On Thursday evening, Mendota Police responded to reports of a shooting at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Sixth Street.

The fully immersive experience, including the macabre aspects of death in the Victorian Era, will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25, according to a Hegeler Carus news release.

Illinois Extension Nutrition Educator Susan Glassman will lead free “Eating for Bone Health” classes this October in Walnut and Utica.

The Illinois Valley Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its monthly meeting from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct.6, at the Utica fire station on Route 178 just south of Casey’s.

The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will open its 76th season with a pops concert titled “Go West, Young America!” on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation awarded $194,800 in grants on Monday, Sept. 15, to eight local nonprofits, ranging from a historic summer camp to a new arts center.

What began in the 1930s as a small garage in West Brooklyn, IL has grown into a large dealership group serving Mendota, Peru and Spring Valley. This weekend, Schimmer’s Automotive will celebrate its 80th anniversary in business.

Linda Mae Hiltabrand, who passed away in February 2024, was a member of the L-P class of 1971 and a former member of the L-P Foundation board.

The Class of 1975 remains the largest to enter and graduate from L-P. At the time, it was also the largest graduating class in the area.

Two Streator men were charged with felonies Tuesday following an investigation into a gunshot fired Sept. 9 near a Thornton’s. There were no injuries.

Hicks could face up to 15 years for eavesdropping

A Chicago man was charged with aggravated domestic battery after a Tuesday morning incident in Mendota that led to a three-hour standoff with police. There were no injuries.

The workshop runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 1401 W. Main St. No library card is needed to attend, but registration is required.

Peru residents will enjoy a new walking path at Baker Lake this fall. When the time comes to put on ice skates, families will enjoy concessions at the skating rink, too.

No library card is required to attend, but registration is necessary. To sign up, call 815-538-5142.

The 21-year-old never entered her home — and vanished without a trace. Her purse, keys, VHS tapes and her red smock from the Super Valu supermarket, where she worked for five years, were never recovered.

The LaSalle County Health Department confirmed that mosquitoes collected in Dayton and Naplate tested positive for West Nile virus, officials said.

Illinois Valley Community College will begin a 50-hour EKG Technician Certification Program on Sept. 30 designed to prepare students for roles supporting doctors in detecting heart conditions.

The fund provides basic needs such as shoes, coats, and school supplies to less fortunate needy students. The funds are generated from an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant.

Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were in La Salle on Thursday, police confirmed, but agents were investigating a sexual assault – not conducting an immigration enforcement roundup.

A Spring Valley woman charged in the 2023 shooting death in Ottawa will not stand trial this month – and the window for her to stand trial this year is closing fast.

All Democrats are welcome and encouraged to attend. Food can be purchased through the La Salle VFW.

The Fort du Rocher Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met Sept. 13 at the Graves-Hume Library, with Regent Beverly Richardson presiding.

The La Salle-Peru High School homecoming parade scheduled for Thursday at 4 p.m. will follow a slightly altered route due to construction in Peru.

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

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

The Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum will host a trivia night on Wednesday Oct. 8 at the museum. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Grace United Methodist Church in La Salle is holding “Paws, Prayers & Plates” from from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17.

The opening meeting for the Starved Rock Civil War Round Table is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17 in Utica.

Zeller started as a paid on-call firefighter in May of 1997 and then transitioned to a full-time firefighter in July of 1999.

The boat is for sale. The mule is for sale. The cafe and visitor center? The Canal Corridor Association will try to keep that in operation.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood said ICE did not provide any public safety or other data to “justify increased operations” in Illinois or any metrics the agency “plans to use to determine when the surge will end.”

Mendota is applying for an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant, a program administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for improvements to Lake Mendota Park.

Stubler retired recently from the Naperville Police Department after 21 years’ service and replaces Chief Mike Smudzinski.

A Saturday crash in Ottawa involving a sport-utility vehicle and two motorcycles sent three to the hospital, police said.

La Salle-Peru Township High School invites Cavalier families, community members, and alumni to celebrate Homecoming 2025 during the week starting Monday, Sept. 29.

Melissa Olivero of Peru announced her retirement Thursday from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) following almost 13 years as a judge and over 23 years as a federal employee.

The event is free and open to the public; no library card is required.

The session starts at 1 p.m. at the library, 1401 W. Main St., Mendota. Bring your iPhone and login information. No library card is needed, and the event is open to the public.

The store will host a grand opening on Friday, with a festive weekend filled with fun, music and kids’ activities, the company said in a news release.

Shaw Media hosted the Best of the Illinois Valley event to honor businesses voted the best in their categories by readers throughout the region.

The presentation, titled “Jolliet and Marquette’s Epic 1673 Journey,” will highlight the significance of the voyage as a precursor to later explorations in North America.

A Marseilles man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for setting fire to his brother’s house in January– and while his brother was trapped inside.

St. Bede Academy its alumni association announced Wednesday the recipients of the 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award: Dr. Michael J. Stuart and Dr. James Hudziak.

Wednesday, a statue of newly-canonized Carlo Acutis was blessed outside the former Holy Family School in Oglesby, merged recently into the Academy of Carlo Actutis and in memory of a longtime teacher.

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

Illinois Valley families can gear up for a weekend of live music, barbecue and fun as La Salle BBQ-n-Blues and Jazz’n the Street festivals return Friday and Saturday.

The track, which first opened to the public in March 2014, will reopen for public use once the project is complete.

The initiative is part of the foundation’s 10th anniversary celebration, ‘A Decade of Giving.’

La Salle County voters will have new election equipment ready for the spring 2026 primary.