The City of Oglesby will host its annual Boots, Brews and BBQ night on Saturday, Sept. 13.

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After five days of weather delays, 174 skydivers successfully broke the 10-year-old 164-way vertical skydiving world record on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa. The new record was set during a meticulously coordinated jump that brought together athletes from around the globe. Organizers confirmed the achievement on Facebook following official review, marking a major milestone in the sport. The previous record, set in 2015, had stood for a decade. Check out these photos from MaKade Rios.

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary this fall.

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A group of international skydivers attempted to set both a world and a state record during jumps over Skydive Chicago in Ottawa on Wednesday. Skydivers were unable to perform the attempt on Tuesday due to weather conditions. The first attempt aimed to break the world record for a vertical formation but was unsuccessful. Later, divers exited the aircraft again to surpass the Illinois state record for the largest belly-to-earth formation. That attempt also did not result in a new record. Skydive Chicago is a frequent host of large-scale skydiving events and record attempts.

A celebration honoring world-renowned violinist Maud Powell will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at the Maud Powell statue in the Fourth Street courtyard in downtown Peru.

The Oglesby American Legion will hold its monthly steak fry from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28. 

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Take a look at some of the week’s best photos, captured by Illinois Valley photographers from Sunday, Aug. 10, through Saturday, Aug. 16.

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Families gather for the kickoff youth soccer ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at Peck Park in Ottawa. Check out these photos by MaKade Rios.

A new art gallery in downtown Seneca will open Friday, Aug. 15, with an exhibition featuring paintings by acclaimed visual artist J. Douglas Dalrymple.