Illinois Valley's 5 most-read stories: Jan. 4-10

Adam Swanson, Alec Novotney, Ayden Collom named IHSBCA All-State

The Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association has released its 2026 IHSBCA All-State Teams, honoring many of the state's top prep players including a half-dozen standouts from teams across The Times coverage area.

Daily Chronicle 2026 Baseball All-Area Team

Big boppers, dominant aces and vacuum cleaner fielders up and down the list highlight the Daily Chronicle 2026 All Area Baseball team.

Sterling police officer grateful for fellow officers’ support during Guard deployment

For Sterling police officer Zach Muntean, the support he received from fellow SPD officers and city employees in other departments took different forms. Every form, from a giant care package to phone calls from his fellow SPD officers, was meaningful.

Kane County groups to rally for women’s choice Wednesday, 4 years since Roe v Wade was overturned

Kane County activist groups will mark four years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned constitutional abortion protections in Roe v. Wade with a rally at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, on the Silver Glen bridge pedestrian overpass in South Elgin.

Four NewsTribune-area players end prep careers in ICA All Star Baseball Games

Hall's Braden Curran, Putnam County's Johnathon Stunkel, Bureau Valley's Logan Philhower and Fieldcrest's Layten Gerdes played in the Illinois Coaches Association All Star Baseball Games on Monday in Peru.