The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp hosted Lafayette for their last home game of the regular season on Wednesday Aug. 4, 2021.

“The Mendota Union Depot” mural rendering was unveiled at the Raise the Depot event on Monday Aug. 2, 2021, at Union Depot Railroad Museum and Amtrak Station downtown Mendota.

Hundreds turned out to to support one of the largest fundraisers in the Illinois Valley. The 17th annual Cops 4 Cancer benefit Saturday, July 31, 2021, was conducted in Cedar Point. The charity has been able to distribute more than a million dollars to help individuals and families battling the emotional and financial costs of cancer.

Nearly two dozen children participated at the 19th annual Carus Summer Science Camp on Friday, July 30, 2021. The camp of La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties students, provides them with a foundation of STEM skills. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math.

Children and families looked to cool off Wednesday at Riordan Pool in Ottawa and the Splash Pad in Peru. The National Weather Service put the area under a heat advisory until 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians with Al Pierson, returned to Lake DePue on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. The concerts kicks off the festivities for the DePue Mens Club boat races each year. Born Albert Theodore Pizzamiglio, Pierson began his professional career at the age of 14. For nearly 15 years, Al Pierson and his Big Band U.S.A. toured the world, playing nearly 300 engagements annually, including 20 international dance tours in many countries and every state.

The Marquette football team held practice on Monday July 26, 2021.

Walking through Matthew Clifford's backyard is like stepping into a scene out of the movie "The Sandlot." Clifford created over 50 signs with advertising and Major League Baseball team logos in his backyard at his home in Leland. Clifford began painting the signs in May of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp hosted the Clinton LumberKings on Saturday July 24, 2021. The Pistol Shrimp lost to the LumberKings 14-7 at Veterans Park. The team paid tribute to Wally the wallaroo who got away his owner last December in Peru and made headlines.