Author: princetonmays

Princeton senior all-stater Noah LaPorte had a memorable senior season, breaking the school’s all-time scoring record and leading the Tigers to a sectional final for the third straight year. He is the NewsTribune Player of the Year for 2024-25. (Mike Vaughn)
A conversation on a youth soccer pitch led Noah LaPorte to great heights on the basketball court.
He had just played a Princeton Youth Soccer game against Jordan Reinhardt and was approached by him and his dad, John, about playing on their travel basketball team.
“I played basketball when I was younger at the Met, but it wasn’t anything too serious. Jordan and John asked me after a soccer game about playing basketball, and I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll try it.’
“Haven’t looked back since,” LaPorte said.
LaPorte was destined for stardom in basketball the moment he picked it up. He went from a bit of an understudy role as a sophomore starter on Princeton’s 2022-23 No. 1-ranked sectional finalist to the leading role on two more Sweet 16 teams.
This season, LaPorte averaged 20.3 points, 12 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks and about a dunk a game.
Along the way, he became Princeton’s all-time scoring leader, garnering all-conference and all-state honors.
For all of his accomplishments, LaPorte is the 2024-25 NewsTribune Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
“What more could you ask for of a kid?” Tigers coach Jason Smith said. “He was a leadership-by-example kid and would speak up when needed to. He took pride in being the guy that would outwork you.
“When you have talent to go with that, that’s a perfect combination. He’s so humble and kind. You just don’t find too many Noahs at his age that has the talent that he does with the attitude and humility he has. It’s pretty special.”
Princeton senior all-stater Noah LaPorte had a memorable senior season, breaking the school’s all-time scoring record and leading the Tigers to the sectional finals for the third straight year. He repeats as the BCR Player of the Year in 2024-25. (Mike Vaughn)
Smith said LaPorte’s absence missing five games – all losses – with an early-season ankle injury showed his importance in many ways.
“He meant so much to our team in just his presence and leadership alone,” Smith said. “He took a lot of pressure off of so many others because of the attention he would get. He was a starter on three straight regional championships and played a significant role in all three. He will definitely go down as one of PHS’ all-time greats.”
LaPorte said it was a great senior season, although it didn’t end the way he wanted it to.
“So many great memories, and I had a great time playing with the kids I grew up with and winning a lot of games and playing for my coaches,” he said. “Just a great experience overall. One of the best seasons I’ve ever been involved with.”
One shining moment LaPorte will never forget is when he broke Grady Thompson’s two-year-old school all-time scoring record with the game-winning, last-second shot to lift the Tigers to a 53-51 win over Byron. He needed 27 points to tie the record and got 29.
“That was unreal. Kind of crazy how it drew up to be that exact moment because I missed five games,” he said. “I could have broken it earlier, or I could have broken it later, but it happened at that exact bucket, at that exact time, which is crazy. It was like a movie.”
He went on to score 145 more points over the final eight games, bringing his school record to 1,616 career points.
LaPorte said he learned how to “be a basketball player and control the pace of the game” playing with Thompson and Teegan Davis, both 1,000-point scorers from the Class of 2023 during his sophomore year when the Tigers were ranked No. 1 in Class 2A for much of the season.
“Every year I’m just trying to get better and learn from my mistakes,” he said. “Last year, I kind of let things get under my skin a little bit. This year, I tried to let things go. Think I did a better job, but there’s always room for improvement. It’s not going to get any easier from here on out.”
Princeton senior all-stater Noah LaPorte had a memorable senior season, breaking the school’s all-time scoring record and leading the Tigers to the sectional finals for the third straight year. He repeats as the BCR Player of the Year in 2024-25. (Mike Vaughn)
Princeton fans will remember LaPorte for many things on the basketball court, especially his dunks. He aimed to please.
“I know the crowd and my teammates fed off those,” he said.
After he takes his final swings for the Princeton baseball team this spring, LaPorte will continue his athletic endeavors playing in Big Ten football stadiums for Northwestern University. While he will miss playing basketball, he knows there are bigger things ahead for him.
“There’s always certain ways to look at things. I may never play basketball again, but I’m going to play college football. I’m going to go have fun,” he said. “It’s just how you look at things. If you think of it in a negative way, it’s going to be negative. But if you think about it in a positive way, it’s going to be positive. That’s kind of how I think about it.
“I don’t regret anything when it comes to basketball. I’ve loved every moment with my friends.”
LaPorte said his parents always thank John Reinhardt for asking him to play on their basketball team.
Coach Smith often thanks the Reinhardts, too.
Princeton’s Noah LaPorte aimed to please fans and teammates with his patented slam dunks. (Mike Vaughn)
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Michael McCall (Photo provided by Michael McCall)
Name: Michael McCall
What office are you seeking: Princeton City Council
Age: 51
What elected positions, if any, have you had previously: City councilman for the past 4 years
Education: 1991 Princeton High School graduate/1994 graduate with associates degree from IVCC
Family: Married with three grown children and two grandchildren
I am seeking reelection for City Council, that I have been a part of for the past four years. When I originally ran for office back in 2021, my main reason was to help support small businesses. I work for a food service distributor, and I could see the toll that COVID was taking on restaurants at the time. I wanted to be part of the bigger picture to help and support the city and its residents. My goal is to continue positively grow the city of Princeton and help navigate the challenges that we may have in the future.
My goal is to continue on the positive things that we have accomplished in the past four years. My vision would be adding an economic director at some point to help us grow and bring more jobs to our community. We have added Ollie’s, which has been a great addition to our community. We are on the I-80 corridor which opens up a lot of opportunities for future growth. We need to advertise ourselves a little better and be on the forefront of bringing more business to our city.
We have top notch safety services with our fire and police departments. We are fully staffed in our police department and the need will always be there to add more to our EMS/Fire department. Our Street, Cemetery, Water and Wastewater and Electric departments do a fantastic job. We’ve also recently added a planning and zoning department head with the retirement of Pete Nelson.
I would like to see continued improvements with our streets and water/wastewater projects. All of this takes money and includes good budget planning to be able to continue these projects. The more we grow, the more tax dollars we receive, which helps create these projects. The city has a lot of great employees that help make these things happen.
The city has worked with these nonprofit organizations, to help create ideas with our homeless situation. We do have less of a homeless population than we did last year, which means we are moving in the right direction. Chief Kammerer and Mayor Mabry have done a fantastic job being part of the warming center. We have had many conversations as a council the past year to brainstorm how to help in these situations. I believe the nonprofit organizations have done a fantastic job and we will continue to support them as best we can.
I think each situation is unique. It is tough with our budget being so tight to monetarily help each and every nonprofit organization. Giving them a platform at our City Council meetings over the past two years, I think has helped spread the word on the needs they may have and helped everyone have open conversations on how the community or city can help.
We have a historical Main Street, which is always kept in top notch shape. Supporting our local festivals, such as Homestead Festival, helps us show off our great city. We have so much more to offer, such as Beef Days, Fourth of July, street concerts ,Christmas parade, etc. The list goes on and on. The city works side by side with the Chamber of Commerce for their events as well and have a shared vision of how we can continue to grow the number of people who come to Princeton. I think working hand in hand between the city and the Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations, such as the Lions club, for example, is a good working relationship that will continue for years to come. We have a great City Council and Mayor that works together to openly communicate with each other for new ideas and help preserve the reputation of the City of Princeton.
I will continue to do the same as I have in the past four years. You can always contact me via phone, email or text. All my information is posted on the city’s website. I always follow up with anyone that has contacted me during the past four years and try to come up with a resolution on any issues they may have had.

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A 71-year-old Fulton man died following a multi-vehicle crash Friday on Interstate 80, Bureau County Coroner Kurt Workman said.
A 71-year-old Fulton man died following a multi-vehicle crash Friday on Interstate 80, Bureau County Coroner Kurt Workman said.
The coroner’s office responded to a crash at about 3 p.m. involving an overturned cement truck, in the construction zone near mile marker 41, Workman said in a news release. Vincent Stuart was pronounced dead at the scene.
Workman said an autopsy has been scheduled, and the crash remains under investigation by the Bureau County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police.
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A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday and returned the following indictments.
A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday and returned the following indictments:
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DePue and Spring Valley firefighters responded to their second structure fire in a 24-hour span Monday afternoon in DePue.
DePue and Spring Valley firefighters responded to their second structure fire in a 24-hour span Monday afternoon in DePue.
Firefighters were able to knock down a fully-involved fire to a garage on the 1400 block of Marquette Street before any movement to neighboring residences, DePue Fire Chief Josef Vasquez said.
Firefighters were called to the fire at 2:24 p.m. Monday.
The wind was a major factor in fighting this fire, Vasquez said.
Along with Spring Valley and DePue, Peru, Ladd, Bureau, Cherry, Princeton, Granville/Hennepin and Standard firefighters responded. The Bureau County Emergency Management Agency, 10/33 ambulance, DePue Police, Bureau County Sheriff’s Office, and BueComm and Valcomm also assisted in the response.
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A Planned Parenthood health center in Ottawa will close in March due to financial challenges and rising healthcare costs. The closure is part of a larger realignment by Planned Parenthood of Illinois. (Bill Freskos)
La Salle County officials expressed concern and surprise over the plan to close Planned Parenthood’s Ottawa location in March, but they announced that they are working to help people affected by the loss of services in the region.
Planned Parenthood of Illinois announced that it will close four health centers in March, including locations in Ottawa, Decatur, Bloomington and Englewood in Chicago.
The Ottawa location provided services including abortion medication (not in-clinic), a variety of birth control options, emergency contraception, HIV services, pregnancy testing and planning, STD testing and treatment, consultations, vaccines and general wellness care.
The La Salle County Health Department reassured the community that it would continue to support those in need of reproductive health services.
“We were surprised to hear about the unfortunate loss of services in our community,” said Jenny Barrie, public information officer at the La Salle County Health Department.
The health department offers patients sexually transmitted infection testing, pregnancy testing and consultations. Barrie said the department also would assist with referrals to other health care providers and clinics in the region.
“While we are not a full-scale clinic, we offer similar services and are working to connect clients with area providers for additional care if needed,” Barrie said.
State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, called the closure a setback for health care access in the Illinois Valley.
In a statement, Briel acknowledged the expanded mail-order services from Planned Parenthood but emphasized the overall effect of reduced health care options in rural areas.
“The closure of the Ottawa facility is a setback for overall health care in our community,” Briel said. “Illinois Valley communities have seen a number of critical health care providers close or reduce services.”
In response, Briel recently introduced the Rural Hospital Task Force Act to address recent closures and other challenges facing rural health care, including low patient volume, high fixed costs and a reliance on public payers.
If the bill is passed, a task force will be established to investigate the current state of rural hospitals while potentially providing legislative action to prevent further closures.
For now, Planned Parenthood announced that patients from the closed locations will be welcomed at 13 other Planned Parenthood health centers across the state, with expanded availability at the Champaign, Peoria, Springfield and Roseland centers.
Planned Parenthood also is planning to increase access to virtual care through telehealth appointments and the PPDirect app.
Patients using the app will be able to complete a health questionnaire reviewed by a Planned Parenthood medical professional. Those who qualify will receive medication by mail or be scheduled for an in-person appointment at one of the group’s locations that remain open.
The health department is located at 717 E. Etna Road, Ottawa. Go to lasallecountyil.gov/219/Health-Department or call 815-433-3366 for more information.
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Three people are being rescued Tuesday, April 1, 2025, after a reported fall at French Canyon in Starved Rock State Park. (Scott Anderson)
Emergency crews rescued a family who fell Tuesday at French Canyon in Starved Rock State Park.
About 5:57 p.m., emergency responders were called to Starved Rock after a 7-year-old child with special needs accidentally fell almost 30 feet onto the sandstone floor of the French Canyon, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Sgt. Phil Wire said.
The child’s 37-year-old mother, from Tinley Park, tried to rescue him but fell as well, suffering serious injuries in the process.
The father then tried to reach both his partner and child but also slipped, suffering minor injuries.
The father refused medical treatment at the scene, but the mother and child both were flown to OSF St. Francis in Peoria.
Wire said that both the mother and son suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. They were conscious and alert at the time of the rescue. The child suffered injuries to his arm, while the mothers exact injuries have not been disclosed.
Assistance from the following agencies were provided at the scene: Oglesby fire, Ottawa fire, Princeton fire, Streator fire, Marseilles fire, Wallace fire, Mendota fire, the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, Utica police and fire, Illinois State Police, Illinois Conservation Police and OSF Flight. The MABAS Division 25 provided scene assistance for the family.
Firefighters lift an individual out of French Canyon who fell 20 to 30 feet on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at Starved Rock State Park. The activated Mutual Aid Box Alarm System prompted rope and rescuers as far as Marseilles and Princeton. (Scott Anderson)
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FILE – “I Voted” stickers rest on a ballot machine at a voting site in Ottawa. (Scott Anderson)
Voters in La Salle and Bureau counties this election determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.
Tuesday marked the last day mail-in ballots had to arrive at county clerk’s offices and still be counted. Provisional ballots also had to be addressed by that time.
Henry and Marshall counties had not updated their online election results as of Thursday morning, meaning the following races could see their totals still change: Wenona mayor and alderperson, Annawan mayor and trustee, Putnam County School District 535 school board, Wethersfield School District 230 school board, Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico School District, Black Hawk College Board of Trustees and Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees.
Totals for all counties will be made official next week after they are canvassed.
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Tyler D. Skerett (Photo provided by the La Salle County Sheriff)
A Streator man has been charged with murder in the Easter Sunday shooting that killed a teen and injured two others, both of whom were discharged from a hospital.
Tyler D. Skerett, 30, was charged late Wednesday morning with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, as well as four felony firearm charges.
La Salle County prosecutors have not yet disclosed his full sentencing range and whether Skerett faces extended or consecutive prison sentences if convicted. However, the controlling charge is murder, which carries a mandatory prison sentence of 20 to 60 years.
Skerett was not in custody as of noon Wednesday.
Details still are emerging; but the shooting investigation was elevated into a homicide investigation after a 17-year-old died from his injuries. Two others were injured but subsequently discharged, Streator police confirmed Tuesday.
According to newly released court files, Skerett is accused of firing a 10 mm handgun, killing the teen (the deceased was listed only by his initials) and striking two adults, one in the hand and one in the arm.
The fatal injuries were suffered at 5:51 p.m. Sunday at Main and Sterling streets. Streator police observed evidence that confirmed multiple shots were fired in this area. Two vehicles were identified as being involved.
Anyone with information on Skerett should call the Streator police at 815-672-3111.
This is a developing story and will be updated.

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A tree goes up in flames Friday, March 14, 2025, at Green River State Wildlife Area in Harmon as a wild fire rips across the park. (Alex T. Paschal)
Firefighter crews were on scene Friday at the Illinois Wildlife Game Preserve for 8 hours, with an estimated 600 acres burned and an estimation of more 40,000 gallons of water used before extinguishing a brush fire.
The investigation is ongoing, said Walnut Fire Chief Robert Miller in a news release. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said the prescribed burn that was happening east of this location the prior day had no correlation with the brush fire.
The Walnut Fire Department was called to the game preserve for the report of a brush fire. Crews noticed large amounts of smoke coming from that area and mutual aid was requested. Upon arrival, crews were faced with towering flames – some as tall as 15 feet – throughout the entire preserve, Miller said.
Fighting the fire with high winds, Miller called to the fifth alarm, and had outside resources called in with tractors and discs to maintain a fire break. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources also arrived with resources and began assisting with extinguishment measures, Miller said.
Walnut engines and a tender were redirected from the preserve to assist Ohio for a structure fire for about an hour and a half, then returned to the preserve.
The following departments responded with assistance: Ohio, Manlius, Tampico, La Moille, Yorktown, Sublette, Rock Falls, Amboy, Dixon Rural, Wyanet, Prophetstown, CGH EMS, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois Conservation Police and the IDNR.
“We would also like to thank all outside resources for coming to our aid to help with brush trucks that were stuck, or creating fire breaks in neighboring areas to prevent further fire spread,” Miller said. “Thank you to Dawn and Doug Hanabarger for their donation of pizza, water and Gatorade to the crews towards the end of the call, and to Casey’s General Store in Walnut for their donation of water.”
Harmon firefighters respond to a wildfire Friday, March 14, 2025, at Green River State Wildlife Area south of the town. Strong winds made fighting the fire much more difficult and dangerous. Departments from Ohio, Tampico and Wyanet were also seen fighting the blaze. Though the area is sparsely populated, some local residents were evacuated from the area. (Alex T. Paschal)
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