Maribeth Wilson

United States

Reporter at News Tribune

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Articles

Final arguments conclude in Chester Weger ‘mini-trial’ over 1960 Starved Rock murders case

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Maribeth Wilson

The question of whether Chester Weger will succeed in overturning his murder conviction now rests with a La Salle County judge after final arguments were made on Wednesday. Weger, who was not present in court, spent nearly six decades in prison for the murder of Lillian Oetting, one of three women fatally bludgeoned in 1960 at Starved Rock State Park. He confessed to the three killings but later recanted and has since tried to overturn his conviction. On Wednesday, Judge Michael C.
City of La Salle works out details for monetary donation ordinance

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Maribeth Wilson

The city of La Salle may have a new donation ordinance drafted by its next meeting, after discussing the details in city council Tuesday night. The council unanimously approved new donation parameters during Tuesday night’s meeting. The city will cap each donation at $500 individually annually with the council caping donation funds at $6,000 annually. Both parameters exclude potential donations to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry in La Salle and the Illinois Valley Animal Rescue.
IVCC students transform book discussion into community action

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Maribeth Wilson

A professor’s 2024 campus book discussion at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby has inspired a communitywide service project, according to an IVCC news release. Nora Villarreal, an English professor, launched the project in her English composition class, believing that the project could help students relate what they learn in the classroom to life outside the classroom.
Starved Rock foundation helps transform lives in Uganda with a pair of piglets

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Maribeth Wilson

The life of an Ugandan family can be transformed with a pair of piglets. For only $110, donors can give families a chance for prosperity through “Believe in UGanda” of Ottawa, the Starved Rock Community foundation said in a news release.
Photos: Memorial Day in Peru

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Maribeth Wilson

The Soldiers Cross stands in front of memorial markers on Monday, May 26, 2025 at Washington Park in Peru. (MaKade Rios for Shaw Media)Maribeth M. WilsonMaribeth M. Wilson has been a reporter with Shaw Media for two years, one of those as news editor at the Morris Herald-News. She became a part of the NewsTribune staff in 2023.
Photos: Veterans, Boy Scouts place flags at Peru City Cemetery

2 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Maribeth Wilson

Andy Arnold and his daughter Avalean, of Peru Cub Scouts from Pack 3709, read a veteran's grave on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Peru City Cemetery. (Maribeth Wilson)Maribeth M. WilsonMaribeth M. Wilson has been a reporter with Shaw Media for two years, one of those as news editor at the Morris Herald-News. She became a part of the NewsTribune staff in 2023.
Peru electric utility wins 2025 System Achievement Award

2 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Maribeth Wilson

Peru‘s electric utility was awarded a 2025 System Achievement Award by the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA) for the development and implementation of several strategic initiatives. Mayor Ken Kolowski accepted the award on behalf of the city and Electric Operations Manager Kevin Minnick during the association’s annual conference, held Thursday, May 15, and Friday, May 16, in downtown Springfield. Kolowski recognized Minnick and his department during Monday’s City Council meeting.
La Salle garage fire leaves home uninhabitable, car burned

2 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Maribeth Wilson

A garage fire in the 1200 Block of LaHarpe Street in La Salle was extinguished without any injuries early Thursday morning. La Salle firefighters responded to a detached garage fire at 1:39 a.m., Fire Chief Jerry Janick said. The first engine arrived at 1:42 a.m. “The detached garage was fully involved,” Janick said in an email.
Local landscapers to beautify Streator’s Korean War Memorial

2 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Maribeth Wilson

The Korean War Memorial in Streator will receive some landscaping improvements courtesy of a local landscaping business. The council unanimously approved the improvements during Wednesday night’s meeting with the condition they would reach out to the VFW before work begins. Sedlock’s Three Trees Landscaping will donate the labor and supplies.
2 years later: Streator-area investigation into missing Joliet man continues

2 weeks ago | shawlocal.com | Maribeth Wilson

It’s been two years since, Amos D. Morgan, a 63-year-old Joliet man, disappeared while traveling in the Streator area, and multiple questions remain unanswered. Morgan was reported missing by the Joliet Police Department on May 12, 2023, and was last seen in the Streator area two days before that. Joliet Police Department Sgt. Dwayne English said the investigation still is open and active. “Unfortunately, there have been no new leads in this case,” he said in an email.