Peru

Fire on Fifth in Peru hosted a Los Angeles Fire Relief and Restoration event Sunday.

Steven J. Brown of Ladd assumed the top job of Worshipful Master, as St. John’s Lodge No. 13 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Peru held its 184th annual installation of officers during an open ceremony on Saturday at the Peru Masonic Center.

Here's a list of award-winning brunches in the Illinois Valley.

Mendota junior Paxton Bauer qualified for the state bowling tournament, the L-P swimming team won its pentathlon and more basketball, bowling and wrestling results in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Voluntary Action Center of La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam counties has a new home at the former Peru Pizza House, 1702 Fourth St. in Peru, the nonprofit said in a Friday news release.

The Bruins tuned up for the Tri-County Conference tournament with a conference win at RM Germano Gymnasium on Friday in Granville. Gino Ferrari led the Bruins with 28 points and Halden Hueneburg chipped in 16.

By the end of February, employees at Horizon House will have to bundle up and load the moving vans, maybe when it’s bitter cold and snowing. And they can’t wait to get started.

Illinois Valley PADS is pleased to announce a $10,000 contribution by Midland States Bank. The grant, provided by the Midland States Bank Foundation, will support Illinois Valley PADS Ottawa Building Fund.

Princeton High School started a new tradition with its Scholastic Bowl program: Hosting an annual invitational for area teams and beyond.

La Salle-Peru High School announced the students who qualified for high scholarship earning a 3.5 grade point average or higher and honor roll earning a 3.0 GPA or higher in the fall semester of the 2024-2025 school year.

Peru Boy Scout Troop 123 members met with Peru Mayor Ken Kolowski inside the council chamber on Thursday at Peru City Hall. The troop asked questions to the mayor while earning their citizenship in the community merit badge. The troop asked questions and learned how Peru's city government functions.

Bab’s Brew at 2130 Fourth St. in Peru served its first cup of coffee on Thursday.

St. Bede Academy has partnered with the American Red Cross to host a public blood drive on 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Perino Science Center.

Next month Peru Hy-Vee’s in-store restaurant, Wahlburgers, will transition back to a Hy-Vee Market Grille. 

Eagle Watch Weekend and Penguin Plunge highlight a weekend of activities in the Illinois Valley that include some Valentine's Day themed activities.

The La Salle-Peru co-op boys swimming team won all 11 events Wednesday in dual wins over Olympia and Morrison.

Boys swim teams from Olympia, Morrison and L-P competed during a triangular swim meet on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 at the Illinois Valley YMCA in Peru.

JJ Raffelson has been hired as the La Salle-Peru football coach. The former Western Illinois linebacker was an assistant for the Cavaliers the past two years.

As wind chills dipped well below zero Monday night, Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer was pleased to report to the City Council a warming center recently was opened in Princeton for people who do not have a place to sleep at night.

Jim Eustice has been hired as Mendota football coach. He was the coach at St. Bede for the last 10 years.

It’s not happening tomorrow – it will take time – but the Catholic schools of Oglesby, La Salle and Peru will be unified.

With cold temperatures predicted Tuesday morning, schools in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties are taking precautions to keep students safe.

Newly inaugurated state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, introduced her first bill, which she said aims to investigate the challenges facing rural health care.

The following events in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties have been cancelled, and these businesses and organizations will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.

The St. Bede girls basketball team advanced to the Tri-County Conference Tournament championship and more basketball results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

The La Salle-Peru Community Coffee Talk scheduled for Monday, Jan. 20, in Utica has been canceled.

La Salle-Peru senior Camryn Perra was voted NewsTribune Athlete of the Week after helping the Cavaliers win two duals and place second in the Plainfield South Cougar Classic.

Babs Brew opens Thursday at 2130 Fourth St. in downtown Peru.

Illinois Valley Cursillo will host an evening of food, fellowship and worship Saturday, Feb. 8, in St. Valentine Catholic Church, 1109 Pulaski St., Peru.

When the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fall, it’s the perfect time to indulge in a relaxing indoor activity.

The St. Bede girls basketball team won its Tri-County Conference Tournament opener, plus more basketball, bowling and wrestling results in Saturday's roundup.

The 8th annual NCI ARTworks Mat Hatter Ball was held on Friday at the Westclox building in Peru. Eight student honorees representing La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties performed and presented their work.

Tony’s Barbershop in Peru is under new ownership. 

A look at the boys basketball statistical leaders in the NewsTribune area.

The L-P boys bowling team advanced to the sectional, Earlville's Adam Waite reached 1,000 career points in a win over DePue and more basketball, bowling and wrestling results in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

St. Bede played tough defense and controlled the boards Friday to beat Roanoke-Benson 56-41.

L-P scored 30 points in the first quarter and led by double digits the rest of the way in an 80-60 victory over Rochelle on Friday.

Talented freshman Cole Tillman, Marion Persich battled in Mendota, a pair of area players surpassed 1,000 points, several area players shooting well beyond the arc and more in the NewsTribune boys basketball notebook.

A man found Thursday in the Illinois River near Spring Valley after a passerby saw him jump from the ledge of the Route 89 bridge died after arriving to the hospital.

The L-P co-op swim team beat Metamora along with basketball, wrestling and bowling results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

The La Salle-Peru High School Renaissance Students of the Month were recognized Wednesday during a breakfast ceremony.

The Big Lots in Peru will be closing possibly by the end of February.

The La Salle-Peru High School board and administration is hosting a coffee talk about the recent progress made in replanting its agriculture program. The meeting will be at Utica Village Hall.

The Storytellers Studio Session, a Mad Hatter Ball, dinosaur-themed activities, swing music and a painting party are some activities this weekend in the Illinois Valley.

Sam Kerry and Kyra Lilly stepped up offensively, and Kaneland's pressure caused problems for La Salle-Peru as the Knights rolled to a 58-29 win Wednesday.

Peru Catholic School announced its honor roll for the second quarter of the 2024-25 school year.

A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, and returned the following indictments.

Illinois Valley residents have been enjoying the winter activities offered at Washington Park in Peru this season, and that enjoyment may expand as soon as November.

The April election is around the corner, as the Peru Public Library announced it will be hosting a mayoral forum Sunday, Feb. 23, featuring candidates Ken Kolowski and Doug Bernabei.

Earlville's Adam Waite scored 41 points and grabbed 26 rebounds in a conference win and more basketball, bowling and wrestling results in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.