Author: princetonmays

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PRINCETON – Noah LaPorte and the Princeton Tigers couldn’t wait to get right back to work after losing to Dixon on Monday night.
Twenty four hours later, the Tigers got their wish, playing more inspired basketball, defeating Riverdale 67-60.
The Tigers (10-12) outscored the visiting Rams (16-6) 11-2 over the last two minutes for the win.
“We came out flat last night and that’s the biggest thing we took from that game,” LaPorte said. “It was great to have another game today to wash that one away yesterday and get better today.”
“Looks like we wanted to play basketball tonight,” Tiger coach Jason Smith said. “We used the word competing in the pregame. I just wanted the guys to compete. Don’t be scared of the moment and go compete. And I thought we competed well tonight.
“Was the execution there fully? No. But it was there for the most part and it was good enough to win. And that was a really good team. A well-coached Riverdale team and gives us some momentum going into Friday night (at Kewanee).”
Riverdale used an 11-4 run to open up a 31-25 lead late in the second quarter. LaPorte sank two free throws and swiped the boards and made an outlet pass to a streaking Gavin Lanham for a layup to beat the buzzer to pull the Tigers within 31-29 at the half.
“That gave us confidence going into the second half and we carried momentum over,” Smith said.
The Rams answered a quick Jayden Fulkerson hoop with six straight points early in the third quarter to grab a 39-33 lead.
The Tigers turned the tables with a 9-1 run, taking a 42-40 lead on a drive by Arthur Burden.
Princeton scored the final five points of the third quarter on a 3-pointer by junior forward Jackson Mason and a pair of free throws by LaPorte to go up 47-42 at quarter’s end.
Riverdale tied the game back up at 49 early in the fourth quarter on a putback by freshman Colton Clark and took its last lead at 58-56 on a steal and layup by senior Brody Clark with 2:18 to play.
LaPorte blocked a Riverdale shot and Reinhardt cashed in with a 3-pointer from the top of the key to put the Tigers ahead for good at 59-58 with 2:00 left to play.
“Noah had the big swat and I hit a 3 down here and that just kind of took the momentum away,” Reinhardt said.
LaPorte made another key play with a tip and another outlet to Lanham for a Tiger basket and a 61-58 lead with 1:26 left.
Fulkerson stole the ball and passed to LaPorte, who was fouled and sank a pair of free throws to push the Tigers lead to 63-58 with just 23.8 left to play.
Colton Clark scored on a drive to make it 63-60 but the Rams ran out of time as Reinhardt made three of four free throws and LaPorte one of two.
“We still started a little slow, but we picked it up quickly, better than last night,” Reinhardt said. “I feel like we anticipated way better. Played way better on the defensive end and we ran the floor well.
“That’s a great win. We’ll most likely see them down the road.”
Reinhardt finished with a game-high 21 points to lead the Tigers with LaPorte scoring 18 and Lanham 14.
Riverdale also had a balanced attack with Brody Clark leading the Rams with 16 points, Aris Morgan adding 13, Colton Clark 12 and Tegeler 10.
In the prelims, Princeton won the freshmen game while Riverdale won the JV contest 58-33. Brody Ross had 12 points for the PHS JV.
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Nicholas J. Huber (Photo provided by La Salle County Jail)
A 36-year-old Streator man who appeared in court earlier this week was arrested Thursday in the 300 block of Chicago Street as police said he violated conditions of his pretrial release.
Nicholas J. Huber was cited on a complaint of aggravated battery, along with violation of pretrial release, police said. He was taken to the La Salle County Jail, where he is being held.
Huber appeared in court Monday after he was arrested for failure to appear in court. At that time, Huber was granted pretrial release but was subject to home confinement and a condition of having no contact with Ashley Moats, the judge ruled Monday.
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A 27-year-old Streator man was cited on a complaint of DUI following a two-vehicle crash Monday morning in Grand Ridge. (Photo provided)
A 27-year-old Streator man was cited on a complaint of DUI following a two-vehicle crash Monday morning in Grand Ridge.
Fernando Alvarado also was cited on complaints of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper lane usage following the two-vehicle crash just before 7 a.m. Monday involving a car and semi-tractor trailer, the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.
Grand Ridge Fire and EMS responded and a medical helicopter took an individual to OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria.
Alvarado was released with a court date.
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First responders raced to a crash scene at 12:44 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, on Route 251 at May Road in Peru for a collision in which a sport-utility vehicle overturned. Multiple injuries were reported. (Scott Anderson)
First responders raced to a crash scene at 12:44 p.m. Monday on Route 251 at May Road in Peru for a collision in which a sport-utility vehicle overturned. Multiple injuries were reported.
Details still are emerging, but as many as five people were taken from the scene – at least two were extricated, according to Peru police – for medical evaluation.
Traffic on Route 251 was unobstructed. Traffic on May Road, where the dark-colored SUV had tipped onto the driver’s side, was diverted through the shopping plaza that includes Kohl’s and Walmart.
Peru firefighters and paramedics work the scene of a multiple vehicle crash at the intersection of Illinois Route 251 and May Road on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 in Peru. The crash happened around 12:45p.m. Ambulances from Peru, La Salle, Mendota Spring Valley, and Oglesby responded to the scene to transport multiple victims to area hospitals. Peru and La Salle police along with Illinois State Police also responded to the crash. (Scott Anderson)
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Smoke smolders from the roof of Harper’s Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Sheridan. The Illinois State Fire Marshal and La Salle County Sheriff’s Office were among the responders. (Scott Anderson)
A 78-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene of a commercial fire Tuesday afternoon in Sheridan.
Firefighters were dispatched at 12:57 p.m. Tuesday to Harper’s Towing, 2899 U.S. 52, for a structure fire. Newark Fire Department was first on scene.
La Salle County Coroner Rich Ploch reported at 6:13 p.m. that a 78-year-old man, a resident of that address, was pronounced dead. An autopsy is scheduled Thursday.
The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of his family.
Details on the source and cause of the fire are pending.
Newark Fire and EMS along with La Salle County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a fire at Harper’s Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Sheridan.
Smoke smolders from the roof of Harper’s Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Sheridan. (Scott Anderson)
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Northlawn Junior High School in Streator announced its honor roll for the third trimester of the 2023-2024 school year. (Tom Sistak)
Northlawn Junior High School in Streator announced its honor roll for the third trimester of the 2023-24 school year.
Bradley Contreras, Gymille Contreras-Roland, Ava Finney, Sebastian Flores, Jesse Granados, Logan Haag, Mia Hart, Jordan Hatzer, Talisa Horton, Sofia Jasso, Nevaeh Johnson, Sophia Nasvytis, Sophia Nasvytis, Ellen Nimke, Shelby Ondek, Katherine Pierce, Thalia Ramirez, Keegan Reed, Abigail Reynolds, John Rzasa, Andrea Serna, Marisa Tamez, Ashlee Taylor, Lillyana Trammel, Eliza Tutko, Presley Tutko, Jacob Wang
Joshua Abbott, Brinn Byrne, Madisyn Campbell, Daxton Carter, Savannah Christenson, Ryker Deardurff, Bella Denizad, Ivan Duran, Olivia Flanery, Fernanda Flores, Grant Foltin, Owen Fryman, Cooper Gallick, Ariana Gavina, Addison Henson, Liana Hert, Brooklyn Higginbotham, Marleigh Holocker, Adriana Kearfott, Emery Lehman, Dakota Levy, Peyton Marin, Ayla Morgan, Ava Palko, Tyler Park, Jackson Parrish, Cessily Patton, Londyn Roberts, Jaxon Rzasa, Erik Santoyo, Ellie Scheuer, Eli Shearer, Brody Sliker, Jazlene Urbano, Stephanie Wargo, Journie Weems, Alexander Wickman, Jeremiah Wood, Rileigh Zavada
Brooklyn Anderson, Lydia Augustine, Jenavicia Baca, Sienna Brown, Ahmya Burns, Lavanna Compton, Luisa Cueto Marin, Michael Cunningham, Makenna Davies, Payton Davis, Reece Diaz, Melina Flores, Braelyn Fritts, Fallon Galvan, Joselyn Garcia Aguilarm, Abigail Granados, Chloee Guynn, Lydia Henderson, Anika Hert, Roman Huey, Dax Irving, Aiden Johnson, Kalahnie Jones, Hattie Kaschak, Mae Ketcham, Aiden Kirkreit, Keira Knox, Luis Lopez, Benjamin Mascote, Brooks McCloskey, Caleb Ohmes, Aria Palko, Alaina Patterson, Mia Rafferty, Carter Rathbun, Elysse Reynolds, Miya Scott, Robert Sims, Owen Taylor, Alyssa Thomas, Amyla Urbanec, Phoenix Velazquez, Braydon Vickers, Vincent Wang, Hunter Webster, Kole Yuhas
Yulia Arevalo, Scarlett Arkels, Owen Basina, Piper Brandenburg, Zachary Byars, Melisa Chavez, Eve Copeland, Andrew Cunningham, Tristan Emm, Chad Ferguson, Oliviah Friedrich, Austen Henson, Summer Hill, Donald Hornback, Ava Jacobs, Carlo Jasso, Kaelynn Johnson, Lorelei Kashak, Josiah Kates, Blaze Kolesar, Scarlet Lesak, Kane Mccloskey, Mason Moore, Leander Pacelt, Corbin Palko, Brinda Patel, Aarion Peck, Alexandria Pedelty, Ryder Rafferty, Evelyn Rosenkranz, Ella Sharisky, Jacob Simmons, Sydnie Taylor, Benito Villalobos, Paloma Villalobos
Joseph Berg, Autumn Bridgeforth, Logan Cain, Terra Chapman, Ved Chaudhari, Sophia Chavez, Joannah Davis, Konner Dulabhan, Evelyn Duran, Joshue Duran, Kaybree Durham, Cutler Dutko, Bentley Fuentes, Weston Harlan, Emma Helgeson, Addison Henderson, Lilianna Hill, Rhea Huey, Damarcus Hunter, Rylee Jones, Elyssa Labra, Alana Law, Cecilia Lynch, Kenadi Manning, Brock Rexroad, Kelsey Robinson, Clayton Shinkey, Dominic Summers, Adrianna Tall, Alexis Thomas, Makayla Turner-Stitts
Audrey Baznik-Wilson, Savannah Bennett, Olivia Brandenburg, Kaiden Cooper McDonald, Kellen Gassman, Carter Heider, Alijah Henson, Brooklyn Jacobus, Somaya Kates, Elijah Milian, Cal Mital, William Overocker IV, Payten Plymire, Cadyn Treest, Ashton Turner, Andrew Yurkus
Fernando Alvarado, Penelope Biros, Aria Ceballos, Sophia Coss, Lailoni Davis, Jenna Decker, Bianca Duran, Arayah Durbin, Alexandria Edwards, Adrian Fowler, Wynter Glass, Andrew Gonzalez, Gabriel Green, Keith Gullens Jr., Leona Hall, Gunnar Kendall, Noah Kolojay, Kayla Longoria, Saraya Majercin, Graysen Mascote, Walter Moton IV, Sandra Nighswonger, Emmilee Osland, Lezly Rax Martinez, Carter Rodrick, Noah Serna, Jazlyen Thompson, Lorelei Vannote, Maysin Vargas
Silas Angelico, Addison Berg, Jade Carrillo, Taden Chapman, Savannah Davies, Kayleigh Devera, David Eichorn, Zadie Eplin, Ava Ferris, Kinsley Freeman, Izzabella Friedrich, Destin Goodrich, Eliza Greer, Charleigh Heilman, Davon Huber, Londen Huichapa, Amiyah Issa, Braison Kelly, Annalynn Kolesar, Serenity Krueger, Jaxon Lopeman, Kali Muncy, Keaton Oswald, Adam Phillips, Britton Risley, Rayland Rivers, Christoph Stawick, Journee Tall, Julian Urbano, Zander Yurich
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Smoke smolders from the roof of Harper’s Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Sheridan. The Illinois State Fire Marshal and La Salle County Sheriff’s Office were among the responders. (Scott Anderson)
A 78-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene of a commercial fire Tuesday afternoon in Sheridan.
Firefighters were dispatched at 12:57 p.m. Tuesday to Harper’s Towing, 2899 U.S. 52, for a structure fire. Newark Fire Department was first on scene.
La Salle County Coroner Rich Ploch reported at 6:13 p.m. that a 78-year-old man, a resident of that address, was pronounced dead. An autopsy is scheduled Thursday.
The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of his family.
Details on the source and cause of the fire are pending.
Newark Fire and EMS along with La Salle County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a fire at Harper’s Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Sheridan.
Smoke smolders from the roof of Harper’s Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Sheridan. (Scott Anderson)
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The Kennedy School Honors Programs were held May 15 and May 21 at the Spring Valley school. The following awards and honors were given: (Derek Barichello – dbarichello@shawmedia.com)
The Kennedy School Honors Programs were held May 15 and May 21 at the Spring Valley school. The following awards and honors were given:
20-years of service: Lynette Lucas
15-years of service: Brittany Toraason
10-years of service: Jim Eschenbaum, Amy Cacciatori, Nicki Anderson, Sara Green
5-years of service: Jessalyn Deserf, Emily Lesman, Pam Buettner, Brooke Jeppson, Adam Falkenhayn
Retirement: Jan Bartels, Jim and Mari Eschenbaum, Ed Nadolski
Entertainer of the Year: Ryan Milus
Tireless award: Jan Bartels
Motivator Award: Julie McDonald
School Spirit Award: Dan Kleinau
8th Grade Graduates: Emersyn Anderes, Jacob Andracke, Issac Bahena, Lily Barr, Zyler Calderon, Krillin Calkins, Natalia Campos, Marcos Castro-Yanez, Raul Chavez, Alex Chirchirillo, Erick Cortes, Joseph Dergance, Louis Dubberstine, Alyssa Edwards, Jordyn Edwards, Cameron Eimer, Antonio Flores, Monserrat Garcia, Jose Guerrero Garcia, Karson Hansen, Mason Hill, Halyna Hlushchuk, Jacki Humpage, Mason Keef, William Kelty, Anna Kitts, Kypton Ladgenski, Jasmine Lara, Aubrey LaVelle, Ayden Lesman, Charles Lewis, Aracely Lopez, Daisy Lopez, Ethan Luna, Keegan Marroquin, Mariah Mavis, Jax McInnes, Serena McKenzie, Addison Mercier, Aisha Montiel-Morales, Miguel Moreno, Lilian Palmieri, Christian Payan, Leah Pelka, Lily Pelka, Johana Perez, Jacalynn Qasem, Kayleigh Rafferty, Xavier Rodriguez, Viviana Santiago, Chloe Senders, Bryan Smith, Emma Spayer, Gianna Thompson, Jayla Turnage, Arianna Vera, Colten Wrona
Social Studies Student of the Year: Vivianna Santiago
Physical Education Student of the Year: Leah Pelka and Joseph Dergance
Language Arts Student of the Year:  Arianna Vera
Science Student of the Year:  Zyler Calderon
Mathematics Student of the Year: Cristian Payan
Scholastic Honor’s Award for graduates who maintained a 3.5 to 4.0 GPA: Emersyn Anderes, Lily Barr, Marcos Castro-Yanez, Louis Dubberstine, Alyssa Edwards, Jordyn Edwards, Monserrat Garcia, Karson Hansen, William Kelty, Anna Kitts, Ayden Lesman, Addison Mercier, Aisha Montiel-Moralez, Cristian Payan, Leah Pelka, Viviana Santiago, Arianna Vera
PBIS No Majors or Minor Behavior Infractions all 3-years of 6ththrough 8thgrades: Emersyn Anderes, Alyssa Edwards, Jordyn Edwards, Monserrat Garcia, Anna Kitts, Jax McInnes, Addison Mercier, Aisha Montiel-Morales, Cristian Payan, Viviana Santiago, Arianna Vera
John Ourth Principal Award: Ayden Lesman and Arianna Vera
Perfect Attendance:
Second grade: Ruby Messersmith
Fourth grade: Jerzee Biagioni and Paxton Saephan
Fifth grade: Payne Foster, Levi Graves, Kelly Lucas, Mia Ossola and Halleah Wallis
Sixth grade: Javier Hernandez Jr., Mekhi Saephan
Seventh grade: Madison Krewer
Baseball
Most Improved: Xavier Rodriguez
Heart and Hustle: Miles Ponce
MVP: Karson Hansen
Softball
Most Improved:Emersyn Andere
Heart and Hustle: Anna Kitts
MVP: Madison Krewer
Fifth grade girls basketball
Most Improved: Sofia Garcia-Guerrero
Heart and Hustle: CeCe Ferrari
MVP: Marleigh Gray
Sixth grade girls basketball
Most Improved: Sofia Loya
Heart and Hustle:  Miracle Wright
MVP:  Vivi Verucchi
Seventh grade girls basketball
Most Improved: Madison Krewer
Heart and Hustle: Grace Milton
MVP: Aubrie Pellegrini
Eighth grade girls basketball
Most Improved: Emersyn Anderes
Heart and Hustle: Anna Kitts
MVP: Leah Pelka
Fifth grade boys basketball
Most Improved: Cameron Novero
Heart and Hustle: Jett Ponsetti and Jose RIncon
MVP:  Drake Olson and Leo Curran
Sixth grade boys basketball
Most Improved: Mehki Saephan
Heart and Hustle: Camden Baracani
MVP: Mason Finn
Seventh grade boys basketball
Most Improved: Bryce Poole
Heart and Hustle: Miles Ponce
MVP: Gage Olson
Eighth grade boys basketball
Most Improved: Joey Dergance
Heart and Hustle: Ethan Luna
MVP:  Jacob Andracke
Sixth grade volleyball
Most Improved: Sofia Gonzalez and Keira Parker
Heart and Hustle: Vivi Verucchi
MVP: Brynn Pellegrini and Ava Crowther
Determination Award: Reese Baltikauski
Seventh grade volleyball
Most Improved: Kassie Rankin
Heart and Hustle: Gianna Bogatitus
MVP: Lena Vasic
Eighth grade volleyball
Most Improved: Anna Kitts
Heart and Hustle: Gianna Thompson
MVP: Natalia Campos
Seventh grade boys track
Most Improved: Bryce Poole
Heart and Hustle: Julius Flores and Oscar Flores
MVP: Sergio Penaloza-Morales
Seventh grade girls track
Most Improved: McKenna Biagioni
Heart and Hustle: Gianna Bogatitus
MVP: Vivianna Verucchi
Eighth grade boys track
Most Improved: Marcos Castro-Yanez
Heart and Hustle: Louis Dubberstein
MVP: Ethan Luna
Eighth grade girls track
Most Improved: Kayleigh Rafferty
Heart and Hustle: Leah Pelka
MVP: Natalia Campos
Scholastic Bowl
MVP: Will Kelty
Most Improved:Marcos Castro-Yanez
Cheerleading
Most Improved: Kayleigh Rafferty
Heart and Hustle: Lily Barr
MVP: Johanna Perez
Male Eighth Grade Athlete of the Year: Cameron Eimer
Female Eighth Grade Athlete of the Year: Leah Pelka
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The Princeton City Council weighed in Jan. 20 on a Bureau County Board item to house inmates from Cook County, with each council member saying they opposed the idea. (Jayce Eustice)
The Princeton City Council weighed in Jan. 20 on a Bureau County Board item to house inmates from Cook County, with each council member saying they opposed the idea.
Mayor Ray Mabry brought up to the council that the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office is considering housing up to 50 Cook County inmates at the jail in Princeton as a way to generate revenue and keep the jail fully functioning.
“I’ve had a number of residents approach me and say it’s not a good idea, and I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Mabry said. “I’ll say that in fairness to the County Board they’ve tabled this to the next meeting and I’ll be attending that meeting listening and learning.”
Council member Hector Gomez said he attended the Jan. 14 County Board meeting and he wasn’t concerned about the inmates, which he said would be secure in the jail, but any visitors who would come to Princeton to see the inmates.
Council members Jerry Neumann, Michael McCall and Martin Makransky said they spoke to residents not in favor of it, and added that they also were not in favor of the idea.
The discussions is scheduled to resume at a Bureau County Board committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 5. The Bureau County Board sets policy for the jail. The Princeton City Council has no jurisdiction over it.
Sheriff Jim Reed recommended the board postpone final action to study the issue more closely – and to sift through social media feedback that he said was misguided and inaccurate.
Besides bringing in revenue, Reed said additional inmates would be welcome because the Bureau County Jail needs to be occupied and used lest it fall into disrepair. Similarly, the county has entered into food and service contracts and risks losing money by not keeping the daily census afloat.
Leasing overflow space to overcrowded jails is an arrangement that has worked for La Salle County. Jason Edgcomb, superintendent of La Salle County Jail, said intergovernmental agreements with other counties have generated needed revenue. Cook County alone brings in about $15,000 a month and the arrangement has not led to any issues, he said. If it were to enter into an agreement, Bureau County would receive $65 per day for each inmate it accepts.
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Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Princeton High School junior Ellen Workman reads an essay about the life and lasting impact of Martin Luther King Jr. during the Monday, Jan. 20, 2024, City Council meeting. (Derek Barichello)
Princeton High School junior Ellen Workman read an essay about the life and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Jan. 20 Princeton City Council meeting.
Princeton Mayor Ray Mabry said he asked Princeton High School if a student would want to highlight King with the City Council meeting falling on the holiday in honor of the Civil Rights leader. Workman volunteered.
She highlighted how King’s work had lasting effects on Civil Rights.
“King was truly dedicated to the fight for equal rights,” she said to the council. “He wanted people to not form opinions of others not based on the color of their skin, but based on their kindness.”
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