In just two days, the walls and trusses of the Habitat for Humanity of La Salle-Putnam-Bureau Counties build at 1205 Jefferson St. were added to the concrete slab of the eventual three-bed, two-bath home. The anticipated completion date for the home remains the end of August or the beginning of September.

Northern Illinois University announces the students who have made its spring 2026 dean’s list.

Mendota Township High School seniors Luis Nunez, Laylie Denault and Aden Tillman were selected to receive the 2026 Jacob Family Scholarships.

The decision made at the regular meeting of the Mendota City Council was to help fund portable restrooms and informational pamphlets for the festival.

Two boys and three girls in the 11th grade were selected and sponsored by community organizations to attend these week-long programs.

Commemorating the 150th anniversary of James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok's death, Mendota welcomed Walt Willey to perform his one-man monologue show, "The End of the Trail", in Veterans Park over the Wild Bill Days weekend celebration.

A free diabetes support group will meet June 11 in Mendota to discuss healthy summer eating strategies.

150 years after James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok’s death, commemorative events in Utica, Mendota, and Troy Grove are helping residents further their understanding of one of the Illinois Valley’s most famous figures.

The strike entered its third week on Wednesday, with union leadership unsatisfied with the proposed pay and benefits package for its next four-year contract agreement with the agricultural equipment manufacturer.

Graves-Hume Public Library in Mendota is offering a variety of programs throughout May for children, teens, adults and families.Registration is encouraged for all events. To register, call the library at 815-538-5142.

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.

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 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 ceremony at 1205 Jefferson St. capped off the first day in what will be a three-and-a-half month process to build a home for a local family in need.

The City of Mendota is adopting a Trap, Neuter and Release program to address feral and stray cats, working with Safe House Animal Rescue League, a no-kill nonprofit organization.

Construction on the future site of the restaurant that is going up at 1209 Washington St., on the corner of Washington Street and 13th Avenue, will begin in late summer.

The single-family residence located at 400 8th Street in Mendota was sold on April 27, for $125,000, or $66 per square foot.

The Mendota High School Class of 2026 held its annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Mendota High School.

This year’s Safe Routes to School grant will support sidewalks around Blackstone Elementary School, including a sidewalk from 14th Avenue to Plaza Drive along the north side of US Route 34.

HCC released a statement Tuesday stating that its latest offer was the furthest it was willing to go with the union. When that was deemed insufficient by the union bargaining committee and the workforce, Local 904 decided to strike.

Streets Department Director Nick Stremlau said that the reasoning behind this is that grass left in the street could eventually clog storm drains.

Eighteen students will participate in the final graduation ceremony May 20 at Clipper Kiddies Christian Preschool, Amboy’s only private preschool. The preschool will officially close in June.

Following successful improvements in 2025, the city of Mendota is continuing to work with the HW Lochner group to improve walkability near schools through the Safe Routes to School program.

Art Riewaldt won a city bid for the property at Washington Street and Illinois Route 251 with an offer of $40,000.

The HFH board members discussed the background, process, costs, timeline and updates on the organization’s development at 1205 Jefferson St.

Mendota Township High School District 280 announced the recipients of the 2026 Excellence in Education Awards.

The Friends of Lake Kakusha are inviting participants to check out some of the 223 birds that pass through the lake each year.

Triple Service announced in a press release that it will continue its partnership with Habitat for Humanity in helping build safe, affordable housing in Mendota by helping with the development on Jefferson Street.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer a diabetes support group from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, May 14, in OSF HealthCare Saint Paul Medical Center’s conference room C, 1401 E. 12th St., Mendota.

The Mendota Memorial Day Program will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 25 at Restland Cemetery Memorial Gardens, Mendota.

Sullivan's Foods in Mendota offers many basic supplies and decorative items for gardeners.

Throughout the summer, there are camp series’ and day programs for elementary, middle and high school-aged residents looking to stay busy.

The City of Mendota is sending a letter of intent to the Illinois Valley YMCA to transfer operations of the Mendota YMCA branch to the City, following the IV YMCA’s announcement of its decision to stop funding, operating and managing the Mendota branch, starting this fall.

Over the weekend at Blackstone Park in Mendota, some teenagers were seen messing around on the basketball courts, with one climbing up a picnic table from the pavilion to get up and sit on the rim of the basketball hoop.

The annual award seeks to recognize outstanding educators who go above and beyond for their students.

The Dolores J. and Wilbur M. Anderson Joint Trust successor trustee, Sandra Woest and Sally Beebe, announced the launch of the Anderson-Woest Scholarship.

After a little more than one year of ownership, the Bresley family is selling Mendota’s Sports-n-Stuff after Friday, May 15.

The city of Mendota is starting its spring clean-up for residents’ yard waste on May 5.

Habitat for Humanity acquired the vacant lot at 1205 Jefferson St. following a bid to the Mendota City Council that was announced earlier this month.

Road work on U.S. 34 between Mendota and Earlville began on Friday with daily lane closures expected through mid-July.

Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of La Salle-Bureau-Putnam Counties Jessica Brayfield said that Habitat for Humanity is hoping to break ground in May and looking to have the project completed by the end of August or beginning of September.

The dates are April 27, May 11, May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 14, Sept. 28, Oct. 12 and Oct. 26.

Ellyn Schoenholz and Marla VanVickle were recognized for contributions to the 74th District.

The 5K run started at the Fish Park pavilion and took participants around Lake Mendota and the baseball/softball fields of Lake Mendota Park while getting splashed with colors at eight different stations along the route.

The City of Mendota held a Color Fun Run 5K on Sunday, April 25, 2026 at Lake Mendota. All proceeds from the event will help with youth and family activities hosted by Live Well Mendota and Next Gen Leaders.

This community-focused event encourages students to start their day in an active and healthy way by walking, biking, or rolling to school.

A best-selling author is coming to the Mendota Public Library to discuss his book on famous Chicago hood Al Capone and his infamous vault.

Graves-Hume Public Library in Mendota is offering a variety of programs throughout May for children, teens, adults and families.

Real estate news: A 2,386-square-foot single-family residence, built in 1870, has changed hands.