The Chicago Bears will play the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional round. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar give their early impressions of the matchup and whether they think the Bears can keep their run going

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois and Chicago sued the Trump administration, seeking to severely limit immigration agents’ authority in the state and accusing the feds of unleashing an “organized bombardment” to coerce state and local officials to change immigration policies

Candlelight vigils and protests were held this week across northern Illinois and beyond in honor of Renee Nicole Good, the Minnesota woman who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis.

Five years ago Mike McClure made the trip to Princeton to bowl in the Masters for the first time. He’s glad he did. On Sunday, McClure made off with his first Princeton Masters bowling crown, defeating the red-hot rookie Trenton Acuncius 235-216 in the championship game.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and players met with reporters Monday, a couple of days after the team’s thrilling comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Wild Card. Here are three of the most interesting things the Bears said Monday.

A Joliet man faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of driving under the influence during a May accident near Ottawa that killed a woman.

La Salle Police, Fire and EMS responded to the scene of a three vehicle crash near the entrance to La Sale Speedway on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 on U.S. Route 6 in La Salle. The crash happened around 8:30a.m. Crews from Utica and La Salle responded to the scene. OSF Lifeflight helicopter landed in the parking lot of La Salle Speedway to transport one patent. U.S. Route 6 was closed in both directions as crews could attend to the victims.

From Capitol News Illinois: The feud has allowed Pritzker to grow his national profile as he’s used his bully pulpit to knock Trump and perhaps lay the groundwork for a 2028 presidential campaign

Outdoor ice rinks are a great way to have fun, fit in some physical activity and enjoy fresh air this winter.

The Chicago Bears will host the Los Angeles Rams next weekend at Soldier Field in the NFC divisional round

The Putnam County Public Library District will launch its 2026 book club series “Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together” at 5 p.m. Jan. 20 at its Granville branch.

The Putnam County Public Library District will host a reading program with a therapy dog at 10 a.m. Jan. 24 at its Granville branch.

The PCJH 8th grade boys finished up the regular season at 18-2. They will take the No. 1 seed into the Little Tri-County tournament with a 6-0 record. On 8th grade night on Thursday, Jan. 8, the Pumas defeated Streator Woodland 53-8.

The Chicago Bears pulled off an unforgettable comeback Saturday night when they came back to beat the Green Bay Packers 31-27 in their NFL Wild Card matchup. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down the epic comeback

Over 100 protesters gathered during a "ICE Out For Good" rally on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 at Washington Park in Ottawa. Illinois Valley Indivisible held the rally. Protesters rallied in solidarity with Renee Nicole Good, the woman who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

Streator Township High School has announced its 2nd quarter honor roll, recognizing students for academic achievement.

The Putnam County Public Library District will host a free screening of “Secrets of Stonehenge” at 1 p.m. Jan. 20 at its Granville branch.

The Putnam County Public Library District will host a hands-on art workshop at 4 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Condit Branch.

State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, recently announced that select Illinois community colleges are eligible to apply for a grant funding advanced workforce training facilities.

Ottawa boys basketball picked up a historic win for head coach Mark Cooper, Sandwich's boys wrestling team took a tournament title, and more in The Times Saturday Roundup.

Peru Hy-Vee raised $4,308.60 for two local food pantries through a November round-up campaign, the store announced.

Woodland Elementary and Junior High has announced its 2nd quarter honor roll, recognizing students for academic achievement.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Jan. 4-10 Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Chicago Bears pulled of the comeback of all comebacks on Saturday night when they came back to beat the Green Bay Packers 31-27 in the NFL Wild Card. Here are the five big takeaways from an unforgettable win.

The Chicago Bears overcame a late 11-point deficit to beat the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night in the NFL Wild Card at Soldier Field. Here's how Caleb Williams' sparked the comeback with a key fourth-down completion.

Has a new era finally arrived? The Bears were used as a throw rug during a pitiful first half Saturday but somehow climbed back into it and actually beat Green Bay in a playoff game 31-27. This could be the start of a special rivalry between quarterbacks – and coaches.

Macy Gochanour had a big game to lead the Fieldcrest girls basketball team to a win, plus more results in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

A Spring Valley family was safely evacuated late Saturday afternoon after a fire apparently destroyed their home in the 200 block of East Devlin Street.

Wrestling teams from Dixon, Princeton, Richmond-Burton and Coal City competed during the 62nd annual Lyle King Princeton Invitational boys tournament on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 at Princeton High School.

Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon will be active against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night in their NFL Wild Card matchup at Soldier Field.

Here's the schedule of varsity high school sporting events in the Ottawa/Streator/Seneca area for the coming week.

Sophomore Chace Sterling led three players in double figures with 19 points to lead the Red Devils to a nonconference victory Saturday in Spring Valley. The BV girls notched 1 68-27 win for Illinois in the IHMVCU Iowa-Illinois Shootout at Wharton Fieldhouse in Moline.

Streator defeated Earlville 33-28 on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 in Pops Dale Gymnasium in Streator. Check out photos from the game by Tom Sistak.

Protesters hold signs during a "ICE out for good" protest on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 at Rotary Park in Princeton. The Bureau County Democrats organized the event. About two-dozen protesters gathered to protest the ICE officer who shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

From Capitol News Illinois: Nicor Gas on Friday filed a $221 million rate hike request with the Illinois Commerce Commission, less than two months after state regulators approved a $168 million rate hike for the utility

Three Chicago Bears players earned AP All-Pro honors Saturday. Left guard Joe Thuney and safety Kevin Byard each received First Team honors while right tackle Darnell Wright was named to the Second Team.

The Ottawa Township High School Educational Foundation is inducting Dr. Charles Scheaff into its 2026 Hall of Fame class.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will make his playoff debut Saturday night when his team hosts the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Wild Card at Soldier Field. After a season of turning the improbable into possible, the Bears believe in Williams heading into Saturday.

Putnam County went on a 16-0 run in the first quarter and rode the momentum to a 55-42 victory over Lowpoint-Washburn on Friday.

The Mendota, Earlville, Bureau Valley and DePue boys basketball teams all won, plus more results in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Seneca boys basketball team topped Midland for a Tri-County Conference win on Friday, while Earlville defeated LaMoille in the Little Ten for its first triumph of the season. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

Marquette boys basketball shook off a slow start and pulled away for a 44-31, rock-fight conference win over Roanoke-Benson on Friday night.

Sycamore senior Grace Amptmann's 3-pointer started a quick-hit, game-changing 13-0 run over a two-minute span in the fourth quarter on Friday to help the Spartans earn a 57-45 Interstate 8 Conference victory over Ottawa at Kingman Gymnasium.

Some pretty second-half shooting and transition play allowed Wilmington's boys basketball team to flip a three-point halftime deficit into a 13-point victory over the Streator Bulldogs on Friday.

Woodland defeated St. Bede 59-54 on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 at Woodland High School. Check out photos from the game by Tom Sistak.

L-P defeated Ottawa 45-37 on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 in Sellett Gymnasium at L-P High School.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois and the four other Democratic-led states that were subject to the Trump administration’s freeze on $10 billion in federal funding for child care and family services secured a restraining order on Friday in their lawsuit seeking to block it

Utica Public Library announces its upcoming free events for 2026

The Bureau Valley FFA Greenhand Leadership Team will hold a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Jan. 25 in the Bureau Valley High School Commons, 9154 County Road 2125 N., Manlius.

The Streator home, built in 1948, has an interior space of 3,546 square feet