La Salle County

The Peru City Council may be nearing a consensus on how to adorn the water tower, but a final vote is pending.

"Legally Blonde" comes to Stage 212 this weekend.

NCI ARTworks will announce the winners of the juried art exhibition at the opening reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 11 for more than 30 “Emerging Artists” at the NCI ARTworks Gallery, 400 Fifth St., Peru.

The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday it is participating in a campaign to crack down on speeding. The campaign begins Tuesday, July 8.

Fireworks are being blamed for a minor fire in Mendota -- extinguished before firefighters arrived -- on the Fourth of July.

A Peru man was ordered detained Monday after prosecutors charged him with possessing nearly 8 ounces of cocaine plus two firearms.

The first installment of LaSalle County real estate taxes is due Wednesday, July 9, according to a press release from La Salle County Treasurer James L. Spelich.

The Illinois Valley Food Pantry is launching a $750,000 fundraising campaign to assist in covering the cost of its new building in Peru and a walk-in cooler and freezer.

La Salle City Council will consider a request from the Starved Rock Runners to host the “Boo” Milby Memory 5K on Aug. 16 at its Monday meeting.

The Utica Fr. Marquette Council of the Knights of Columbus donated $2,000 to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry’s “Feeding the Future” fund drive as they begin their move to a larger facility on Tuesday, July 1, in Peru.

The Illinois Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra (IVYSO) will present a special summer concert, “Echoes of Maud: A Tribute to Maud Powell,” celebrating the legacy of world-renowned violinist Maud Powell ahead of what would have been her 158th birthday.

The Illinois Valley YMCA has announced the addition of two new pre-kindergarten teachers, Mrs. Boltz and Mrs. Little, for the 2025–26 academic year.

OSF HealthCare has added Sydney Lebahn-Franks, APRN, to its primary care team in Sheffield to expand access to local health services.

AARP Tax-Aide is seeking volunteers for the upcoming tax season in DeKalb, Genoa, Sycamore, and La Salle.

La Salle County farmers are reporting low rainfall totals, but getting ready to harvest second hay this week.

A Streator woman charged with multiple felonies led by possession of a stolen gun will stand trial Aug. 25.

A Streator man charged with murder will not stand trial July 14. Joshua Casey has a new lawyer who needs more time to prepare.

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

The council unanimously approved a $58,500 feasibility study proposal from the Sports Facilities Company during Monday’s meeting.

Recent Seneca High School graduate Sebastian Deering has committed to continue his education at Aurora University and his basketball career at the NCAA Division III level with the Spartans.

FYA (For You All), a La Salle tavern, held a June 28 fundraiser that yielded $1,700 plus 146 pounds of non-perishable foods for the Illinois Valley Food Pantry.

Local master naturalist volunteer Chris Woeltje recently had the unique opportunity to spend a day in the field with archaeologists from Wisconsin, assisting in the survey of two potential Native American sites at Belrose Farm in Wedron.

Two properties were recently demolished near the OSF Healthcare campus in Peru.

The Peru Police Department announced the temporary parking restrictions for the July 3 fireworks display.

In past years, the store has opened in the former JCPenney in the Peru Mall. The store typically opens in mid-August.

The Peru City Council is split over a proposed UFO-themed water tower. Mayor Kolowski calls for public input, while aldermen back the design as a way to boost the city’s identity and regional appeal.

A La Salle man caught with methamphetamine and a pistol, prohibited because of his felony record, was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison.

A judge refused Monday to reconsider his June 18 ruling against the late Chester Weger. Barring an appeal, Weger’s bid for exoneration is over.

The Oglesby American Legion will hold its monthly taco night from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 9.

The council briefly considered establishing an e-bike committee during Monday night’s meeting, ultimately deciding they needed more time to discuss what forming a committee would entail, such as agendas and record-keeping.

A Seneca man told James Grimm that he smelled bad. Grimm didn’t like that, prosecutors say, so he allegedly stabbed the man in a Saturday bar fight.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville has one fewer potential Republican challenger to worry about in 2026.

The Peru City Council will discuss e-bikes and the City Center and Sports Complex at its Monday meeting.

Each year, the Elks host an Americanism essay contest where students can write an essay that answers a chosen topic. This year’s topic was “What Does Patriotism Mean to Me?”

A Grand Ridge man was evacuated before a Saturday afternoon fire consumed his house trailer, which was deemed a total loss.

River Valley Players presents “Annie JR.” The Broadway classic will be performed at 7:30 p.m. July 25 and 26 and at 2 p.m. July 27 at the Henry Community Center

The La Salle County Coroner’s Office has released the identity of the body found in a field near Grand Ridge.

A Marseilles man faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of a stolen firearm.

Senator Rezin restructures district operations; DeKalb, Morris offices remain open.

Many Illinois communities are adding back a 1% grocery tax that will otherwise expire on Jan. 1. Is your town among them?

A longtime attorney for the County of La Salle has been made a judge.

The Peru Pool Advisory Committee will host a public meeting on Monday, June 14, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Peru City Hall, 1901 4th St.

A missing person search launched Tuesday evening ended Wednesday with the discovery of a body north of Streator.

Mendota Historical Society will host Terry Johnson of Quilts of Valor at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 12 at 907 Washington St., Mendota.

Locals are invited to explore community gardens and enjoy expert-led inspiration during the Northwest Region Garden Tours on Saturday, June 29. This event is free and open to the public.

Between Thursday, July 10, and Sunday, July 13, head out to the LaSalle County Fairgrounds at 1578 4-H Rd, Ottawa, to experience 4-H for daytime and nighttime events.

The Illinois Valley Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, July 7, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.at the Utica fire station, on Route 178 just south of Casey’s.

A downtown coffee shop is part of a proposal for the former La Salle Public Works Building.

Chester Weger, 86, who spent nearly six decades in prison for killing Lillian Oetting, one of three women fatally bludgeoned in 1960 at Starved Rock, died June 22.

Here is the list of couples who applied for La Salle County marriage licenses from June 2, 2025, through June 16, 2025.