Hall beat Putnam County in baseball, St. Bede topped Hall in softball, the Mendota baseball and softball teams each won in five innings and more in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Ottawa baseball team used a three-run, seventh inning home run by Rizon Contreras to top Kaneland in an Interstate 8 Conference game on Friday, while the Marquette and Earlville softball teams earned wins. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

As tornadoes hit Northern Illinois, millions are turning to livestreaming weather creators instead of traditional forecasts — raising new questions about how people stay safe

The Rochelle softball team used a solid start and a five-run sixth inning to pick up a 10-7 victory over Somonauk/Leland on Friday afternoon in Somonauk.

At 9:11 p.m., a severe squall line capable of producing tornadoes and extensive straight-line wind damage was located along a line extending from near Grand Ridge to near South Streator to Flanagan to near Gridley, moving east at 45 mph, the weather service said.

A tornado warning was issued at 7:45 p.m. Friday for Bureau and Putnam counties, though officials in both had no immediate confirmation of a touchdown. A rotating cloud may have set off the alert.

Callie Countryman's two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth proved to be the difference in Sycamore's 3-1 win over Ottawa. Bella Jacobs struck out 17 for Sycamore. Addie Russell allowed three hits for Ottawa and struck out eight Sycamore batters.

Much of northern Illinois has been placed under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. Friday. A Level 3 severe risk brings strong storms, hail and possible tornadoes to northern Illinois on Friday evening.

L-P defeated Morris 8-4 on Friday, April 17, 2026 at Huby Sarver Field in the L-P Athletic Complex in La Salle.

From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois House and Senate approved hundreds of bills this week ahead of a Friday deadline, including a plan proposed by Gov. JB Pritzker to limit cell phones in schools

The single-family residence located at 2236 Rte 178 in Oglesby was sold on March 31, for $367,000, or $159 per square foot.

The class is designed to help individuals better understand advance care planning and make informed health care decisions that reflect their personal values and goals.

Morris Hospital will hold a Camp 911 safety program for children entering third through fifth grades from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, June 12, at Morris Hospital YMCA, 2200 W. Dupont Ave.

The single-family residence located at 210 Mary Senica Court in La Salle was sold on March 30, for $380,000, or $198 per square foot.

For prospective homebuyers eyeing the real estate market in the area of La Salle County, here's what sold for $200,000 or under over the past week.

The Chicago Bears could go in a few directions at No. 25 in next week's NFL draft. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down what some of those options are and who the Bears could draft

Springtime Symphony, a bird hike with the park’s naturalist, will be at 7 a.m. Saturday, May 9 at Starved Rock. Registration is required.

Here is the list of couples who applied for marriage licenses in La Salle County from April 1, 2026, through April 15, 2026.

Illinois’ Native Reptiles, a live animal program, will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center.

Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers recently received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care following a three-day survey in February.

The Chicago Bears could go in multiple directions with their first-round selection in next week's NFL draft. Here's Shaw Local’s Michal Dwojak second and final mock draft as he tried to figure out how the first round will unfold.

Mendota's Sebastian Carlos set the school's 400 record, L-P baseball and softball won, Earlville softball edged Putnam County and more in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Marquette baseball, led by Griffin Dobberstein, and the Crusaders softball team, led by Kinley Rick picked up Tri-County Conference wins over Dwight on Thursday. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

The Ottawa softball team played a flawless game while showcasing the future of its program during its 20-0 win over Yorkville Christian on Thursday night.

The St. Bede baseball team, led by Gus Burr's three hits and four RBIs and Carson Riva's three hits and five RBIs, rolled to a 18-3 Tri-County Conference victory in four innings over host Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell on Thursday afternoon.

One of La Salle County’s youngest-ever murderers is back in court. Tamil Adams plans to argue (again) he was wrongly convicted of killing a Streator woman.

Serena/Newark/Earlville played Streator on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at the James Street Recreation Complex in Streator.

A Peru woman charged with possessing nearly 2 pounds of cocaine entered a negotiated plea Thursday. Charnelle Mond is going to prison for six years.

From Capitol News Illinois: Public school teachers in Illinois may soon have to add Latin Americans to the list of ethnic groups whose contributions to American history and culture must be taught in class

From Capitol News Illinois: The bill would also require social media platforms to have default privacy settings for minors that would stop addictive feeds, location sharing and transactions with digital currency

Roads will be closed from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Monday, May 25, between Donahue Street south of 24th Street to the southern edge of the VFW parking lot.

Several gas stations in the city of La Salle are teaming up with the La Salle Police Department to reward safe riding habits on e-bikes and e-scooters in a display of community partnership in action, according to an LPD statement.

When Jim Nugent became women’s basketball coach at Sauk Valley in May 2025, the outlook for even having a season was bleak. The 2024-25 season was canceled after just six games. One recruit led to another and the Skyhawks not only had enough to compete, but to win 11 games.

From Capitol News Illinois: Ad campaign highlights 2-year fight between retailer and finance lobbies

Stage 212's "The Play That Goes Wrong" opens Friday, April 17.

Under the measure, riders of e-bikes and e-motos that travel more than 28 mph would need a driver’s license, title, registration, and insurance.

Plans include the removal of a dead tree, the planting of a few new trees and the updating some of the benches at the park.

The Princeton-Illinois and Illini chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated their mutual 130th anniversary Friday with a luncheon at Lock 16 Cafe in La Salle.

Springfield adopted a law that prevents municipalities from halting green-energy projects. A lawyer for Utica said Monday it doesn’t apply to the village.

Experience Travel in Granville recently announced it was recognized as an All-Star Award recipient by the MAST Travel Network.

Streator City Council approved work for the Park and Bilger Street bridges after the city secured $1 million in federal funding through the office of Darin LaHood.

The Illinois State Police is using grant money to combat vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crimes.

The Chicago Bears hold the No. 25 overall pick in the first round of next week's NFL draft. But could general manager Ryan Poles trade up or down from that spot? Here are some possible options for Poles to make a trade in the first round.

The La Salle-Peru girls soccer team shut out Rochelle, plus more in Wednesday's NewsTribune roundup.

L-P defeated Rochelle 1-0 on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at the L-P Athletic Complex in La Salle.

Marquette softball and Sandwich baseball were winners on an otherwise quiet local sports day for The Times Wednesday Roundup.

From Capitol News Illinois: Chemring Energetic Devices, a Downers Grove-based company that engineers and manufactures devices for NASA, won the title of Coolest Thing Made in Illinois as part of the annual “Makers Madness” competition

Marquette Academy opens its production of “Knock Knock” this weekend at the Great Hall, marking Jake Jakielski’s directorial debut.

Animals Around the World, a live animal program, will be offered at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 2 at Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center.

From Capitol News Illinois: Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey has moved into an apartment in Chicago as he seeks to improve his outreach to voters in the state’s most populous region