MENDOTA – It’s always fun to have a bright, shiny, better-than-you-had-before type of toy or piece of equipment.

MENDOTA - The Mendota City Council approved several requests and heard about the return of a popular food attraction at its May 6 regular meeting.

MENDOTA – When driving into Mendota south on Highway 251, there is a church on the right side of the road.

MENDOTA — The City of Mendota celebrates Prevention Weeks with a family game night and scavenger hunt.

OGLESBY – Some 225 students who completed degrees or certificates are expected to participate in Illinois Valley Community College’s 58th annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18.

OTTAWA – La Salle County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR).

MENDOTA – Mendota High School Superintendent, Dr. Denise Aughenbaugh is pleased to announce that 20 Mendota High School students have been recognized as “2023-2024 Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy and State Commendation toward Biliteracy” scholars. The prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois State Board of Education to deserving students.

MENDOTA – Scooter’s Coffee, best known for its amazingly fast drive-thru, specialty coffee and baked-from-scratch pastries, recently opened a new location at 1110 13th Ave., Mendota.

MENDOTA – The Illinois Valley Hispanic Partnership Council (IVHPC) will be holding its annual Cinco de Mayo festival on Friday, May 3, starting at 5 p.m., at Northbrook Middle School, 1804 Guiles Ave., Mendota. There is no fee for entrance to the event.

MENDOTA — The City of Mendota invites community members to come learn about volunteer opportunities.

MENDOTA – Mendota High School participated in the Junior Achievement Titan (JA Titan) competition on April 10 virtually. MHS competed against area high schools and both Mendota teams qualified to compete on April 18 at Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa, for scholarship monies. 

MENDOTA – Jodi Manning isn’t new to the Mendota Golf Club since she’s been a bartender or the bar manager since 2001.

MENDOTA – The Mendota Area YMCA has seen a lot of Cheryl Stewart and Mariah Ambler over the last few years.

SPRINGFIELD – Nearly 200 years after Native Americans were forced out of Illinois, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has become the first federally recognized tribal nation in the state after a recent decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

MENDOTA – The very popular Crafters Market Place and Flea Market will again be featured at Mendota's 77th Annual Sweet Corn Festival. 

MENDOTA – Black Bros. ownership and key team members gathered with Mendota city officials and employees of Phalen Steel Construction Company for a commemorative ground-breaking photo Thursday, April 25.

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.