Princeton senior Casey Etheridge is the NewsTribune Offensive Football Player of the Year for the third time after running into the record books this fall.

His gravelly voice could give you a first impression that he might be a little gruff around the edges. But Max Lauritzen was nothing but a big teddy bear with a heart of gold, especially when it came to kids playing Little League Baseball.

The Mendota and L-P boys bowling and the L-P girls basketball teams all won on Monday. This and more in tonight's NewsTribune roundup

Oglesby Knights of Columbus recently donated $1,500 to the Academy of St. Carlo Acutis.

With the season just underway, here is a look at the La Salle-Peru, St. Bede, Hall and Mendota girls bowling teams for the 2025-26 season.

NCI ARTworks will host an opening reception at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, for an exhibition featuring photographer Robert McCullough and watercolor artist Peter Jeziorski.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Nov. 30-Dec. 6. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

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The Mendota Chamber hosted its annual " A Mendota Christmas" on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. The event featured visits with Santa and the Grinch, free horse-drawn carriage rides, a Touch a Truck experience with police cars, fire trucks, and tractors, and kids’ crafts. The Mendota Lions Club provided free hot chocolate and hot dogs.

The La Salle-Peru girls bowling team won the Oregon Invite, the Princeton girls basketball team earned a nonconference win and more in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.