The Putnam County Public Library District will partner with Neighborhood Forest to hold its third annual tree giveaway as part of its “America250: Our Shared History” program.

Have you seen a film adaptation of "Little Women"? Stage 212 in La Salle has a different version that will appeal to fans of the original as well as to fans of musicals.

More than 100 brave individuals will channel their courage this weekend at the Penguin Plunge Winter Festival. They will plunge into ice water in support of area children with critical illnesses by joining the Penguin Plunge at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan 31 at Skydive Chicago.

Kindergarten registration for Deer Park School in Ottawa begins Feb 1. Registration is open to families both inside and outside of the Deer Park district.

Immanuel Lutheran Church is hosting a lasagna lunch as part of their Senior Saturday schedule. The lunch will be from 12-2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb 14 in their fellowship hall at 415 S East St in Earlville.

A former Illinois sheriff’s deputy was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya Massey, who had dialed 911 to report a possible prowler outside her Springfield home

The 2018 state championship baseball team, ace golfer Jim Thompson and runner Al Baldonado will be inducted into the Hall High School Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Congratulations to The Times Athlete of the Week, Ottawa boys wrestling’s Wes Weatherford!

The Mendota High School Athletic Department is adopting a new dual-sport athlete policy. The proposal is being tested out for the rest of the 2025-26 school year and the 2026-27 school year on a trial basis.

A jury convicted him of the 2023 drive-by shooting in Ottawa. Anthony Brito thinks the jury got it wrong. Now, he’s arguing for a new trial – and without a lawyer’s help.