Utica

The Utica Village Board adopted a tax levy of $91,191, which was just less than the 5% limit allowed without a hearing under the Truth in Taxation Act.

Waltham Elementary School released its honor roll for the first trimester of the 2024-25 school year.

The Utica Fire Department served as Santa Claus' personal escort Saturday for a parade around the village.

The Utica Village Board congratulated retiring officer Mark Credi, who spent 26 years with the Peru Police Department and nearly eight as a part-time officer in Utica.

The Market on Mill retail project in Utica is winding down and will be ready for spring opening.

The Utica Fire Department will host its annual Santa Claus parade beginning at 6 p.m. in the Burgess subdivision.

The CSX geometry train enters the crossing on Route 178 on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Utica. A geometry train inspects the track and checks for defects while reporting them to the engineer.

Visitors flocked to one of the Utica-area state parks in 2024, filling the parking lots and smashing attendance records along the way. It wasn’t Starved Rock, however.

Starved Rock Lodge, Grand Bear Resort to host New Year's Eve parties for all ages.

The grassroots organization You Are Not Alone (YANA!) will host its next meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Jamie’s Outpost, 602 Clark St., Utica.

The North Central Regional Betterment Coalition partnered with the Dollywood Foundation to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to all previously unserved areas of La Salle County.

Here are five holiday activities to do this weekend in the Illinois Valley.

Here is a roundup of Christmas activities across La Salle and Bureau counties and some surrounding communities.

Visit these award-winning coffee shops on National Espresso Day Saturday, Nov. 23.

Employees at four Mendota businesses were cited Tuesday for illegal sale of alcohol to underage persons following a joint investigation by the Mendota Police Department and Illinois State Police.

The April 2025 ballot is starting to take shape in the Illinois Valley. Here is who filed in La Salle, Mendota, Oglesby, Peru, Princeton, Spring Valley, Streator and Utica.

Utica Mayor David Stewart confirmed Thursday construction of the Market on Mill, the village’s outdoor retail plaza, should be completed by mid-December.

Utica’s tax base grew by more than $4.4 million. That gives the Utica Village Board a few choices: bring in extra money, grant tax relief or a little of both.

Musical theater will be on the stage at IVCC and in Henry over the weekend, along with another event to kick off the holidays in Spring Valley.

Tuesday was the first day candidates could file for municipal races in the consolidated election in April – and candidates filed in La Salle, Mendota, Peru, Princeton, Spring Valley, Streator and Utica.

You Are Not Alone (YANA), a grassroots organization aimed at building community and promoting civic engagement among conservative and right-of-center individuals, is set to host its next meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at Jamie’s Outpost, 602 Clark St., Utica.

Whether its a date night, girls night out or a family gathering, there's a plethora of great dining options in the Illinois Valley region.

Mother Nature drenched the Illinois Valley on Tuesday morning, but the biggest storm was the one at the polls. Voters shrugged off the rain and cast ballots in potentially record numbers.

Despite some rain, the Veterans Parade and Air Show entertained crowds Sunday in Utica. It's one of the largest in the state.

The Veterans Parade and Air Show is set Sunday in downtown Utica, it will highlight a weekend that also includes a wine and art walk in Ottawa, musical bingo in Marseilles and the beginning of DiNovember in Peru.

Check trick-or-treat times for communities in and near La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties.

The Utica Knights of Columbus Council again is participating in the K of C Coats for Kids Program.

The Illinois Valley Flute Ensemble will present A Very Flutey Halloween Pops Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at Zion United Church of Christ, 1521 Sixth St., Peru under the direction of Sue Gillio.

From a Ghouls Night Out to a spooky organ and piano concert, there's a variety of Halloween activities coming to the Illinois Valley this weekend.

Starved Rock and Matthiessen calendars are available for purchase in stores and preorder online, with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the Starved Rock Foundation.

A Trump Caravan drove through Somonauk, Earlville, La Salle, Peru, Utica, Streator and Ottawa on Saturday, Oct. 19. More than 50 vehicles of supporters paraded through the communities. The caravan ended at the Ottawa Republican headquarters. Voters will decide between Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election.

A total of 166 students earned 200 degrees and certificates at Illinois Valley Community College in Summer 2024. Here is a listing of those graduates by their hometown.

Crews painted the Utica water tower on Friday, Oct. 18, on top of Clarks Hill in Utica. The village gave the approval to paint the tower and also conduct repairs inside and out. A bald eagle and the State of Illinois is featured on the tower.

The Utica Village Board has OK’d the reopening of an off-road riding complex.

The Utica Village Board board approved petitions requested by Gerhard and Patricia Ward, who will acquire nearly 600 acres along the south side of 2803rd Road and turn those acres into Fox Valley Off Road 2.0.

The Market on Mill retail plaza in Utica isn’t finished yet – there’s at least another month ahead for workers – but the portable retail stalls all will be in place.

Utica moved 12 huts into place at the site of the retail plaza on Wednesday, Oct. 16, in downtown Utica.

The Gathering Wellness Festival will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. The festival was created by A Moment of Awe, comprised of community organizers, wellness advocates, artists and educators dedicated to fostering a culture of well-being.

There once was a track for dirt bikes and off-road vehicles in rural Utica. Two developers want to reopen it – and manage it better than previous owners had. The Utica Planning Commission took steps Tuesday to make it happen.

Spring Valley police anticipate charges will be brought against a rural property owner whose controlled burn led to a Sunday fire that required more than 30 companies to extinguish; but only ordinance violations are pending.

A large crowd attended the 54th annual Burgoo festival on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in downtown Utica.

A Park City man grabbed a hold of a tree along a trail to get a better view of the Hennepin Canyon at Starved Rock State Park on Saturday afternoon. He slipped, turned 180 degrees and lost his grip of the tree trunk, falling 81 feet into the canyon.

The 54th annual Burgoo Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 12, and Sunday, Oct. 13, in Utica, and with the influx of people, the village will be implementing the following street closures from 1 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The 54th annual Burgoo celebration will take place rain or shine 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, featuring a giant pot of the signature pioneer stew, a food court and more than 375 craft vendors.

It's Burgoo weekend in La Salle County, but there's plenty of activities throughout the area, including the inaugural Monster Mash Balloon Bash in Princeton and Smoketoberfest in Ottawa.

The Market on Mill retail plaza in Utica is progressing nicely – but the project won’t be finished in time for this weekend’s Burgoo Festival.

Utica’s Famed Fest Returns Oct. 12 and 13

A fire Sunday in Ottawa was ruled accidental.

Two kayakers were found and treated by first responders Saturday night on the Fox River near Wedron.

From classic restaurants to new eateries, dine at one of these locations during your next trip to Starved Rock Country.