Illinois Valley communities are launching fireworks displays this summer, with shows running from late June through early August.

When you’re helping someone, don’t think about the task or if you can do it correctly. It’s not about how much you can or cannot do.

We are proud to present the 2026 Times All-Area Softball Team, filled with standouts from Newark, Serena, Somonauk/Leland, Earlville, Streator, Sandwich, Ottawa, Fieldcrest, WFC, Marquette and Class 2A state runner-up Seneca.

Congratulations to the 2026 Times Softball Player of the Year, Seneca all-state pitcher/hitter Hayden Pfeifer.

Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock is proud to announce the grand opening of the newly rebuilt units, marking the completion of a remarkable journey that began after a devastating fire impacted the resort homes in May 2022.

A second mural in downtown Mendota is now complete.

The following marriage licenses were recently recorded at the Bureau County Courthouse:

The following property transfers were recently recorded at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office in the Bureau County Courthouse:

More than 6,000 miles from their hometown, Japanese twin brothers Yamato and Takeru Onozaki have reunited in the Illinois Valley this summer to take the next step in their baseball careers together with the Pistol Shrimp.

Local historian David Reed will give a presentation on the history during the Cherry Mine Disaster this Saturday.