Five graduating seniors from Bureau County high schools who have enlisted in the military were recognized this May during commencement activities and presented with financial support to help cover the cost of required military gear.

Ottawa residents gathered downtown Monday, May 25, to observe Memorial Day with a parade featuring the Ottawa High School and Sheppard Middle School bands, American Legion Post 33 and vintage military vehicles. The parade drew families and community members who lined the streets to pay respects and celebrate the holiday.

The George A. Hunter Memorial Fund has awarded its first annual grant to Oglesby Washington Junior High School’s library.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists will offer a beginner yoga class outdoors on June 20 at Matthiessen State Park.

One of the staples of Memorial Day weekend in the Illinois Valley is the opening of public pools, providing residents with an opportunity to cool off and relax as school comes to a close.

Stage 212 in La Salle will offer “Theater Basics” and “Audition Boot Camp” children’s theater summer camps from Monday, June 8, through Friday, June 12.

The Illinois Valley Parkinson’s Support Group will meet Monday, June 1, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the North Utica Fire Station.

About 100 young football players got a masterclass from Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent on Saturday night at St. Bede Academy.

A single-family home in Somonauk that sold for $775,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County over the past week.

Waltham Elementary School District issued its honor and high honor rolls for the third trimester of the 2025-26 school year.

The La Salle County Farm Bureau Foundation will hold its 24th annual Ag in the Classroom Golf Outing at noon Friday, June 26, at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Course, 658 U.S. Route 6, La Salle.

The open house features DAR speakers. Coffee, cake and water will be served.

Ella Crane and Mollie Thomson were recognized for FFA awards by the La Salle-Peru Township High School District 120 Board of Education Wednesday night.

The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and more than 200 law enforcement agencies throughout the state are teaming up to remind the public to buckle up and drive sober over the Memorial Day weekend.

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

La Salle-Peru Township High School’s Board of Education voted Wednesday night to name the swimming pool in the East Building the Rob McNally Pool.

From 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2026, the Loch Countryside Kennel is welcoming all to a 15-year anniversary celebration, complete with a live, radio remote broadcast from WALLS 102, free food, giveaways, a special guest and an open house of the facility.

A pregnant ER nurse was kicked by a patient. Prosecutors, hospitals and nurses say violence has become routine – and convictions remain rare

The Academy of St. Carlo Acutis Middle School issued its final honor and high honor rolls for the 2025-26 school year.

Engle Lane Theatre will host a “Cookout Cabaret” to celebrate its 2026 season at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at the William C. Schiffbauer Center for the Performing Arts, 1012 Columbus Road, Streator.

The ceremony at 1205 Jefferson St. capped off the first day in what will be a three-and-a-half month process to build a home for a local family in need.

Grace United Methodist Church in La Salle will hold a free safety fair, open to the public, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30.

At age 56, he’s the oldest patrol officer at the Peru Police Department. Now, Bill Sommer a sergeant with no plans to retire any time soon.

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

Caught any fish lately at Baker Lake? Have you noticed the bluegills and sunfish are smaller than in years past? There are complex problems in the lake. The City of Peru means to fix them.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer children a Fossil Fun program from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, at the Seneca Public Library.

Traffic was slowed Tuesday afternoon on Route 251 north of Peru by a vehicle crash, but Peru police said there were no significant reports of injury.

The City of Mendota is adopting a Trap, Neuter and Release program to address feral and stray cats, working with Safe House Animal Rescue League, a no-kill nonprofit organization.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer community members an Accessible Hike from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at Nell’s Woodland in Ottawa.

The University of Illinois Extension will hold a free cyanotype workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 6, at Nell’s Woodland.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer a free Tomato Troubles educational program from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, at the La Salle Public Library.

Construction on the future site of the restaurant that is going up at 1209 Washington St., on the corner of Washington Street and 13th Avenue, will begin in late summer.

The Hegeler Carus Mansion will offer a new tour experience to celebrate its 150th anniversary in June and July.

A single-family home in Earlville that sold for $485,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County during the past week

Nell’s Woodland in Ottawa is currently accepting applications for its “Art in Nature” Young Artist Mentorship program, set from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12.

Judge Greg Sticka was sworn in Friday, May 15, 2026, during a ceremony at La Salle County Circuit Court. The 54-year-old will hear cases in Bureau County, however.

This year’s Safe Routes to School grant will support sidewalks around Blackstone Elementary School, including a sidewalk from 14th Avenue to Plaza Drive along the north side of US Route 34.

Casey left the courtroom on Friday without a new trial setting but with a hearing on a motion to dismiss charges on the grounds of tainted evidence.

The Marseilles Spring Rummage Sales will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office is joining law enforcement agencies across Illinois for the 2026 “Click It or Ticket” campaign running May 15 through the 26 during the Memorial Day travel period.

The Streator Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies across Illinois for the 2026 “Click It or Ticket” campaign running May 15-26 during the Memorial Day travel period.

The event is by appointment only. Passport agency specialists will be on hand to help walk you through the process and submit your materials.

A Streator man who had pleaded guilty to a drug charge – and to jumping out of a squad car – was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison.

Creve Coeur Street will be blocked from Fifth Street to Sixth Street.

A PE teacher who turned grief into a mental health movement. A school resource officer who never says he's too busy. A Marine who's always there. Meet the Illinois Valley's reader-nominated 2026 Everyday Heroes.

Shaped by his own experience battling a heroin addiction, Tomsha has built a support system for those shaped by his own experience.

As of Jan. 1, 2028, it will be illegal to sell the invasive Bradford pear tree – also known as the Callery pear – in Illinois.

HCC released a statement Tuesday stating that its latest offer was the furthest it was willing to go with the union. When that was deemed insufficient by the union bargaining committee and the workforce, Local 904 decided to strike.

The La Salle County Home and Community Education Association named Lilliana Bernabei and Finn Rosengren as the recipients of its 2026 scholarship.

The Illinois Valley Alzheimer’s Caring Friends Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, May 18 in the Peru Public Library.