A look at the top softball players in the NewsTribune area for the 2026 season.

Avah Oertel batted .607 with a school single-season record 17 homers, 59 RBIs, 19 doubles and 55 runs scored. The NewsTribune Softball Player of the Year is already Princeton’s career leader for home runs (35), RBIs (137) and doubles (35).

Families do not need to complete any additional forms or take any special action to participate.

A Quad Cities man has been jailed on charges of secretly filming minors in Marseilles. Jackson Yeager successfully appealed, however, and may get pre-trial release.

Dr. David Lawrence, principal of St. Bede Academy in Peru, has announced St. Bede’s honor roll for the second semester of the 2025-26 school year.

The Mendota City Council approved the application of Art Riewaldt Jr. and his company, Riewaldt Inc., for the $180,000 RLF with a 5% interest rate over the 15-year life of the loan.

A large fire — flames were visible above the roof— broke out at the Starved Rock House of Jerky. The fire appeared to either be contained or extinguished by 12:25 p.m.

Illinois Valley Community College recently awarded the 2026 Frederick W. Matthiessen Award to Danica Scoma of Utica at its 60th annual commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16.

A look at the top girls soccer players in the NewsTribune area for the 2026 season.

The Oglesby Summer Fun Fest will return this week with a carnival, kids parade and a variety of food trucks.

La Salle-Peru senior Vicky Tejada is the 2026 NewsTribune Girls Soccer Player of the Year after scoring an area-best 25 goals and helped the Cavaliers improve by 10 wins.

Authorities have apprehended the fourth and final suspect in a drug and theft ring based out of Streator.

Here is the list of couples who applied for La Salle County marriage licenses from June 1 through June 14, 2026.

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

Jennifer Stampfler was sworn in as a firefighter and paramedic at a ceremony held before the Mendota City Council.

Statistically, drunk-driving is headed for a 30% increase this year. But is the increase because DUIs are surging or because recent years had been artificially low? Police and lawyers weigh in.

Each year, The Wave for Charities selects a new cause to support through the Jeep Poker Run, and the Officer Santa Program was this year’s choice.

NewsTribune-area softball players have hit more home runs in each of the last five seasons. This spring, 44 players combined to hit 146 home runs, with four players hitting double-digit homers.

NCI ARTworks announced the winners of the juried art exhibition at the June 12 opening reception for the Emerging Artists of the Illinois Valley at NCI ARTworks Gallery.

Zion United Church of Christ will hold its annual ice cream social from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 18.

Putnam County's Johnathon Stunkel, Henry's Carson Rowe earn IHSBCA First-Team All State, IVCC is offering basketball and volleyball camps and more in the NewsTribune sports briefs.

Illinois Valley Community College recently celebrated 49 students for completing the registered nursing program at the college’s associate’s degree nursing graduation on May 16.

It’s a bit of a long shot, but Peru is going to try for a new source of funding – one that raised more than $100 million for a city in southern Illinois.

Area fire crews responded to a fire at Carus Chemical in the early hours of Monday morning in the 1500 block of Eighth Street in La Salle.

The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp return home for four games this week after going 0-6 on a road trip.

Putnam County seniors Traxton Mattingly and Johnathon Stunkel left their legacy with the Panthers, leading them to a Class 1A second-place finish. Now, they'll continue their careers together at Illinois Central College.

Father’s Day can bring a mix of emotions for those whose fathers have passed away. While the day is often centered around celebration, it can also serve as a reminder of grief, memories, and the lasting impact a father has on the lives of his children and family members.

Reimagine Mendota, a community-focused, non-profit organization, dedicated a pair of murals in downtown Mendota.

Rainfall varied significantly, ranging from 0.5 inches in Serena to 3 inches near Rutland, with some areas receiving even more.

The La Salle County Genealogy Guild will host a presentation on tracing the history of residential properties at its monthly meeting Saturday, June 20, at 1 p.m. at Guild headquarters.

Illinois Valley Community College’s Assessment Center has evolved beyond a campus testing site for placement exams. Last year, one-third of the 3,262 people who tested there came from the workforce seeking career-defining licenses and certifications.

Putnam County fell to Tremont in the IHSA Class 1A State championship on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

The Putnam County baseball team lost 10-0 in five innings to Tremont in the Class 1A state championship game Saturday in Champaign.

Candidates must be five years of age on or by the date of the contest or entering kindergarten, and must be a resident of the Mendota Elementary School district.

The annual “Road to Independence” campaign utilizes a dedicated team of community volunteers to secure donations for Horizon House

Putnam County fought off North Clay for a 4-3 victory in eight innings during the IHSA Class 1A State semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

The Putnam County baseball team beat North Clay 4-3 in 8 innings on Friday in Champaign to advance to the Class 1A state championship game. The Panthers will play Tremont at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Tired of suspects missing court dates and tampering with ankle bracelets, La Salle County judges were handing down multiple 30-day jail sentences. The judges may have to stop. An appeals court has capped the time a defendant can fetch for pre-trial violations

The 43rd Annual St. Bede Auction, The Lane to Tomorrow, held on Saturday, June 6, was one of the most successful auctions in school history, ranking among the top four auctions held during the event’s 43-year history.

The Princeton Park District provided an update after Alexander Pool was closed last month due to a “major mechanical failure” with their filtration pump and motor.

A “Casting Memories” family fishing clinic will be at 9 a.m. Sunday, June 28, at Starved Rock State Park.

The Utica Fire Department Car Show will be 4-7 p.m. Saturday, June 27.

Putnam County Panthers got some preparation for Friday's Class 1A state semifinal, making at stop at the Corn Crib in Normal and Yard Goats indoor facility in Champaign. The Panthers (25-11) will face North Clay (35-4) at 1 p.m. Friday at Illinois Field.

The Illinois Valley Alzheimer’s Caring Friends Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, June 15 in Peru Public Library.

Adults in La Salle have a new opportunity to end the workday at the Veterans Memorial Pool.

With flower shipments coming in later this week, Kalmmd is a one-stop shop for serious, humorous, creative and thoughtful presents.

The City of La Salle started the La Salle Today Podcast, with two episodes already in the books.

After a previous announcement in April that the target completion date was moved from the middle of May to the beginning of August, the latest announcement from the Board of Education is that the project is on track to be done by the stated Aug. 1 target date.

The Tri-County, Three Rivers East and Little Ten announced all-conference teams, plus more in the NewsTribune sports briefs.

More homebuyers are thinking green—but not just for the planet. Eco-friendly features can make a home feel modern, smart, and downright irresistible.