During National School Social Work Week, school social workers in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam Counties were recognized through a variety of activities and initiatives designed to celebrate their contributions and raise awareness of their impact.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for March 1-7. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Mendota has approved road closures for the 2026 Sweet Corn Festival.

All senior citizens who are or will be 65 years old in 2026 and own and reside in their own home are eligible for the $5,000 Senior Homestead Exemption on their 2027 real estate tax bill.

The “9th Annual Mendota Polar Plunge” at Lake Mendota saw about 125 participants from 13 different teams take a dip into the water to support Special Olympics of Illinois.

Over 125 participants from 13 teams plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Mendota during the 9th Annual Mendota Polar Plunge on Saturday, Feb. 28. The event, held in support of Special Olympics of Illinois, raised $36,000 for local programs serving the Mendota, La Salle and Peru areas. Despite temperatures of 39 degrees with a wind chill of 23 degrees, brave plungers took the icy dip to support athletes in Special Olympics programs.

For $30, you get a basket with four dozen eggs. For $15, you get a personalized basket with different toys and candies, with your name on the basket.

The scholarship is designed to assist minority United Methodist students looking to attend a non-profit trade school, community college, college or university.

The decision to enact this was driven in part by advocacy from the Friends of Lake Kakusha environmental conservation organization.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Feb. 22-28. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Mendota City Council proclaimed May "Motorcycle Awareness Month."

A Mendota man is facing felony charges after Mendota police say he took $650 from Midland States Bank on Friday afternoon, according to a news release

Oregon and Mendota meet Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Rock Falls for the 2A regional basketball title. Oregon took the win 65-52.

Registration encouraged for all events. To register for any of these events, call 815-538-5142.

OSF HealthCare has announced that Stephanie Amor‑Arteaga, APRN, will be joining the care team at the OSF Saint Katharine Center for Health – Amboy, expanding access to primary care for individuals and families in the community.

Stewart said that the explosion was caused by a gas leak from a faulty regulator that put too much gas in the wash bay system.

The City of Mendota could soon host a community solar project on a 30-35-acre parcel on the city’s northeast side. The parcel is located on the northeast side of town between the railroad tracks and N 4350th Rd.

During the February 16th Mendota City Council meeting, the difficult decision to close the Mendota Public Pool for the 2026 season. The City of Mendota is closing the pool due to major construction and repairs needed for the pool to be safe and operational. The construction cost is estimated at $1 million, which is less than the $6.7 million estimated for a new pool. The City of Mendota will offer alternative summer opportunities through partnerships with the Mendota YMCA, Graves-Hume Public Library and more.

Mendota residents hoping to cool off in the municipal pool this summer will have to find another way to beat the heat.

Mendota and Troy Grove fire departments responded to the mechanic building at ADM Milling and Rail Terminal on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 in Mendota. Firefighters responded to a report of an explosion in the wash bay area. The incident happened shortly before 9:30a.m. No injuries were reported.

The meal includes 1/4 of fried chicken, a side of spaghetti, coleslaw and a cookie.

For $35, participants receive a 16×20 canvas and access to paint supplies and guidance.

At the Mendota Township High School District 280 Board of Education’s last meeting, a number of personnel employment actions were approved.

Neighborhood Forest is working with the Graves-Hume Library in Mendota to give adults the ability to get a free tree for their child and give them the joy of planting and watching their very own tree grow.

Tickets for the retreat cost $125 per person. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. The deadline to register and submit a final payment is due two weeks before the start of the retreat.

Karly Brown is a proud alum of Mendota High School and currently serves as a registered nurse at the OSF St. Paul Medical Center in Mendota.

The Earlville High School blood drive is an opportunity to help one or more graduating seniors earn a scholarship through a blood donation.

Becker’s Hospital Review has recognized President of OSF HealthCare Saint Clare Medical Center and OSF HealthCare Saint Paul Medical Center, Heather Bomstad, as one of its Critical Access Hospital Presidents and CEOs to Know for 2025.

On the 100th day of kindergarten, Katie Henkel lined up her 19 students at Holy Cross School in Mendota, decked out in their best 100-year-olds’ clothes, and sat down to try and name all of her students.

Immanuel Lutheran Church is reintroducing Soup Suppers at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights. Soup will be served at 5:30 p.m. and worship will follow at 6:30 p.m.

Brothers Aden and Cole Tillman have become the 20th and 21st 1,000-point scorers in the history of the Mendota boys basketball program. Here’s a look at the Mendota 1,000-point scorers through the Saturday, Feb. 7 games:

The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation is offering a United Methodist Dollars for Scholars scholarship for students pursuing a Doctor of Ministry.

The Graves-Hume Public Library will host several events to celebrate the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Three response vehicles from the Earlville Fire Department arrived on the scene at 10:30 a.m. to put out the remains of a pull barn fire.

Illinois Valley Community College recently announced its Presidential Honors List for the fall 2025 semester.

The program enables CHP to serve vulnerable patient populations at the Mendota Health Center and provide access to outpatient drugs at significantly lower cost, which helps it improve overall patient care.

The event’s craft is going to be a paint by number canvas. Participants will be given a pre-drawn painting and will have the ability to fill in spots with paint provided by the library.

The Graves-Hume Public Library is going to be closed all day Friday, Feb 6.

The car show will be from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 28. To accommodate the car show, the council agreed to shut down portions of 6th Ave and 8th St during the event.

Illinois Valley Community College recently announced its academic honors list for the fall 2025 semester.

As the Seal of Biliteracy marks 10 years in Illinois, the number of seniors graduating with the distinction has climbed more than 2,000%.

The Mendota City Council approved the use of Lake Mendota Park for the 9th annual polar plunge. The plunge will be at noon on Saturday, Feb 28 at Lake Mendota.

A family safely evacuated their rural Triumph home on Saturday, but fire caused an estimated $150,000 damage to their residence in Troy Grove Township.

Fire crews responded to a structure fire in the 3000 block of East 550th Road on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 in Mendota. The fire started in the chimney area. Fire departments from Troy Grove, Utica, La Salle, Peru, Mendota, and others across the region were dispatched shortly after 10p.m.

Cody Calkins, an American country music singer-songwriter from Streator, is playing from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, Feb 6 at R’s All In in Earlville. Calkins plays cover songs from the 1990’s to now with some original songs included throughout his shows.

The Mendota Historical Society will be holding its first virtual program at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Mar 14. Genealogist and historian Peg Kapustiak will be giving a talk entitled “Food of My Forefathers: The Cultural Context of Traditional and Ethnic Foods”.

The Graves-Hume Public Library, 1401 W. Main St., Mendota, will host several events and programs in February.

The Mendota High School Athletic Department is adopting a new dual-sport athlete policy. The proposal is being tested out for the rest of the 2025-26 school year and the 2026-27 school year on a trial basis.

Earlville Jr./Sr. High School is having a fundraiser to raise money for the class of 2032.

Graduates and their degrees or certificates are listed by hometown. The students are eligible to participate in the college’s spring commencement.