The Ottawa Fire Department will be out in the community for two free home safety programs for any residents within city limits on Tuesday, April 14.

A youth program “Nature Sleuths: Spring Break Youth Workshops” will be from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 8 to Friday, April 10 at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center.

Zion United Church of Christ in Peru donated $2,500 to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry.

A program on the settlement of La Salle County, “Early Pioneers of La Salle,“ will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center.

“My mindset is that these kids are going to be the leaders of our town, our community, our state, our country and our world,” Hochstatter said. “I want to help make them the best humans that they could possibly be.”

Here's a look at the girls track & field teams heading into the 2026 season from ALO, Bureau Valley, Hall, Princeton, Putnam County and St. Bede

Here are the 2025-26 All-Interstate 8 Conference boys bowlers from the winter season.

The “Chasing Spring Hike” will be at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at Starved Rock State Park.

The screening is free, but appointments are required.

The winners of the contest were Bailey Miller from Earlville, Kiley Mason from Leland, Clair Boudreau from La Salle-Peru, and Aden Tillman from Mendota, whose essay was sent on to the next level of the contest.