Fr. Jeff Windy offered Holy Thursday Mass on Thursday, March 2, 2026 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Utica. It was on Holy Thursday 351 years ago that Fr. Marquette offered the first Mass in Illinois territory here. Utica is historically the spot where the first Mass was said in Illinois.

Crews are building solar panels for Saliva Solar LLC near the intersection of County Road 1800 North and County Road 2100 East Street on Monday, March 30, 2026, north of Princeton. The solar farm will be a 5-megawatt AC commercial solar energy facility on 30 acres. When completed, it will provide enough electricity to power 1100 homes.

The Hall Township Food Pantry held its annual Easter distribution on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Hall Township Food Pantry in Spring Valley. 405 families signed up for this year's giveaway. Over 100 families were served within the first hour. The community donated bags of candy, with each family receiving an Easter bag. Some of those baskets included prizes.

When Walmart opened its first store in Peru on Tuesday, April 1, 1986, it marked a major retail milestone for the Illinois Valley.

When Walmart opened its first store in Peru on Tuesday, April 1, 1986, it marked a major retail milestone for the Illinois Valley. Check out photos from when the store originally opened and the grand-opening ads.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources conducted a controlled burn on Monday, March 30, 2026, across from Deer Park Golf Club near Oglesby and Starved Rock State Park. Approximately 300 acres of prairie were burned during the planned burnoff. The burning of the prairie helps maintain a healthy grassland and prevents invasive plants.

Newman defeated Bureau Valley 20-5 on Monday, March 30, 2026 at Bureau Valley High School.

Bureau Valley defeated Newman 9-6 on Monday, March 30, 2026 at Bureau Valley High School.

A semi truck struck the U.S. Route 6 overpass on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Peru. Traffic was closed in both northbound and southbound directions on Illinois Route 251. Peru Police and Fire were on the scene. The incident happened shortly before 10a.m.