She came to the United States as a 12-year-old refugee from Cuba. Maria Balestri has written a children's book about her 'scary' journey to the USA in 1962.

The Reddick Public Library District in Ottawa will host several events and programs in August

“Green Goddess, Watergate, and More: Funky Foods of the 1970s” is a free program offered at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4 at the Granville library.

The Hegeler Carus Mansion in La Salle will continue to offer a new tour experience to celebrate its 150th anniversary in August and September.

The Aden Lamps Foundation will host its annual golf outing fundraiser to support its mission at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Spring Creek Golf Course, 286 Spring Creek Drive, Spring Valley.

A brick-and-mortar location is planned at 217 W. Main St., the former Tino’s Shoe Repair.

Illinois Valley Public Action to Deliver Shelter announced Friday that 24-hour services will resume at its Ottawa and Peru shelters.

Peru Public Library announced Thursday a homebound delivery and retrieval service.

The concert will feature vocal soloist Susan Nelson, who will be singing “As Time Goes By” and “I’ll Be Seeing You.” The band will perform selections including “Pachinko,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Birdland,” “MacArthur Park,” “Jazz It Up,” and “Billy Joel in Concert."

A Chicago woman is headed to prison after pleading guilty Friday to sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Streator.