Ottawa defeated Sterling 33-27 to win the Class 3A Regional title on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 in Sellett Gymnasium at La Salle-Peru Township High School. Check out photos from the game by MaKade Rios.

Rock Island Alleman defeated St. Bede 42-40 during the Class 2A Regional final game on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 at St. Bede Academy.

Streator defeated Lisle 52-42 on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 in Pops Dale Gymnasium at Streator High School. With the victory, the Bulldogs won the Illinois Central Eight Conference title. Check out photos from the game by MaKade Rios.

Firefighters responded to a large brush fire in the 26000 block of 2500 East Street on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 near Ohio. A Mutual Aid Box Alarm call was elevated to the second-alarm for the brush fire. Bureau County Fire departments from Princeton, Ohio, Malden and others assisted with the fire.

Around 50 people attended a forum for Bureau County Sheriff candidates Mike Wittig, Tom Kammerer, Joe Flanagan, and Ed Jauch on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at the Bureau County Senior Center in Princeton.

Ash Wednesday Mass was held on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at the Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in La Salle. Ash Wednesday starts the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of penance and fasting leading up to Easter.

St. Bede defeated Princeton 45-34 during the Class 2A Regional semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at St. Bede Academy. The Lady Bruins will play Rock Island Alleman for the Regional title on Thursday at 6:30p.m.

Kaneland defeated Ottawa 70-43 on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 in Kingman Gymnasium at Ottawa High School. Check out photos from the game by Tom Sistak.

Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke in Peru on Oct. 26, 2021, seeking answers in the death of Jelani Day. Jackson, the Baptist minister and two-time presidential candidate, helped propel the civil rights movement in the decades following the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He died Tuesday at the age of 84.