Marc Silverman unloads on the chaos, finger-pointing and delays surrounding the Bears’ endless stadium drama

The Streator Lions Club recently held its bi-monthly meeting Wednesday, May 20, at the Oakley Club.

The $500 scholarship honors the legacy of late Ottawa police officer Brian Sember, who passed away in 2022.

The University of Illinois Extension will hold a free Fossils of the Illinois Valley program for community members from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 24, at the Lacon Public Library, 205 Sixth St.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois House lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday that would regulate how the largest artificial intelligence companies report on the capabilities of their models

The Marquette, Serena and Dwight baseball teams won regional semifinals on Wednesday to advance to Saturday championship contests, while Earlville/Leland had its season come to a close.

Serena senior pitcher Cassie Walsh blasted a tie-breaking two-run homer in the top of the seventh, then retired Newark in order in the Huskers' wild 10-8 win over the Norsemen in Wednesday's Class 1A Indian Creek Sectional softball semifinal in Shabbona.

The Mendota, Earlville and Henry-Senachwine baseball teams saw their seasons end Wednesday.

Ottawa defeated L-P 8-0 during the Class 3A Regional semifinal game on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Metamora High School. The Pirates will take on Metamora on Saturday at 10a.m. for the Regional championship.

Steve Martin was 2 for 3 with two RBIs and Evan Wills struck out five in four innings as Joliet Catholic picked up a 7-2 Class 3A regional semifinal victory

Putnam County broke out its Player of the Game Chains for the first time this season for Wednesday’s regional semifinals in Annawan. By a unanimous choice, PC relief pitcher Rudy Villagomez received the honors.

From Capitol News Illinois: Gov. JB Pritzker suggested on Tuesday that lawmakers could suspend the automatic gas tax increase of about 2 cents per gallon that happens annually on July 1

From Capitol News Illinois: U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin delivered a farewell address to the Illinois General Assembly, reflecting on his decades in public office and warning that today’s political divisions pose a serious threat to democratic norms

Athletes from Peru Parkside, Princeton Logan and Mendota Northbrook claimed medals at the IESA Class 3A state track and field meet.

The celebration invites residents and visitors alike to a full day of engaging activities on Sunday, June 14, starting with a nature journaling class or birding walk at 9 a.m. around Lake Kakusha.

Princeton's Casey Etheridge, Putnam County's Alex Rodriguez and Fieldcrest's Micheal Beckett are seeded to medal at the IHSA state track and field meet this week, while athletes from L-P, St. Bede, Mendota, Bureau Valley, Henry-Midland and Amboy also are competing.

The Streator Fire Department extinguished an apartment dryer fire last week on Friday afternoon after smoke detectors alerted residents to evacuate safely.

La Salle County will close E 24th Road starting Monday, June 1, for culvert replacement work expected to take two months.

Putnam County Junior High School announced its honor roll for the fourth quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Women of the ELCA will host a baked ham dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 20.

From Capitol News Illinois: Former Republican strategist Collin Corbett filed to run for governor as an independent candidate. He enlisted Crystal Lake's Carolyn Schofield, a former Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, as his running mate

The repairs by the sewer plant are cutting off access to the burn pit on Tuesday, May 26, Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29.

The City of La Salle Police Department announced in a news release the results of its Memorial Day 2026 “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign.

Wild Bill Days is set for Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, at locations in Utica, Mendota and Troy Grove.

The village of Cedar Point recently received a $2,000 Starved Rock Country Community Foundation community grant to launch its Mining for Music initiative.

The Illinois Valley Brain Injury Clubhouse was awarded a Starved Rock Country Community Foundation community grant to develop its Enterprise Pathways Initiative.

Illinois school vaccination rates have declined steadily over the past two decades. See the vaccination rates at your school.

Woodland High School announced its high honor and honor rolls for the second semester of the 2025-2026 school year.

Princeton High School Spanish IV students taught by Kelsey Sarver recently had the opportunity to take the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy test in March.

The faculty, staff and administration of Ottawa Township High School and members of the OTHS Board of Education honored 293 graduating seniors from the class of 2026 during commencement ceremonies held on Friday, May 22 in Kingman Gymnasium.

The Chicago Bears built one of the NFL's best running games last season in head coach Ben Johnson's first year. Here's how new running backs coach Eric Studesville will try to keep the Bears near the top once again next season.

Four pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout to lead the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp to a season-opening 3-0 victory over Clinton LumberKings on Tuesday in Clinton.

From Capitol News Illinois: A defense attorney for one of the “Broadview Six” immigration protesters alleged in court Tuesday that he had “reason to believe” that U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros had personal contact with members of the grand jury

Gov. JB Pritzker’s office responded Tuesday to a Cook County Treasurer report that raised questions about the megaproject legislation he backs to keep the Bears in Illinois.

L-P shut out East Peoria 2-0 in the Class 3A Sectional semifinals on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at the La Salle-Peru Athletic Complex in La Salle. The Lady Cavs will play Dunlap for the Sectional title on Friday at 4p.m.

Here's an update of the Bureay County area IHSA softball postseason on May 26

Five different Geneva girls soccer players scored in the Vikings’ 6-0 win over Ottawa on Tuesday in a Class 2A Orion Sectional Semifinals. The goals came from mostly different sources, but half of them originated from Bridget Burke.

Dunlap defeated Ottawa 2-1 in the Class 3A Sectional semifinals on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at the La Salle-Peru Athletic Complex in La Salle.

The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp hope to contend for a postseason berth in 2026. This summer's roster includes several local players, 10 recent high school graduates and several Big Ten players.

The baseball postseason is underway. Here's an update of area regionals including Bureau Valley, Hall, L-P, Mendota, Ottawa, Princeton, Putnam County and St. Bede

Former Lee County Sheriff Tim Bivins, who served a decade in the Illinois State Senate, reminded a Sublette audience on Monday that Memorial Day is about more than a day off, a long weekend and family picnics.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists will hold a birdwatching hike from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Sue and Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge, 780 East Road, Hennepin.

The Mendota Historical Society is welcoming Curt Johnson, a retired tool and die maker, to talk about some of the gunmakers who made La Salle County their home in the 19th century.

The 1,243-square-foot home, built in 1865, was sold for $140,000, or $113 per square foot.

An analysis of the “megaprojects” legislation pending in Springfield by the Cook County Treasurer’s office is skeptical of the purported economic benefits of a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights

Thirteen eighth-grade students from St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School in Streator were honored this month for their academic achievements and service to the school community.

Cannabis experts, recovery and mental health practitioners weigh in on Kenneally/Franks lawsuit

For the first time in three years, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams won’t be starting from scratch during the offseason. Here's how the Bears' stability at offensive play caller will benefit Williams this offseason.

Earlville/Leland baseball earned a regional play-in victory, Streator picked up a regional tune-up win, while Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell, Seneca and Ottawa baseball all took losses in The Times Monday Roundup.

The Henry-Senachwine and Bureau Valley baseball teams advanced in regional play, plus more results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.