Author: princetonmays

The Perfectly Flawed Foundation will be hosting its eighth annual Earth Day Community Cleanup event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20. (Derek Barichello)
The Perfectly Flawed Foundation will be hosting its eighth annual Earth Day Community Cleanup event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20.
Check-in will be at the Illinois-Michigan Canal Lock 14 shelter in La Salle. It is recommended those participating in the cleanup come prepared with long pants and long sleeves. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided.
There will be recommended areas for clean up along the canal, snacks and some local partner organizations on-site with a variety of educational resources. There will be face painting, live music and giveaways along with the cleanup activities.
Those that are unable to join in person can contribute remotely. Take a picture of yourself or your family doing something to help your community. Whether it’s cleaning up trash, beautifying your yard, planting a garden or helping others. Post pictures to Instagram or Facebook from now until Saturday, April 20, using the hashtag #perfectlyflawedearthday for a chance to win some great giveaways. The Perfectly Flawed Foundation is a harm reduction and recovery community organization that provides overdose prevention, peer support, community education, service navigation and referral to treatment in North Central Illinois. For more information call or text The Perfectly Flawed Foundation at 815-830-8675 or visit http://www.perfectlyflawed.org/
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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An Ohio man faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of hauling 99 pounds of marijuana. (Photo provided)
An Ohio man faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of hauling 99 pounds of marijuana.
James B. Redmond, 60, of Rocky River, Ohio, was charged Sunday with cannabis trafficking, a Class X felony carrying a mandatory prison sentence of four to 15 years, and unlawful possession of cannabis (5,000 grams or more), a Class 1 Felony carrying four to 15 years.
La Salle County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop at 12:15 a.m. Sunday on Interstate 80 eastbound, a mile east of the Route 71 exit. During the traffic stop, deputies said they located and seized the contraband.
Redmond was taken to the La Salle County Jail. Monday, Redmond was granted pre-trial release.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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(From left) Don J. Schiff, Julie Grady, Jeff VanAutreve, Dana VanAutreve and Rick Clary stand in for a $10,000 donation from Central Bank of Princeton to Second Story Teen Center. (Photo provided by Don J. Schiff)
President Rick Clary of Central Bank of Princeton announced a donation of $10,000 to the Second Story Teen Center’s new building project.
This contribution reflects Central Bank’s commitment to uplifting the communities it serves, embodying the essence of community banking by fostering growth, development and an enhanced quality of life, the bank said in a news release.
“At Central Bank, we recognize the importance of giving back to our communities,” Clary said in a news release. “Supporting initiatives like the Second Story Teen Center aligns with our mission to contribute positively to the well-being of those we serve.”
Central Bank expressed its gratitude to the Second Story Teen Center for its contributions to the youth of Bureau County, and reaffirms its commitment to continuing support for initiatives that make a tangible difference in the lives of the communities.
The Teen Center has been opened since 2009 and located above Johnson Carpet. Plans have been moving forward to build a 6,000 square foot building located at 125 S. Main St., Princeton.
The mission of the teen center is to offer the young people of Bureau County, sixth through 12th grades a sense of purpose and acceptance by providing an inclusive social atmosphere of companionship and encouraging conversation. The teen center strives to cultivate and nurture the full potential of younger generations through education, mentorship and support.
Second Story Teen Center is an incorporated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Volunteers are welcome and for more information phone 815-303-4111.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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OSF Saint Clare Medical Center in Princeton is requesting help from the local community to determine and prioritize health needs. (Shaw Local News Network)
OSF Saint Clare Medical Center in Princeton is requesting help from the local community to determine and prioritize health needs.
A survey is now available in English and Spanish, and residents can participate by filling it out online or by picking up a paper copy at OSF Saint Clare.
“Every community has different health care needs,” said Jackie Kernan, president of OSF Saint Clare. “Through this survey, we hope to get input from a broad set of community members to help us focus our efforts on the challenges and opportunities unique to Princeton and its surrounding areas.”
OSF HealthCare hospitals conduct community health needs assessments every three years and develop plans to meet the community needs that the assessments identify. After data is collected and each community’s health needs are prioritized, administrative and caregiver teams at OSF HealthCare work together to support further current community-based health programs and services, as well as start new programs to help meet the needs of each community.
“Our last survey identified healthy living as one of the greatest opportunities for improvement in our community,” Kernan said. “We took feedback from the survey and, through a collaborative approach, were able to implement programs and services to meet that need.”
The survey affecting OSF Saint Clare will be available until Aug. 31. For more information, visit osfhealthcare.org or contact Stefanie Morris, Community Health education coordinator.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Mobile home tax bills in La Salle County were mailed Feb. 18 and should have been received by those taxpayers. (Derek Barichello)
Mobile home tax bills in La Salle County were mailed Feb. 18 and should have been received by taxpayers.
The due date for the mobile home local services tax is Thursday, May 1.
Tax payment options include paying at the treasurer’s office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday by cash or check; using the drive-thru dropbox in the north part of the east parking lot at the Government Complex, 707 E. Etna Road, Ottawa; mailing to the treasurer’s office at P.O. Box 15600, Ottawa, IL 61350; and paying online or by phone at 815-393-2688 with a credit card or e-check.
A convenience fee of about 2.4% is charged by credit card processors when paying by credit card, and there is $1 per parcel fee when paying by e-check.
The mobile home local services tax should be paid in a timely fashion. The penalty for delinquency is $25 per month up to $100 beginning May 2.
If mobile homeowners have any questions about the local services tax, call the La Salle County Treasurer’s Office at 815-434-8219.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Streator High School announced its honor roll for the second quarter of the 2024-2025 school year.
Streator High School announced its honor roll for the second quarter of the 2024-2025 school year.
Zoe Alderson, Joeylynn Arkels, Taylor Barbee, Lillyan Basina, Ryan Beck, Blaize Bressner, Clifton Bush, Allison Chalkey, Cheyenne Chandler, Malana Clift, Emma Devera, Kaddie Emm, Antonio Garcia, Lyla Gengler, Elizabeth Gonzalez, Jaxin Goodrich, Lily Graham, Shaelyn Groesbeck, Jacob Hagie, David Harcharik, Aaron Henson, Indyana Hernandez, Nolan Ketcham, Destany Krebsbach, Leah Krohe, Clayton Lehman, Anthony Lopez, Nolan Lukach, Madelyn Martin, Riley Matsko, Ariana McIntyre, Olivia McKinley, Sarah Melvin, Annika Michlik, Alexcia Middleton, Bradford Minick, Anthony Mohr, Melanie Moreno, Christian Muco Rax, Kylie Nettleingham, Liam O’Connor, Makenna Ondrey, Sidney Osland, Josslyn Ostrom, Ella Park, Alexis Patterson, Adrian Phalen, Natalie Pouk, Sonia Proksa, Madyson Proud, Joey Puetz, Emma Rambo, Mireyah Ramirez, Madelyn Reum, Maxx Rodriguez, Jordy Sanchez, Klay Schaffner, Kaelin Schuster, Carson Shinkey, Wyatt Shultz, Kylie Simpson, Dalton Sliker, Allison Smith, Olivia Smith, Brooklyn Stillwell, Kera Tao, Madison Thompson, Jonathan Traeger, Andrew Vogel, Madelyn Wahl, Joyce Walkling, Isaiah Weibel, Olivia Willey, Matt Williamson, Mya Zavada
Keegan Angelico, Hailey Augustine, Madison Bedeker, Jorrick Black, Payton Blakemore, Katherine Bressner, Sophia Broedlow, Caria Bruton, Julie Chaudhari, Izabelle Dean, Iris England, Blake Fialko, Hailey Freeman, Aubree Gallick, Luke Gebhart, Lillia Gondek, Nayla Gonzalez, Khloe Graham, Olivia Granados, Gabriel Gutierrez, Isabel Gutierrez, Brissa Guzman, Ava Gwaltney, Aiden Haag, Michelle Hendrix, Joseph Hoekstra, Maddisyn Holocker, Jacob Isermann, Aubrey Jacobs, Kaleigh Jones, Isabella Katrein-Cinotto, Ellery Laatz, Chase Lane, Maiya Lansford, Paulina Martinez, Mary Martin-Mattull, McKayla McBride, Talon Melvin, Lily Michael,Yaqueline Moreno, Layzeric Moton, Catherine Nunez, Jenna Onasch, Mikazlin Parrish, Garvi Patel, Alaina Perez, Isabella Persinger, Emily Pratt, Bethany Schimek, Joie Schmitt, Juliana Schultz, Anahi Serna, Kimberly Serna, Ethan Snell, Elsa Sorensen, Cody Taylor, Rhiannon Treest, Charlie Turner, Andrew Warwick, Ian Wheeler, Cole Windterrowd, Emily Wissen, Javanah Young, Seth Zito
Ricardo Armenta, Alexa Barr, Delaney Barr, Javier Beltran, Alivia Berry, Brittan Bradley, Jordan Burkett, Alexis Butler, Colin Byers, Briana Chavez, Kamdyn Darrow, Elizabeth Davis, Heavenly Davis, Jodiann Denizad, Addison Dippel, Kyleigh Essman, Brooklyn Fairall, Michael Fechter, Richard Franklin, Alivia Fryman, Lydia Gallik, Abigail Galvan, Ava Glisson, Adrian Granados, Gabriel Granados, Kennedy Harcharik, Kaylee Herring, Damareea Hunter, Morgan Kostal, Wykel Lane, Idaly Lugo Lopez, Adelaide Mahan, Isabelle Mahan, Madden McCloskey, Savannah McCormick, Rebecca Minick, Ashley Moreno, Damian Morgan, Raegan Morgan, Jenna Moritz, Grace Nasvytis, Stella Orozco, Jayden Plymire, Christopher Pollett, Jonathan Reum, Lily Rexroad, Angel Rivera, Isabella Robart, Enrique Rodriguez, Simon Ross, Andres Salcido, Morgan Scott, Eduardo Serna, Michael Smith, Lauren Snyder, Hannah Spellious, Brennen Stillwell, Jackson Studnicki, Trenton Studnicki, Caitlin Talty, Jacob Thompson, Tara Tkach, Ryan Villa, Vincent Wargo, Jada Webb, Maggie Wilkinson, Mara Williamson, Lillian Wonders, Landen Zaragoza
Quinn Baron, Kieran Black, Brayden Bradley, Emma Cinnamon, Patrick Conroy-Fleming, Bradley Contreras, Joshue Duran, Da Mya Farris, Ava Finney, Zayden Gallik, Evan Graff, Jesse Granados, Lucas Gutierrez, Logan Haag, Mia Hart, Jordan Hatzer, Talisa Horton, Sofia Jasso, Nevaeh Johnson, Elyse Kochis, Raegan Lepper, Zoe Luckey, John Lukach, Kenadi Manning, Weston McCormick, Sophia Nasvytis, Hunter Nettleingham, Ellen Nimke, Shelby Ondek, Addyson Pedelty, Hannah Peters, Katherine Pierce, Keegan Reed, Hector Rodriguez, Hane Romulas, John Rzasa, Clayton Shinkey, Darren Snell Jr., Kinslee Sweeden, Marisa Tamez, Ashlee Taylor, Alexis Thomas, Lillyana Trammel, Makayla Turner-Stitts, Margaret Tutko, Presley Tutko, Hao Wang
Isaiah Acosta, Tyler Barbee, Thomas Brown, Dylan Childers, Nolan Coughlin, Tristan Finley, Edward Flores, Jonah Hargrove, Jordan Lukes, Demetrio Molina, Addison Mumm, David Paton, Malissa Pena, Kenzie Reinhold, Noah Russow, Alyssa Salisbury, Blake Stites, Hannah Weibel
Dylan Beins, Robert Beringer, Jesse Carter, Clay Christoff, Brody Elias, Dani Essman, Max Fraga, Isaiah Franco, Zerrick Fuller, Bradley Groll, Isabel Jasso, Eli Koral, Cohen Maier, Nicole Martinez, Leon Ramirez, Lilyan Simpson
Christian Alderson, Megan Baptiste, Landon Camp, Alexis Clay, Dekan Clift, Jakub Coyne, Landyn Davis, Edward Devera, Matthew Dummitt, Jayce Engler, Cameron Finkelstein, Evaylnn Fortson, Tanner Gammie, Yareli Garcia, Keegan Gassman, Giselle Guadarrama, Aaron Gutierrez, Will Heider, Payton Henson, Koltin Knox, Jerzy Kolesar, Tyson Kolojay, Zackary Kresbsbach, Angela Martinez, Isaac Melvin, Selena Muncy, Ted Neuman, Kaden Sibert, Jaelyn Sisson, Phoenix Sixtos, Sophia Snow, Jonathan Vazquez
Abbey Adams, Zandar Austin, Brooke Brockett, Bruxton Chalkey, Ved Chaudhari, Sophia Chavez, Mason Cole, Carmen Copeland, Kolten Dulabhan, Bryce Eplin, Sebastian Flores, Bentley Fuentes, Jesus Gonzalez, Weston Harlan, Penelope Heilman, Addison Henderson, Amara Hernandez, Rhea Huey, Damarcus Hunter, Rylee Jones, Laylah Kitzman, Elyssa Labra, Alana Law, Priscilla Martinez, Harmony Pence, Shane Rexroad Jr., Remington Rinker, Emma Robinson, Kimberly Huete Ruiz, Keely Shaughnessy, Joseline Tinoco, Mallory Trenor, Eliza Tutko, Malea Zavada
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Princeton’s Camryn Driscoll (left) and Keighley Davis pose for a photo in Prouty Gym on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. They are the 2024-2025 co-BCR Girls Basketball Players of the Year. (Scott Anderson)
Camryn Driscoll and Keighley Davis started playing basketball together in the fifth grade.
They have a knack for knowing what each other is going to do and wouldn’t know what to do without one another.
They teamed up to lead Princeton to a share of a Three Rivers Conference East Division championship and a third straight appearance in a regional championship game.
Both were unanimously named Three Rivers East All-Conference.
For all of their accomplishments, they, naturally, share the 2024-25 BCR co-girls Basketball Players of the Year honors.
“In each of their three years in high school, Keighley and Camryn have been instrumental in leading the team to 20-win seasons and playing for a regional championship. They are both incredibly athletic, but bring their own unique skill sets to the game,” PHS coach Tiffany Gonigam said.
“They have both continued to grow as leaders of the team in their approach, character and encouragement. It is easy to follow their footsteps in terms of work ethic and talent, but my challenge to them has been to lead with encouragement, be vocal, keep the team positive and energized and they have continued to exceed expectations.”
Davis and Driscoll got their start playing together on the travel team Davis’ dad, Spencer, put together in the fifth grade. They have led their teams to conference championships for five straight seasons, beginning with an undefeated title in the seventh grade at Logan through this year’s share of the Three Rivers East title with Kewanee.
“We’ve done a lot together and won conference every year in school we’ve played,” Driscoll said.
Princeton’s Keighley Davis (left) and Camryn Driscoll pose for a photo in Prouty Gym on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. They are the 2024-2025 co-BCR Girls Basketball Players of the Year. (Scott Anderson)
It’s a chemistry that they’ve built together that leads to their individual and team successes.
“We have the chemistry that clicks, looking for the pass and knowing they’re going to be there,” Davis said.
“I get the steals and she’s always up the court and just throw it up there. It’s always been like that,” Driscoll said.
They also have trust in one another.
“I think just knowing she can take the shot and knowing that we can depend on her to get a last-minute shot. Defense she’s pretty good at, having her right there to trap or anything,” Davis said.
“She is probably the best defender I’ve played with before and she’s the best at pushing the floor that I’ve played with,” Driscoll said. “It’s really important to have people on your team like that because there’s times in the game we need a moment to get going on a run and she’s good at that and always seems to be a part of those moments.”
Both were pretty pleased with how the season went.
“There’s definitely ups and downs and probably places we’d rather be than where we ended. It was a good season,” Davis said.
“I feel like we kept our goals staying up in conference,” Driscoll said. “There were some rough patches that we went through, but felt like we worked really hard in practice and grinded through and improved a lot.”
Driscoll was the leading scorer in the area, averaging 13.9 points along with an area-best 3.6 steals and 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
Gonigam said Driscoll really stepped up her game this season.
“Camryn specializes in handling the ball and has excellent court vision. She is our most efficient scorer, she has a nice 3-point shot, she can make free throws consistently, and this year we saw her take the ball to the basket much more,” she said. “She had a lot of success doing this as teams know her as a shooting threat, driving lanes opened up for her and she showed she can finish against players much bigger than her.”
Davis averaged 13.7 points, 8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 3.2 steals, a force on both offense and defense, Gonigam said.
“Keighley offers some height and rebounds the ball very well. She can play in the post, but can also drive to the basket with a very quick step, so she is tough for other teams to defend,” she said. “Keighley is great at anticipating the ball defensively and can cause a lot of havoc creating turnovers and getting steals. This leads her to where she can put up a lot of points quickly and that is in the open floor. She is very good on the fast break, whether that is sprinting the court and scoring for herself or pushing the ball upcourt to her teammates.”
The Princeton duo will make history next season as early as the first game.
Davis became the sixth player in program history to score 1,000 points this season, ranked No. 4 with 1,157 points, and will take aim on Tiah Romagnoli’s program record of 1,506. Driscoll will join her next season, needing just 14 points to join the club. They would be the first set of PHS girls from the same class to reach 1,000 points, following the boys class of 2023 with Grady Thompson and Teegan Davis, Keighley’s brother.
“I didn’t even know. That’s really exciting. That doesn’t happen often,” Driscoll said.
They share the same goal for next season. After falling in the regional final three straight years, Driscoll says “win regionals,” while Davis simply says, “Make it farther.”
Princeton’s Camryn Driscoll (left) and Keighley Davis pose for a photo in Prouty Gym on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. They are the 2024-2025 co-BCR Girls Basketball Players of the Year. (Scott Anderson)
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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After a successful first-year campaign, the Coldest Night of the Year Walk fundraiser is returning on Saturday, Feb. 22, to Ottawa. ( Tom Sistak For Shaw Media )
After a successful first-year campaign, the Coldest Night of the Year Walk fundraiser is returning Saturday, Feb. 22, to Ottawa.
The evening walk invites community members to come together in support of individuals experiencing homelessness in the Illinois Valley area – and as part of a national movement happening across the U.S. and Canada to raise awareness and funds for those without stable housing. Bring your team or organization’s banner and display it during the walk.
Registration begins at 4 p.m., and the walk starts at 5 p.m. from the Jordan block. The walk will move along La Salle Street to the Illinois and Michigan Canal Towpath down Columbus Street back to the Jordan block, totaling about 1 mile.
Participants will be offered hot chocolate, water, protein bars, glow sticks and other items.
Before, during and after the walk, you’ll have a chance to meet the Illinois Valley Public Action to Deliver Shelter executive team and management teams from the shelters and Lily Pads stores in both Ottawa and Peru. Leading the route this year will be Tom Rooney, IV PADS board vice president.
Participants may earn a toque by fundraising $150 or more ($75 for youth younger than 18). Raise $500 or more, and participants have a chance to earn a limited edition CNOY-branded hooded sweatshirt.
There will be photo opportunities through a frame. There will be a 360-degree photo booth machine, located at ReMax 1st Choice, which will be complete with a CNOY backdrop.
Enter a drawing to win a copy of the novel “No Address” by Ken Abraham, which is based on the film illustrating how homelessness can affect anyone. Ten hard-cover novels will be given away.
Stop at designated rest stations along the route to stay warm and comfortable. Enjoy Pat Applebee’s homemade soup when you finish the walk.
The goal is to walk to raise awareness, organizers said. Walking on a cold February evening offers a small glimpse into the hardships of the community’s most vulnerable neighbors face every day.
The walk aims to fund essential services: Proceeds from the walk help fund crucial programs and services for people without stable housing in our community.
“The Coldest Night of the Year isn’t just a walk – it’s a powerful statement of empathy and action,” Carol Alcorn, executive director at Illinois Valley PADS, said in a news release. “By stepping into the cold for a short time, we recognize the daily struggles of those experiencing homelessness. And through fundraising, we help provide warmth, shelter and hope for our neighbors in need.”
Visit the Coldest Night of the Year website at cnoy.com/ottawa to:
For more information on donating, registering or becoming a team captain, visit the Illinois Valley PADS Facebook page or call 815-488-3256.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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A view of a sepia colored sky next to a barn on Route 251 on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Peru. A tornado watch has been issued for La Salle, Bureau, Putnam, Livingston and Marshall counties until 9 p.m. Wednesday. (Scott Anderson)
A tornado watch has been issued for La Salle, Bureau, Putnam, Livingston and Marshall counties until 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Tornadoes are possible, according to the National Weather Service. There could be scattered hail up to ping pong ball sizes. Wind gusts of up to 70 mph also are possible.
In the event of a tornado warning, the National Weather Service recommends:
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Ottawa Elementary School Board of Education announced Marissa Darlington as the district’s new superintendent. (Tom Sistak)
The Ottawa Elementary School Board of Education announced Marissa Darlington as the district’s new superintendent.
Darlington will take the role following the upcoming retirement of Michelle Lee.
The Board of Education expressed its gratitude to Lee for her years of service and leadership, wishing her the best in her future endeavors.
Over the past six months, the Board conducted an extensive search, hiring a search firm and including stakeholders to find the best candidate for the role.
“We are confident that Ms. Darlington brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will continue to support the quality education our district provides,” Board President Brenden Donahue said in a statement to the OES community.
Marissa Darlington has a history in education, bringing more than 18 years of experience to her new role as superintendent.
She previously served as the superintendent/principal at Nettle Creek CCSD 24 in Morris for almost eight years.
Prior to that, Darlington spent more than a decade as a kindergarten teacher, with positions in the Plainfield CCSD and Morris Elementary.
As part of the statement, Darlington expressed her excitement and commitment to the district’s future.
“I am honored to be selected to serve as the next superintendent of Ottawa Elementary School District 141. I am looking forward to getting to know the staff, students, families and broader community. My focus is to build on the district’s strengths, support our educators and ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed,” she said.
Darlington added she is eager to begin the transition, with plans to listen carefully to stakeholders and work together to help shape the district’s future.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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