Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Sept. 21-27. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The DePue-Hall boys soccer team upset Monmouth-Roseville in the first round of the Three Rivers Conference Tournament and more in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

Mendota senior golfer Jonas Fitzgerald was voted NewsTribune Athlete of the Week after winning the Princeton Invitational.

The program will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6, and Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the center,1901 Tom Merwin Dr., Mendota.

As the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation (SRCCF) celebrates its 10th anniversary, it is shining a spotlight on four powerful funds that embody hope, healing, and community care.

The IVCC men's golf team placed fourth in a tournament and more in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

Marquette improved to 3-2 with a 42-7 win over rival St. Bede on Friday in Ottawa.

The Hall-Putnam County football team scored a season high in points and recorded its first shutout since 2019 in a 44-0 rout of Kewanee on Friday.

Mendota beat Sherrard 14-10 on Friday for its first victory since Sept. 20, 2023, snapping a 16-game losing streak for the Trojans

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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

On Thursday evening, Mendota Police responded to reports of a shooting at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Sixth Street.

St. Bede, Putnam County and Henry earn conference wins in volleyball and more in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

One River Zen in Ottawa, in partnership with the Arts of Starved Rock Country Fund, has selected writer Alexandria Braboy and artist David Arthur for an eight-week residency focused on the intersection of art, community, and Zen practices.

The fully immersive experience, including the macabre aspects of death in the Victorian Era, will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25, according to a Hegeler Carus news release.

Princeton band instructor Steven Olson won his fourth game on the popular game show on Wednesday. He now has a 4-day winning total of $74,382. His next show will air at 4:30 p.m. today on KWQC, Channel 6.

Illinois Extension Nutrition Educator Susan Glassman will lead free “Eating for Bone Health” classes this October in Walnut and Utica.

The Illinois Valley Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its monthly meeting from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct.6, at the Utica fire station on Route 178 just south of Casey’s.

Debo Ace Hardware - As the days grow shorter and cooler weather sets in, many homeowners turn their focus indoors.

The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will open its 76th season with a pops concert titled “Go West, Young America!” on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

A total of $377,000 was awarded to 327 students for the 2025-2026 school year, and more than 130 of those students gathered to meet the donors, according to an IVCC news release.

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation awarded $194,800 in grants on Monday, Sept. 15, to eight local nonprofits, ranging from a historic summer camp to a new arts center.

What began in the 1930s as a small garage in West Brooklyn, IL has grown into a large dealership group serving Mendota, Peru and Spring Valley. This weekend, Schimmer’s Automotive will celebrate its 80th anniversary in business.

Carson Rowe shot a one-under par 71 to lead Henry-Senachwine to a tie for the team title at the Tri county boys golf tournament, LaSalle Peru volleyball won its 20th match plus more scores in Wednesday's LaSalle News Tribune Sports Roundup,

Sam Nauman and Finley Jobst each won two individual events and swam on two winning relays to lead the La Salle-Peru co-op to dual victories over Geneseo and Bloomington on Wednesday.

Meet Rachel Mershon The 94-year-old volunteer who’s logged nearly 10,000 hours at Starved Rock

Linda Mae Hiltabrand, who passed away in February 2024, was a member of the L-P class of 1971 and a former member of the L-P Foundation board.

The Class of 1975 remains the largest to enter and graduate from L-P. At the time, it was also the largest graduating class in the area.

The Mendota boys golf team placed second at the Three Rivers Meet, the L-P girls golf team was runner-up at the Interstate 8 Meet and more results in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

The La Salle-Peru volleyball team improved to 19-1 with a 25-18, 23-25, 25-23 victory over Sycamore in an Interstate 8 Conference match Tuesday in La Salle.

An Oglesby favorite has reopened.

Two Streator men were charged with felonies Tuesday following an investigation into a gunshot fired Sept. 9 near a Thornton’s. There were no injuries.

Hicks could face up to 15 years for eavesdropping

A Chicago man was charged with aggravated domestic battery after a Tuesday morning incident in Mendota that led to a three-hour standoff with police. There were no injuries.

The workshop runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 1401 W. Main St. No library card is needed to attend, but registration is required.

Peru residents will enjoy a new walking path at Baker Lake this fall. When the time comes to put on ice skates, families will enjoy concessions at the skating rink, too.

A new cafe offering coffee, sweet treats, and a welcoming space recently opened at 1746 U.S. 6, Suite B, Spring Valley.

The year-round, indoor-outdoor venue will offer a 4,000+ square foot main room, flexible pre-function areas, and outdoor patios.

Garden’s Gate is changing ownership, but the new owner is a familiar face to customers of the longtime Ottawa garden center. 

No library card is required to attend, but registration is necessary. To sign up, call 815-538-5142.

The 21-year-old never entered her home — and vanished without a trace. Her purse, keys, VHS tapes and her red smock from the Super Valu supermarket, where she worked for five years, were never recovered.

Since 2015, the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation has invested more than $3 million to support projects across La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam counties.

The Henry-Senachwine volleyball team beat El Paso-Gridley in three sets and more in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Putnam County volleyball team had solid contributions from every player that took the court in Monday's 27-25, 25-22 victory over Serena in R.M. Germano Gym in Granville.

The La Salle-Peru boys soccer team beat Rochelle in penalty kicks to earn an Interstate 8 Conference win Monday in La Salle.

Hall's defense made a key stop, the offense scored a late TD and the special teams made a critical tackle to help the Red Devils to a win, the playoff picture is taking shape with five games left and more in the NewsTribune Football Notebook.

Putnam County sophomore Myah Richardson was voted NewsTribune Athlete of the Week after recording 31 kills, 22 assists, six blocks and 24 digs in three matches.

The L-P swimming team, Mendota boys golf team and Henry-Senachwine volleyball team all won titles, plus more results in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

Hennepin unveils 'Grazing Cattle' sculpture and Kevin Coleman Bridge on Sept 20, 2025, highlighting local art and community connection on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. Check out these photos by Kyle Russell.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Sept. 14-20. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you