Heavy smoke filled Interstate 180 about a half-mile south of the Illinois Route 26 and Interstate 180 intersection on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 near Princeton. A Mutual Aid Box Alarm (MABAS) was dispatched around 12:30p.m. Fire departments from Bureau, Ladd, Wyanet, Princeton, Hennepin and others assisted with the brush fire. Firefighters had to use ATV's to access areas along the Hennepin Canal.

One person is dead and another seriously injured after they became trapped in a grain bin late Monday afternoon near Granville, Granville-Hennepin Fire District Chief Neil Buffington said.

Two OSF HealthCare lifeflight helicopters landed on a farm in the 13000 block of County Road 950 North just south of Granville after two people fell into a grain bin on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. Emergency responders worked to extract the victims from the hazardous situation. Residents are advised to avoid the area during emergency operations.

La Salle firefighters responded to a fully engulfed two-story home in the 800 block of Bucklin Street on Friday, Jan. 23. A woman, her son and their dog evacuated safely before crews arrived. Firefighters from La Salle, Peru, Oglesby and Utica fire departments worked together to battle the blaze in subzero temperatures. Peru Fire Department provided an aerial truck to help crews reach the roof. Firefighters broke windows and cut a hole in the roof to access the seat of the fire. Bucklin Street was closed between 8th and 9th Streets during firefighting operations.

School districts across the Illinois Valley have announced full closures or shifts to e-learning on Friday due to the dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills forecast.