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The Penguin Plunge was a successful fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Illinois, with participants taking frigid dives into the water at Skydive Chicago to raise money for the organization.

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Crews are preparing to demolish the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 in Streator. Last August, The Streator City Council approved a TIF Redevelopment Agreement with Beck Oil Company to open a gas station with a car wash in the 400 block of North Park Street. The church held its last service in 2010.

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Fire crews responded to a structure fire in the 3000 block of East 550th Road on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 in Mendota. The fire started in the chimney area. Fire departments from Troy Grove, Utica, La Salle, Peru, Mendota, and others across the region were dispatched shortly after 10p.m.

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The W.D. Boyce Council Lowaneu District held a Lowaneu Cub Scout Yukon on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Hall Township Echo Bluff Park in Spring Valley. Over 50 Cub Scouts from packs as far as Mackinaw attended the event. Scouts participated in crafts, cooking, cold first aid, slingshots, sledding and more. A Cub Scout Yukon is a Scouting America winter-themed, outdoor adventure event where scouts engage in cold-weather activities.

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Individuals from Amboy, Dixon, Hall-Putnam County, Mendota, Marquette, St. Bede Princeton, and Sandwich all competed during the Class 1A Regional meet on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Princeton High School.

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Crews are renovating the Appellate Courthouse on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in downtown Ottawa. The Appellate Courthouse is going through a renovation to make it more wheelchair accessible.

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Mendota defeated Newman 65-46 on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 at Mendota High School. The Rockets suffer their first loss of the season as the Trojans improve their record to 20-5.

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Marquette defeated Woodland 53-29 to win the 99th annual Tri-County Conference Championship on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 at Putnam County High School.

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The Academy of St. Carlo Acutis celebrated its first-ever all-school Mass on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Peru. As part of the celebration, students participated in a Eucharistic Procession from the school to the church. More than 350 students and staff members attended the Mass, which was held in observance of National Catholic Schools Week.