Mendota residents hoping to cool off in the municipal pool this summer will have to find another way to beat the heat.

Mendota and Troy Grove fire departments responded to the mechanic building at ADM Milling and Rail Terminal on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 in Mendota. Firefighters responded to a report of an explosion in the wash bay area. The incident happened shortly before 9:30a.m. No injuries were reported.

Peru’s fire chief said it from day 1: Fast-thinking by a city electrical employee and two officers kept a Feb. 9 residential fire from turning tragic. Monday, the responding trio their due.

The first COVID-19 fraudster sentenced in La Salle County thinks her five-year prison term was excessive. Ebony Green will ask for a lesser sentence at a March 19 hearing.

The Henry and Fieldcrest boys basketball teams won their postseason openers, plus more regional results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

The No. 7-seeded Hall boys basketball team lost 68-58 to No. 10 Rockridge in a Class 2A Rockridge Regional quarterfinal Monday in Spring Valley.

St. Bede fell behind 11-4 but used an 11-0 run to take a 33-21 halftime lead on the way to a 58-45 regional quarterfinal win over Putnam County.

La Salle County Emergency Management Agency announced Monday an open house for La Salle County’s new Mobile Operations & Communications Center.

Postal workers gathered in Peru to picket for higher wages, better working conditions and an end to forced overtime.