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Due to the warmer temperatures forecasted for next week, the Princeton High School summer cross country conditioning will be switching to morning runs for the week.
They will be meeting at 8:30 a.m. in front of PHS on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
The 2024 Homestead Festival Car Show was conducted Sept. 8 in Princeton. (Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver Shaw Media )
The 2024 Homestead Festival Car Show was conducted Sept. 8 in Princeton.
Organizer Don Saletzki shared the results.
Mike Peterson of Port Byron was named Mayors Choice winner with a 1972 Chevrolet K-20, Larry Kohr of La Salle the Steering Committee Choice winner with a 1971 VW Super Bettle convertible and Ron Bernard of Marseilles won the Bill Wirges Craftsman Award with a 1959 Studebaker Silver Hawk.
The other winners include:
First Bill Duncan, Sterling, 1959 Chevrolet Impala
Second John and Becky Kehoe, Mendota, 1930 Ford Model A Coupe
Third Steve Kazenske, LeClaire, 1956 Buick Roadmaster
First Larry Roth, Colona, 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396
Second Jim Knight, Ashton, 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Third Bill Sherman, Peru, 1962 Pontiac Gran Prix
First Bud and Kim Cruse, Dixon, 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Second Mike Tara, Tiskilwa, 1970 Ford Mustang
Third Rick Robinson, Davenport, 1972 Dodge Challenger
First Keith and Teresa Haga, Galva, 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
Second Maurice Zimmerlein, Sublete, 1984 Chevrolet ElCamino
Third Doug and Julie Burcham, Spring Valley, 1987 Chevrolet Camaro Iroc Z28
First Drea Sluis, Henry, 2014 Dodge Viper SRT
Second Bob Cullers, Kewanee, 1993 Chevrolet Indy Pace car
Third Mike and Nancy Nieslawski, LaSalle, 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
First Jim Reynolds, Streator, 2017 Dodge Challenger T/A
Second Julie Vocke, Sheffield, 2018 Dodge Charger Daytona
Third Steve and Pam Jansen, Machesney Park, 2023 Dodge Charger Wide Body
First Walt Brandt, Sterling, 1967 Olds 442
Second Linda, John and Dana Glenn, Port Byron, 1963 Chevrolet Nova II
Third Diz Demes, La Salle, 1954 Chevrolet Pro Street Pickup
First Larry Evoskis, Spring Valley, 1966 Chevrolet Corvette L72
Second Keith Smith, La Moille, 1961 Chevrolet Corvette
Third Craig Jenkins, Clinton, 1979 Chevrolet Corvette L82
First Bill Garthe, Peru, 1980 Datsun 280 ZX
Second Karl Wollerman, Sheffield, 1987 Mitsubishi Conquest
Third Martin Garcia, Dekalb, 2015 Nissan 370Z Nismo
First Lauria Bass, Fulton, 1929 Ford Roadster
Second Kenny and Nancy Rollins, Altona, 1938 Cadillac 60 Special
Third Mike Salsman, Princeton, 1933 Ford 3-Window
First Tom Danhof, Sparling, 1956 Chevrolet 210
Second Randy Etheridge, Tampico, 1934 Chevrolet 2-dr Sedan
Third Ron Bernard, Marseilles, 1959 Studebaker Silver Hawk
First Rita and Steve Salsman, Tiskilwa, 1965 Mercury Cyclone
Second Ed Johnson, Peoria, 1962 Chevrolet Impala
Third Randy Regan, LaSalle, 1965 Pontiac Tempest custom
First Joe Ludwig, Rock Falls, 1966 Dodge Coronet 500
Second Ted and Sharon Mochel, Princeton, 1969 Chevrolet Malibu conv
Third Dennis Gaylord, Oregon, 1967 Chevrolet Biscayne
First Jim Fusinetti, Spring Valley, 1972 Olds Cutlass S
Second Chris and Kathy Gomes, Lafayette, 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
Third Todd Obenhaus, Princeton 1970 Plymouth Satellite
First Thomas Danhof, Coal Valley, 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Second Phil Conkling, Princeton, 1986 Ford Thunderbird
First Randy and Pam Spencer, Streator, 2004 Ford Mustang Cobra
Second Trevon Spencer, Princeton, 2003 Ford Mustang Cobra
Third Kory Rokey, Princeton, 1993 Ford Mustang GT
First Brennen Bolt, Spring Valley, 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker
Second Mark Bryan, Peru, 2012 Ford Mustang GT
Third Dustin Schaill, Wyanet, 2022 Dodge Challenger
First Kenny and Shirley Lewis, Dunlap, 1979 Chevrolet Suburban and camper
Second Rod Majchrzak, Henry, 1955 Ford F-100
Third Jerry Krause, Kewanee, 1933 Ford 2-Dr Sedan
First Tyler Thompson, Princeton, 1946 Willys CJ
Second Andrea Williams, Thomson, 2015 Jeep Wrangler
Third Joe Johnson, Princeton, 2009 Jeep Wrangler
First Gary Daniel, Peoria, 1954 Chevrolet COE
Second Linda Grimes, Colona, 1955 Chevrolet C-3100
Third Linda Denhof, Sparling, 1949 Chevrolet 3100
First Mike Peterson, Port Byron, 1972 Chevrolet K-20
Second Remy Vocke, Sheffield, 1985 Chevrolet Scottsdale
Third Russ Shuck, Dixon, 1974 Ford Bronco
First Bill Squires, Princeton, 1964 Int’l C-1200 3/4 Ton Pickup
Second Larry and Veronica Piper, Princeton, 1975 Chevrolet 3100
Third Don Adcock, Abingdon, 1975 Chevrolet El Camino Conquista
First Dalen Fillenwarth, Princeton, 1971 Plymouth Barracuda
Second Charlie Ortiz, Princeton, 1954 Chevrolet Belair
Third Johnny Spellman, Dixon, 1937 Chevrolet Coupe
First Kyle Jackson, Princeton, 1941 Chevrolet Pickup
Second Doug Bass, Fulton, 1951 Ford Victoria
Third Josh Martinez, DePue, 1949 Ford F-1
First Brian Walters, Princeton, 2005 Harley Fat Boy
Second Dan Sluis, Henry, 2013 Harley Road King
Third Shawn Nelson, Henry, 2018 Harley Street Glide special
First Korey Rokey, Princeton, 2013 Harley Street Glide
Second Bob Shaffer, Illinois City, 2006 Harley Street Glide
Third Doug and Jackie Wyman, Kewanee, 1987 Honda Goldwing Trike
First Steve Gross, Princeton, 1955 Harley Servi-Car
Second John Shofner, Tiskilwa, 1970 Kawasaki Bushmaster G3TR
Third Dave Both, Princeton, 1949 Indian Arrow
First Trevon Spencer, Princeton, 2013 Harley Sportster
Second Kevin Baumgartner, Princeton, 2012 Harley Heritage Softtail
First Kyle Jackson, Princeton, 1980 Kawasaki K2
Second Trevon Spencer, Princeton, 1967 Kawasaki F2
Third John Shofner, Tiskilwa, 1977 BMW R75/7
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
One person died in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 80 on Sunday morning near Peru, according to the Illinois State Police. (Scott Anderson)
One person died in a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning on Interstate 80 near Peru, according to the Illinois State Police.
The ISP was called to I-80 west of Plank Road at 10:18 a.m. Sunday for a report of a single-vehicle fatal crash.
ISP Sergeant Albert-Lopez said a preliminary investigation indicates a vehicle left the roadway and struck the concrete embankment. One person died at the scene and one person was taken to an area hospital, according to the ISP.
All I-80 westbound traffic was being diverted off at Plank Road, Albert-Lopez said, as ISP troopers respond to the crash.
An investigation is ongoing.
• This is a developing story.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Prescribed fire is among the topics at The Prairie Habitat Tour: 2024 Landowner Event is scheduled 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, at Warnecke Woods, County Road 1835 North, Princeton. (Michael Krabbenhoeft)
The Prairie Habitat Tour: 2024 Landowner Event is scheduled 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, at Warnecke Woods, County Road 1835 North, Princeton.
Learn about the history of Warnecke Woods and how to manage upland habitat. Topics will include herbaceous weed identification and control, woody weed control, prescribed fire, wildlife and environmental benefits, plant identification and funding opportunities for landowners.
Coffee and doughnuts will be provided courtesy of the Bureau County Pheasants Forever Chapter. Experts speaking at the event will be from the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, as well as the Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation District.
This is a free event of the Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation District but RSVP is required. Contact the Bureau County SWCD at 815-875-8732, ext. 3 or email ashley.aber@il.nacdnet.net with any questions.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
More proprietor Jen McMullen (left) and staff members Sarah Gierden, Shae Mason, Elle Muntz and Mary Domoleczny stand ready to serve the cafe’s customers at 818 La Salle Street in Ottawa on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Charlie Ellerbrock)
Shopping in downtown Ottawa and it’s time to look for some breakfast or lunch, maybe a nice hot or old coffee drink followed by a sweet treat or two?
Don’t settle for less. Look for More.
More, the Ottawa version of the popular Streator cafe and coffee shop More on Main, is open for business and already is thriving from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday in its new Ottawa location at 818 La Salle St.
Like its namesake in Streator, the Ottawa cafe sports menus that include breakfast burritos, bagels, paninis and a variety of other items and for lunch salads, sandwiches, soups and assorted extras, all accompanied by a long list of coffees and other hot and cold drinks.
There are rotating schedules of drink specials, salad specials and soup of the day specials for each day of the week, for example Tuesday is the day for creamy chicken and mushroom soup and a broccoli salad, while Saturday you’ll find a roasted sweet potato salad and a stuffed pepper soup.
Though right now More is on the winter menu, there will be other specialties that come forward when the warmer weather arrives.
“We make everything from scratch, but I feel our soups and salads are unique and fresh,” More proprietor Jen McMullen said. “You can’t go just anywhere and get a spicy peanut stew, so try it while you’re here. Our house chopped salad is the core of what we’ve been serving … The cheeseburger salad sells really, really well in Streator and here we sell Superfood salads all day long. Our banana bars with cream cheese frosting is our signature dessert, too.”
The simple one word name of More was obviously a spin off of the Streator location, but is also a mantra for the kind of wares McMullen wanted to sell.
“I opened More in Streator and named it that because I wanted a place that gives you more fresh-food options,” McMullen said. “There’s a lot of great bar food and a lot of fast food around, but there’s a gap in there – something fresh, like a just-made salad or sandwich – so that’s where the More came from.
“We already had several customers coming to Streator from Ottawa and quite a few Streator regulars who work in Ottawa, so they’d ask us, ‘When are you coming to Ottawa?’ At first I said ‘we’re not,’ but now that we’re a finely oiled machine, I felt we could do it … Ottawa has a more laid back feel than the chaotic business we do in Streator, but we’re feeling very welcome here. It’s been great.”
Her seven years of success in Streator has taught McMullen that regular customers are “the backbone” to success and that happens through a friendly, smiling and efficient staff.
“People will forgive you if you serve them a sub-par salad, as long as you serve it with a smile, apologize and make it right,” she said, “but if you’re nasty to them and serve them a perfect salad, they won’t be coming back.
“We have to and want have relationships with our customers and make people want to come in and be here. We hope people will come in and give us a try.”
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Officer Daniel Sovero shakes hands with Ottawa Police Chief Mike Cheatham after receiving a letter of commendation Tuesday, May 6, 2025, during an Ottawa City Council meeting. Sovero and Cpl. Adam Jobst, the initial first responders on scene, were among several honored for helping save a man who collapsed from cardiac arrest in March. (Bill Freskos)
A group of Ottawa first responders were recognized Tuesday for their lifesaving efforts after a man collapsed from cardiac arrest on March 31.
About 10:08 a.m., Patrol Cpl. Adam Jobst was on routine patrol when he was flagged down near the intersection of La Salle and West Superior streets. A bystander told him a pedestrian had collapsed on the sidewalk near Columbus Street.
Jobst found the man lying unresponsive with no pulse and a head injury from the fall. He notified Ottawa Central Dispatch and began chest compressions.
Officer Daniel Sovero, who overheard the call, responded to assist with a department-issued automated external defibrillator. Jobst and Sovero used the AED, which advised a shock and administered it.
Paramedics from the Ottawa Fire Department arrived shortly after. A pulse was detected, and the man was taken to the emergency room for additional care.
He has since been released from the hospital and attended Tuesday’s Ottawa City Council meeting to thank the responders who were honored.
The city presented letters of commendation to Jobst, Sovero, Capt. Adam Wampler, and firefighters Nick Allegretti, Alex Dunn, Joe Ellena, James McGuire and Reid Smith.
“I’m sure if you ask any one of these police officers or firefighters, they’d just tell you they were just doing their jobs.” Commissioner Tom Ganiere said. “Well, it‘s a job that everyone respects and we’re always thankful when we have good outcomes like we had with this incident.”
Ottawa police officers and firefighters who were honored for their lifesaving response to a March 31 medical emergency pose for a photo outside Ottawa City Hall during the City Council meeting Tuesday, May 6, 2025. The group received letters of commendation after helping save a man who suffered cardiac arrest. (Photo Provided by Ottawa Police Department)
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Seneca Police Department (Photo provided)
A South Holland man has been charged in connection with a stabbing at a bar in Seneca early Saturday, the Seneca Police Department said in a news release.
James Grimm, 42, was charged with aggravated battery, police said in the release.
At 1:22 a.m. Saturday, police responded to a report of a fight in progress at Fat Daddyz. While officers were en route, they were informed that a person had been stabbed, according to the release.
According to the release, by the time officers arrived, Grimm had already fled the scene. Police found the person, who had suffered a stab wound, and the individual was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Police said Grimm was taken into custody and brought to the Seneca Police Department for questioning. He was transported to the La Salle County Jail.
The Seneca Police Department said that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Streator police received reports of two shootings into vehicles this weekend. (Tom Sistak)
Streator police received reports of two shootings into vehicles this weekend.
Police received a report of a firearm discharge into a vehicle at 2:30 a.m. on the 200 block of Penn Street. No injuries were reported.
Another firearm discharge into a vehicle was reported at 9:22 p.m. on the 600 block of North Sterling Street. Again, no injuries were reported.
Both shootings are under investigation.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
According to court documents, Mayor Jim Hollenbeck and three city employees are suing Streets Commissioner Michael Scheib for defamation, seeking damages between $15,000 and $50,000 following his Facebook post from March. (Michelle Turner)
Marseilles Mayor Jim Hollenbeck and three city employees filed a defamation lawsuit against Commissioner Michael Scheib this week, alleging he publicly questioned their integrity and work ethic in a Facebook post.
Filed Tuesday in La Salle County Circuit Court, the lawsuit said Scheib posted on March 24 that the city “did not need employees to run City Hall, but just five honest people working one-hour days.”
According to court documents, the plaintiffs – Hollenbeck, Deputy City Clerk Catherine Strottner, Administrative Assistant Terri Crum and City Clerk Lesley Hart – said the comment implied they were dishonest and negligent in their duties, resulting in embarrassment, public ridicule and emotional distress.
Scheib, however, denies he was referring to City Hall employees.
“I was addressing the part-time nature of the City Council and wasn’t referring to city employees whatsoever,” Scheib said.
Scheib made reference to a confidential agreement the city of Marseilles and Mayor Jim Hollenbeck reached to pay a city official $15,000 in exchange for dropping a discrimination complaint. The employee filed a “charge of discrimination” with the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the city and Hollenbeck, according to the May 31, 2023, agreement received by Shaw Local through a Freedom of Information Act request.
“ … and I’m the one being sued,” Scheib said after making reference to that case.
Scheib has been involved in disputes at recent Marseilles City Council sessions, including many with Hollenbeck.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages between $15,000 and $50,000.
According to court documents, the plaintiffs said the post has caused them significant personal distress, including loss of sleep, appetite and increased stress.
Randy Gordon, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, said his clients had hoped to avoid legal action.
“My clients have put up with an awful lot for a very long time and had hoped it would never come to this,” Gordon said. “They’ve endured a lot, and it will all come out in the depositions and at the trial.”
Gordon is based in Morris and practices at Gordon Law Offices.
The case is ongoing, with both sides expected to provide additional statements and evidence during the trial.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Police close off the intersection of Sterling and Main streets on Sunday, April 20, 2025, to investigate a shooting. In a news release issued at 7 a.m. Monday, Streator police reported a 17-year-old died while two others were listed in fair condition. (Derek Barichello)
A shooting investigation in Streator is now a homicide investigation. A teenager – one of three occupants in a vehicle involved – died from injuries suffered in the gunfire.
In a news release issued at 7 a.m. Monday, Streator police reported a 17-year-old died while two others were listed in fair condition.
La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro said authorities were not yet ready to release the identity of the deceased. The case is under active investigation, he said, but a news conference or update was not expected soon.
[ Streator mayor encourages ‘open conversation, healing and action’ as city addresses shootings ]
The fatal injuries were suffered at 5:51 p.m. Sunday at Main and Sterling streets. Streator police observed evidence that confirmed multiple shots were fired in this area. Two vehicles were identified as being involved.
“One of the vehicles involved was located at OSF Center for Health in Streator. Three occupants of this vehicle sustained injuries. A 17-year-old passenger of this vehicle was pronounced deceased at the [emergency room]. The other two subjects that were injured are listed in fair condition.”
The Streator Police Department requests anyone with information on this incident to contact the Streator Police Department at 815-672-3111. Police said this is an ongoing investigation, and more updates will be released as more information becomes available.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network