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

A group of nine local veterans took to the skies Tuesday morning at Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru as part of Dream Flights, a national program that gives older veterans the chance to experience a ride in a World War Two-era plane.

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.

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.

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.

Emergency crews responded early Sunday morning to a two-vehicle crash outside of Mendota where three people were hospitalized with minor injuries while the other driver fled the scene.

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.

The window for Joshua Casey to stand trial for murder in 2025 is closing fast. Casey doesn’t have new trial dates and it looks unlikely he’ll get them before the holidays.

Trinity United Church of Christ in La Salle will hold a fundraiser from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Culver’s in Peru.

The Aden Lamps Foundation will host its annual golf outing fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at Spring Creek Golf Course in Spring Valley.

A Mendota man accused of setting fire to his apartment complex – damage was not significant – will stand trial Nov. 17.

OSF Saint Paul Medical Center in Mendota recently received a 4-star rating from the National Rural Rating System, which recognizes rural and critical access hospitals for quality care and patient satisfaction.

Here is the list of La Salle County couples who applied for marriage licenses from Aug. 1 through Aug. 15, 2025.

The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday the creation of an annual fundraiser, “Run the River for Respect 5K” to be held Sunday, Sept. 14 at Heritage Harbor, Ottawa.

The Pink Ribbon Club of the Illinois Valley recently held a series of events.

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

There’s really nothing to report at this time,” Mayor Ken Kolowski said. “But, things are in motion.”

More than three decades have passed since the disappearance and death of Tammy Jo Zywicki, an Iowa college student, last seen after her car broke down on Interstate 80 near La Salle. Her case remains unsolved.

Peru City Council approved a bid Monday to construct a dog park on Water Street.

Out of more than 100 applications, only 30 chapters nationwide were chosen for this unique opportunity, according to an L-P news release.

Rosati’s in Mendota closed its doors on Monday.

The Tri-County Fair returns this week, bringing four days of entertainment to Mendota when it opens this Thursday, Aug. 28.

Two years after Illinois became the first state in the nation to eliminate cash bail, the Trump administration is threatening to revoke federal funding from local and state governments that allow cashless bail.The Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice condemned the action.

The City of Oglesby will host its annual Boots, Brews and BBQ night on Saturday, Sept. 13.

The La Salle County Health Department will sponsor the 31st Annual Food Service Seminar on Sept. 8 at Senica’s Oak Ridge, La Salle.

U.S. Rep. Underwood discusses redistricting and Israel-Hamas conflict at DeKalb town hall.

A Streator woman pleaded guilty Friday and was sentenced to four years for possessing a stolen gun recovered during a drug seizure.

A La Salle woman faces up to 18 months in prison when she stands for sentencing Nov. 5 for leaving the scene of a 2023 crash that injured an elderly motorist.

Mendota Police Department and Illinois State Police ticketed seven Wednesday for allegedly selling alcoholic beverages to underage customers.

Mosquitoes collected from three La Salle County municipalities have tested positive for West Nile virus, the La Salle County Health Department reported Thursday.

The Ladd American Legion Auxiliary, Post 938, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the Legion Hall, 111 S. Main St.

Opinion from our editorial board: Rep. Fritts still has a choice. He can continue down the path of performative grievance, or he can rejoin the Chamber, roll up his sleeves, and get back to work. The Sauk Valley is stronger when all voices are at the table, including his.

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary this fall.

State Rep. Brad Fritts, R-Dixon, announced Wednesday that he withdrew his membership in the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce after the Chamber added a DEI statement to its website and removed the word “God” from a prayer at its annual scholarship fundraiser

A celebration honoring world-renowned violinist Maud Powell will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at the Maud Powell statue in the Fourth Street courtyard in downtown Peru.

The Oglesby American Legion will hold its monthly steak fry from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28. 

The city of La Salle will be a member of the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce for another year — at least.

Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman moderated the town hall, which was part of Underwood’s summer town hall series. The congresswoman has three more scheduled over the next week in DeKalb, LaSalle and Bureau counties.

A coffee shop, sales office and climate-controlled self-storage unit will be coming to the former La Salle Public Works Building, at 500 2nd St.

La Salle Police are investigating an altercation that occurred in downtown La Salle.

Chief Jason Martin said Poole’s hire makes the department fully staffed.

First responders now have a financial incentive to become paramedics in Mendota.

The City of Mendota is acquiring the old Phalen Steel building on North U.S. 52.

Severe thunderstorms with the risk for damaging winds and even tornadoes could hit northern Illinois on Monday afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service warned.

The Mendota Museum & Historical Society will debut “Where Our Paths Meet: Journeys to Mendota”, an initiative that explores the migration stories of families who arrived in Mendota from Mexico during the 1960s and 1970s, according to a MMHS news release.

Dr. Susan Buchanan of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health said lead found in paint used inside older homes remains the primary source of lead exposure for children

The La Salle City Council will meet Monday, Aug. 18, to consider special event permits, police hires and a redevelopment agreement involving downtown property.