More than 400 motorcycles processed through downtown Marseilles on Saturday, June 20, for the 23rd Annual Honor and Remembrance Ceremony at the Middle East Conflicts Wall. The event honored nine fallen service members whose names were added to the memorial, bringing the total to 8,041. The wall, erected in 2004, commemorates servicemen and servicewomen killed in conflicts around the world since 1967. The ceremony included remarks from Master of Ceremonies Mike Cozzi, Bishop Ronnie White, an Air Force veteran, and family members of the fallen. A 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps by American Legion Post 33 concluded the official proceedings.
The annual Oglesby Summer Fun Fest returns this week with a carnival, kids parade and a variety of food trucks. The carnival will runs through Sunday, June 21. Hours will be Friday, 1 to 9 p.m., Saturday and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Wristbands will cost $33 per person. The Red, White and Bike Kids Parade will be Saturday, June 20. The festival wraps up Sunday with fireworks at 9:30p.m.
Firefighters responded to the scene of a fire inside the Starved Rock House of Jerky on Thursday, June 18, 2026 in Utica. The fire broke out just before noon. Fire departments from La Salle, Utica, Oglesby, Wallace and Tonica all responded to the scene.
First Responders were honored before the Pistol Shrimp game on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Schweickert Stadium in Peru. Police, Fire, and EMS departments from Ottawa, Oglesby, Utica, Standard, Tonica, Spring Valley, Illinois State Police, La Salle County Sheriff and Putnam County Sheriff attended the event.
Ottawa Lions Club Carnival opened on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at Lincoln-Douglas Park in Ottawa. The carnival runs through Saturday.
Volunteers work to clear debris along Sunbury Drive on Monday, June 15, 2026, following the tornado that struck Streator. The twister caused wreckage throughout the northeast side of the city, including damage to aircraft at Rothrock Airport and a caboose that was overturned on its tracks along Airport Road.
Thousands of people filled downtown Ottawa on Saturday for the Family Pride Festival's fifth annual parade and celebration. Organizers estimated attendance at roughly 22,500 people, a significant increase from previous years. The festival featured rainbow flags, vendor booths, and activities throughout the day, drawing attendees from across the Illinois Valley and beyond.
Marquette defeated Freeburg 4-1 in the IHSA Class 2A State third-place game on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the University of Illinois in Champaign.
Marquette fell 6-1 to St. Joseph-Ogden in the IHSA Class 2A State semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the University of Illinois in Champaign.
Extreme damage from the tornado was located in the areas of Sunbury Drive, Saragota Lane, Airport Road, and Aquaduct Road on Friday, June 12, 2026 in Streator.
A multi-vortex tornado struck the City of Streator on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The tornado struck just before 6 p.m. The heaviest damage occurred on the east side of the city.
Audrey Carver of Minneapolis is painting a large 56x25-foot Audubon Mural Project on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 on the side of Jens Jungle store located at 707 Jefferson Street in Mendota. The drawing depicts threatened bird species and illustrates the ecology of Lake Kakusha’s habitats, capturing the diversity and interconnectedness of Illinois ecosystems. The city of Mendota will hold Painted Wings and Wild Things: A Celebration of Art, Nature & Place on Sunday, June 14 to unveil the mural. A second mural will begin this week on Illinois Avenue.
Marquette defeated Brimfield 9-6 on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at Schweickert Stadium in Peru. The Crusaders advance to the State tournament for the third consecutive season.
Marquette pulled away from Wilmington for an 11-2 victory in the IHSA Class 2A Herscher Sectional championship on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
Seneca and Carterville clash for the 2A softball title Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Peoria. Carterville took the win 3-1 in a tight game.
Seventeen awards were handed out to teams and individuals during the 2026 Shaw Media Illinois Valley Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at the Auditorium Ballroom in La Salle.
The 2026 planting season is wrapping up across the Illinois Valley.
Seneca and IC Catholic play a thrilling game in the 2A softball state semifinal Thursday in Peoria. Seneca took the win 8-6 and will advance to the finals on Saturday.