Author: princetonmays

Hunters in Illinois garnered 54,661 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois firearm deer season between Nov. 22-24. (Mark Busch)
Hunters in Illinois garnered 54,661 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois firearm deer season between Nov. 22 and 24.
Comparatively, hunters took 53,348 and 52,354 deer during the first firearm weekends in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Although hunting numbers were up across the state, deer taken in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties was lower than the previous year. There were 628 deer hunted in Bureau County, 392 in La Salle County, 229 in Putnam County and 462 in Marshall County. Those totals are 107 less in La Salle County than the previous year, 67 less in Bureau County and 15 less in Putnam County. There were 33 more deer taken in Marshall County than the previous year.
Illinois’ seven-day firearm deer season will conclude Dec. 8.
Remaining 2024-25 deer-hunting opportunities in Illinois include muzzleloader-only deer season from Dec. 13 to 15, and late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease deer seasons in select counties only from Dec. 26 to 29 and Jan. 17 to 19.
Archery deer season continues through Jan. 19. Archery deer hunting is closed Dec. 5 to 8 in counties open for firearm deer season.
For information, visit dnr.illinois.gov/hunting.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Eagle Watch Weekend and Penguin Plunge highlight a weekend of activities in the Illinois Valley that include some Valentine's Day themed activities.
Got a news tip? Email ntnewsroom@shawmedia.com
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Illinois Grand Lodge elected Ray Jackson of Ottawa Lodge 41 as its grand master of the Illinois Odd Fellows. (Photo provided by Ray Jackson)
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Illinois Grand Lodge elected Ray Jackson of Ottawa Lodge 41 as its grand master of the Illinois Odd Fellows.
Jackson, a local philanthropist, said he is proud of his organization.
“We have 49 lodges located all over the state,” Jackson said. “We have been in Illinois helping the sick and suffering, since 1836. The Lodge in Ottawa was chartered in 1848 and is still today a major contributor to the areas children, families and individuals that are struggling.”
Ottawa Lodge 41 is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, charitable organization that is open to members of all genders and race. The Lodge meets at 1660 N. 2501st Road, Ottawa (across from Pine Hils Golf Course) at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays. The public is welcome.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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As wind chills dipped well below zero Monday night, Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer was pleased to report to the City Council a warming center recently was opened in Princeton for people who do not have a place to sleep at night. (Monica Synett)
As wind chills dipped well below zero Monday night, Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer was pleased to report to the City Council a warming center recently opened in Princeton for people who do not have a place to sleep at night.
The warming center opened 10 days ago at the Arukah Living Room site on Route 26. It operates from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., providing a cot, a snack and a beverage to those who need it.
Last winter, Arukah housed 37 people throughout the winter, Kammerer told the council in December.
Mayor Ray Mabry thanked Arukah, the Princeton Ministerial Association, Kammerer and other volunteers for their efforts in getting the warming center off the ground. The effort has been in the works for more than a year, as the closest homeless shelter to Princeton is in Peru. The mayor said the warming center is helping Bureau County residents have a warm and safe place to stay through the winter.
Mabry said the warming center is looking for volunteers. Those who want to volunteer can call Tammy at 815-866-9557. Two to four people are needed per night, working shifts 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and 2 to 7 a.m.
In December, Kammerer said 28 volunteers from the community received training to staff the warming center. The eight-hour training class educated volunteers on mental health, terminology and safety, among other topics, he said.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Millstone Bakery co-owner Kent Maze displays examples of the artisan breads created at the bakery in La Salle, singled out for recognition by Illinois Made. The bakery’s owners also were recently interviewed to be featured in a PBS program. (Ryan Searl – rsearl@shawmedia.com)
Millstone Bakery in La Salle is getting more statewide publicity.
The bakery, recently recognized by Gov. JB Pritzker’s Illinois Made Program, will be featured on PBS’ “You Gotta See This” series, which highlights businesses.
Bakery owners Erin and Kent Maze were interviewed for the program.
“We love talking breads, pastries and coffee, and showcasing our amazing team,” according to a post on Millstone Bakery’s Facebook page. “Stay tuned for details about when [the PBS program] airs.”
Millstone opened in downtown La Salle in 2022 and was named part of the Illinois Made Program in November. Additionally, one of its bakers, Anna Harmon, was selected as a finalist in the Greatest Baker competition, an event featuring the best bakers from across the U.S.
The program is expected to air in January, but the exact date and time is not yet known.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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During the winter months, about 3,000 bald eagles (once considered endangered) swoop into the Illinois Valley's relatively unfrozen waterways for fish.
Got a news tip? Email ntnewsroom@shawmedia.com
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Illinois Grand Lodge elected Ray Jackson of Ottawa Lodge 41 as its grand master of the Illinois Odd Fellows. (Photo provided by Ray Jackson)
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Illinois Grand Lodge elected Ray Jackson of Ottawa Lodge 41 as its grand master of the Illinois Odd Fellows.
Jackson, a local philanthropist, said he is proud of his organization.
“We have 49 lodges located all over the state,” Jackson said. “We have been in Illinois helping the sick and suffering, since 1836. The Lodge in Ottawa was chartered in 1848 and is still today a major contributor to the areas children, families and individuals that are struggling.”
Ottawa Lodge 41 is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, charitable organization that is open to members of all genders and race. The Lodge meets at 1660 N. 2501st Road, Ottawa (across from Pine Hils Golf Course) at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays. The public is welcome.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Old No. 3 Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at the corner of Franklin and Church streets in South Streator. The historic church will open for a special Christmas Eve service. (Photo provided by Charlene Arendt)
Streator’s historic Old No. 3 church will open for a special Christmas Eve service.
The service is planned for 1 p.m. at the church located on the corner of Franklin and Church streets in South Streator.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church was established by Slovak immigrants in 1884 and is considered the first Slovak Lutheran church in America. Worship services were in Slovak, at that time. Old No. 3 was completed in 1894. The church was built near the Chicago, Wilmington & Vermilion Coal Co. mine No. 3. The mine operated from 1884 through 1896.
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Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Illinois Valley Community College’s Oglesby and Ottawa Center campuses will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, out of an abundance of caution because of the predicted dangerously cold temperatures (Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com)
Illinois Valley Community College’s Oglesby and Ottawa Center campuses will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, out of an abundance of caution because of the predicted dangerously cold temperatures, the school said Monday.
Students should check Brightspace for any additional class-specific information.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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As wind chills dipped well below zero Monday night, Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer was pleased to report to the City Council a warming center recently was opened in Princeton for people who do not have a place to sleep at night. (Monica Synett)
As wind chills dipped well below zero Monday night, Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer was pleased to report to the City Council a warming center recently opened in Princeton for people who do not have a place to sleep at night.
The warming center opened 10 days ago at the Arukah Living Room site on Route 26. It operates from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., providing a cot, a snack and a beverage to those who need it.
Last winter, Arukah housed 37 people throughout the winter, Kammerer told the council in December.
Mayor Ray Mabry thanked Arukah, the Princeton Ministerial Association, Kammerer and other volunteers for their efforts in getting the warming center off the ground. The effort has been in the works for more than a year, as the closest homeless shelter to Princeton is in Peru. The mayor said the warming center is helping Bureau County residents have a warm and safe place to stay through the winter.
Mabry said the warming center is looking for volunteers. Those who want to volunteer can call Tammy at 815-866-9557. Two to four people are needed per night, working shifts 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and 2 to 7 a.m.
In December, Kammerer said 28 volunteers from the community received training to staff the warming center. The eight-hour training class educated volunteers on mental health, terminology and safety, among other topics, he said.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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