The Peru Veterans Memorial Group held their 46th annual Peal Harbor parade and memorial service on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 at the South Shore Boat Club in Peru.

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

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.

Clean and Lube has opened a new automotive service location at 1133 Wenzel Road, offering oil changes, light vehicle maintenance, car wash and detailing services.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Nov. 23-29. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Heavy snow continues to fall across the Illinois Valley on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Roads are snow-covered. A total of 7-11 inches of snow is possible for the region with higher amounts further west.

The Peru Public Library will host a historical examination of the Starved Rock Murders case at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 1409 11th St.

Greg Vaccaro, Peru Township supervisor, announced Wednesday the newly-created township website www.perutownshipil.com

A windy and cold Thanksgiving morning didn’t stop runners from showing up to the 47th Annual Oglesby Turkey Trot, which drew just shy of 1,300 participants.

The Carlo Acutis girls basketball team beat Annawan 44-13 on Tuesday to win the IESA Class 1A Annawan Regional championship.

Sharpen those skates. The Schweickert Arena ice rink is set to open the weekend of Dec. 6. at Washington Park in Peru. With the newly installed chiller system, the ice rink is expected to stay open until the end of February 2026. 

It’s a long-held tradition for children to visit Santa to tell jolly old St. Nick what they want for Christmas.

The La Salle-Peru Township High School District 120 Board accepted separation agreements Tuesday for the district’s superintendent and business manager following an investigation into alleged misconduct involving the two administrators.

Shaw Local Radio recently held its Coats for Kids Drive for community members and listeners to winter clothing including donate mittens, scarves, hats, and coats.

The First Congregational Church of Peruon will host several events and activities to celebrate the holiday season.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will offer a hands-on air plant workshop from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Peru Public Library, 1409 11th St., Peru.

The Illinois State Scholar Program identifies graduating high school seniors with superior academic potential based on college entrance examination scores and high school achievement records.

The workshop is free and open to families with children of all ages.

The La Salle-Peru Township High School Renaissance Students of the Month were recognized during a breakfast ceremony on Wednesday.

The La Salle-Peru Township High School District 120 Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, to discuss unnamed staff, according to an agenda released Saturday.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Nov. 16-22. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

OSF HealthCare will move its inpatient obstetrics and intensive care services from Ottawa to Peru by Dec. 3, 2025 - a faster timeline than many in the community expected.

The La Salle-Peru High School District 120 Board of Education President Greg Sarver said students are not involved in the ongoing investigation into a report of district employee misconduct.

RMY Homemade Goods Natural Skin Care celebrated it's grand opening with a ribbon-cutting with Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce ambassadors on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025 downtown Peru. The store features Handcrafted Beauty Rooted in Faith and Passion brings a fresh approach to beauty and wellness. RMY Homemade Goods is located at at 1822 4th Street, in Peru. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 9a.m.-7p.m. Saturday’s from noon-5p.m. closed on Monday’s and Sundays. To learn more, follow @rmyhomemadegoods on social media or email rmyhomemadegoods@gmail.com for product inquiries and updates. 

Clayton Theisinger, of La Salle, will be La Salle-Peru Township High School’s new superintendent.

Despite drawing a large public turnout, OSF HealthCare’s consolidation plan cleared its final hurdle on Tuesday night - a decision that local officials said left them disappointed and worried about the future of care in Ottawa and surrounding towns.

The La Salle-Peru High School District 120 Board of Education has confirmed that it is investigating a report of misconduct by a district employee.

The IDPH state board voted to approve OSF’s consolidation plan on Tuesday night in Bolingbrook, despite a strong effort from communities on the east side of La Salle County.

The two-story center will have two classrooms, an agriculture maintenance shop, a greenhouse, a veterinary science building, a kitchen, a learning center, a student store and an FFA office.

The First Congregational Church of Peru will host its annual “Harvest Home” Thanksgiving service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Nov. 9-15. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

City of Peru fire and police commissioners, Roelif Loveland, Greg Vaccaro, and Chris Vaske, recently attended the Illinois Fire and Police Commissioners Association training on Saturday, Nov. 8, in Lisle.

Here are some of the crimes that remain a mystery in northern Illinois

The closure will begin at 7 a.m. each day and the road is expected to reopen by the end of the workday.

Peru Fire Department responded to the former Maria’s Pizza restaurant for smoke in the building on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 downtown Peru. The incident happened shortly before 10:30a.m. Peru Police and EMS department were also on the scene.

The owner of the former Maria’s Pizza was ticketed for open burning Thursday after igniting 2x4s to fend off the cold.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board will meet Tuesday, Nov. 18, to vote on OSF HealthCare’s consolidation plan and whether or not St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa can keep its obstetrics and intensive care units open.

La Salle-Peru Township High School will host a community meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17, at Matthiessen Memorial Auditorium, announcing the next stage of replanting the agriculture program.

Parkside Middle School held their annual Veterans Day program on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025 at Parkside Middle School in Peru.

The Illinois Valley Alzheimer’s Caring Friends Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17 at the Peru Public Library.

NCI ARTworks will host an opening reception at 6 p.m. Friday for the works of photographer Eddie (E.J.) Rodriquez, artist Nadler (Nate) Petit-Dieu and photographer Larisa Sarver.

Crews with Gillian Construction repair the walking path around Baker Lake on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Peru. The walking path is nearly half-poured. It's been one month since construction began. The work includes a 10-foot-wide concrete path, with secondary concrete paths also added, connecting the new parking lot near Lighted Way to the parking lot, playground, and shelter on the west side of Baker Lake. The new path will be wider by 2 feet than the current one. The park remains closed to the public. The project will be completed in early December.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Nov. 2-8. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Snow this weekend? Really? Forecasters say, yes, there will be snowfall Saturday and especially Sunday, though whether there's accumulation is another story.

Stubbz Galley closed for the season at the South Shore Boat Club in Peru.

OSF HealthCarepatients’ in Peru recently welcomed advanced practice registered nurse Krystal Hanson to its staff as a behavioral health provider.

What began as a volunteer project for La Salle-Peru student Ryne Bubela has grown into the Illinois Valley Learning Hub, a free tutoring service to help local kids reach their potential in the classroom.

The St. Bede Academy prom committee is accepting orders for its poinsettia sale to raise funds for its 2026 prom expenses.

Mueller Funeral Home is inviting community members to pick up free Christmas stockings to decorate for veterans and soldiers as part of its annual Christmas Stockings for Soldiers and Veterans program.