Over the weekend at Blackstone Park in Mendota, some teenagers were seen messing around on the basketball courts, with one climbing up a picnic table from the pavilion to get up and sit on the rim of the basketball hoop.

The IHSA released its 2026 softball postseason schedules Wednesday. Here are the paths awaiting teams from across the Illinois Valley, including Seneca, Princeton, Ottawa, La Salle-Peru, Streator, St. Bede, Marquette and more.

The information will assist the health department in selecting community health priorities to focus on for five years. The survey lasts 10 to 15 minutes and is anonymous.

The Hegeler Carus Mansion will host a Gala: Biergarten & Steampunk Fashion Show fundraiser to commemorate the 150th anniversary of its completion from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Grove at the Mansion.

Henry-Midland's Daniella Bumber won four events at the Tri-County Conference Meet, Mendota baseball beat Bureau Valley and more in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Newman Comets strive to do three things well every time they step onto the ball diamond - hit, pitch and play good defense. They did all three enroute to a 9-1 win at Princeton in a Three Rivers East tussle at Prather Field.

Peru police are getting a new patrol officer and his last name will be familiar to city residents. Aidan DeGroot is the son of Sgt. Scott DeGroot and nephew of recently retired Sgt. Ed DeGroot.

Football players from La Salle-Peru and Ottawa had the opportunity to gain recruiting exposure by participating in IHSA combines, which are new this spring.

Eleven La Salle-Peru Township High School students were recognized as Renaissance Students of the Month during a breakfast ceremony on Wednesday, April 29.