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Daniel Crowe is sworn in as a full-time firefighter and EMT of the Princeton Fire Department by City Manager Theresa Wittenauer on Monday, May 20, 2024, at the Princeton Fire Department. (Derek Barichello)
Daniel Crowe has always known he wanted a job that keeps him on his toes. Being a full-time firefighter and EMT at the Princeton Fire Department will do just that.
Crowe was sworn in Monday by City Manager Theresa Wittenauer to become a full-time member of the Princeton Fire Department.
“I also think it is awesome to give back to the community,” said Crowe, who was born and raised in Princeton.
After attending the Princeton Fire Academy, Crowe worked as a part-time firefighter since joining in the fall of 2022. He took the firefighters’ test in February and made the list of top candidates. Crowe said he’ll continue his training on the job, attending paramedic school and engineering classes with the goal of becoming a paramedic.
Fire Chief Scott Etheridge said he and his colleagues could tell Crowe was interested to see what the job was all about.
“You will learn everyday,” Etheridge said. “Take advantage of those educational opportunities.”
Etheridge also advised Crowe to remember Monday’s swearing in, especially the excitement of the day 10 to 15 years down the road.
“Treat every shift like it is your first,” Etheridge said. “This is the greatest job in the world.”
New full-time Princeton firefighter and EMT Daniel Crowe is congratulated by Fire Chief Scott Etheridge following his oath as his parents Mary Beth and Dr. Kurt applaud Monday, May 20, 2024, at the Princeton Fire Department. (Derek Barichello)
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Peru Police officer Bill Sommer poses for a photo on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at the City of Peru Safety Complex. (Scott Anderson)
La Salle County authorities have named the La Salle man killed when his electric bicycle was struck by a vehicle Friday on May Road in Peru.
Eric L. Mora-Nieto, 33, of La Salle was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:09 a.m. April 11 at 1202 May Road, Peru, just east of the Four Star Family Restaurant, the La Salle County Coroner’s Office said in a news release issued Monday.
The coroner’s office said Mora-Nieto was riding an electric bike on the roadway when he was struck from behind by a motor vehicle. A forensic investigative autopsy was conducted Saturday with preliminary results indicating he died of fatal injuries as a result of the crash.
The incident is under further investigation by the La Salle County Coroner’s Office, the Peru Police Department and the Illinois State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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File photo: The Michigan MOMsemble from when it presented ‘I saw mommy freaking out about Christmas’ featuring Festival 56′s very own Laura Brigham. (Photo provided by Brian Harper)
Day Jones interviews Laura Brigham and Sarah Smith of the Michigan MOMsemble. They have performances of their show “Buckle Up” this Friday (5/2) and Saturday (5/3) at Festival 56 in Princeton.
Like what you hear? Be sure to check out the Q Hit Music Shaw Local Radio website here.
Listen to this interview on Spotify here.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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FILE – “I Voted” stickers rest on a ballot machine at a voting site in Ottawa. (Scott Anderson)
Voters in La Salle and Bureau counties this election determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.
Tuesday marked the last day mail-in ballots had to arrive at county clerk’s offices and still be counted. Provisional ballots also had to be addressed by that time.
Totals for all counties will be made official next week after they are canvassed.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The following property transfers were recorded Feb. 18 through Feb. 28 at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office. (BCR file)
The following property transfers were recorded Feb. 18 through Feb. 28 at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office:
Allyssa and Christopher Burk to Benjamin Potts, warranty deed, part of Lot 23 in Bass Second Addition in Malden, $143,000.
Gemma Lehn, Jim Lehn, Dean Soldati and Mary Soldati to Ladd Elevator Company, warranty deed, part of Section 3 in Hall Township, $149,490.
Mackenzie Rollo to Heather Nord, warranty deed, part of Lot 18 in Gibon’s Addition in Wyanet, $108,000.
Kathryn Telfer (tr) and Robert Telfer Trust to Amie and Milton Neiman, trustees’ deed, Lot 6 in Liberty Village in Princeton, $330,000.
Robert Westphal to Dennis Parochetti, warranty deed, part of Section 29 in Hall Township and part of Section 20 in Hall Township, $400,000.
Eric Lawson to Mary and Quentin Zittle, warranty deed, part of Lot 5 in Block 1 in Homeway Second Addition in Walnut, $37,000.
Jo and Susan Thompson to Gabriel Thompson, warranty deed, part of Section 9 in Princeton Township, $110,000.
Erin Gorman Shore, Brooke Gorman and Matthew Shore to Paula Morrow and Kent Rosenkotter, warranty deed, Lot 211 in Greencroft Section 2 in Princeton, $215,000.
Donald King, Dee Ann McCune (AIF), Dee Ann McCune and Harry McCune to Bartlett Grain Company LP, warranty deed, parts of Section 3 in Concord Township and parts of Section 10 in Concord Township, $4,192,560.
Ronald Piper to Kill Fish Enterprises LLC, warranty deed, Lot 16 in Block 2 and part of Lot 17 in Block 2 in Manlius, $50,000.
Cody Hrabak to Kimberly and Reid Hrabak, warranty deed, part of Section 30 in Bureau Township, $430,894.79.
Arnis and Julie Stubis to Tommy Dietz, warranty deed, parts of Section 8 in Walnut Township, $62,000.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company to Adam and Matthew Sondgeroth, warranty deed, parts of Section 23 in Clarion Township, $217,800.
Michael Weygand to Juan Carlos Raya, warranty deed, Lot 16 in Block 5 and part of Lot 17 in Block 5 in Riva’s First Addition in Dalzell, $108,000.
Barbara Hansen (decd) and Karin Hansen (ex) to Karin Hansen, executor deed, part of Lot 97 in Princeton, $55,000.
Arthur Hartzell (decd), Donna Pourchot and Andrew Russell (adm) to Janelle and Joseph McCarter, administrator’s deed, Lot 3 in Malden, $45,000.
Michelle Mosier to Kay Taylor, warranty deed, Lot 5 in Philbrook and Pomeroy Subdivision in Princeton, $84,000.
Gerald Wright (tr), Mary Wright (tr), Gerald Wright Trust and Mary Wright Trust to Donald King, Dee Ann McCune and Harry McCune, trustees’ deed, parts of Section 5 in Manlius Township and parts of Section 6 in Manlius Township, $666,794.70.
Lois Swanson to Donald King, Dee Ann McCune and Harry McCune, warranty deed, parts of Section 5 in Manlius Township and parts of Section 6 in Manlius Township, $1,353,795.30.
Jennifer Flemming (adm), Michael Piper (adm) and Edwin Piper (decd) to Laura Bird and Joel Dickinson, administrator’s deed, part of Section 12 in Dover Township and part of Section 1 in Dover Township, $80,000.
James and Virginia Lovejoy to Janelle and Joseph McCarter, warranty deed, Lots 9, 10 and 11 in Elliott’s Addition of Lot 117 in Princeton, $50,000.
Andrew Russell (adm) and Robert Stanton (decd) to Donna Stanton, administrator’s deed, parts of Section 31 in Hall Township, $200,000.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The following property transfers were recorded June 1-15, 2024, at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office. (BCR file)
The following property transfers were recorded June 1-15, 2024, at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office:

June 3
Lise Owens to Douglas Moore, warranty deed, part of Section 29 in Dover Township, $385,000.
Halcyon Faber (decd), Ellen Stouffer (ex) and William Stouffer (ex) to Anne and Arnold Faber, executor deed, parts of Section 9 in Princeton Township, $641,000.
Halcyon Faber (decd), Ellen Stouffer (ex) and William Stouffer (ex) to Leonora and Mark Geuther, executor deed, parts of Section 13 in LaMoille Township, $188,700.
Kip and Trudy Sleaford to Charles and Teresa Buysse, warranty deed, parts of Section 24 in Mineral Township, $456,000.
Rebecca Green to Eric Jackson, warranty deed, part of Lot 2 and part of Lot 3 in Block 8 in Wyanet, $115,000.
Joseph McCarter to Madison Clowers and Gage Glazebrook, joint tenancy deed, Lot 9 in Block 2 in Backstrand’s Addition in Princeton, $135,000.

June 5
Oscar Rodriguez and Kylie Whightsil to Luciana Ortaga, warranty deed, Lot 13 in Block 129 in Greenwood’s Addition in Spring Valley, $103,000.
Shawn and Steve Lewis to April Buchanan and Adam Odell, warranty deed, part of Lot 1 in Stoner’s Second Addition in Princeton, $82,000.
Betty Stout and Vicky Thiel (POA) to Lennie Strong, warranty deed, parts of Section 32 in Wheatland Township, $15,000.
Mary and Steven Heward to Kristine and Roger DeBrock, joint tenancy deed, Lot 4 in Block 4 in Manlius, $20,000.

June 6
Ruth Schupp (decd) and Gary Schupp to Hayden Hughes, warranty deed, part of Section 26 in Milo Township, $140,000.

June 7
Mark Warren to Ceer LLC, warranty deed, part of Lot 4 and part of Lot 5 in Block 4 in Bodley and Wilson Addition in Princeton, $72,500.
Janet and Reid Hart to Enrique Berryhill, warranty deed, Lots 1 and 2 in Block 1 in Brookies’ First Addition in Seatonville, Lots 1 and 2 in Block 6 in Brookies’ First Addition in Seatonville and Lot 14 in Block 1 in Brookies’ First Addition in Seatonville, $90,000.
Barbara Swalve Everett and Richard Everett to Stacy Jarigese, warranty deed, part of Lot 11 and part of Lot 13 in Miles Subdivision in Princeton, $100,000.

June 10
Susan Orlandi to Mary Bartoli, warranty deed, Lot 13 in Block 3 in Johnson Subdivision in Spring Valley, $140,000.
Matthew Melland and Heather Mitchener to Susan Orlandi, warranty deed, part of Section 22 in Hall Township, $379,500.
Janice and Justin Walters to Linda Dodge, warranty deed, Lot 18 in Hallam’s Addition in Princeton, $180,000.

June 11
Rebecca Bowers to Aaron Wetzell, warranty deed, part of Section 26 in Fairfield Township, $175,000.

June 12
David and Karen Bejster to Taliani Developments LLC, warranty deed, Lot 11 in Block 86 in O’Beirne’s Second Addition in Spring Valley, $54,000.
Barbara Sawitoski Estate and Joseph Sawitoski (ex) to Eric Droysen and Kimberly Panatera Droysen, executor deed, part of Section 16 and parts of Section 21 in Dover Township, $400,000.
Adam and Katrina Graff to Beverly Powers, warranty deed, Lot 13 in Block 10 and part of Lot 12 in Block 10 in Union Addition in Princeton, $170,000.

June 13
Hometown National Bank (tr) and Raymond Kunkel Living Trust to Maribel Luna, trustees’ deed, Lot 5 in Block 54 in Spring Valley, $8,000.
Todd Marselle to Jacqueline Neahring, warranty deed, Lot 21 in L.J. Conner’s Addition in Princeton. $145,000.

June 14, 2024
Alora Zigler to Jessica Dempsey and William Osborne, warranty deed, Lot 18 in Spring Creek Addition in Ladd, $300,000.
Gerald and Patricia Favero to John and Sarah French, warranty deed, Lot 10 in O’Beirne’s Third Addition in Spring Valley, $50,000.
John Johnson to Erin and Robert Boseo, warranty deed, Lot 150 in Elston’s Addition in Princeton, $217,000.
Donald Gibson to Malden Ministorage LLC, warranty deed, part of Lot 1 and part of Lot 2 in Railroad Subdivision (Lots 1-19) in Malden, $75,000.
Kenneth Brooks (adm) and Marilyn Brooks (decd) to Johanna and Robert Wagner, administrator’s deed, Lot 114 in Greencroft Sec 1 in Princeton, $179,500.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Dozens of high school and college artists displayed their works at the annual Illinois Valley Community College Art Show April 7-18. Ribbons were awarded for best works, and high school seniors and college students could earn scholarships or tuition waivers. (Photo provided by Peggy Schneider)
La Salle–Peru and Serena high school students took home blue ribbons from the Illinois Valley Community College Art Show, which completed its two-week display of college and high school artwork on April 18.
The April 11 awards reception drew a “fantastic turnout” of both high school and IVCC students with their friends and family, mentors and teachers, said art instructor Shannon Slaight.
More than ribbons were at stake. Students could receive scholarships or tuition waivers to the IVCC art program.
Madison Brooker’s “Bottle Study” got the popular nod. The Serena High student’s color pencil rendering was named the People’s Choice.
Jasmine Arce of L-P High School was awarded a full-year tuition waiver to IVCC. The tuition waiver is awarded to a high school senior who displays strong work.
L-P High School’s Jay McConnell received a Best in 2-D blue ribbon for a work in ink, and Kaylee Stoner received a Best in 3-D blue ribbon for her work in clay.
College student Danica Scoma was awarded the Gerrard Fine Arts Scholarship. Scoma submitted a variety of pieces and an essay for consideration for the scholarship. Her portfolio included a sculpture titled “Are You Listening?” that also received the Best in 3-D (College) award.
IVCC’s Kimberly Beebee received the blue ribbon for Best in 2-D (College) for her drawing in pastels of “The Farm That Time Forgot.”
College students Courtney Bailey and Chloe Bruce received Special Collections Art Department Purchasing Awards for Bailey’s “Reflections” and Bruce’s “A View from the Roundabout.” Special Collections pieces are purchased by the department to be part of a permanent display here at IVCC.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Three people were injured, one critically, following a multi-vehicle crash Tuesday on Route 71 near Hank’s Farm restaurant in Ottawa. The crash pulled away some first responders tending to a fire.
Three people were injured, one critically, in a multivehicle crash Tuesday on Route 71 near Hank’s Farm restaurant in Ottawa. The crash pulled away some first responders tending to a residential fire.
At 5:08 p.m. Tuesday, while actively working a structure fire at 1617 Sycamore St., some Ottawa fire crews were diverted to the Route 71 crash, which involved a car fire and a trapped driver. Mutual aid was sought for both responses.
Ottawa firefighters arrived at the crash scene at 5:12 p.m. to find bystanders had already helped the trapped driver escape from the burning vehicle.
It was determined that three vehicles were involved in the crash, with two having collided head-on. One of the vehicles had moderate fire in the engine compartment, which was quickly extinguished by responding crews. A medical helicopter initially was requested to the scene. However, because of wind conditions and a delayed estimated time of arrival, it was redirected to meet ambulance crews at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.
Three individuals were taken to the hospital. An additional person was evaluated at the scene but declined further medical treatment or transport.
Route 71 remained closed for several hours to allow for an investigation by the Ottawa Police Department.
Ottawa first responders were assisted by Illinois State Police, the Wallace Fire Department and the Marseilles Area Ambulance Service.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Ottawa City Council held a special meeting Tuesday at City Hall, where commissioners approved a two-year consulting agreement with Retail Strategies to help attract new retail and commercial development. (Derek Barichello)
The Ottawa City Council approved a two-year consulting services agreement with Retail Strategies, a firm that works with cities nationwide to attract new commercial and retail businesses.
Mayor Robb Hasty said the move is part of the city’s ongoing effort to grow its retail base and better market Ottawa’s strengths to national and regional businesses.
“Everyone jokes about wanting a Chick-fil-A or a Popeyes, but this is one of the ways you actually go about making those things happen.”
The city previously partnered with a different consulting firm over the past three years, but Hasty said both city officials and residents were underwhelmed by the results.
“We think the community probably wasn’t too satisfied with them either,” Hasty said. “We’ve had a lot of good conversations with Retail Strategies. They’ve worked with companies we’ve had good luck with in the past, so we’re giving them a two-year opportunity.”
Hasty said Retail Strategies will act as a representative for the city, pitching Ottawa to potential retailers and highlighting local amenities, demographics and development opportunities.
“It’s the kind of work that can help attract anything from department stores and restaurants to big-box retailers,” he said. “Everyone jokes about wanting a Chick-fil-A or a Popeyes, but this is one of the ways you actually go about making those things happen.”
Retail Strategies also has connections with other firms already working on planning and development in Ottawa, which Hasty said will help streamline communication and goals across projects.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Hennepin Park District is having three sessions of Red Cross Swimming Lessons this summer. (Shaw Local News Network)
The Hennepin Park District is having three sessions of Red Cross Swimming Lessons this summer.
Each session will be two weeks long. There will be six levels of swimming ability.
Level 1 is the beginning class and participants have to be 5 years old by Sept. 1 and at least 42 inches tall to join this class. The morning sessions will run 40-minute classes Monday through Friday. The night session will run 50-minute classes Monday through Thursday.
The first session is from June 16 to June 27. The times are from 9 to 9:40 a.m., 9:50 to 10:30 a.m. and 10:40 to 11:20 a.m.
The second session is from July 7 to 18. The times are from 9 to 9:40 a.m., 9:50 to 10:30 a.m. and 10:40 to 11:20 a.m.
The third is the night session, from July 21 to 31. The times are from 5 to 5:50 p.m., 6 to 6:50 p.m.
Registration for these sessions will start 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8. Come in person to register at the Hennepin Pool, 326 S. Milan St. The cost of the lessons is $35 a child. Hennepin and Hennepin Township residents are free. Standard and Magnolia residents will pay $17.50 a session. The Hennepin Pool accepts cash or check.
Session Capacities will be limited to 24 students per time slot. Sign up for a second session beginning three days before the start date of the session.
For information, contact the Hennepin Pool at 815-925-7319 or hennepinparkdistrict@mchsi.com.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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