the end of August or beginning of September.

The Sunrise Rotary Club of Ottawa recognized two students as May Students of the Month.

The 26th Annual Kid’s Free Fishing Expo will take place from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 at Baker Lake in Peru.

Officer Jessiel Moreno successfully completed his academy and field training, and is now ready for solo patrol.

The dates are April 27, May 11, May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 14, Sept. 28, Oct. 12 and Oct. 26.

A Mendota man was granted pre-trial release Monday after his lawyer argued the shot he fired might have been a justifiable use of force.

After more than 30 years in education, more than 10 years operating a childcare center in Mexico, Alicia Tamez has opened her second childcare center in La Salle.

This free program provides incoming 7-9 graders the opportunity to have hands-on experiences in industrial arts, like welding and machining, and design innovation, like computer aided design and carpentry.

The workshop introduces participants to the square-foot gardening approach and guides them step-by-step in developing a personalized garden plan.

Cities and counties have discussed moratoriums and restrictions on data centers or simply saying no. In Peru, city officials signaled they’re willing to listen.

Marquette's Todd Hopkins, Woodland's Connor Kaminke and Mendota's Steve Wasmer will be among the 2026 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Coaches of the Year.

From the Illinois Answers Project: Mental health courts have proliferated across Illinois in recent decades. Now, the state has 31 courts across 25 counties. There’s at least one in most of the state’s judicial circuits, but about two million Illinoisans are still left out.

La Salle is pursuing a state River Edge Redevelopment Zone designation that could offer tax incentives and economic benefits to developers and businesses, after the City Council passed an ordinance Monday.

Peru officials are grateful no one was hurt when an aged (and likely diseased) tree fell Sunday at Centennial Park. They want to make sure another doesn’t abruptly fall.

Extension expands ADA-compliant restroom accommodations to include a changing station for individuals with disabilities weighing over 50 pounds, helping Illinois children and adults with severe mobility issues or other disabilities comfortably and privately use these facilities.

Shaw Local Radio's Dani Holland interviewed Bill Zenns with the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce (IVAC) about the upcoming Lemonade Day this weekend. More than 50 student entrepreneurs from across the Illinois Valley will be setting up shop in Utica on May 3

Strong to severe storms are expected across northern Illinois on Monday, with the greatest risk for damaging winds and hail arriving late afternoon into the evening

The Streator Leading Ladies held its monthly meeting Thursday, April 16, at Chipper’s Grill.

The 5K run started at the Fish Park pavilion and took participants around Lake Mendota and the baseball/softball fields of Lake Mendota Park while getting splashed with colors at eight different stations along the route.

No one was hurt early Sunday evening when a tree fell abruptly at Centennial Park in Peru, but it damaged a brick outhouse and brought down a power line.

This community-focused event encourages students to start their day in an active and healthy way by walking, biking, or rolling to school.

After the discussion of data centers at Monday morning’s Committee of the Whole meeting, the committee decided to vote on a water survey and study at the next county board meeting before considering any decisions on data centers within county limits.

The La Salle County Friends of Extension and 4-H will hold a drive-thru fundraiser dinner to support La Salle County’s Illinois Extension and 4-H Youth program from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 8, in the La Salle County Extension Office parking lot, 1689 N. 31st Road, Ottawa.

The athletes were recognized for qualifying in the snowshoe competition and the state basketball tournament with a certificate from Board President Greg Sarver.

A single-family home in La Salle that sold for $380,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County in the past week.

The cultural competition will encourage students to practice Spanish and explore cultural traditions outside the classroom.

The outage will take place from 11th Street and Chartres Street to 1322 Chartres St.