The St. Bede, Hall, Princeton, Bureau Valley and Amboy co-op girls track teams competed at the Rosenberry Invite, plus more results in Wednesday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Ottawa softball team, led by three hits and three RBIs by Piper Lewis, defeated host Sterling on Wednesday, while Serena and Somonauk/Leland also earned softball wins. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

Marquette defeated Eureka 3-0 on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at Masinelli Field in Ottawa.

A look at the best boys basketball players in the NewsTribune area for the 2025-26 season.

Illinois Valley Community College student Danica Scoma recently was recognized for academic accomplishment, leadership and campus and community service by the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

The First United Methodist Church in Ottawa will hold its 21st annual spaghetti lunch and supper on Thursday, April 23.

The “Love Our Community” grant program’s goal is to award $10,000 annually to local nonprofits in appreciation of the resources and time they provide to the community, subject to funds permitting.

Four astronauts embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon on Wednesday, humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century and the thrilling leadoff in NASA’s push toward a landing in two years

The St. Bede baseball and LaSalle-Peru softball teams are making spring flings this week to warmer climates down south. The Bruins are playing in Tennessee while the L-P girls are enjoying the sun in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to sweep across northern Illinois on Thursday afternoon and evening, bringing the potential for damaging winds, hail, and even isolated tornadoes

The Bears say they want a new stadium open by 2030, with a final decision expected in the coming months. Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana, remain in play as lawmakers negotiate key incentives

When Walmart opened its first store in Peru on Tuesday, April 1, 1986, it marked a major retail milestone for the Illinois Valley.

The Ottawa Fire Department will be out in the community for two free home safety programs for any residents within city limits on Tuesday, April 14.

From Capitol News Illinois: More than 1,000 Illinois State Police vehicles have passed the threshold for replacement, but current funding levels mean it will take 18 years to replace them all, Director Brenden Kelly said

A youth program “Nature Sleuths: Spring Break Youth Workshops” will be from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 8 to Friday, April 10 at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center.

The Chicago Bears are still making an effort to potentially receive compensatory draft picks for former assistant general manager Ian Cunningham’s hiring with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason

Zion United Church of Christ in Peru donated $2,500 to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry.

A program on the settlement of La Salle County, “Early Pioneers of La Salle,“ will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at the Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center.

Celebrate Easter with egg hunts in Ottawa and Utica this weekend.

When Walmart opened its first store in Peru on Tuesday, April 1, 1986, it marked a major retail milestone for the Illinois Valley. Check out photos from when the store originally opened and the grand-opening ads.

The screening is free, but appointments are required.

Parkside Middle School in Peru has announced its high honor roll students for the second trimester of the 2025-2026 school year.

The winners of the contest were Bailey Miller from Earlville, Kiley Mason from Leland, Clair Boudreau from La Salle-Peru, and Aden Tillman from Mendota, whose essay was sent on to the next level of the contest.

The Ottawa Fire Department has welcomed its newest probationary firefighter Jackson Novak.

The “Chasing Spring Hike” will be at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at Starved Rock State Park.

From Capitol News Illinois: A proposal that would have created the first statewide regulations aimed at curbing pollution generated by fulfillment centers, parcel hubs and sorting facilities failed to receive a committee vote in either chamber of the General Assembly

The IVCC softball and baseball teams earned conference wins, plus more results in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants the Chicago Bears to find a solution to their stadium search sooner rather than later. He made the comments Tuesday at the league’s annual meetings in Phoenix.

Woodland School in Streator has announced Marty Coe as its Hall of Fame inductee for 2026.

From Capitol News Illinois: Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, sponsored the bill after hearing from an agency that had funding and a house ready to open a CILA, but was blocked by local zoning, despite a long wait list. The bill passed the house 77-35

The Oglesby Knights of Columbus, 307 E. Florence St., will host a fish and shrimp fry from 4 to 7 p.m. Good Friday, April 3.

In order to receive a permit, these vehicles must be evaluated by an Automotive Service Excellence-certified mechanic that has been registered by the city, and the city of La Salle itself before they can be legally operated on city streets.

La Salle County sheriff’s deputies will step up April patrols to catch distracted drivers.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources conducted a controlled burn on Monday, March 30, 2026, across from Deer Park Golf Club near Oglesby and Starved Rock State Park. Approximately 300 acres of prairie were burned during the planned burnoff. The burning of the prairie helps maintain a healthy grassland and prevents invasive plants.

NFL owners approved five rule changes at their annual league meetings in Phoenix on Tuesday. They approved rules that will change aspects of the kickoff, allow support for NFL officials as well as one in case of a referee work stoppage.

The NFL’s annual meetings continued in Phoenix on Tuesday as AFC coaches met with reporters. Here are five of the most interesting things coaches said about current and former Chicago Bears players and coaches Tuesday.

A look at the top girls basketball players in the NewsTribune area for the 2025-26 season.

First United Methodist Church in Ottawa will host its 21st annual spaghetti lunch and supper fundraiser Thursday, April 23, at the church, 100 W. Jefferson St.

The Perfectly Flawed Foundation will host its 10th annual Earth Day Community Cleanup event, “A Decade of Difference,” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 18.

“Explore the World of Reptiles: Live Animal Program” will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center.

La Salle County will host a free electronics recycling event from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 11, at the La Salle County Government Center, 707 E. Etna Road in Ottawa.

The National Corn Growers Association recently released a report, “America’s Crop at Risk: The Future of Corn and Family Farms,” illustrating how far U.S. agriculture has come and how urgent action is needed to secure its future

According to the motor club AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $4.02 — over a dollar more than before the war in Iran began

Illinois Valley Community College will hold a free “Pages and Passports: Adventures of an Author and Foreign Service Officer” book talk and career discussion featuring college alumnus, author and former U.S. diplomat Gordon Duguid.

The Oglesby American Legion will hold its monthly taco night from 4:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 8.

La Salle residents looking to get rid of old, unused electronics now can register for the city’s electronic waste drop-off event from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 4, at Rotary Park.

La Salle County authorities have identified the motorist killed Saturday when two semis collided on Interstate 80 near the Marseilles exit.

The Covered Bridge Quilters Guild will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2 in the New Hope Church of the Nazarene, Princeton.

Seneca's girls track and field team, Ottawa girls soccer, Marquette softball and Earlville/Leland baseball are among the winners featured in The Times Monday Roundup.

The L-P softball team and St. Bede baseball team opened their spring break trips with wins, plus more results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.