Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for July 26-Aug.1. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

I was born with a heart that sees wonder all around me. But even that is a muscle that needs exercise, especially in a time of so much negativity and divisiveness.

The Mendota High School Jazz Choir and Marching Band will provide pre-pageant and intermission entertainment for visitors at the pageant.

A pair of special promotions, the Mega Pass and Unlimited Ride armband, are available to help reduce the cost for frequent riders.

The Illinois Valley Brain Injury Clubhouse announced a $7,500 contribution from Midland States Bank to the a non-profit organization’s Education, Health and Wellness Program.

There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is underdetermined at this time. The building and its contents were a total loss.

Soccer historian Chuck Carlson will discuss Illinois Valley soccer teams and their connections to international soccer at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at the La Salle County Historical Society museum in Utica, the Heritage Center.

The Illinois Valley Senior League baseball team opened the World Series with a 9-0 loss to Vine-Ingle (Macon, Ga.) on Saturday morning.

Cain discovers a 1944 Chicago streetcar ticket in a used book inscribed by a young woman, then tracks down her great-niece to reunite the time capsule with family.

Spring Valley's Joseph Perez won the 125cc Runabout for the second year in a row at the Lake DePue PRO National Championship Boat Races.