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Photo Galleries | The Times

Photos: Illinois Valley rivers, lakes freeze over

The Illinois River is nearly frozen over. Canals and lakes are close to freezing over. The frozen river reduces the flow of barge traffic as they navigate the icy waters. With temperatures staying in the sub-zero range, it has allowed the Illinois River to freeze. Normal temperatures are forecasted next week.

By Scott Anderson

Photos: A look at the new Naplate solar facility

Crews are building a new solar farm located in the 1400 block of North 27th Road (Dee Bennett Road) on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2026 in Naplate. The 28.26 acre site is owned by SunVest Solar, LLC. It will have a total of 6,890 panels with a capacity of 4.27 megawatts. The solar farm is on a former U.S. Silica property and is unique for the area with a diverse landscape, considering most solar farms are placed on flat farmland. The project is scheduled to be completed in May 2026.

By Scott Anderson

Photos: Visitors brave winter weather at Starved Rock State Park during Bald Eagle Weekend

Visitors to Starved Rock State Park brave harsh winter weather during Bald Eagle Weekend on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Power outages affecting areas along the Illinois waterway forced organizers to relocate programs and shows to the La Salle room at Starved Rock Lodge. The Illinois Waterway Visitor's Center closed due to a lack of power, with its activities moved indoors.

By Kyle Russell

Photos: La Salle firefighters battle two-story house fire on Bucklin Street

La Salle firefighters responded to a fully engulfed two-story home in the 800 block of Bucklin Street on Friday, Jan. 23. A woman, her son and their dog evacuated safely before crews arrived. Firefighters from La Salle, Peru, Oglesby and Utica fire departments worked together to battle the blaze in subzero temperatures. Peru Fire Department provided an aerial truck to help crews reach the roof. Firefighters broke windows and cut a hole in the roof to access the seat of the fire. Bucklin Street was closed between 8th and 9th Streets during firefighting operations.

By Tom Collins and Scott Anderson●

Photos: Lisle vs. Streator girls and boys wrestling

Lisle played Streator during a girls and boys wrestling meet on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 at Streator High School.

By Scott Anderson●

Photos: Search continues in Utica for missing person

A search party was organized by the family of Villa Herrera on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 at Advanced Asphalt in Utica. Herrera went missing on Sunday, Jan. 11, after being involved in a crash at the Utica roundabout. He was last spotted walking on foot and wearing a white and grey windbreaker jacket and jeans. Agencies with Central K9 Search in Spring Valley and Eye in the Sky in Bloomington helped the family with the search. La Salle County Sheriff's Office has also searched the ground and air surrounding the crash site.

By Scott Anderson and Scott Anderson●

Photos: Fire breaks out at Fire On Fifth inside Westclox

Firefighters responded to Fire On Fifth inside the Westclox building on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026 in Peru. A working fire started in the storage room inside of Fire on Fifth. The fire started at 10a.m. Fire departments from Utica, Oglesby Peru and La Salle all assisted on the scene. La Salle and Peru EMS were also dispatched. The entire Westclox building was evacuated. Two employees were transported by ambulance for smoke inhalation. A smoke detector inside Star Union Spirits triggered an alarm, prompting a fast response from firefighters.

By Scott Anderson●

Photos: St. Bede girls basketball defeated Dwight in the Tri County Conference Tournament semifinals

St. Bede defeated Dwight 57-46 during the Tri County Conference Tournament semifinals on Monday, Jan. 20, 2026 at Dwight High School. The Lady Bruins will play Mildand in the title game on Thursday at 8p.m. Check out photos from the game by MaKade Rios.

By MaKade Rios for Shaw Local News Network●