Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra names Benjamin Klemme as music director

2026 NewsTribune Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year: La Salle-Peru’s Aavery Hill

La Salle-Peru sophomore Aavery Hill is the 2026 NewsTribune Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year after placing fourth in Class 2A in the discus.

Ottawa church’s vacation Bible school begins July 7

Harvest Baptist Church of Ottawa will host a free “Emerald Crossing, An Irish Adventure Through Psalm 23” vacation Bible school for children ages five to 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, through Friday, July 10.

2026 NewsTribune Boys Track & Field All-Area Team

A look at the top boys track and field athletes in the NewsTribune area for the 2026 season.

Documentary at Reddick Mansion explores Ottawa’s abolitionist history

A local documentary exploring the stories of abolitionist John Hossack and escaped slave Jim Gray will be shown next week at the Reddick Mansion in Ottawa.

Temporary closures planned for Zearing Park walking path over holiday weekend

Parts of the walking path at Zearing Park in Princeton will be temporarily closed during the city’s Fourth of July festivities.