Local news
Peru
LaSalle County, Illinois
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Young St. Bede girls basketball team looks to improve throughout season
St. Bede’s girls basketball team enters the season with a young, smaller roster after graduating several key players, including 1,000-point scorer Lili McClain and post players Savannah Bray and Ava Balestri. Junior…
What $200,000 can buy you in La Salle County, Nov. 2 to 8
Five homes in La Salle County that sold for $200,000 or less are highlighted in a roundup of property transactions recorded during the week of Nov. 2. The listed sales include a $198,000 home in Peru and another…
Eyes on Enterprise: Peru’s Right Spice to close, Ottawa’s Deja Vu enters final season
The Right Spice restaurant in Peru will close at the end of the year after 23 years in business, with New Year’s Eve set as its final day. Owners George and Deanna Steinbach thanked customers and said they hope a new…
Zion UCC in Peru to hold free Thanksgiving dinner
Zion United Church of Christ in Peru will serve a free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 26, in the church hall at Sixth and Grant streets. Doors open at 11 a.m., with the meal served from noon until about 2 p.m…
Illinois Sparkling Co. celebrates 15 years of Illinois-grown bubbles
Illinois Sparkling Co. is marking 15 years of making traditional-method sparkling wines from Illinois-grown grapes. Founded by August Hill Winery owners Mark and Teri Wenzel, the company launched in 2011 after the…
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Sherman’s in Peru celebrates rebrand as Store + Outlet
Sherman’s in Peru, Illinois, marked its rebrand as Sherman’s Store + Outlet with a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. The family-owned retailer says the refreshed store adds…
St. Bede Academy sells poinsettias to support Prom 2027
St. Bede Academy’s Prom Committee is selling poinsettias to raise money for the school’s 2027 prom. Red and white plants are available in six-inch pots for $20 or seven-inch pots for $30. Orders are due by November 30…
Indie authors connect with readers at Writers at Westclox Chapter Two
Writers at Westclox Chapter Two brought 32 local authors to Fire on Fifth in Peru on Saturday, giving readers a chance to meet writers and buy signed books. Organizers C.D. White and Angelique Burrell said the fair…
Peru nonprofit to unveil proposed 225-acre healthcare campus at Nov. 16 town hall
The Peru Rehabilitation Community Development Foundation will present plans for a proposed 225-acre integrated healthcare campus at a town hall meeting on November 16. The facility aims to provide addiction treatment…
How Untreated Hearing Loss Can Affect Memory and Brain Health
Research indicates that untreated hearing loss is a significant modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. Experts explain that the brain must exert extra effort to process sound when hearing is…
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See all residential properties sold in La Salle County, Oct. 26-Nov. 1
La Salle County recorded 22 residential property transactions during the week of October 26. The median sale for the period was an 825-square-foot property on 7th Street in Peru, which sold for $55,000. The report…
Single-family home sells in Peru for $258,000
A single-family residence at 2405 Plum Street in Peru was sold on October 19 for $258,000. The 1,512-square-foot home, built in 1962, sits on a 7,405-square-foot lot. This sale represents a price of approximately $171…
La Salle County commercial properties sales: Sold Oct. 1 to 31
La Salle County recorded 20 commercial property transactions throughout October. The median sale for the period was a 4,704-square-foot property located on US Route 6 in Peru, which sold for $75,000. The data reflects a…
Alzheimer’s caregivers support group to meet Nov. 16 at Peru library
The Illinois Valley Alzheimer’s Caring Friends Support Group will hold a meeting on November 16 at 6 p.m. in the Peru Public Library. The session provides a platform for caregivers to share experiences and discuss…
‘He is about as dedicated as they come’
Philip Valle, a Vietnam War veteran from La Salle, is recognized for his dedicated service as a post chaplain for local VFW and legion posts. Despite his modest background, Valle has become a pillar of support for…
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Give your Christmas spirit a boost
As the holiday season approaches, local officials in Peru are encouraging residents to boost their Christmas spirit by supporting small businesses and attending community events. Mayor Ken Kolowski highlighted the…
Vescogni wins La Salle County judgeship
Judge Michelle A. Vescogni has been projected to retain her seat on the 13th Judicial Circuit bench after defeating Democratic challenger Melissa Olivero. Vescogni, a Republican, secured a six-year term with a…
Photos: Election night in the Illinois Valley
Photographs from election night in the Illinois Valley capture candidates Melissa Olivero, Liz Bishop, Mike Wittig, and Tom Kammerer as they engaged with supporters. The images, taken on Tuesday, November 3, 2026…
American Red Cross blood drive in Peru
The Illinois Valley chapter of the American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at its donation center in Peru. The event is sponsored by St. John’s Masonic Lodge No…
Photos: Illinois Valley voters head to the polls on Election Day
Voters across the Illinois Valley headed to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to cast their ballots for Election Day. Residents were seen filling out their ballots at various polling locations, including St…
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Illinois Valley YMCA to host Senior Health Fair Nov. 10 in Peru
The Illinois Valley YMCA will host a free Senior Health Fair on November 10 from 9 to 11 a.m. at its facility in Peru. The event will feature over 50 vendors offering health-related information and services. Attendees…
Peru salon owner finds her place backstage at New York, Paris fashion weeks
Hailey Ann Bruno, owner of Adler Salon in Peru, recently returned from working backstage at New York and Paris fashion weeks. Bruno, who grew up in the family hair business, styled models for major industry shows…
Sale closed in Peru: $139,000 for a single-family home
A 1,056-square-foot single-family home at 2108 Manor Lane in Peru was sold on October 15 for $139,000. The property, built in 1956, sits on a 7,405-square-foot lot and sold for approximately $132 per square foot. This…
These residential properties were the best deals in La Salle County in the week of Oct. 19
A single-family home in Peru, Illinois, sold for $140,000, leading the list of residential real estate deals in La Salle County for the week of October 19. The report highlights 40 recorded sales in the area, with an…
Single-family home sells in Peru for $250,000
A single-family home located at 1805 Green Street in Peru was sold for $250,000 on October 13. The 1,501-square-foot residence, built in 1965, sits on an 8,276-square-foot lot. This transaction reflects recent activity…
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Manteno dominates second half to beat St. Bede 41-14 in Class 3A first-round game
Manteno defeated St. Bede 41-14 in a Class 3A first-round playoff game on Friday. After a competitive first half, the Panthers pulled away by breaking multiple tackles and executing a physical offensive strategy. Logan…