After surviving a battle with thyroid cancer, 71-year-old Robert Youens gained a new perspective on life - one that’s now fueling his journey across the country aboard a small jon boat fittingly named “The Ageless Wanderer.”

There’s an outside chance it’ll get done this winter, but workers will make trail improvements at Starved Rock State Park in 2026.

The Village of North Utica has canceled meetings of the committee of the whole and of the Planning Commission, both previously set for Thursday, July 24.

At her first town hall in DeKalb this month, freshman lawmaker and state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, spoke about the effects that federal funding cuts could have on rural schools and food banks.

The Illinois Valley Junior League baseball team placed runner-up in the state tournament.

The Illinois Valley Senior League baseball team lost to Ohio in a Central Region Tournament elimination game Tuesday.

The Illinois Valley Senior League baseball team bounced back from an opening round loss in the Central Region Tournament to defeat Missouri 13-5 on Sunday.

The Illinois Valley Senior League baseball team lost 9-3 to Iowa in its Central Region Tournament opener on Saturday in Peru.

At Thursday’s village board meeting, Utica Police Chief James Mandujano said the village force, which usually logs between 550 and 580 reports per year, is on pace for 640 this year. That would be an increase of at least 10%.

The Utica Village Board again has a full house. Eric Bara was sworn and seated Thursday to the vacant trusteeship.

The Illinois Valley Baseball League Senior League Team, made up of players from La Salle, Peru, Oglesby and Utica, will represent District 20 in the Central Region Tournament, which begins Friday in Peru.

Briel’s town hall series begins Friday, July 11, at 6 p.m. at Northern Illinois University’s Holmes Student Center, 340 Carroll Ave. in DeKalb.

The Village of Utica held their annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration on Saturday, July 5, 2025 in Utica.

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation recently awarded more than $43,000 in scholarships and a new memorial award, according to a news release.

The Utica Fire Department held its annual Car Show and Cruise night on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Carey Memorial Park in Utica. About 40 cars were on display at the show.

The Starved Rock Native American Artifact Show will return for its 22nd year Sunday, July 13, at Grand Bear Resort, 2643 Route 178 in Utica.

A Waltham Elementary schoolteacher will fill the vacant seat on the Utica Village Board.

The La Salle County Republican Committee held a caravan and rally for President Trump's birthday and Flag Day at Jamie's Outpost on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Utica. The caravan paraded through cities and towns throughout La Salle County. The caravan met back at Jamie's Outpost for cake, a 50/50 raffle, silent auction and guest speaker Jeannie Ives.

Utica Public Library has launched its summer reading program, “Reading Is A Blast,” which revolves around volcanoes, igneous rocks and geology.

The Utica Village Board has moved its June meeting, previously set for Thursday, to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

Logan’s Oasis will host a Motorcycle Run on Saturday, June 14, beginning at Mugshots, 809 S. Illinois St.

The Village of Utica and the La Salle County Historical Society honored Wild Bill Hickock with it's annual Wild Bill Days festival on Saturday, May 31, 2025 downtown Utica.

Two people were charged with money laundering Friday after a lengthy financial investigation by La Salle County authorities.

The sidewalks south of downtown Utica will get a long overdue makeover

La Salle County residents may participate in one of the local Memorial Day observances in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. A list is available here.

Catch-a-Cajun, the food truck from the owners of the shuttered Cajun Connection of Utica, will not return this summer.

The Bureau County Special Schools BEST Program visited Aitken School, a one-room schoolhouse on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the La Salle County Historical Society in Utica. The schoolhouse was originally established as a school in a deed notarized by Horace D. Hickok, brother of “Wild Bill” Hickok on Aug. 3, 1865. The schoolhouse was originally constructed in Troy Grove and “Wild Bill” Hickok attended school there. The La Salle County Historical Society hosts field trips to over 800 children each spring.

Hundreds of Catholics jammed churches in Seneca, Utica and La Salle as the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage made its way into Peoria Diocese.

A National Eucharistic Pilgrimage made stops at St. Mary's Church in Utica, Seneca's St. Patrick Church, Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine in La Salle and St. Hyacinth Church in La Salle. The pilgrimage began in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Their journey will continue for another month or so, until the scheduled end of the journey at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Check out these northern Illinois restaurants known for their burgers. From McHenry County to the Illinois Valley and everywhere in between, we've got you covered with a variety of places to try during National Burger Month.

May 10, 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Mothers Day fire downtown Utica. The fire broke out shortly before 3a.m., in an apartment above the Second Look Antiques shop (now Skoogs.) Over a dozen area fire departments responded to the fire. One victim Jay Lance, was rescued from the fire by Utica firefighters Andy Brown and Robin Partain.

The Utica Village Board still needs one trustee – Kylie Mattioda’s trustee seat remains vacant – but otherwise the board returns intact.

Utica businesses kick off the outdoor dining season by setting up patio furniture, flowers, decorations and canopies on Thursday for customers on Mill Street in downtown Utica. The outdoor dining season on Mill Street runs through October.

Traffic was halted on Interstate 80 Monday night following a deadly collision involving a semi-tractor and a minivan, police said.

The Illinois National Committeewoman for the National Young Republicans and Grassroots Engagement Director for Americans for Prosperity will speak at the next YANA (You Are Not Alone) meeting.

The Market on Mill in Utica opened for business Saturday, featuring 12 new shops in the village's downtown.

While Utica welcomed 12 new vendors to the Market on Mill, the outdoor retail plaza provided a venue for future entrepreneurs on Lemonade Day.

The Market on Mill, Utica's long-dreamed-of outdoor shopping plaza, opened for business Saturday.

The Music Suite 408 flute ensembles, under the direction of Natalie Lindig, Becky Weiler and Sue Gillio will present the 32nd annual Spring Flute Fling at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, at the Zion United Church of Christ, Peru.

La Salle County Sheriff Adam Diss has announced his reelection campaign.

A farmers market is coming to Utica on a vacant lot south of downtown.

Market on Mill will open in Utica, Morel Fest returns to Ottawa, the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will conclude its season, the MOMsemble will perform in Princeton and an Earth Day celebration will commence in an event-packed weekend in the Illinois Valley.

Ginger Road Brewing in Utica is open for the summer season.

Utica officials will cut the ribbon at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Market on Mill. Here are some of the vendors who plan to open in the plaza.

Read the transcript from our Walls 102 podcast: Dani Holland interviewed Bill Zenns, Executive Director of the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce about their upcoming event called “Lemonade Day.”

Listen to our latest podcast: Dani Holland interviewed Bill Zenns, Executive Director of the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce about their upcoming event called “Lemonade Day.”

The Illinois Valley Community College Board welcomed members elected in the April 1 election on Tuesday, canvassed the election results and named officers during an organizational meeting.

The meeting of the Utica Planning Commission and the April committee meeting, both previously set for Thursday, April 24, have been canceled.

Children scramble to collect Easter eggs during the annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday at Carey Memorial Park in Utica. This year marks the first time the Utica Fire Department used plastic eggs since the 1970s when the hunts began. The fire department chose plastic eggs instead of dying them because of the egg shortage.

The Illinois Valley Parkinson’s Support Group will host its monthly meeting from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, May 5, at the Utica Fire Station, just south of Casey’s at U.S. 6 and Route 178.