The iconic spring-flowering bluebell is back at Starved Rock State Park. These beautiful blooms can be spotted along the trailhead to Illinois Canyon on the far east end of the park. Native to Illinois, bluebells are an important pollinator, attracting bees and other insects each spring. Peak bloom is expected over the next 2–3 weeks, making now the perfect time to get out and see them.

More than 1,000 tulips bloom beneath flowering redbud trees on Monday, April 21, 2026, outside a home at the corner of Greenwood and Fourth streets in Spring Valley. The tulips return each year at this location, creating a vibrant display that serves as a sure sign of spring.

An aerial view of the Dr. Alfred E. Wisgoski Agricultural Education Center on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby. Crews have begun construction on the exterior walls. The new facility is expected to redefine IVCC’s agriculture program, equipping the college to train and upskill agricultural workers, support the development of new technologies and promote sustainable practices. Approximately $1.6 million has been pledged toward the agricultural center, and IVCC plans to launch a community donation program later this spring. The 10,250-square-foot building is slated for occupancy in 2027. The project is supported by a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Economic Development Administration, a $240,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and a $1 million gift from the Wisgoski family.

Newman welcomes Princeton in baseball Monday, April 6, 2026. Newman took the win 12-2.

Crews are building solar panels for Saliva Solar LLC near the intersection of County Road 1800 North and County Road 2100 East Street on Monday, March 30, 2026, north of Princeton. The solar farm will be a 5-megawatt AC commercial solar energy facility on 30 acres. When completed, it will provide enough electricity to power 1100 homes.

The Hall Township Food Pantry held its annual Easter distribution on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Hall Township Food Pantry in Spring Valley. 405 families signed up for this year's giveaway. Over 100 families were served within the first hour. The community donated bags of candy, with each family receiving an Easter bag. Some of those baskets included prizes.

When Walmart opened its first store in Peru on Tuesday, April 1, 1986, it marked a major retail milestone for the Illinois Valley.

When Walmart opened its first store in Peru on Tuesday, April 1, 1986, it marked a major retail milestone for the Illinois Valley. Check out photos from when the store originally opened and the grand-opening ads.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources conducted a controlled burn on Monday, March 30, 2026, across from Deer Park Golf Club near Oglesby and Starved Rock State Park. Approximately 300 acres of prairie were burned during the planned burnoff. The burning of the prairie helps maintain a healthy grassland and prevents invasive plants.