The Mendota Chamber hosted its annual " A Mendota Christmas" on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. The event featured visits with Santa and the Grinch, free horse-drawn carriage rides, a Touch a Truck experience with police cars, fire trucks, and tractors, and kids’ crafts. The Mendota Lions Club provided free hot chocolate and hot dogs.

The La Salle-Peru girls bowling team won the Oregon Invite, the Princeton girls basketball team earned a nonconference win and more in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

La Salle-Peru's Kiely Domyancich and Ottawa's Lily Gwaltney each won titles at the Princeton Invitational Tournament on Saturday.

The triggerman in the Easter Sunday murder in Streator was sentenced Friday to 117 years.

Northbrook Middle School recently announced its honor roll for the first trimester of the 2025-26 school year.

An Ottawa man pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a minor Friday and was sentenced to 30 years.

Kevin Billups of Peru was awaiting a jury trial for dealing cocaine – jurors were to be selected Monday – when he allegedly, and while on pre-trial release, sold another 2 ounces of cocaine.

The St. Bede boys basketball team won its first conference game, plus more results in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Henry-Senachwine boys basketball team defeated Putnam County 61-56 in their Tri-County Conference opener Friday in Granville.

The event is free and open to all children and families.

The link to apply for scholarships is open through Feb. 5, 2026, at ivcc.awardspring.com.

"Day" Jones interviews Stephen Wolf, who will be participating in Dreamwave's Good as Gold event this Saturday at the Kaycee Club in La Salle

Safe Journeys - Holidays often bring joy, togetherness, and celebration—but for many people, the season comes with stress, conflict, and emotional difficulty instead.

She claimed to run a daycare service in Ottawa with earnings of $100,000. Ebony Green was actually a hair stylist earning a fraction of that. Yet she got a COVID-19 relief loan for nearly $20,000. Ebony Green may now go to prison for five years.

St. Bede Academy announced Thursday seven members of the Class of 2026 have been named Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Stage 212 will hosting a special entertainment event at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, when Her Majesty’s Radio Theatre presents Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol: The Ghosts of Christmas.”

The L-P girls wrestling team won a pair of duals, plus more results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

St. Bede scored six points in the final minute, including a 3-pointer from freshman Hannah Heiberger with 4.8 seconds left, to pull out a 40-37 win over Midland on Thursday.

A decade-long tradition ended in Peru earlier this week after the city misplaced its former 15-foot Christmas tree.

Norberg Memorial Home - The first year after losing someone you love can feel like walking through unfamiliar territory—quiet, heavy, and often confusing.

The show is a fundraiser supporting the recent renovation of the auditorium. It will feature local performers singing and dancing to a variety of holiday favorites.

You’ve seen one of the film adaptations of “A Christmas Carol” – maybe you watch one every year – why not make the traveling radio show a Yuletide tradition, too?

The Village of Ladd will host its annual Christmas Walk from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, featuring activities throughout downtown.

Dr. Dale J. Young has stepped into his new role as Illinois Valley Community College’s theater instructor and director, bringing decades of stage and teaching experience to the campus, IVCC said in a news release.

Illinois Valley Community College students must pay spring 2026 tuition by Dec. 10 or risk being dropped from all classes.

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

The Mendota girls basketball team beat Earlville, plus more results in Wednesday's NewsTribune roundup.

After almost 11 years, Nonie’s Bakery & Café in Utica has closed. Its last day of business was November 23.

Nicolaus Phillips will stand trial March 5 for the fatal shooting of an Ottawa man. Newly-filed court records show he plans to argue self-defense.

Grace United Methodist Church in La Salle will offer a Blue Christmas service at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18.

Students collected donations during the Small School Big Hearts campaign on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 at Dimmick School in La Salle. The “Small School, Big Hearts” campaign is a toy drive organized by third graders and celebrates the power of kindness, generosity and community spirit. Gifts will be wrapped and sent to Officer Santa with the La Salle Police Department and St. Jude. The school is accepting donations through Dec. 12.

Oglesby Washington School released its honor and high honor rolls for the first trimester of the 2025-26 school year.

Kettman Heating & Plumbing - The giving season is upon us. While you’re busy picking out the perfect gifts for everyone on your list, don’t forget to treat yourself —and your home—with the gift that keeps on giving long after the holiday decorations are put away: upgrading to an

A look at the top boys soccer players in the NewsTribune area for the 2025 season.

Mendota senior Johan Cortez is the NewsTribune Boys Soccer Player of the Year after leading the Trojans to a Class 1A runner-up finish.

La Salle-Peru pulled away in the second half to beat Hall 57-34 in a nonconference game Tuesday.

Kash Klendworth scored 27 points to lead Fieldcrest to a win, plus more results in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

Kaneland took control in the second quarter and pulled away for a 91-50 win over Mendota on Tuesday.

The Putnam County girls basketball team looked to be on its way to their first victory of the young season Tuesday at Streator. Instead, the host Streator Bulldogs got their first win, 37-24.

Get into the holiday spirit with Cavalier performers with choir and band concerts this month.

OSF HealthCare’s consolidation plan will officially start its inpatient obstetrics and intensive care services from Ottawa to Peru on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Third-graders at Dimmick School have been working to spread a little Christmas cheer.

Farmers interested in exploring industrial hemp as a grain and fiber row crop can learn from industry leaders Wednesday at the Mendota Civic Center.

The Oglesby American Legion will hold its monthly taco night from 4:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, December 10.

Maitri Path to Wellness - Caring for your mental health during the holidays is important, especially since this time of year can be emotionally complex.

The Oglesby Knights of Columbus, 307 E. Florence St., will host a fish and shrimp fry from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.

A look at the La Salle-Peru, St. Bede, Putnam County-Hall, Mendota and Princeton wrestling teams for the 2025-26 season.

The Hardscrabble Lions Club in Streator recently raised $1,000 during a raffle.

Could it be a December to remember? Snow of 3-4 inches is possible by midnight Monday. Cold arctic air is forecasted later in the week.

A look at the top girls tennis players in the NewsTribune area for the 2025 season.