A Polar Plunge fundraiser at Serena Middle School has raised $9,125 for Special Olympics Illinois, organizers said Tuesday.

The quest to find Illinois Valley’s best has begun for 2026, and we are asking you to add your favorite businesses to the ballot.

Logan’s Oasis Playground at Marilla Park in Streator has officially broke ground, with the playground expected to be completed by the time summer starts.

Demolition has begun on two buildings in the 800 block of Illinois Ave in Mendota.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will host an indoor gardening program from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 2 at the Princeton Public Library, 698 E Peru St.

The Graves-Hume Public Library will have more funds for its summer reading program this summer after the Mendota City Council approved a $6,000 donation.

Putnam County Community Theatre has announced audition dates open to incoming third through eighth-grade students for its “Aladdin Jr.” Summer Theatre Camp.

La Salle County sheriff’s deputies arrested two drunk drivers and ticketed five motorists for using hand-held devices during the St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaign.

Marquette baseball's Griffin Dobberstein homered twice, while Georgia Kirkpatrick scored a hat trick to lead the Ottawa girls soccer team to a season-opening win. That and more in The Times Tuesday Roundup.

The Hall and Mendota baseball teams scored in the seventh inning to pull out wins, plus more baseball and softball results in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.