The Tenth Annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference will be held Oct. 9-11 ahead of the 100th anniversary year of the historic Route 66 in 2026. It will be open to the public.

Heritage Corridor Destinations partners with NCIArtworks for series of pop-up gallery shows.

Joliet is one of five cities that will host a festival to kick off the 100th Anniversary of historic Route 66.

The Sumthins will perform at Ottawa's Washington Square Park on Saturday night.

The La Salle-Peru, Hall-Putnam County and Mendota games were delayed by inclement weather on Friday. Jack Brady wins his first game as St. Bede coach. That and more in this week's football notebook

The IHSA's changes to the multiplier rules altered the way that the 2025 playoffs are likely to look. And the first regular season projection reflected that fact. Steve Soucie's first playoff projection of the season predicts how all eight classes of the field will look.

Got an idea on what Mendota’s forthcoming pavilion should look like? Reimagine Mendota is accepting proposals until Sept. 8.

The program meets on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Parents are asked to drop off children by 7 p.m. and return for pickup at 8 p.m.

A look at the La Salle-Peru, St. Bede, Hall, Putnam County, Mendota, Princeton, Bureau Valley, Amboy co-op and Henry-Midland boys cross country teams entering the 2025 season.

To make reservations for the luncheon, contact Connie Espel at 815-303-8982 or via e-mail at cespel@ivnet.com by Sept.10.

The Streator volleyball team opened the Illinois Central Eight Conference slate with a win on Tuesday, while Woodland, Newark, Somonauk and Fieldcrest also earned victories. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

Princeton coach Andy Puck was happy to catch Newman early in the volleyball season. He knows they have a young team that will only improve by the next time they meet. The Tigresses caught the Comets this time, scoring a 25-19, 25-14 win Tuesday at Prouty Gym

Behind four goals from Isaac Diaz, Mendota improved to 5-1 with a shutout win in boys soccer action. Plus more golf and volleyball scores in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

Hall defeated Mendota in two sets 25-20, 25-19 on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025 at Mendota High School. Check out photos of the match by Kyle Russell.

Cross Country teams from Hall, L-P, Mendota, Princeton, Seneca, St Bede, Ottawa, Streator, and Somonauk/Leland competed in the Ottawa Nautical Mile Relay on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025 at Catlin Park in Ottawa.

Pritzker encouraged residents to learn their rights and film ICE’s work. “Authoritarians thrive on your silence,” he said. “Be loud for America.”

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson revealed on Tuesday that a groin injury had kept him away from practice during training camp. He also said he's doing everything he can to play in Monday's season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Congratulations to these 22 Illinois high school football players who were voted onto Friday Night Drive's Team of the Week for Week 1 of the 2025 high school football season

La Salle County Retired Teachers will meet Monday, Sept. 22 at Nell’s Woodland, 2000 Alexis Avenue, Ottawa.

The Oglesby American Legion will hold its monthly taco night from 4:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10.

A look at the La Salle-Peru, St. Bede, Mendota, Princeton, Bureau Valley, Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio, Henry-Midland and Fieldcrest girls cross country teams.

Four Bureau County players dressed for the Division 1 football stage for the 2025 season-opening weekend. Hall’s Mac Resetich (Illinois) and Princeton’s Payne Miller (Western Illinois) were on opposite sides once again in Champaign.

The festival honors Rev. Owen Lovejoy’s contributions to the Underground Railroad and offers a blend of historical experiences and modern-day fun.

The next Diabetes Support Group meeting will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at OSF HealthCare Saint Paul Medical Center, Conference Room C, 1401 E. 12th St., Mendota.

To schedule a donation, visit ImpactLife’s website.

The Princeton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated a commemorative plaque at the historic home of Princeton’s first mayor, Justus Stevensand his daughter, chapter founder Darlene Stevens Reeve.

The Illinois Extension Master Naturalist program is designed for adults who want to have a positive impact on their community by serving as environmental stewards and naturalists.

The Hegeler Carus Mansion has upgraded the Mansion’s driveway thanks to a donation of gravel provided by Tri Con Materials, according to a Hegeler Carus news release.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is a classroom and online driver refresher course designed for drivers 50 years or older. The program aims to help participants retain their driving competency.

Illinois National Guard members gathered at the Marseilles Training Center from Aug. 18-22 to compete in the annual Adjutant General’s Match, known as TAG Match.

The Chicago Bears starting preparing for their season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday at Halas Hall. Here's how the defense is getting ready for the unknown of Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Illinois' oldest continuing county fair returns this week with a packed schedule.

The Illinois Valley Hispanic Partnership Council’s 2025 Queen Queen Litzy Celis will host a special story time event at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at the Graves-Hume Public Library in Mendota.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news and sports in minutes for August 24-30. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The La Salle-Peru boys soccer team won the Earlville War on 34 Tournament, the Mendota girls tennis team won the Newman Invite and more results in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

Mendota defeated Streator 8-1 during the Streator Invitational boys soccer tournament on Saturday Aug. 30, 2025 at the James Street Recreational Area in Streator. Mendota went 3-0 during Streator Boys Soccer Invitational tournament.

The Serena boys soccer team finished 1-1-1 at its own tournament on Saturday, while the Streator volleyball team placed third at the Ottawa Invitational.

La Salle-Peru scored a touchdown with 2:09 left but couldn't convert the two-point conversion in a 23-21 loss to United Township on Saturday.

Area Catholic schools issued assurances students will be kept safe after two children were fatally shot, and many more injured, in Minnesota.

The Peru Historical Society taught students from Academy of Saint Carlo Acutis how to plant wildflowers on Friday Aug. 29, 2025 at Academy of Saint Carlo Acutis in Peru. The students planted purple poppy mallow, blue flax, black eyed susans and milkweed. Debo Ace Hardware also donated supplies.

IVCC women’s tennis coach Julie Milota said the Eagles "should take the region title" this season.

The Hall-Putnam County football team lost 40-21 to Orion in its season opener Friday.

A look at the La Salle-Peru, St. Bede, Mendota and Princeton girls tennis teams for the 2025 season.

After a competitive, back-and-forth first half, Aurora Christian made key second-half adjustments to pull away from Marquette, earning a 43-22 win in a Week 1 nonconference showdown.

Newman scored twice in the fourth quarter to snap a tie and defeat Princeton 28-14 in the teams' season opener on Friday night at Roscoe Eades Stadium in Sterling.

Archer Cechowicz announced his return with authority, rushing for 136 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries in Ottawa’s 35-6 season-opening victory over Plano.

Coming into Friday’s opener, Fieldcrest knew it was going to have to play near perfect ball against Class 2A No. 2-ranked Tri-Valley, but the Knights’ six turnovers were too much to overcome as they fell 52-12 in Minonk.

Here's a look at Friday’s scores in and around Bureau County for Week 1

Bureau County rivals Bureau Valley and St. Bede met for the first time in three seasons Friday night at the Academy gridiron with the Bruins winning 47-6.

The La Salle-Peru at United Township football game was postponed Friday due to inclement weather and will be resumed at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Cavaliers trail 16-15 with 9:44 left in the second quarter