NewsTribune

A longtime attorney for the County of La Salle has been made a judge.

The Peru Pool Advisory Committee will host a public meeting on Monday, June 14, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Peru City Hall, 1901 4th St.

Macy Michelini, of Peru, donated 400 pounds of beef to the food pantry through her"Beef Kind and Healthy" distribution. Michelini did a project where she had to raise a cow, process it and distribute it to the local food pantry.

Mendota Historical Society will host Terry Johnson of Quilts of Valor at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 12 at 907 Washington St., Mendota.

Locals are invited to explore community gardens and enjoy expert-led inspiration during the Northwest Region Garden Tours on Saturday, June 29. This event is free and open to the public.

A look at the best girls track and field athletes in the NewsTribune area for the 2025 season.

Meyers, Flowers, Bruno, McPhedran and Herrmann - Accidents happen every day, but when someone else’s negligence leaves you injured, you may be left wondering what to do next.

The Illinois Valley Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, July 7, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.at the Utica fire station, on Route 178 just south of Casey’s.

St. Bede junior Lily Bosnich qualified for the Class 1A state track and field meet in four events, placed second in state in the 100-meter hurdles and 300 hurdles and set the area record multiple times in both hurdle events.

Illinois Valley media, including the La Salle NewsTribune and The Times, have been following the Starved Rock Murders and Chester Weger’s case for more than 60 years. Here are a few key moments in this long-running saga, captured by our reporters and photographers. Photo editor Scott Anderson procured the material. Weger died on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

Michlig Energy, Ltd. announced a new location in Peru at 6350 Meridian Road.

A downtown coffee shop is part of a proposal for the former La Salle Public Works Building.

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.

A look at the best boys tennis players in the NewsTribune area for the 2025 season.

After falling short of state last season, Princeton's Asa Gartin and Jackson Mason came back motivated this spring. The Tiger tandem went 25-5, qualified for state and went 1-2 at the state tournament.

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.

The Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees approved a $45,000 bid to launch its electric fleet during Tuesday’s meeting.

Safe Journeys, a domestic violence and sexual assault survivor support agency, is offering the workshop, Grooming and Sexual Violence: It is Your Business, at Illinois Valley Community College on Thursday, June 26.

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

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.

Oglesby Elks Lodge #2360 performed their Flag Day Ritual at the Illinois Veterans Home at La Salle for 32 residents of the facility on Flag Day, June 14.

AFNA announced the launch of a new production line at its Toluca facility, adding more than 80 new jobs and bringing the plant’s total workforce to over 350.

Maitri Path to Wellness - June is recognized as PTSD Awareness Month, a time to shed light on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and its profound impact on mental health.

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

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.

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

The Starved Rock Native American Artifact Show will return for its 22nd year Sunday, July 13, at Grand Bear Resort, 2643 Route 178 in Utica.

A Waltham Elementary schoolteacher will fill the vacant seat on the Utica Village Board.

Northern IL Home Search - With home prices stabilizing in many markets and interest rates expected to ease up slightly during 2025, now is a smart time to assess what you can realistically afford when house hunting.

Dani Holland of Walls 102/Shaw Local Radio talks about the official winner of this year’s Teacher Of The Year Award. This year’s winner is Carrol Happ, a third grade teacher from Northview School in Peru

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

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

Fire Departments from Peru, La Salle, Spring Valley and Utica responded to a fire at the Housing Authority for La Salle County (Peru Hi-Rise) on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 in Peru. The fire happened shortly after 6p.m.

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.

A look at the best baseball players in the NewsTribune area for the 2025 season.

A look at the NewsTribune area's baseball stat leaders for the 2025 season.

A longtime IVCC trustee and a college-business partnership that addressed a growing healthcare shortage were recognized Friday, June 6, by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA), an advisory organization supporting trustees of the 48 state community colleges.

St. Bede senior Alan Spencer was dominant on the mound this spring with a 9-0 record, 0.86 ERA and 105 strikeouts to earn NewsTribune Baseball Player of the Year.

Debo Ace Hardware - Grilling the perfect steak is as much about preparation and equipment as it is about technique.

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.