Illinois Valley Community College’s Board of Trustees celebrated student achievement on Monday, March 16, as President Tracy Morris announced winners of two annual essay contests.

Leah Henkel went 4 for 4, Lexie Saylor was 3 for 5 with a double and two RBIs and Eva Beetz (2 for 4) and Karson Doyle (double) each drove in three runs to lead Mendota (2-3, 1-0) to a 14-4 Three Rivers East win over Hall. Princeton and Henry softball also win.

Leah Henkel went 4 for 4, Lexie Saylor was 3 for 5 with a double and two RBIs and Eva Beetz (2 for 4) and Karson Doyle (double) each drove in three runs to lead Mendota (2-3, 1-0) to a 14-4 Three Rivers East win over Hall. Princeton and Henry softball also win.

The Somonauk and Serena baseball teams claimed wins in Little Ten Conference openers on Monday, while the Serena/Earlville/Newark girls soccer team won its first match of the season. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

Coal City's Lance Cuddy outdueled Streator's Clay Christoff on Monday, twirling a complete-game shutout as the Coalers won their ICE series opener against the host Bulldogs 8-0.

The Hall Red Devils have five games in six days this week and are looking to string some wins together. Luke Bryant got them off to a good start Monday, spinning a five-hit shutout in a 15-0 win in five innings in a Three Rivers East contest at Mendota.

The Seneca softball team - behind the pitching of Hayden Pfeifer and homers from Lexie Buis and Camryn Stecken - improved to 13-0 on the season with a 3-2 victory over Prairie Central in Seneca on Monday afternoon.

The Illinois Valley Food Pantry’s fund drive to raise $750,000 to pay for its new building is more than halfway toward meeting its goal.

Festival 56 will host two off-season events in April at the Grace Theater in Princeton.

The Granville National Bank was robbed Monday afternoon, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed.