A single-family home in Dalzell that sold for $82,500 tops the list of the best real estate deals in Bureau County in the past two weeks.

Six mayors from Spring Valley, Utica, Ottawa, Peru, La Salle and Oglesby spoke at the 2026 Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce State of the Cities Luncheon on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Grand Bear Lodge at Starved Rock in Utica.

Bureau Valley Junior High's Stevie Davis, Kinley Gruber and Leah Donnelly took part in the 67th Student Council State Convention on April 17-18 in Springfield.

The projects across the 14th Congressional District, which would come under federal Community Project Funding initiative, range from protecting clean drinking water to strengthening access to quality health care in rural communities to public transit systems.

Burris, a native of the Illinois Valley, most recently served as assistant general manager of the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp and manager of digital and strategic content for the Prospect League.

Illinois Valley Cursillo will hold an evening of food and fellowship Saturday, May 16 in Peterstown, south of Mendota.

The River Valley Players will perform Steel Magnolias April 30 – May 3. Steel Magnolias is a perfect mix of humor and heart, following six women as they navigate life, love, and loss together.

Enjoy sweet treats from Utica businesses and play some carnival-themed games at Utica's Sweet Stroll: The Sweet Escape Carnival on Saturday, April 25.

Firefighters responded to the scene of a house fire in the 800 block of North Mercer Street on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in Princeton.