MENDOTA – Nick Arteaga had thought about an idea.

PERU – OSF HealthCare is thrilled to announce the opening of a new OSF Medical Group – Obstetrics & Gynecology office in the Illinois Valley.

MENDOTA – Michelle Christ became Starved Rock Wood Products’ chief financial officer in April 2022 to further her 15-year career in manufacturing.

MENDOTA – OSF HealthCare will host two community blood drives in January with ImpactLife.

PEORIA – Several area community representatives attended a press conference on Dec. 7 in Peoria announcing the designation and funding in regard to the Peoria to Chicago passenger rail project.

MENDOTA – A man was found deceased in the restroom at the Shell gas station in Mendota on Dec. 26.

MENDOTA – The annual Graves-Hume Public Library Christmas Program was a major hit as over 40 families attended and were able to create memories.

OGLESBY – A $15 million tax levy adopted by the Illinois Valley Community College’s Board of Trustees on Dec. 14 will result in a slight decrease in the tax rate.

SPRINGFIELD – As states continue to expand educational opportunities around the country, Illinois’ only school choice program has come to an end.

OTTAWA — Acclaimed singer/songwriter Dan Rodriguez is set to captivate the audience in Ottawa, as he takes center stage at Heritage Harbor's Red Dog Grill on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024.

SPRINGFIELD – The New Year is beginning with significant changes to employment law in Illinois, as it becomes the third state to mandate paid days off for any reason.

JOLIET – Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) recently announced that Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) will receive $889,855 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program.

MENDOTA – The American Red Cross held a blood drive on Dec. 12 at the Mendota Moose Family Center.

SPRINGFIELD – Millions of new state dollars are now available for Illinoisans interested in building out the state’s network of local food infrastructure – from animal processing to trucking, and food hubs to community kitchens.

TRIUMPH – The public is invited to join Pastor Sandy Smith and the congregation of the Triumph United Methodist Church for a traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service at 3 p.m. Sunday Dec. 24.

LaSALLE – Stage 212 is helping young people ring in the New Year in style with the “Siblings New Year’s Bash,” a child friendly party presented at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31 at the theater, 700 First St., LaSalle.

OGLESBY – An abbreviated version of IVCC's popular and unique college readiness program, Get Set, will be offered in January as students prepare to begin spring semester classes.

LaSALLE – Stage 212 hits a high note with its off-season 2024 production of William Finn and James Lapine’s “Falsettos,” the hilarious, heartbreaking and utterly unique musical about family, relationships, bar mitvahs, baseball and AIDS.

BLOOMINGTON – Farm income is forecast to shrink in 2023 after climbing to record highs in 2022.

MENDOTA – During the ceremonies for his late wife, Dr. Mary Chinn, Bob Chinn was surprised.

MENDOTA – It’s truly a special time of year.

OGLESBY – The IVCC Theatre Department’s production of “Jingle All The Way - A Very Merry Holiday Revue!” returns to the stage to celebrate the holidays with song, dance, comedy, and even Santa Claus.

Campus notes for area college students.

OTTAWA – OSF HealthCare is delighted to share exciting news about its continued commitment to providing quality healthcare to the communities in the Illinois Valley.

PERU — The faculty and students of St. Bede Academy have selected seniors Isabella Hagenbuch and Logan Potthoff as the 2023-24 winners of the DAR (Daughters of American Revolution) and the SAR (Sons of American Revolution) Good Citizenship awards.