The University of Illinois will hold a “Conservation Conversations” program as part of its “Sustainability on the Farm” series from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, March 20, at the La Salle County Extension Office.

The Illinois Valley Alzheimer’s Caring Friends Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, March 16 at the Peru Public Library.

Photos show storm damage on the north side of Ottawa after severe storms moved through Tuesday evening, including fallen trees and flooding.

Tyler Thompson: I’ll work to cut the budget of waste, duplications, abuse, fraud and by any other means possible. The hope is to get the current budget costs under $50 billion by 2034 so that we can used the freed up funds to better support the state.

Explore the world of reptiles with a live animal program at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center.

The Hall softball team returns a strong core of players and adds a solid freshman class as the Red Devils look to improve this spring.

The Bureau Valley Storm had a record-breaking baseball season on the diamond last year, finishing with 22 wins. While the Storm lost a strong senior core, ninth-year Storm skipper Ryan Schisler believes the Storm have the makeup for continued success.

Authorities in the Illinois Valley are breathing easier after close-shave storms Tuesday caused only minor damage. The relief was greatest in Putnam County, where two tornado warnings were sounded but with no injury or damage.

Registration has opened on Starved Rock’s Eventbrite page for “Nature Sleuths: Spring Break Youth Workshops” to be held April 8-10 at the Starved Rock Visitor Center.