No one was hurt early Sunday evening when a tree fell abruptly at Centennial Park in Peru, but it damaged a brick outhouse and brought down a power line.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois launched two websites last week that share various work, training and volunteer opportunities that meet federal food assistance work requirements

After the discussion of data centers at Monday morning’s Committee of the Whole meeting, the committee decided to vote on a water survey and study at the next county board meeting before considering any decisions on data centers within county limits.

This community-focused event encourages students to start their day in an active and healthy way by walking, biking, or rolling to school.

The Putnam County Junior High Scholastic Bowl team won the Little Tri-County championship on Saturday. PC defeated Henry-Senachwine 400-60 and El Paso- Gridley 320-240 to sweep pool play. PC defeated Roanoake-Benson for the championship 290-260. PC hosts the regional this week

The new system offers park users a more user-friendly system for making reservations and securing permits, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources said.

From Capitol News Illinois: A Cook County judge will rule next month on a petition to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate — and possibly charge — alleged abuses by federal immigration agents during the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz” deportation campaign

Mendota track and field athlete Greyson Lane is 'stable and communicating' at Lurie's Children's Hospital in Chicago after being struck by a shot put at practice.

A single-family home in La Salle that sold for $380,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County in the past week.

The athletes were recognized for qualifying in the snowshoe competition and the state basketball tournament with a certificate from Board President Greg Sarver.

The 2026 NFL draft is in the book and the Chicago Bears selected seven prospects over three days. Here’s a look at every player the Bears drafted this weekend.

A police officer died and another was critically injured after a man in police custody and receiving treatment at a Chicago hospital opened fire on them Saturday, according to officials

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson met with reporters at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Saturday to recap the 2026 NFL draft. Here are three of the most interesting things the Bears said Saturday.

The Mendota softball team won three games at the Byron tournament, Fieldcrest baseball earned a walk-off win and more in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

The outage will take place from 11th Street and Chartres Street to 1322 Chartres St.

The cultural competition will encourage students to practice Spanish and explore cultural traditions outside the classroom.

The Chicago Bears used their final selection of the NFL draft to address defensive tackle, selecting Georgia Tech’s Jordan ven den Berg in the sixth round at No. 213.

The Chicago Bears continued to boost their defense in the fifth round of the NFL draft on Saturday afternoon, selecting Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott at No. 166.

The meeting is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

A best-selling author is coming to the Mendota Public Library to discuss his book on famous Chicago hood Al Capone and his infamous vault.

Graves-Hume Public Library in Mendota is offering a variety of programs throughout May for children, teens, adults and families.

The Chicago Bears started the final day of the NFL by boosting their secondary once again, this time selecting Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad in the fourth round at No. 124.

There’s heightened concern across the Corn Belt due to the surge in fertilizer and fuel prices, combined with a volatile commodity market.

Forecasters warn of an all-hazards severe weather threat on Monday, including tornadoes, hail, and flooding rain

Real estate news: A 2,386-square-foot single-family residence, built in 1870, has changed hands.

In dueling appearances Friday, Gov. JB Pritzker and his Republican rival in the Nov. 3 election, Darren Bailey, outlined fixes for legislation intended to anchor the Chicago Bears in Illinois

The Bureau Valley girls track team won the Rock Falls Invite, the Mendota baseball team earned a walk-off win and more in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Chicago Bears used their second third round pick of the NFL draft Friday night to boost their wide receiver room, selecting LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas at No. 89 overall.

The Chicago Bears used their first third round pick of the NFL draft on Friday night to select Stanford tight end Sam Roush at No. 69.

AJ Hermes stuck out 10 and allowed just two hits to lead St. Bede baseball to a 2-0 win over Serena on Friday.

The Chicago Bears boosted their offensive line to start the second round on Friday by selecting Iowa center Logan Jones with the No. 57 overall in the NFL draft.

Mendota police have made an arrest in the Friday morning shooting of an unidentified man. Police say the victim has been treated and released.

The course covers navigating age-related changes, reviewing driving strategies, understanding new vehicle technology and learning how aging affects driving ability.

Chicago Bears first-round draft pick Dillon Thieneman proved he can be a difference-maker at Oregon. Now he'll try to bring his versatility, speed and winning traits to the NFL. Here's how.

For the first time in 2023, her former high school soccer team came together for the Tammy Zywicki Memorial Game, marking 30 years since her disappearance and death. They will play another memorial game at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, April 25.

The mayors of North Utica, La Salle, Peru and Spring Valley appeared at the 2026 State of the Cities Luncheon to provide residents.

From Capitol News Illinois: Proponents of BUILD argued that the primary driver of the current housing affordability crisis is a lack of supply caused by legislative hurdles and different municipal priorities

A man in Mendota was shot in the leg early Friday. The injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The Chicago Bears drafted Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down the pick and preview what's left to do in the draft

For months, the Bears had sought property tax concessions, which drew pushback from local governments, and financial aid with stadium infrastructure like roads

The first round of the NFL draft is in the books. But the Chicago Bears still have needs to address in the draft. Here are some players Poles could target Friday in the second and third rounds.

Mendota's Esten Otero hit two homers in a win, the Putnam County baseball and softball teams had walkoff wins and more in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

Ceyton Urbanski hit a single to score Adan Pantoja in the bottom of the seventh inning to give La Salle-Peru a 5-4 victory over Sycamore in an Interstate 8 Conference game Thursday.

The Chicago Bears used their first-round pick of the 2026 NFL draft to boost their secondary by selecting Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 25 overall on Thursday night.

Marquette junior Kelsey Cuchra is in the midst of an amazing season and a mind-boggling streak at the plate. She added to those numbers in the Crusaders’ 13-2 Tri-County Conference victory over Henry-Senachwine in six innings on Thursday at June Gross Field in Ottawa.

At the 2026 State of the Cities conference, Peru Mayor Ken Kolowski sprang the surprise announcement of the group effort that is providing $12,000 to fund the needed repairs on the skate park.

Burris, a native of the Illinois Valley, most recently served as assistant general manager of the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp and manager of digital and strategic content for the Prospect League.

From Capitol News Illinois: Lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency about how much water data centers use to cool their facilities at the final of three data center-focused hearings in the House Executive Committee

La Salle-Peru High School’s Agriculture Building won’t be ready until Aug. 1, Interim Superintendent Ingrid Cushing announced Wednesday.

From Capitol News Illinois: It’s looking increasingly likely that Illinois voters will not see an amendment about creating a “millionaire tax” on the ballot in November