Barbara (Bendkowski) Hilton grew up in the Illinois Valley dreaming of space. Today, she is a NASA program executive helping prepare for a mission to Saturn’s largest moon, Titan.

A La Salle man wanted on felony charges was picked up Wednesday in Peoria, La Salle police said.

The final Third Friday event of the season is Friday, Sept. 19 in downtown Ottawa. Princeton's Artisan

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Have you seen the sunflower fields along Interstate 80 in Bureau County? A few commercial fields are in full bloom on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, near the intersection of 3000 East Street and Interstate 80, about a mile north of Seatonville. The sunflowers will be harvested for sunflower oil. The sunflowers are on private property.

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Putnam County High School held their inaugural Homecoming parade on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 in Granville. This was he school's first-ever Homecoming. Hall High School football combined with Putnam County High School in the fall of 2022. Putnam County High School never celebrated Homecoming until now. Check out photos from the parade by photo editor Scott Anderson.

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Larry the Mule walks in a pen near the Lock 14 Illinois & Michigan Canal in La Salle. Larry is now for sale and the I&M Canal Boat rides are ending.

Spring Valley is seeking state funding to help pay for improvements at Barto Landing.

Grace United Methodist Church turns 175 this year. Members of the La Salle congregation will cap off the event on “Celebration Sunday,” Sept. 21.

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The Princeton Chamber of Commerce, Princeton Park District, friends and community members cut the ribbon on a new playground on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at Zearing Park in Princeton. The 7,000 square-foot playground features sensory panels, an in-ground merry-go-round with back support, slides, swings, health development and creative play. Half of the project was paid for by an OSLAD grant and the other half was purchased by the Princeton Park District. No tax dollars were used for the project.