Mendota

The 2025 Illinois spring trout fishing season will open Saturday, April 5, at 58 ponds, lakes and streams throughout the state, including locations in La Salle and Bureau counties.

Illinois Valley residents will have opportunities to celebrate St. Patrick's Day across the region with a number of events, including parades in La Salle, Utica and Marseilles.

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

Five candidates in Mendota were cordial and largely positive about the city’s future during a Tuesday candidates forum at the Mendota Civic Center.

Mendota candidates David Boelk and Shallon Gross for mayor; incumbent Jim Fitzpatrick and Joel Perez for 1st Ward; and incumbent Vicki Johnson for 4th Ward spoke during a candidate forum on Tuesday at the Mendota Civic Center. The event was put on by the Mendota Chamber of Commerce. Matt Ramer candidate for 4th Ward had a conflict and was not in attendance.

Route 251 south of Mendota was shut down about four hours Friday night after a vehicle struck from behind a vehicle that had halted due to mechanical issues. There was no shoulder.

For the Fall 2024 semester, the following students were named to the Presidential Honors list at Illinois Valley Community College. 

For the Fall 2024 semester, the following students were named to the Academic Honors list at Illinois Valley Community College. 

Last fall, a total of 162 students earned 185 degrees and certificates from Illinois Valley Community College. 

Learn diabetes prevention and management skills from professionals at the next Diabetes Support Group Meeting from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, March 13, in Conference Room C, OSF St. Paul, 1401 E. 12th St., Mendota.

The Tri-County Conference has released its boys and girls basketball all-conference teams, while the Three Rivers, HOIC and Lincoln Trail announced their girls basketball all-conference squads.

The Mendota Historical Society announced the establishment of a lifetime endowment fund in collaboration with the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation.

David Boelk: We are improving our downtown and enhancing our parks to have a nice place for employees to want to live

The second annual Illinois Valley Library Road Trip begins April 6.

Sidewalks around Lincoln School in Mendota could be fixed in time for the start of the 2025-26 school year, weather permitting.

A Mendota man was picked up Monday as a fugitive by the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.

The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce will host a candidates forum on Tuesday, March 11.

Mendota police and Illinois State Police are investigating the theft of two sports cars reported early Friday from Schimmer in Mendota. One of the cars was recovered.

Joel Perez: We have great things going on in Mendota currently

Learn diabetes prevention and management skills from University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness educator Susan Glassman, MS Ed, CHES and OSF HealthCare clinical dietitian Jennifer Scully, RD LDN CDCES.

Shallen Gross: I am looking forward to working with the community to make sure that they are safe and that shelter is a priority for everyone

Vicki Johnson: We need to have ways to draw more people to our downtown like events and amenities

James Fitzpatrick: I feel we need to go forward with the repairs to downtown and promote any new business. I feel I am trusted and counted on to help with city business.

The Mendota boys basketball team won its regional opener and more boys basketball results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

Special Olympics supporters hopes to rake in $35,000 after dozens of bathers took part in a Saturday polar plunge in Mendota.

Illinois Valley Democrats are scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at La Salle VFW, 2325 Donahue St., La Salle.

Hundreds dove into Lake Mendota for the 8th Annual Polar Plunge on February 22, 2025 in Mendota. Funds for the event support Special Olympics.

Tickets are still available but selling fast for the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation’s first “Mardi Gras Carnivale” at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club Saturday, March 1.

Immigration attorney Sara Dady said the Illinois Trust Act helps build trust with local police to ensure public safety, particularly for people who fear deportation if they report incidents

Immigration attorney Sara Dady gave a presentation on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, at Mendota High School auditorium. Dady talked about understanding and knowing their rights as immigrants.

Here are five storylines to watch in the BCR/NewsTribune area for the boys basketball postseason.

Immigration attorney Sara Dady will be speaking 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at Mendota High School Auditorium, 2300 W. Main St.

Five NewsTribune-area football players to watch for the 2025 season.

The Mendota boys basketball team wrapped up an outright conference title, the Putnam County boys basketball team won its first game of the season and more basketball results in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Princeton wrestling team advanced five wrestlers to the Class 1A state tournament out of the Oregon Sectional on Saturday.

A look at the postseason seeds and regional pairings for all the boys basketball teams in the NewsTribune area.

The L-P girls bowling team advanced to state, girls basketball regionals opened and more in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

The St. Bede boys basketball team edged Henry, sectional wrestling results and more in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

Mendota senior Cam Kelly hit a 3-pointer with 46.2 seconds left to help the Trojans to a 53-51 win over Erie-Prophetstown on Friday to clinch at least a share of the Three Rivers Conference East Division title.

The Mendota and Henry girls basketball teams won and more basketball results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

Bill Hunt of Oglesby announced his bid for election to the Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees.

Museums and historical sites in La Salle County are open to visitors who purchase $1 passports valid from Saturday, Feb. 15, to Monday, Feb. 17.

Schools in and around La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties have announced closures and e-learning days ahead of a predicted snowstorm Wednesday.

Businesses, organizations and events in and around La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties have announced closures and cancellations ahead of a predicted snowstorm Wednesday.

A look at all the girls basketball regionals involving NewsTribune-area teams.

The Putnam County girls basketball team won against Mendota and more basketball results in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

It is important to know your community’s parking rules to help plows get around and to save yourself from getting towed, snowed in or a parking ticket.

NCI ARTworks to host an opening reception for the month-long Unmasking Love exhibition of art by Lorena Malm and Lisa Marie Carlson from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at the NCI ARTworks Gallery in Peru.

The L-P girls basketball team won a nonconference game, the Princeton girls earned a share of the Three Rivers East title and more results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

Cherry Bear Bed & Breakfast, located at 906 Washington St., Mendota, was opened Aug. 1. The 1891 home offers three guest rooms with sleeping space for six.