Author: princetonmays

Samantha Milton (Photo provided by La Salle County jail)
A 36-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy were arrested Sunday after reports of a residential burglary in Streator.
Samantha Milton and the boy were cited on complaints of criminal trespass to a residence.
Police responded to a call at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday from two friends who were checking on the residence of a mutual acquaintance moving out of state. After the witnesses noticed the lights were on inside the home, they approached the house and saw two individuals inside who they did not recognize, the Streator police said in a Tuesday news release.
The suspected intruders fled the scene, but the witnesses managed to confront them in the backyard, police said. During the confrontation, Milton was seen holding a drill police said had been stolen from inside the residence. The witnesses provided detailed descriptions of the suspects, helping the police locate them.
After contacting the homeowner, officers searched the property. Police discovered the home, previously noted as neat and clean, was in disarray. The officers recovered the drill and a makeup mirror, both of which police said were found to be the victims’ property.
Milton was taken to the La Salle County Jail on Tuesday and released with a court date, and the boy has been referred for charges and will proceed through the juvenile justice system.
A post from Streator Police Department on Facebook commended the two friends whose actions led to the arrest.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Firefighters responded Thursday, Jan. 2, 2024, to the scene of a structure fire on North 43rd road about a half mile west of the East First road intersection in Mendota. (Scott Anderson)
Authorities aren’t yet sure whether there’s a connection between the discovery of a body in a Mendota home Wednesday and the Thursday morning fire in the same residence. Both matters still are under investigation.
La Salle County Coroner Rich Ploch said Thursday that a well-being check was conducted at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday at 73 N. 43rd Road, Mendota. Ploch said a woman was pronounced dead at the scene – the victim is believed to have died days earlier – although her name is being withheld for the time being.
I believe very strongly it’s going to be medical, but with the strange circumstance with the fire the next morning, we have to be sure.
Ploch said no foul play is suspected in the woman’s death, but he can’t make a determination until after an autopsy, which was scheduled Friday.
“I believe very strongly it’s going to be medical,” Ploch said, “but with the strange circumstance with the fire the next morning, we have to be sure.”
Firefighters respond to a structure fire on North 43rd Road about a half mile west of the East First Road intersection on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Mendota. (Scott Anderson)
The next-day fire also is under investigation, and Mendota Fire Chief Dennis Rutishauser said he does not yet have sufficient information to determine a preliminary cause or whether the fire was accidental.
Firefighters from multiple agencies (a complete list is pending) were at the scene for almost seven hours after Mendota firefighters were summoned at 8:30 a.m. Rutishauser said the structure was fully engulfed, with fire spewing out the first- and second-floor windows.
The house is a total loss, and investigators with the Illinois State Fire Marshal Office were at the scene investigating, Rutishauser reported after he and his crew cleared the scene about 3:20 p.m.
Ploch disclosed that there was a “hoarding situation” at the rural Mendota residence, which also was in disrepair.
Shaw Local News Network will update this story as more information becomes available.

Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
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Hall head girls basketball coach TJ Orlandi reacts after player Charlie Pellegrini sinks a three point basket against Princeton during the Princeton Holiday Girls Basketball Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 at Princeton High School. (Scott Anderson)
BLUE POOL: Princeton 2-0, Putnam County 1-1, Henry-Senachwine 0-2
GRAY POOL: Hall 2-0, IVC 1-1, Stark County 0-2
WHITE POOL: Midland 2-0, Mendota 1-1, Lowpoint-Washburn 0-2
Monday’s scores
Hall 52, Midland 23
Mendota 52, Lowpoint-Washburn 13
Princeton 54, Henry 18
Tuesday’s games
Midland 65, Mendota 38
Hall 51, IVC 41
Princeton 52, PC 21
Wednesday’s games
Putnam County 23, Henry 21
IVC 30, Stark County 27
Midland 59, Lowpoint-Washburn 10
MEDAL ROUND
GOLD POOL (1st place): 1. Midland 1-1, 2. Princeton 1-1, 3. Hall 1-1
SILVER POOL (4th place): 4. IVC 2-0, 5. PC 1-1, 6. Mendota 0-2
BRONZE POOL (7th place): 7. Stark County 2-0, 8. Henry 1-1, 9. Lowpoint-Washburn 0-2
Thursday’s games
Henry 55, Lowpoint-Washburn 15
PC 47, Mendota 38
Midland 50, Princeton 47
Friday’s games
Stark County 40, Lowpoint-Washburn 20
IVC 53, Mendota 28
Hall 48, Midland 40
Saturday’s games
Stark County 38, Henry 33
IVC 39, Putnam County 21
Princeton 60, Hall 53 (OT)
All-tournament team: Charlie Pellegrini (Hall), Ella Sterling (Hall), Keighley Davis (Princeton), Camryn Driscoll (Princeton), Kaitlyn Anderson (Henry), Maggie Spratt (PC), Riana Foster (IVC), Emma Franks (Midland), Jordyn Pyles (Midland), Anna McGlasson (Midland).
MENDOTA POOL: Princeton 2-0, Hall 1-1, Mendota 0-2
PC POOL: Kewanee 2-0, IVC 1-1, Putnam County 0-2
Monday’s scores
Princeton 32, Mendota 11
IVC 34, PC 27
Tuesday’s scores
Princeton 26, Hall 4
Kewanee 52, IVC 12
Wednesday’s games
Kewanee 65, Putnam County 17
Hall 30, Mendota 8
Saturday’s games
5th place – Mendota 32, Putnam County 20
3rd place – IVC 38, Hall 26
Championship – Princeton vs. Kewanee, cancelled due to Kewanee having lack of players
Princeton’s Makayla Hecht dribbles around Hall’s Kennedy Wozniak during the Princeton Holiday Girls Basketball Tournament on Friday, Nov. 23, 2024 at Princeton High School. (Scott Anderson)
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Princeton Christian Academy freshman Maximus Gibson was named the chapter winner of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest. He was surprised at PCA by DAR Regent, Nancy Gartner. (Photo provided by PCA)
Princeton Christian Academy freshman Maximus Gibson was named the chapter winner of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest.
The topic for the contest was “Patriots of the American Revolution,” and Gibson wrote his essay on Rodger Sherman.
Gibson and his parents, Gladys and Aaron Gibson, are invited to a luncheon hosted by the DAR on March 7 where he will read his essay and receive his award.
Gibson was surprised at Princeton Christian Academy by DAR Regent Nancy Gartner, who announced his achievement before the high school.
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La Salle-Peru's Kamryn Oscepinski was voted NewsTribune Athlete of the Week after placing fourth at the Buccaneer Invitational, including rolling her first 300 game.
Got a news tip? Email ntnewsroom@shawmedia.com
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Grand Ridge firefighters responded Sunday, along with other departments, to a house fire on East 23rd Road.
Grand Ridge firefighters responded Sunday, along with other departments, to a house fire on East 23rd Road.
Wallace, Tonica and Reading fire departments have been called to the scene. County Highway 6 was closed in response.
Shaw Local News Network will have more information as it becomes available.
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IHSA logo
The Princeton girls are headed toward a regional rematch with Rock Island Alleman.
Hall (16-10) drew the No. 3 seed of the Rock Falls subsectional A behind No. 1 Alleman (21-7) and No. 2 Riverdale (18-8) and Princeton (16-9) the No. 4. As a result, the Tigresses will be paired with Alleman in the Princeton Regional and Riverdale and Hall will go to the Erie-Prophetstown Regional.
Alleman beat Princeton 58-27 for the regional championship at Rock Island last year.
Other teams likely to be sent to Princeton will be No. 6 Sandwich, No. 8 Somonauk-Leland, No. 12 Mendota and either No. 5 Oregon or No. 7 Bureau Valley.
No. 10 Morrison and 11 Rock Falls will join Riverdale and Hall at E-P with the No. 9 Panthers and either No. 5 Oregon or No. 7 Bureau Valley.
In 1A, Serena (22-2), as expected drew the top seed of the HBR subsectional B followed by No. 2 Amboy (19-7), No. 3 Marquette (22-3) and No. 4 Yorkville Christian (17-7).
St. Bede (17-12) drew the No. 5 seed, hosting a regional likely including Amboy and Marquette and No. 8 Earlville, No. 9 Gardner-South Wilmington and No. 10 Putnam County.
Serena and Yorkville Christian will be paired at the Indian Creek Regional. Joining that field should be No. 5 HBR, No. 6 Ashton-Franklin Center, No. 7 Indian Creek and No. 11 Newark.
By standard policy, IHSA pairs the No. 1 and No. 4 seeds and the No. 2 and 3 seeds together. Remaining regional assignment are largely done geographically.
Official regional pairings are to be announced at 4 p.m. Friday.
1. Alleman
2. Riverdale
3. Hall
4. Princeton
5. Oregon
6. Sandwich
7. Bureau Valley
8. Somonauk
9. Erie-Prophetstown
10. Morrison
11. Rock Falls
12. Mendota
1. Serena
2. Amboy
3. Ottawa Marquette
4. Yorkville Christian
5. St. Bede
6. Hinckley-Big Rock
7. Ashton-Franklin Center
8. Indian Creek
9. Earlville
11. Gardner-South Wilmington
12. Newark
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PRINCETON – Princeton coach Tiffany Gonigam knew she had to try something different.
The Tigresses weren’t getting the job done offensively, making just 3 of 15 shots. They were held scoreless the final 6 1/2 minutes of the first half while falling behind Hall 21-10 at the half.
After a little halftime motivation, Gonigam simply turned to her defense to make things happen. The Tigresses held Hall to four points in the third quarter, just nine in the second half, to score a 34-30 win over the rival Red Devils.
“We just had to fight,” Gonigam said. “I mean we were in a terrible position at halftime. We hadn’t shot the ball very well. We were real happy to hold them to 21 points at the half. At their place, I think they scored 57 total. So we thought defensively we were in an OK position, we just had to start making shots.”
“One way for us to do that is turn up the pressure. held them to nine in the second. Unfortunately, we got ourselves in position where we didn’t have much choice, but to fight and claw and try to create some chaos.”
PHS junior Keighley Davis said the Tigresses knew they had their backs against the wall.
“I think knowing that we were down and needed to win this game and and push back really got us going,” Davis said. “We knew we needed to come back to get conference eventually.”
With the win, and Kewanee’s loss at Newman on Thursday, the Tigresses (17-9) moved into a first place tie atop the Three Rivers East with the Boilers at 7-2. Hall fell to 5-4 in the league, 16-11 overall.
Princeton held Hall to a single field goal in the third quarter with two free throws to cut what was a 13-point deficit to 25-18 at quarter’s end.
The Princeton storm continued in the fourth quarter.
Princeton’s Camryn Driscoll drives baseline on Hall’s Natalia Zamora in Thursday’s game at Prouty Gym. The Tigresses won 34-30. (Mike Vaughn)
Paige Jesse, one of four PHS seniors honored on senior night, opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer. Camryn Driscoll scored off a quick steal, Davis took in a layup before Driscoll dropped a floater on the right baseline to give the Tigresses their first lead since the first quarter at 27-25.
Hall didn’t score until Charlie Pellegrini split two free throws to make it a 27-26 with 3 1/2 minutes remaining. The Red Devils managed only one more free throw by Kennedy Wozniak and a late 3-pointer by Wozniak to make it 32-30 Princeton with 17.9 seconds left.
The Tigresses didn’t score a basket in the final 4 1/2 minutes, but got just enough free throws, 4-4 by Driscoll and 3-4 by Reese Reviglio, for the win.
Hall coach TJ Orlandi knew what was coming, but said the Red Devils couldn’t do anything about it.
“We took good care of the ball in the first half and we talked about it at halftime, ‘They’re going to try to speed us up. It’s the style they want to play.’ Somebody on the floor has to get a handle on things,” Orlandi said. “It can’t always be timeouts to try to calm us down. I don’t care if it’s a sophomore, junior, senior. Doesn’t matter. Somebody has to take control out there and get us calmed down.
“It’s a tough one. Outside of the press, for a lot of stretches, we outplayed them. Couldn’t take care of the ball second half.”
Driscoll led all scorers with 15 points for PHS and Davis added 11.
Ella Sterling led Hall with 11 points, but only had two in the second half. Natalia Zamora added six.
“Honestly, I thought we guarded well tonight. Thirty four points is a good defensive effort,” Orlandi said. “And I think a lot of baskets were giveaways. So in the halfcourt, i thought we played really well and played good defense.”
Gonigam said a game like this and others in the past week against Sherrard, Ottawa and Seneca will only prepare the Tigresses for the postseason.
“We’re in a position from last week through the rest of our season, there’s not really an easy game,” she said. “You’re going to be in tough positions. Every game’s going to be a battle, especially in the postseason. And you want to be able to look at your kids and know every time they go out and touch the floor, they’re not going to give up. And that’s what they did tonight.”
Hall’s Kennedy Wozniak and Princeton’s Paige Jesse wrestle for the ball in Thursday’s game at Prouty Gym. The Tigresses won 34-30. (Mike Vaughn)
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Ashley Moats (Photo Provided By La Salle County Jail)
A Streator woman the Streator Police Department referred to as “Bonnie,” who was charged in a crime spree, pleaded guilty Thursday to three felonies.
Ashley Moats is going to prison for five years.
Moats, 32, appeared Thursday in La Salle County Circuit Court and entered a global resolution on multiple charges from La Salle County, although she still has matters pending in other jurisdictions.
She pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and one count of felony retail theft and was sentenced to five years and three years, respectively, in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The sentences will run concurrently. She also was ordered to pay $3,710 in restitution.
Moats declined an opportunity to address Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. before sentencing.
With her plea, Moats effectively admitted to burglarizing a vehicle in Streator, stealing a pair of rings from a Peru jeweler and entering the Streator Walmart after having previously been barred from returning.
Charges against a man police have said was her cohort still are pending. Streator police dubbed him “Clyde.”
Nicholas J. Huber, 36, of Streator recently was indicted on two new counts of burglary and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a Class 3 felony, for allegedly using a metal bar to strike a man in the hand. Huber also is charged with burglary and was jailed for violations of pretrial release in an unrelated case.
Streator police had developed Moats and Huber as suspects in some overlapping retail thefts and property crimes, earning them the “Bonnie and Clyde” moniker in a serious of police reports and news releases.

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Here is the list of La Salle County couples who applied for marriage licenses in January of 2025.
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