The Grundy County Board approved a $6,500 monthly contract with SKK Consulting to help bridge the gap while the county seeks a new supervisor of assessments.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, a Democrat representing parts of Bureau, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, La Salle, Putnam and Will counties, has opened a new constituent office in DeKalb, according to a news release.

Coming off their first loss of the season, Marquette bounced back in dominant fashion in a 72-27 thrashing of Lowpoint-Washburn on Friday night in Ottawa.

The Woodland boys basketball team's lead Friday over Roanoke-Benson looked as if it it might reach 20 points. Then it looked like it might disappear, but in the end the Warriors held on for a 44-35 home victory.

Five individuals and one team have been selected as 2026 inductees to the Ottawa Township High School Hall of Fame.

Trinity United Church of Christ, La Salle, will hold its annual Christmas cookie walk from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19.

The Marseilles Public Library, 155 E. Bluff St., will host several programs and events in December.

He choked his girlfriend with a shirt wrapped around her neck. Mendota police went to arrest him and a three-hour standoff ensued. Now, Shaquille Jones likely is going prison.

The Arts of Starved Rock Country Fund will award grants to nine projects during 2026.

Mendota High School counselors Mitch Landgraf and Rachel Tarr were recently honored by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for their efforts to support students and families during the financial aid process.

The Women Inspired Network recently awarded $8,000 in grants to local nonprofits during its ninth annual Celebration of Giving Sunday, Dec. 9.

Because of Dwight's aggressive defense, the Trojans held an early lead, even as Marquette showed them a defensive look they haven’t seen this season. The Trojans soon figured out things offensively on their way to a 61-31 win at Bader Gym.

Four La Salle-Peru Township High School students were selected to participate in the Illinois Music Education Association’s 2026 All-State Student Programs, LP announced in a news release.

The La Salle-Peru Township High School Renaissance Students of the Month were recognized during a breakfast ceremony on Wednesday.

Stage 212 will hosting a special entertainment event at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, when Her Majesty’s Radio Theatre presents Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol: The Ghosts of Christmas.”

The bracket for the 2025 Seneca Shipyard Showdown boys basketball holiday tournament has been released, opening with two games for each of the 16 teams in attendance.

The Fort du Rocher Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met Dec. 6 at First Presbyterian Church in Mendota with Regent Beverly Richardson presiding.

The Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce used its annual dinner on Wednesday night to recap a year of growth and preview key projects coming in 2026, along with honoring three contributors to the region.

Hawthorne Inn Assisted Living in Peru celebrated the completion of its newly remodeled and expanded suites with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 3.

The Ottawa girls basketball team did a lot of things well in their 57-38 victory Tuesday evening over visiting Morris. Especially when it came to shooting the basketball.

The La Salle Knights of Columbus Calvert Council 792 hosted its annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 7, serving more than 150 free meals to community members.

The Graves-Hume Public Library in Mendota will host numerous holiday programs throughout December, including book clubs, crafts and special events.

Zion United Church of Christ in Peru will hold its Christmas cookie sale starting at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12.

Yes, feral cats can be a nuisance, but starving them isn’t an ethical option, animal rights activists say.

La Salle police are buying a hybrid squad car that will save the department money, but which won’t mean less power and acceleration.

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

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.

The Open Table United Church of Christ will offer a free community meal at noon Sunday, Dec. 14.

Join the Prairie Singers as they celebrate the season with a heartwarming blend of secular and sacred music that captures the spirit of Christmas.

The triggerman in the Easter Sunday murder in Streator was sentenced Friday to 117 years.

Northbrook Middle School recently announced its honor roll for the first trimester of the 2025-26 school year.

An Ottawa man pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a minor Friday and was sentenced to 30 years.

Kevin Billups of Peru was awaiting a jury trial for dealing cocaine – jurors were to be selected Monday – when he allegedly, and while on pre-trial release, sold another 2 ounces of cocaine.

Marquette Academy pulled away with a shutout second quarter and cruised to a strong finish in its 53-32 conference opener victory at Seneca on Friday night.

Streator presented a strong defensive front and that allowed it to claim a 46-37 win over Peotone on Friday.

The event is free and open to all children and families.

St. Bede Academy announced Thursday seven members of the Class of 2026 have been named Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

She claimed to run a daycare service in Ottawa with earnings of $100,000. Ebony Green was actually a hair stylist earning a fraction of that. Yet she got a COVID-19 relief loan for nearly $20,000. Ebony Green may now go to prison for five years.

La Salle County deputies didn’t find much alcohol on the roads Thanksgiving weekend -- just one DUI -- but 20 unlucky motorists were caught speeding or using handheld devices.

A decade-long tradition ended in Peru earlier this week after the city misplaced its former 15-foot Christmas tree.

The show is a fundraiser supporting the recent renovation of the auditorium. It will feature local performers singing and dancing to a variety of holiday favorites.

You’ve seen one of the film adaptations of “A Christmas Carol” – maybe you watch one every year – why not make the traveling radio show a Yuletide tradition, too?

A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday and returned the following indictments.

Both Ottawa and Dixon’s girls basketball teams forced double-digit turnovers Wednesday night, but it was the Duchesses who turned their forced turnovers into points in a 37-19 victory.

Nicolaus Phillips will stand trial March 5 for the fatal shooting of an Ottawa man. Newly-filed court records show he plans to argue self-defense.

Milton Pope School recently announced its high honor roll and honor roll for the first trimester of the 2025–26 school year.

Grace United Methodist Church in La Salle will offer a Blue Christmas service at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18.

Oglesby Washington School released its honor and high honor rolls for the first trimester of the 2025-26 school year.

The Ottawa boys basketball team used a key 14-2 run midway through the third quarter in a 58-46 victory over Sandwich on Tuesday night at Kingman Gymnasium.

The Putnam County girls basketball team looked to be on its way to their first victory of the young season Tuesday at Streator. Instead, the host Streator Bulldogs got their first win, 37-24.