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Firefighters from Serena, Mendota, Troy Grove, Somonauk, and Earlville fire departments responded to a structure fire in the 4000 block of East 16th Road on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 near Earlville. Firefighters were dispatched shortly after 12p.m. to the scene. The fire was upgraded to the second alarm through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS 25) shortly after.

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Streator defeated Moris 47-42 on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 in Pops Dale Gymnasium at Streator High School. Check out photos from the game by Tom Sistak.

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Ottawa fell to Moline 43-56 on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 in Kingman Gymnasium at Ottawa High School. Check out photos of the game by Tom Sistak.

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Newark defeated Leland 51-35 in the Little Ten Conference Tournament quarterfinal game on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 at Somonauk High School. Check out photos from the game by MaKade Rios.

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IMSA defeated Serena 60-38 during the Little Ten Conference Tournament quarterfinal game on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 at Somonauk High School. Check out photos from the game by MaKade Rios.

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Firefighters and EMS personnel from Utica, Tonica and Oglesby braved sub-zero temperatures Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, to conduct ice-rescue training on a private pond south of Utica. Wearing wetsuits, firefighters cut multiple holes through the ice while practicing rescue scenarios. The exercise focused on teaching new techniques to improve safety and efficiency during frozen-water emergencies.

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The Penguin Plunge was a successful fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Illinois, with participants taking frigid dives into the water at Skydive Chicago to raise money for the organization.

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Crews are preparing to demolish the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 in Streator. Last August, The Streator City Council approved a TIF Redevelopment Agreement with Beck Oil Company to open a gas station with a car wash in the 400 block of North Park Street. The church held its last service in 2010.

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Individuals from Amboy, Dixon, Hall-Putnam County, Mendota, Marquette, St. Bede Princeton, and Sandwich all competed during the Class 1A Regional meet on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Princeton High School.