Police in Utica are launching a traffic enforcement campaign through July 6, focusing on impaired and unbuckled drivers.

A Quad Cities man has been jailed on charges of secretly filming minors in Marseilles. Jackson Yeager successfully appealed, however, and may get pre-trial release.

Families do not need to complete any additional forms or take any special action to participate.

Justin Suarez's progress on a mural at 725 Main St. in downtown Mendota. The mural depicts the wildlife that visitors to Lake Mendota and Lake Kakusha may encounter. The mural was delayed by the severe weather in the region last week, but Suarez said he hopes to finish the mural in the coming days, with a target date of early next week.

Dr. David Lawrence, principal of St. Bede Academy in Peru, has announced St. Bede’s honor roll for the second semester of the 2025-26 school year.

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.

Tickets for the Fulton Sheen beatification in St. Louis will be available the week of June 22, the Diocese of Peoria announced Thursday.

The Mendota City Council approved the application of Art Riewaldt Jr. and his company, Riewaldt Inc., for the $180,000 RLF with a 5% interest rate over the 15-year life of the loan.

A Peru man faces up to a year in jail after La Salle police clocked him driving nearly 100 mph in a 55-mph zone.

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.

A large fire — flames were visible above the roof— broke out at the Starved Rock House of Jerky. The fire appeared to either be contained or extinguished by 12:25 p.m.

The Ottawa Lions Carnival runs from Wednesday, June 17-Saturday, June 20 in Lincoln Douglas Park.

Illinois Valley Community College recently awarded the 2026 Frederick W. Matthiessen Award to Danica Scoma of Utica at its 60th annual commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16.

The Oglesby Summer Fun Fest will return this week with a carnival, kids parade and a variety of food trucks.

Oglesby, Utica, La Salle, and Tonica firefighters were called to a garage fire on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 in the 300 block of Jordan Street in Oglesby. Firefighters were called to the scene shortly after 5:30p.m. The fire was knocked down within minutes. No injuries were reported.

Authorities have apprehended the fourth and final suspect in a drug and theft ring based out of Streator.

A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday and returned the following indictments.