Author: princetonmays

Smoke billows from a home in the 1300 block of 2500 East Street on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in rural Princeton. Several regional fire departments responded to the fire. (Scott Anderson)
A rural Princeton house fire Tuesday morning is believed to be accidental in nature.
The homeowners were on vacation at the time of the fire, Princeton Fire Chief Scott Etheridge said. There were no injuries, but the homeowners lost three pet cats in the fire.
The fire in the 1300 block of 2500 East Street was fully involved with smoke coming from the front and the back at firefighters’ arrival, Etheridge said. The home is uninhabitable from the damage caused by the fire. An official cause has not been determined as the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is continuing its investigation, but it is believed to be accidental originating from a bedroom, Etheridge said.
Nine different fire departments responded to the scene, including Bureau, Wyanet, DePue, Ladd, Malden, Manlius, Sheffield, Spring Valley and Walnut. Peru emergency medical services also responded, and the Dixon and Mendota fire departments helped cover the Princeton fire station during the response.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Princeton Park District Board of Commissioners announces two seats will be open in the upcoming consolidated election on April 1.
The Princeton Park District Board of Commissioners announces two seats will be open in the upcoming consolidated election on April 1.
The terms for the seats held by Board President Andrew Marti and Vice President Dennis Nink will expire in 2025.
“Marti’s presence on the board will be missed, and we extend our best wishes as he embarks on his future adventures,” said Tammy Lange, executive director of the Princeton Park District. “Andy has been a valued and respected board member since 2012, playing a pivotal role in leading and successfully completing the IAPD initiative last year, which established the inaugural Efficiency Committee and Reporting. Andy has also attended numerous Legislative meetings and served on the IAPD Joint Legislative Committee. We sincerely thank him for his unwavering support of the district and management team.
“Dennis has served on this board, initially filling an unexpired term, and subsequently being elected in two prior campaigns. We extend our gratitude to Dennis for his contributions and support of the Princeton Park District.”
Community members interested in serving on the Board of Commissioners are encouraged to consider this opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development and success of the Princeton Park District, Lange said. The Board plays a vital role in overseeing the district by approving the basic policies for the operation, planning and improvement, present and future while ensuring the provision of quality activities and programs for all ages in the Princeton community.
The petition forms are available for pick up at the front desk 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Friday at the Bureau County Metro Center, 837 Park Ave W., or at the Bureau County Courthouse, 700 S. Main St. The interested candidate can begin packet circulation. The filing period for all established party and independent candidates is from Nov. 12 to Nov. 18.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Bureau County United Way is hosting a beer and wine tasting 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Hornbaker Gardens Barn, 22937 1140 North Ave., Princeton. (Alex T. Paschal)
The Bureau County United Way is hosting a beer and wine tasting 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Hornbaker Gardens Barn, 22937 1140 North Ave., Princeton.
Local brewers and vendors will be providing drinks and area restaurants will supply appetizers. Steve Sharp will perform an acoustic set of music. Items will be available for silent auction.
Tickets cost $25 at the door or by calling 815-876-7056. T-shirts and sweatshirts are available for sale. There still are tables available for sponsorships.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Princeton Tigers logo
The Princeton baseball and softball teams will open their seasons today with a twist.
The scheduled home games were thrown a curve ball due to field conditions at Princeton.
The Tigresses will now play at Chillicothe on turf while the JV and varsity baseball games will move to Sterling’s turf fields.
Hall’s baseball game is also being moved to Alleman’s field at 1186 43rd Avenue in Moline.
Bureau Valley’s home baseball and softball games with Amboy have been moved to Amboy.
In other scheduled games today, St. Bede softball hosts Alleman and Hall softball plays at the Jacksonville Jamboree.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Tigertown Tanglers Wrestling Club, a youth wrestling group that welcomes boys and girls from kindergarten through eighth grade, has announced a series of four sign up events for the 2023-2024 season.at the Express Club Wrestling Tournament on Dec. 31. Montanye won the weight class with a 3-0 record. (CNA photo)
Tigertown Tanglers Wrestling Club, a youth wrestling group that welcomes boys and girls from kindergarten through eighth grade, has announced a series of four sign up events for the 2023-2024 season.
Sign ups will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 and Sept. 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 1 and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 4. All events will take place at Skoonerz Bar and Grill, 912 N. Main St. in Princeton.
The sign up fee is $150 for each wrestler and $250 for two. This includes a U.S.A. Wrestling Card, t-shirt, club membership and tournament entry fees.
Tournaments will be held on Sundays around the area. The group also hosts a tournament at Princeton High School in February.
Each wrestler will need wrestling shoes and headgears for practice. First year wrestlers must bring a copy of their birth certificate to sign up.
More questions, contact Steve Amy at 815-915-6519 or Burt Bickett at 815-303-2921.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Fernando Martinez enters the courtroom on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 at the La Salle County Governmental Complex in Ottawa. Martinez was sentenced to 28 years in prison for an Ottawa home invasion, during which shots were fired. (Scott Anderson)
An Ottawa man was sentenced Thursday to 28 years in prison for an armed Ottawa home invasion during which shots were fired.
When offered a chance to address his sentencing judge, Fernando Martinez acknowledged some misconduct: “I know I made mistakes.”
“I’m ready for whatever,” Martinez said. “It is what it is.”
Martinez, 21, was convicted in La Salle County Circuit Court of home invasion, a Class X felony carrying six to 30 years in prison with a mandated 20-year addition for use of a firearm.
Actually, Martinez pleaded guilty Thursday to two unrelated burglaries (a vehicle in Ottawa and a tavern in Grand Ridge) and was sentenced to five-year sentences. Both, however, will run concurrently with his time for the armed home invasion.
Fernando Martinez enters the courtroom on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, at the La Salle County Governmental Complex in Ottawa. Martinez was sentenced to 28 years in prison for an Ottawa home invasion, during which shots were fired. (Scott Anderson)
Assistant Public Defender Heidi Nelson asked Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. to hold Martinez’s time to the minimum 26 years, citing his troubled background. Martinez, she said, had suffered abuse and the death of his mother, which made him turn to drugs.
“To say Fernando has had a complicated upbringing is an understatement,” Nelson said.
Assistant La Salle County State’s Attorney Matt Kidder asked for 30 years, citing a “nonstop” streak of crime beginning when Martinez was a juvenile and ending with “the tear he was on in 2023,” when he committed the home invasion and two more burglaries.
“For a young man, he’s been a busy individual,” Kidder said, “and has a pretty awful criminal record for someone who’s just turned 21.”
Kidder further noted that Martinez is eligible for a newly enacted law that makes him eligible for parole after 10 years in prison.
Ryan didn’t acknowledge the new statute giving Martinez a crack at probation after a decade in custody. The judge did, however, acknowledge that Martinez had some rehabilitative potential as well as a criminal history that precluded a minimum sentence.
Martinez said he intends to appeal his conviction and sentence.
Notably, Martinez never cooperated during any stage of the investigation launched Nov. 2, 2023. That night, an Ottawa woman said an intruder put a gun to her head and demanded the combination to a safe. She said she didn’t know the combination, and the gunman struck her behind her left ear.
The woman was, however, able to send text messages to her live-in boyfriend, who raced home with two companions in tow. He entered the home with a .38 pistol and fired at one of the intruders. Not long after, Martinez was found at Morris Hospital being treated for a gunshot wound to his arm.
At trial, Martinez argued that there was no direct evidence linking him to the break-in.
His defense was undercut by a pair of damning videos. While at Morris Hospital, Martinez initially told a Grundy County sheriff’s deputy, whose body camera recorded everything, that he’d been shot at a party in Mazon. When the story fell apart, Martinez became combative and defiant.
Hours later in Ottawa, a home surveillance system recorded Martinez handing off a pistol and a shopping bag to a cohort. Inside the bag was an Xbox video game console with a serial number that matched a console taken from the crime scene.
Two related cases were settled late last year.
A second intruder, Michael Boaz of Ottawa, pleaded guilty to home invasion and was sentenced to 16 years. He is scheduled for parole in early 2032.
Kaylee Neitzel – who drove Martinez to the hospital, lied to police and tried to thwart the investigation – pleaded guilty to one count of felony obstructing justice. She was placed on probation.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Looking to celebrate Independence Day? Here are some of the festivals, parades and fireworks planned from Wednesday, July 3, through Sunday, July 7, in La Salle, Bureau, Marshall and Putnam counties. Among the activities, Sheridan will host its annual Toilet Bowl Races at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 4, in its downtown. (Tom Sistak For Shaw Media )
Looking to celebrate Independence Day? Here are some of the festivals, parades and fireworks planned from Wednesday, July 3, through Sunday, July 7, in La Salle, Bureau, Marshall and Putnam counties.
[ Guide to fireworks in La Salle, Bureau, Putnam and neighboring communities ]
[ Leland to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, parade, Italian beef fundraiser ]
Leland will be celebrating Independence Day on Wednesday and Thursday with a parade, fireworks, and – Italian beef.
Kicking off the festivities, there will be an Italian beef dinner 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Lions Club Pavilion. A beef sandwich, drink, chips and brownie will be $13, with all the money raised going to the fireworks.
The fireworks will begin at dusk Thursday behind the school. There will be vendors and a DJ beginning at 5 p.m.
Earlier Thursday, the parade will begin at 10 a.m. Line up begins at 9 behind the school.
[ Hennepin to celebrate July 4 with full day of activities ]
Hennepin is set to mark its 47th annual July 4 celebration, featuring a day full of activities highlighted by the Thunder on the Illinois fireworks show.
The fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 p.m. on the Illinois riverfront.
Additionally, the Bob Rehn Memorial Walk and Movin’ for Music 5K Run/Walk are scheduled to begin at 7:30 and 8 a.m., respectively, from the Hennepin pool, 326 Milan St.
The John Brouwer Memorial Cruise-In will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at Ernest Bassi Park, featuring cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors. Registration begins at 10 a.m.
A full slate of activities with food vendors, a beer garden and family activities is set to begin at noon at Walter Durley Boyle Park.
Regal Beagle will perform live music before and after the fireworks from the courthouse stage, 120 N. Fourth St., scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
The Thunder on the Illinois fireworks 50/50 raffle tickets are available at North Central Bank, 126 E. High St.; CYR Financial, 220 E. High St.; and the Putnam County Library, 214 N. Fourth St.
Fireworks on riverfront at dusk.
[ Newark to host July 4 parade, activities ]
Newark will celebrate Independence Day with a parade and several community activities.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. The grand marshal will be Homegrown Meat Co. and Ice Cream Shop. Lineup for the parade begins at 8 a.m. at the Newark High School, 413 Chicago Road. Immediately following the parade there will be a flag raising ceremony at Town Park.
Beginning at 10 a.m. there will be a makers market organized by Wilder Farmer’s Market and children’s activities sponsored by Newark BP/Subway. Activities will include face painting, a scavenger hunt with prizes for winners, and a bounce house.
The tractor show is schedule 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. along with lunch in the park for the Friends of the Library. Lunch options are pulled pork, hamburgers, grilled chicken breasts, hot dogs, soda pop and chips.
A pedal tractor pull, ice cream social at Newark Lutheran Church and egg drop organized by the Newark Fire Department round out the activities.
[ Ottawa announces July 4 parking plan for fireworks ]
Fireworks at dusk from King Field at Ottawa High School.
[ Peru to host July 3 fireworks ]
Peru will once again host its fireworks display Wednesday, July 3, on Water Street.
The Rock the River fireworks display will begin at dusk.
Food vendors Big B BBQ, Maria’s, Dog House, Rosati’s and Mickey’s Massive Burritos will be set up on the grounds. There will be an alcohol-free fun zone for children to play games.
A trolley service will be provided by Starved Rock Trolley from Fourth/Calhoun and Fourth/Putnam from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Valley Katz will perform 7 to 11 p.m. at South Shore Boat Club, She’s a Maybe from 7 to 11 p.m. at Riverfront Bar & Grill followed by DJ Chuck Dog and Tim Ajster Band from 7 to 10 p.m. at Bridgetender’s Pub.
The city of Peru announced temporary parking restrictions for July 3. Go to the city or police department’s Facebook page for details on the restrictions.
[ Princeton fireworks set July 4 at Zearing Park with live entertainment, food, vendors ]
Princeton has a party fit for the whole family planned for the Fourth of July.
The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Princeton Park District have partnered to provide entertainment Thursday at Zearing Park leading up to the fireworks at dusk.
The celebration will be on the south side of the park. The Bluewater Kings Band will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. Food will be available starting at 5 p.m. from Farmer Smoked BBQ, Maria’s and the Boy Scouts. There also will be cotton candy for sale, said Jenica Cole, the chamber’s executive director. The Princeton Park District will be serving alcoholic beverages. No outside alcohol will be permitted. Balloon twister Mr. Cinnamon will entertain children.
[ Sheridan to celebrate July 4 with activities, including toilet bowl race ]
Sheridan again will be a place to be in La Salle County for Independence Day.
The Sheridan Community Club’s annual day full of activities will include a parade, toilet bowl races, children’s activities and fireworks at dusk.
Additionally, there will be a craft show and a car and tractor show with all activities taking place downtown.
Parade registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and the lineup is on Church Street for a noon start. Contact Dale Thibault at 815-325-7477 or di.green13@yahoo.com for information.
Toilet races registration begins at 2 p.m. To race, safety forms must be signed by each team member prior to the race. Bring your own toilet. You can race independently or with a group. You can’t have a motor on your toilet. You can’t pick up your toilet and run. Your toilet needs to be on wheels. The person or team with the fastest toilet bowl will win the Golden Toilet Trophy. Message the Sheridan Community Group on Facebook with questions or to preregister.
The Friends of Robert W. Rowe Library, 120 E. Si Johnson Ave. will host its book sale 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, and Wednesday, July 3, before the sale’s final day 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 4. All items are 25 cents.
For more information on Sheridan’s July 4 activities, go to https://www.facebook.com/sheridancommunityclubinfo
The group is seeking volunteers 8 a.m. to noon Friday, July 5, in helping clean up after the celebration. Gloves and bags will be provided.
For those who need an extra dose of fireworks, or missed the displays Wednesday and Thursday throughout the region, Utica will be hosting its family friendly event at Carey Memorial Park. Fireworks begin at dusk. There will be food and drinks while supplies last, face painting, bounce slides, an obstacle course and other activities beginning at 5 p.m.
[ Walnut Days set July 5-7 ]
The Walnut Days Celebration is scheduled Friday, July 5, through Sunday, July 7, featuring several activities, a parade and fireworks.
A raffle for a Side X Side is a fundraiser for the fireworks show. Tickets are $25 or five for $100. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold. The drawing is before the fireworks display Sunday. For tickets contact Jesse Willstead at 815-262-3603 or Jen Butler at 815-716-0110, or they can be purchased at Shell, Didley’s, Walnut Leader, Cafe, the Shed, Roots or the Walnut Library.
For more information or details about the festival, go to walnutdays.com
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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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:
Eric Eagelston, 24, of Wyoming, Illinois (two counts of aggravated DUI);
Christopher Ottinger, 32, of Mendota (failure to report);
Letayveon Hastings, 20, of Warrenville (three counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding);
James Wolkow, 52, of Ottawa (domestic battery);
Sebastian Aguilera, 19, of La Salle (unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver);
Angel Castillo, 19, of La Salle (unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver);
Luisa Herrera, 28, of Streator (unlawful delivery of methamphetamine);
Jerimiah Turner, 40, of Streator (three counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance).
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Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Mendota names Jason Martin as new police chief – Shaw Local  Shaw Local
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The Princeton City Council authorized Monday the sale of 1117 N. Church St. to the company that operates Elm City Axe Boards for $80,000. (Derek Barichello)
The city of Princeton sold a surplus property and helped a local business in the process.
The Princeton City Council authorized Monday the sale of 1117 N. Church St. to the company that operates Elm City Axe Boards for $80,000. The property appraised at $90,000 and was advertised to bidders. Elm City’s bid was the lone bid and within the range for the city to accept it.
The city will move its brush pit at the site to an easier location for access and clean up before Elm City takes sole possession of the property.
Mayor Ray Mabry called the property sale a win-win because Elm City anticipates expanding its business, improving its building and adding jobs. The sale of the property also figures to add about $2,300 to the property tax collection from the lot, Mabry said.
Elm City supplies some of the leading axe houses around the country with cottonwood target boards, the company said.
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Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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