It’s a bit of a long shot, but Peru is going to try for a new source of funding – one that raised more than $100 million for a city in southern Illinois.

Illinois Valley Community College recently celebrated 49 students for completing the registered nursing program at the college’s associate’s degree nursing graduation on May 16.

Area fire crews responded to a fire at Carus Chemical in the early hours of Monday morning in the 1500 block of Eighth Street in La Salle.

The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp return home for four games this week after going 0-6 on a road trip.

Putnam County seniors Traxton Mattingly and Johnathon Stunkel left their legacy with the Panthers, leading them to a Class 1A second-place finish. Now, they'll continue their careers together at Illinois Central College.

Father’s Day can bring a mix of emotions for those whose fathers have passed away. While the day is often centered around celebration, it can also serve as a reminder of grief, memories, and the lasting impact a father has on the lives of his children and family members.

Reimagine Mendota, a community-focused, non-profit organization, dedicated a pair of murals in downtown Mendota.

Rainfall varied significantly, ranging from 0.5 inches in Serena to 3 inches near Rutland, with some areas receiving even more.

The La Salle County Genealogy Guild will host a presentation on tracing the history of residential properties at its monthly meeting Saturday, June 20, at 1 p.m. at Guild headquarters.

Illinois Valley Community College’s Assessment Center has evolved beyond a campus testing site for placement exams. Last year, one-third of the 3,262 people who tested there came from the workforce seeking career-defining licenses and certifications.

Putnam County fell to Tremont in the IHSA Class 1A State championship on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

The Putnam County baseball team lost 10-0 in five innings to Tremont in the Class 1A state championship game Saturday in Champaign.

Candidates must be five years of age on or by the date of the contest or entering kindergarten, and must be a resident of the Mendota Elementary School district.

The annual “Road to Independence” campaign utilizes a dedicated team of community volunteers to secure donations for Horizon House

Putnam County fought off North Clay for a 4-3 victory in eight innings during the IHSA Class 1A State semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

The Putnam County baseball team beat North Clay 4-3 in 8 innings on Friday in Champaign to advance to the Class 1A state championship game. The Panthers will play Tremont at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Tired of suspects missing court dates and tampering with ankle bracelets, La Salle County judges were handing down multiple 30-day jail sentences. The judges may have to stop. An appeals court has capped the time a defendant can fetch for pre-trial violations

The 43rd Annual St. Bede Auction, The Lane to Tomorrow, held on Saturday, June 6, was one of the most successful auctions in school history, ranking among the top four auctions held during the event’s 43-year history.

The Princeton Park District provided an update after Alexander Pool was closed last month due to a “major mechanical failure” with their filtration pump and motor.

A “Casting Memories” family fishing clinic will be at 9 a.m. Sunday, June 28, at Starved Rock State Park.

The Utica Fire Department Car Show will be 4-7 p.m. Saturday, June 27.

Putnam County Panthers got some preparation for Friday's Class 1A state semifinal, making at stop at the Corn Crib in Normal and Yard Goats indoor facility in Champaign. The Panthers (25-11) will face North Clay (35-4) at 1 p.m. Friday at Illinois Field.

The Illinois Valley Alzheimer’s Caring Friends Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, June 15 in Peru Public Library.

With flower shipments coming in later this week, Kalmmd is a one-stop shop for serious, humorous, creative and thoughtful presents.

Adults in La Salle have a new opportunity to end the workday at the Veterans Memorial Pool.

The City of La Salle started the La Salle Today Podcast, with two episodes already in the books.

After a previous announcement in April that the target completion date was moved from the middle of May to the beginning of August, the latest announcement from the Board of Education is that the project is on track to be done by the stated Aug. 1 target date.

The Tri-County, Three Rivers East and Little Ten announced all-conference teams, plus more in the NewsTribune sports briefs.

More homebuyers are thinking green—but not just for the planet. Eco-friendly features can make a home feel modern, smart, and downright irresistible.

The Putnam County baseball program has qualified for state in every full decade since the school opened. The 2026 Panthers play North Clay in Friday's semifinals in the school's seventh state appearance.

A look at the four teams competing this weekend in the Class 1A state baseball tournament in Champaign.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, issued Tornado Watch 308 at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, affecting 20 Illinois counties until 11 p.m.

They predicted that when gas crested $4 a gallon that summer tourism would surge at Starved Rock and Matthiessen. It's happening, too.

Kill someone in a drunk-driving accident and a judge can jail you pending trial. But can someone be detained for an alcohol-related crash with injuries? A DuPage County man will find out Friday.

Summer brings plenty of opportunities for swimming, boating, and other water activities, but many people do not realize that time spent in the water can sometimes affect hearing health.

Stage 212 announced tickets are available for its upcoming performance of “Sunday with Elvis Presley” at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14.

A look at the top boys tennis players in the NewsTribune area for the 2026 season.

The Putnam County baseball team beat Galena 7-4 on Tuesday to win the IHSA Class 1A NIU Supersectional and earn its first trip to state since 2013.

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, the city of Mendota is holding an afternoon of patriotic programming on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Business owners face a wide range of risks that go far beyond standard property and liability concerns.

NCI ARTworks will announce the winners of the juried art exhibition from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the NCI ARTworks Gallery in Peru.

Jackson Mason became coach Connie Lind's first player at Princeton in her 30 years as coach to win two matches at state. Then he added icing on his coach’s retirement cake by winning a third match in the state meet. He is the 2026 NewsTribune Boys Tennis Player of the Year.

Yes, we needed the rains that drenched us Sunday and Monday. But there is a severe weather watch looming Wednesday into Thursday and there could be problems if the rain keeps coming in heavy downpours.

The Spring Valley Municipal Band will launch its 2026 free summer concert series at 7 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Spring Valley’s downtown mini-park.

The La Salle Public Library, 305 Marquette St., will hold several programs and events in June.

The First Congregational Church of Peru will hold its annual vacation Bible school for children ages three and older from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, through Thursday, July 23.

L-P's Taylor Vescogni and Princeton's Avah Oertel were voted Illinois Coaches Association First-Team All State, while nine other NewsTribune-area players were honored.

Members of the Jack Koch family, along with members of the Illinois Valley Alzheimer’s Caring Friends Support Group, raised $1,100 at the second annual cardboard race held May 30 at the Spring Valley Boat Club.

Illinois Valley Community College will host an Express Registration for new students from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, at the college’s Ottawa Center, 321 W. Main St., Ottawa.

Bill Booker still loves baseball, there’s no denying that. But baseball has made it difficult for Booker to spend time with his four children - who are spread around the country - and grandchild, so he decided to retire after nearly 40 years in area dugouts.