Henry-Midland's Daniella Bumber won four events at the Tri-County Conference Meet, Mendota baseball beat Bureau Valley and more in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

Peru police are getting a new patrol officer and his last name will be familiar to city residents. Aidan DeGroot is the son of Sgt. Scott DeGroot and nephew of recently retired Sgt. Ed DeGroot.

Football players from La Salle-Peru and Ottawa had the opportunity to gain recruiting exposure by participating in IHSA combines, which are new this spring.

Grainco FS - As lawns get closer to early summer, Step 2 of the GRAINCO FS 4-Step Fertility Program is key to keeping turf thick, green, and thriving.

Eleven La Salle-Peru Township High School students were recognized as Renaissance Students of the Month during a breakfast ceremony on Wednesday, April 29.

Tones Cones and Scoops R Us, 523 W. Main St., Ottawa, has opened for the season, serving ice cream.

Fajitas Mexican restaurant has opened in a new location.

The Earlville softball team won by a run, the Henry-Senachwine baseball team earned a nonconference win and more in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

Scott Anderson and MaKade Rios were already pleased. Their nature photos were selected for the annual Starved Rock & Matthiessen calendar.

After a little more than one year of ownership, the Bresley family is selling Mendota’s Sports-n-Stuff after Friday, May 15.

Peru firefighters responded to a house fire Monday afternoon near the intersection of Market, Main and Schuyler streets in Peru.

Brennan & Stuart - Summer is one of the busiest times of year for RV owners. Families head to campgrounds, retirees plan scenic road trips, and weekend travelers take advantage of warm weather to explore new places.

The Illinois Valley's girls soccer clubs – La Salle-Peru, Ottawa, Streator, DePue-Hall, Mendota, Princeton and the Serena and HBR co-ops – have learned their postseason paths, with regionals opening May 15.

The city of Mendota is starting its spring clean-up for residents’ yard waste on May 5.

Habitat for Humanity acquired the vacant lot at 1205 Jefferson St. following a bid to the Mendota City Council that was announced earlier this month.

The Illinois Valley Community College Foundation recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a dinner and auction Friday, March 27.

The I.F. Doug Stonier and Ella Stonier Educational Trust provides scholarships to college students for the school year commencing in August.

As Market on Mill in Utica officially opened up for the summer this weekend, a group of local elementary school children put their entrepreneurship skills to the test on Saturday morning at the Lemonade Day Youth Market.

Road work on U.S. 34 between Mendota and Earlville began on Friday with daily lane closures expected through mid-July.

Sergeant Raymond Gatza was honored as “hero-grade” for what CentralSquare, a public sector safety and administration software company, called, ”Showing up with purpose, making an impact and lifting others along the way."

Criminal justice program coordinator Jonathan Hubbell, Ph.D., of Normal received Illinois Valley Community College’s 2026 Stephen Charry Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence.

Illinois Valley Community College named Project Success counselor Aseret Loveland as the recipient of the Connie Dzierzynski Skerston Memorial Award for Support Staff Distinguished Service.

The Henry-Senachwine baseball and softball teams won, the Bureau Valley baseball team swept a doubleheader and more in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

The St. Bede baseball team won a conference game, the La Salle-Peru boys and girls track teams won a quad and more in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Illinois Valley Community College board of trustees awarded honorary emeritus status to 11 retired professionals for outstanding service at its meeting Tuesday, April 21.

Illinois folk singer Chris Vallillo will perform at 7 p.m. June 12 at The Abbey in Ottawa.

Illinois Valley Community College will hold its 60th annual commencement ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16, in the college’s gymnasium, 815 N. Orlando Smith St., Oglesby.

A Streator killer serving an effective life sentence (parole date: 2117) struck out Friday in his bid for a reduced prison time. Malcolm Whitfield's loss in court means he now can turn to an appeals court.

A Mendota man was sentenced Friday to 7½ years in prison for a large meth seizure in 2024.

Freshman Hannah Heiberger crushed two home runs Thursday to lead the St. Bede softball team to a 10-0, five-inning victory over Marquette.

Waltham Presbyterian Church, rural Utica, has announce the selection of the Rev. Kathleen Luke as pastor.

Beth Findley Smith (R-Ottawa) was elected April 15, 2026, as the 14th Congressional District state central committeeperson (SCC) for the Illinois Republican Party, securing a four-year term on the party’s governing board.

The city of La Salle is amending its process for certifying non-highway motor vehicles by removing the stipulation that the vehicles must be certified by an ASE-certified mechanic.

Northern IL Home Search - Living on the beach does not have to mean seven-figure home prices, packed beaches, and constant sticker shock.

How many TBM Avengers will fly into the May 15-16 show? City officials hope for 10 but think there will be 20,000 visitors -- along with a big revenue boost for the city.

Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of La Salle-Bureau-Putnam Counties Jessica Brayfield said that Habitat for Humanity is hoping to break ground in May and looking to have the project completed by the end of August or beginning of September.

The Putnam County softball team topped Dwight, the Mendota softball team won big and more in Wednesday's NewsTribune roundup.

Ottawa fell behind by four runs early but got its bats going in the fifth inning en route to a 10-7 victory over La Salle-Peru on Wednesday.

The 26th Annual Kid’s Free Fishing Expo will take place from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 at Baker Lake in Peru.

Officer Jessiel Moreno successfully completed his academy and field training, and is now ready for solo patrol.

The dates are April 27, May 11, May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 14, Sept. 28, Oct. 12 and Oct. 26.

A Mendota man was granted pre-trial release Monday after his lawyer argued the shot he fired might have been a justifiable use of force.

After more than 30 years in education, more than 10 years operating a childcare center in Mexico, Alicia Tamez has opened her second childcare center in La Salle.

This free program provides incoming 7-9 graders the opportunity to have hands-on experiences in industrial arts, like welding and machining, and design innovation, like computer aided design and carpentry.

The St. Bede softball team won in extra innings, Keely Lawson hit two home runs in Princeton softball's win, Bureau Valley track and field won its own senior night meet and more in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

After early struggles, Ottawa's Lucas Farabaugh smacked a run-scoring double in the eighth inning to help the Pirates top rival La Salle-Peru in Tuesday's Interstate 8 Conference game at Huby Sarver Field.

The workshop introduces participants to the square-foot gardening approach and guides them step-by-step in developing a personalized garden plan.

Nursing tutor M’Kenzee Smith of Ottawa has been named Illinois Valley Community College’s 2026 Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Award recipient.

Cities and counties have discussed moratoriums and restrictions on data centers or simply saying no. In Peru, city officials signaled they’re willing to listen.

Peru officials are grateful no one was hurt when an aged (and likely diseased) tree fell Sunday at Centennial Park. They want to make sure another doesn’t abruptly fall.