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.

It doesn't happen often when competing in sports gives kids an experience of earning a medal in national competition, but Dixon's Lily Haws has one in the sport she enjoys playing. The 13-year-old recently brought home silver from a national curling competition.

Princeton's Payton Frueh, Ruby Acker and Alexandra Waca placed top 10 to lead the Tigresses to the team title at their own Gary Coates Invitational on Saturday.

Hall-Putnam County held Mendota under 100 yards and scored three times of plays of 45 or more yards in an 18-6 win Friday.

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 following marriage licenses were recently recorded at the Bureau County Courthouse.

Mendota High School graduate Larry Gies donated $100 million to the University of Illinois athletic department.

The Mendota boys soccer team beat Yorkville, Princeton edged L-P in boys golf and more results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

Dancers showcase 'Costa' at Mendota's 'Where Our Paths Meet' event, Sept 7, 2025. Check out these photos by MaKade Rios.

L-P honored graduate and former NFL Pro Bowler Joe Rutgens on Friday, area teams have stumbled out of the block and more in the NewsTribune football notebook.

Junior Sam Nauman led the L-P co-op to the title at the Sterling Invite, the L-P volleyball team won the Rock Falls Invite and more in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

Preston, 25, of Mendota, said he has always had a passion for helping others, originally centering his interest on becoming a teacher. But life had other plans.

The Hall boys golf team won the Bureau County Match Play Championship and more results in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

Mendota took an early lead, but Newman responded and went on to win 35-18 on Friday in Mendota.

The L-P volleyball team won a nonconference match, Henry-Senachwine topped Seneca and more volleyball, soccer, golf and cross country results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

The City of Mendota is inviting senior residents to help shape the future of local housing, transportation and services by attending a community input session on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Mendota Civic Center, 1901 Tom Merwin Dr.

The City of Mendota and Live Well Mendota will host Family Safe Night Out on Friday, Sept. 19, at the Mendota Civic Center, 1901 Tom Merwin Dr.

Isaac Diaz had a hat trick in Mendota's win over Rochelle and more soccer, volleyball, golf and tennis results in Wednesday's NewsTribune roundup.

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

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.

Hall used a big run in the first set and then came through in a back-and-forth second set to come away  with a 25-20, 25-20 victory over Mendota on Tuesday.

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

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.

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 Tri-County Fair in Mendota offered activities for all ages and interests, including a carnival, wrestling, and motocross events from Thursday, August 28, to September 1, 2025. Check out these photos from MaKade Rios and Kyle Russell.

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.

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

Joseph Perez shot a 74 to help Hall place fifth at the La Salle-Peru Invite and more golf, volleyball, soccer, cross country and tennis results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

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.

The Henry-Senachwine boys golf team won the Stark County Rebel Invite and more golf, soccer, volleyball and cross country results in Wednesday's NewsTribune roundup.

With seven starters back from its Class 1A third-place team, the Mendota boys soccer team is looking to bring home a state title this fall.

Community members came out on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, to enjoy Food Truck Monday Mania in Mendota. Check out these photos from MaKade Rios. The event runs on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month until October. The event runs from 4 to 8 p.m. at its new location on the 800 block of Illinois Avenue. The next event is set for Monday, Sept. 8.

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.

The Mendota boys soccer team won 9-0 in its opener, the Henry-Senachwine and Earlville volleyball teams won their season openers and more boys soccer, volleyball and golf results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

Volleyball starts Monday. Here are five players to watch in the NewsTribune area this fall.

After going 25-88 under two head coaches over the last 13 seasons, the Mendota football team is looking to turn things around under new head coach Jim Eustice.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news and sports in minutes for August 17-23. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Mendota volleyball team will be very young this season, starting two juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen.

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

Shaw Media is set to buy four northern Illinois newspapers after their publisher abruptly shut down operations earlier this month, including The Rochelle News-Leader, Ogle County Life, The Mendota Reporter, and The Amboy News

St. Bede and Fieldcrest competed in the St. Bede Early Bird Tee Off Classic and more golf results in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

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.

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.

The Mendota Knights of Columbus John F Kennedy Council 2090 held a Pro-Life Benefit on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The Pork Chop & Sweet Corn Drive-Thru Dinner raised more than $2,500 for Abigail Women’s Center. Cash and check donations also exceeded an additional $600.

A look at the girls golf teams in the NewsTribune area for the 2025 season.