Peru

OSF HealthCare plans to discontinue obstetrics and intensive care unit services at its St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa by the end of August.

The Peru Police Department may begin the search for a part-time social worker, if the committee and Peru City Council approve the proposal.

The Mendota girls soccer team beat Princeton, the Putnam County baseball and softball teams earned conference wins and more baseball, softball, tennis and track and field results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

Gavin Kallis threw five scoreless innings, and the L-P offense scored five runs in the first inning in a 9-0 win over Mendota on Thursday.

Illinois Valley Flute Ensemble and Bloomington-Normal Flute Club will present their Route Flute 66 concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, at Zion United Church of Christ, 1521 Sixth St., Peru; 3 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Prairie Arts Center, Princeton, and at 4 p.m. Sunday,

Biology instructor Donald Leynaud was recently selected by colleagues as the winner of Illinois Valley Community College’s 2025 Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Award. 

Sarah Goetz of Peru is the winner of Illinois Valley Community College’s Connie Dzierzynski Skerston Memorial Award for Support Staff Distinguished Service. 

Construction resumed Tuesday on U.S. 6 through the cities of La Salle and Peru, the Illinois Department of Transportation said in a Tuesday news release.

The St. Bede, Hall, Princeton, Bureau Valley and Amboy co-op girls track and field teams competed in the Rosenberry Invite on Wednesday.

Here’s a look at how candidates across the Illinois Valley reacted to Tuesday’s unofficial election results.

Voters this week in La Salle and Bureau counties determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Here is a list of stories from our Tuesday, April 1, 2025, election coverage.

James “Jamey” Mertel is in position to succeed Dave Bartley as Peru’s city clerk.

The St. Bede baseball team beat Midland, Bureau Valley's Logan Philhower threw a no-hitter and more baseball, softball, track and field and soccer results in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

Polls have closed across the Illinois Valley. Here are five spotlight races we’ll be following.

OSF HealthCare announced the expansion of OSF Medical Group – General Surgery to Peru, enhancing access to specialized surgical care for Illinois Valley residents, the hospital said.

Dozens of fire vehicles respond to a structure fire Tuesday on U.S. 6, across from the golf course, in La Salle. Fire departments from Peru, La Salle, Utica, Troy Grove, Wallace, Spring Valley and Oglesby were dispatched just before 2:30 p.m. to a one-story duplex home. Traffic was shut down on U.S. 6 in both directions from Richard Hallett Road to North 29th Road.

Voter turnout was solid, if not spectacular, in La Salle-Peru thanks to contested mayoral races. Outside L-P, however, foot traffic at the polls was spotty, at best.

Check out photos on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from Spring Valley, La Salle, Peru, Oglesby and Utica as voters head to the polls during the consolidated election.

This spring, La Salle and Bureau county voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

Princeton High School’s Scholastic Bowl Team continued to build upon its recent successes throughout the 2024-25 season, solidifying its reputation as one of the top programs in the area.

The Mendota girls soccer team started slow but played strong in the second half to beat La Salle-Peru 5-2 on Monday.

A look at the best boys basketball players in the NewsTribune area for the 2024-25 season.

A large police presence responded in the 600 block of Chartres Street in La Salle near La Salle-Peru High School.

Police responded on Sunday afternoon to the scene of a two-story apartment building on the corner of Seventh and Chartres streets in La Salle. Police said a man barricaded himself. The situation is resolved but more information is expected to be released by La Salle police.

Here is the list of couples who applied for La Salle County marriage licenses from Feb. 17 through March 14, 2025.

A look at the final girls basketball statistical leaders in the NewsTribune area for the 2024-25 season.

A look at the best girls basketball players in the NewsTribune area for the 2024-25 season.

The L-P baseball team beat Princeton and more baseball, softball, soccer and track and field results in Saturday's NewsTribune/BCR roundup.

La Salle County 4-H and Hy-Vee of Peru are hosting a series of free spring planting workshops for children over the next two months.

Athletes from St. Bede, Henry-Midland, Putnam County, Fieldcrest and Bureau Valley medaled at the Illinois Prep Top Times meet along with baseball, softball and soccer results in Friday's NewsTribune/BCR roundup.

A look at the best girls bowlers in the NewsTribune area for the 2024-25 season.

L-P's Kamryn Oscepinski had a 185.6 average and shined in the postseason, placing eighth in the state tournament. For all she accomplished this season, Oscepinski is the 2024-25 NewsTribune Girls Bowler of the Year.

Peru Mayor Ken Kolowski spoke with Illinois Valley Editor Derek Barichello on the issues facing Peru ahead of the April 1 election

A power outage at Epsilyte in Peru led to a safety foam being activated and an odor to be released into the air.

The Epsilyte LLC plant in Peru lost power to its facility causing the smell of a polymer to be released into the air.

A La Salle man faces up to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday to felony charges stemming from a gun and drug seizure.

Sixty-five members of the La Salle-Peru High School class of 2025 were inducted into the L-P Honor Society this week.

The Putnam County baseball team rallied for a win, St. Bede softball won big and more baseball and softball results in Thursday's NewsTribune/BCR roundup.

Seven Illinois Valley mayors spoke Wednesday about their cities during the State of the Cities luncheon coordinated by the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.

The St. Bede softball and baseball teams won conference games and more softball and baseball results in Wednesday's NewsTribune/BCR roundup.

Following the success of the November referendum, the municipal pool remains at the forefront of Peru residents’ minds ahead of the April 1 election.

The Prairie Singers are hosting a series of concerts starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 3 at St. Michael's in Streator, 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6 at St. Bede in Peru, 7 p.m. at St. Patrick's in Ottawa, and then at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13 at St. Patrick's in Seneca.

Multiple companies jumped into action Tuesday to rescue a cat stuck in a tree in Peru.

A Streator man accused of strangling a woman was indicted Tuesday for murder.

The L-P baseball team beat Hall and more baseball, softball and soccer results in Tuesday's NewsTribune/BCR roundup.

The L-P softball team scored six runs in the first inning, and two Cavaliers pitchers combined for a no-hitter in a 10-0, five-inning victory over Princeton on Tuesday.

Photos from Tuesday of the aftermath of the fire located at the former Platform 31 tavern on Water Street in Peru. The three-alarm fire started Monday morning. The building is a total loss.

Peru mayor candidate Doug Bernabei spoke with Illinois Valley Editor Derek Barichello on the issues facing Peru ahead of the April 1 election

Peru firefighters raced to Water Street on Monday morning, and quickly sent for reinforcements, after a closed tavern caught fire.