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 Enchanted Forest, the long closed indoor amusement park in Utica, will become a sports complex.

The 18th annual Veterans Parade and Air Show was held on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 downtown Utica. The event featured TBM WWII Torpedo bombers, T-6 Marine Trainers, Military vehicles and displays, Veteran groups, color guards, Chicago Police Bagpipes and Drums of the Emerald Society, Legion riders, Starved Rock A.B.A.T.E, floats and more. A complimentary Brunch for all Veterans was served at the Utica Community Hall.

Native Americans from all over the country attended the Starved Rock Pow Wow on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 at the Utica Village Hall. The event featured dancers, Native vendors, food and various presentations. This Pow Wow was first held in 1962, started by the Sam Sine family.

Utica and Oglesby firefighters and paramedics were called to Matthiessen State Park for a 16-year old male who fell approximately 30 feet in the area of Cedar Point overlook on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 in Oglesby. Utica and Oglesby Fire and EMS responded to the park just before 1p.m. The victim from Elmhurst, fell down part of an embankment near the Cedar Point area in the park. Rescuers transported him to the Matthiessen shelter using a six-wheeler and then transferred him by ambulance to OSF St. Elizabeth Peru. The patient suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The Village of North Utica has canceled its meetings of the Planning Commission and the committee of the whole, previously set for Thursday, Oct. 23.

The Illinois Valley Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its monthly meeting from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at the Utica fire station on Route 178 just south of Casey’s.

Many Illinois communities are adding back a 1% grocery tax that will otherwise expire on Jan. 1. Is your town among them?

Explore Utica's annual Witches Walk on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, featuring local artists. Check out these photos from MaKade Rios.

The 55th annual Burgoo Festival was held this weekend downtown Utica. This year's Burgoo brought in over 400 vendors. Burgoo is a hearty dish of smoked meat and vegetables cooked over an open fire.

Utica is buying a new police vehicle with a little help from the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The 55th annual Burgoo Festival is Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12 in downtown Utica.

Utica Fire Chief Ben Brown has announced a burning ban for the Utica Community Fire Protection District territory starting at 6 p.m. on Oct. 1.

Across northern Illinois, dozens of cases remain unsolved, leaving behind grieving families, unanswered questions, and a lingering pursuit of justice

Proceeds from the event will benefit Waltham students by funding expanded learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

The Illinois Valley Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its monthly meeting from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct.6, at the Utica fire station on Route 178 just south of Casey’s.

Events include Vintage Illinois Wine Festival, Redbud Creek Farm Fall Festival and more.

In addition to the extensive wine selection, attendees can enjoy live music, browse wares from local vendors and sample food from local food trucks.

Veterans and communities across the Illinois Valley held memorials Thursday to honor the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. In Ladd, Veterans Park hosted a 9/11 service led by local veterans. At Waltham Grade School in Utica, students placed 2,977 American flags outside the school, one for each life lost that day. Peru held a flag-raising ceremony and memorial at the roundabout, followed by a remembrance event at SOAR (Students Obtaining Achievement and Responsibility) School.

Heritage Corridor Destinations partners with NCIArtworks for series of pop-up gallery shows.

Utica has a moratorium on solar farms. But does that apply to residents who want to mount energy-saving panels on the roofs of their homes? The Utica Village Board decided Monday it shouldn’t.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news and sports in minutes for August 24-30. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Utica has canceled its remaining meetings for the month of August.

Emergency personnel from Peru, Wallace, Tonica, Utica and La Salle were dispatched scene of a structure fire in the 800 block of U.S. Route 6 on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025 near Utica. The incident happened shortly after 3p.m.

No injuries were reported in a short-lived residential fire Tuesday afternoon in rural Utica. The fire is considered accidental.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news and sports in minutes for August 17-23. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Clarks Run Antiques and Wine is opening a 1,500-square-foot event center at 215 N. Division St., Utica.

Thursday, the Utica Village Board voted 5-0 (Trustee John Schweickert was absent) to re-implement a 1% grocery sales tax rate on items purchased at village establishments.

Utica Public Library, 224 Mill St., announced several upcoming free events.

The 12 new retailers sell artisan goods and foods in the newly opened plaza.

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.