Herscher defeated Streator 35-31 on Monday, Feb. 3, 2026 in Pops Dale Gymnasium at Streator High School. Check out photos from the game by Tom Sistak.

Filmmaker and entrepreneur Matthew Klein of Oglesby is a rising star in the Illinois Valley film scene. Known for his popular documentaries, Klein, vice president of the Starved Rock Foundation and founder of Reel Creative, continues to pursue his passion for storytelling.

For the first time since the 1990's, Donkey Basketball returned to Seneca. The Seneca FFA hosted the event on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at the (old Seneca High School) West Campus in Seneca. Check out photos from the event by MaKade Rios.

Illinois Valley residents shared their predictions for Super Bowl Sunday. Who ya got, the Seahawks or the Patriots?

L-P defeated Ottawa 55-37 on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 in Kingman Gymnasium at Ottawa High School.

The Hinckley-Big Rock boys basketball team took on Newark Friday in the third place game at the Little 10 Conference tournament at Somonauk High School.

Girls bowling teams from Dixon, L-P, Mendota, Ottawa, Rochelle, Sterling, St. Bede and Hall competed during the IHSA girls bowling Regional meet on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 at the Illinois Valley Super Bowl in Peru.

Frozen waterfalls have not formed this year at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks. Despite colder-than-average temperatures this winter, a lack of precipitation rendered the ice climbing season virtually nonexistent.

Seneca defeated Marquette 69-39 on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 at Seneca High School.