River Valley Players announced auditions for “Between the Lines” from May 29-30 in Henry.

Bureau County officials have released the identity of the child who was shot during a hostage situation Sunday, May 10, in rural DePue.

A special prosecutor has been appointed by Bureau County to review the investigation into an unidentified police officer who fired shots during the hostage standoff that killed 3-year-old Damian Camacho on Sunday, May 10, in rural DePue.

Besides those on the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius where a deadly hantavirus outbreak occurred, there is a suspected case in Winnebago County, where Rockford is located.

The first Third Friday event for the 2026 season is from 5-9 p.m. Friday, May 15 in downtown Ottawa.

The Illinois Valley honors the everyday heroes making a difference in DeKalb County through their hard work, kindness and dedication."

Rodriguez is charged with three counts of aggravated unlawful restraint, aggravated assault and two counts of domestic battery. He faces up to five years if convicted of aggravated unlawful restraint, the most serious of his counts.

As of Jan. 1, 2028, it will be illegal to sell the invasive Bradford pear tree – also known as the Callery pear – in Illinois.

Anthony Daniel Rodriguez made an appearance in the Bureau County Courthous on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 in Princeton. Rodriguez, a 42-year-old man has been charged in connection with a shooting near DePue that killed a 3-year-old child during a domestic disturbance Sunday.