Ella Lewis will represent the Mendota High School Athletics Booster Club in the 79th Annual Sweet Corn Festival pageant.

Riders coasted Saturday, July 18, 2026, into Zearing Park in Princeton and most interviewed expressed sorrow that this is the last year for the Z-Tour bike event.

Illinois Valley residents marched Sunday afternoon through downtown Ottawa to protest a far-right demonstration held the previous day.

Illinois Valley Community College is accepting registrations for Get Set, a two-day college readiness program designed to prepare new students for the transition to college life.

Learn about bats at “Bats in the Spotlight,” a program scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, August 29 at Starved Rock State Park.

The Illinois Valley Senior League baseball team won its Central Region Tournament opener Saturday, the La Salle Minor League softball team won twice at state and Illinois Valley Junior League baseball lost its state opener.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for July 12-18. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Illinois Valley Alzheimer’s Caring Friends Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, July 20, at the Peru Public Library.

The 24th annual Carus Summer Science Camp concluded Friday with a graduation celebration at St. Bede Academy, marking the successful completion of another week of hands-on science exploration for local students entering sixth grade.

Registration now is open for “Nature’s Palette,” a program offered at 10 a.m. Sunday, August 16 at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center.