Category: Uncategorized

Morris Hospital – Why Annual Physicals Matter — Even If You Feel Fine
When it comes to your health, consistency is key—and that’s exactly why annual checkups with your primary care provider are so important. But what exactly is an “annual physical?”
According to Dr. Jeffrey Tanzi, a family medicine physician at the Morris Hospital Ottawa Campus, the term “annual exam” can mean different things. For some, it’s a routine yearly visit to touch base with their provider. For others, especially those on Medicare, it refers to a more structured “wellness exam.” While insurance companies may define these differently, the bottom line remains that everyone should see their provider at least once a year for a general health checkup, including lab work.
“An annual wellness exam is a good time to screen for key health concerns like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease,” explained Dr. Tanzi. “Lab tests may include cholesterol, blood sugar, and thyroid function. Cancer screenings may also be included, depending on your age and risk factors.”
In some ways, these yearly visits serve as a valuable “tune-up” for your body. Just like maintaining your car helps prevent breakdowns, regular checkups can help catch issues early, before they become bigger problems. Occasionally, six month follow-up appointments with a primary care provider may be scheduled to monitor a patient’s chronic conditions and track their progress.
“Preventive care is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term well-being,” said Dr. Tanzi. “Annual physicals offer a chance to ask questions, update your health goals, and ensure you’re on the right path. Even if you feel perfectly healthy, your annual visit can make a big difference in staying that way.”
For more information, or to make an appointment for an annual physical with a primary care provider, please contact:
Morris Hospital Ottawa Campus
1306 Gemini Circle, Suite 1
Ottawa, IL
Ph: (815) 433-9200
morrishospital.org/ottawa
Morris Hospital logo
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

Princeton High School (Shaw Local News Network)
Over $150,000 in scholarships were presented at the Princeton High School Awards Night on May 16. The following awards and recognitions were presented during the awards night:
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

Princeton High School (Shaw Local News Network)
Princeton High School presented the Board of Education Academic Excellence Awards to students on May 17. The following awards were presented to students.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

Freedom House celebrated Founder’s Day on Friday, May 9, marking the life and enduring legacy of Nedda Simon, who died last year on the agency’s 42nd anniversary.
Got a news tip? Email ntnewsroom@shawmedia.com
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

Supporters cheer on the Amtrak Zephyr during the 75th anniversary of the train’s visit on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Princeton. On March 20, 1949, the original California Zephyr debuted, a joint offering of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Denver & Rio Grande Western; and Western Pacific. (Scott Anderson)
Jack Gartner has been coming to the Princeton depot since he was 3.
Tuesday was a special day for the recent high school graduate, who has been working for the past three years at the depot and helping the station master.
He’s tasked with keeping the station clean and directing passengers to the right platform before the trains’ arrivals, among other tasks.
Normally there’s only a few people around, but he was joined by a little more than a hundred other residents at the depot for the 3:44 p.m. stop Tuesday of the California Zephyr to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the cross-country train.
Gartner was given a commemorative pin.
“I like it,” Gartner said of the job. “It was neat to be here with everybody and good to celebrate the 75th anniversary. There’s not always this many people here.”
Residents cheer on the Amtrak’s California Zephyr train during the 75th anniversary of the train’s visit on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Princeton. On March 20, 1949, the cross-country train debuted the original California Zephyr, a joint offering of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Denver & Rio Grande Western; and Western Pacific. (Scott Anderson)
During Tuesday’s stop in Princeton on its way from Chicago to Emeryville, California, which is near San Francisco, Amtrak senior staff and historical dignitaries disembarked to greet the residents on the platform and passed out some stickers and commemorative pins.
Princeton City Manager Theresa Wittenauer and tourism director Victoria Yepsen handed the dignitaries a bag of local items, such as Princeton and Bureau County visitors guides, Sisler’s ice cream attire and Rachel Rene chapstick, among other local goods.
Residents sang an adapted version of “Happy Birthday,” changing the words to “happy anniversary.”
“I think it went great,” Yepsen said. “I’m impressed with the turnout. This is history. We’re making history.”
Wittenauer said Tuesday’s turnout is believed to be the largest. The city’s residents have hosted commemorative stops before, and attendance at those were strong but not quite at Tuesday’s numbers.
“We take our train history seriously,” Wittenauer said. “We’re very proud of our Amtrak stop.”
Lex Poppens, executive director of the Bureau County Historical Society, who was in attendance Tuesday, said Princeton has had a depot since 1911 and rededicated the station in 2004. It has been an Amtrak stop since 1978. The Zephyr debuted March 20, 1949.
The Zephyr, Amtrak’s longest daily route, will makes its way through the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevadas, Moffat Tunnel, Colorado’s Gore, Byers and Glenwood Canyons, Winter Park, Truckee River, Donner Lake, San Pablo Bay and the Carquinez Strait on its journey.
Although more than a hundred residents turned out, the stop was quick, lasting no more than a few minutes as officials thanked residents for greeting them before boarding the train. The whistle blew, and the train sped away.
The crowds then left, but Gartner remained. He still had work to do. Princeton has eight daily train stops beginning at 9:25 a.m., and the next train was due at 4:32 p.m. – the Southwest Chief.
“I like getting to know the conductors,” he said. “I’ve gotten to know them. I really like what I do.”
Jack Gartner displays a commemorative pin he received Tuesday, March 19, 2024, during the California Zephyr’s 75th anniversary stop in Princeton. (Derek Barichello)
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

With the resignation of 20-year school board member, Judson Lusher, Princeton Elementary School District announced Friday it is now accepting applications for Lusher’s vacated position.
With the resignation of 20-year school board member, Judson Lusher, Princeton Elementary School District announced Friday it is now accepting applications for Lusher’s vacated position.
Interested applicants can pick up information about the position at the district office at 506 E. Dover Road. The deadline to pick up applications is June 21.
Application packets will highlight the legal qualifications for board members, the term of office, formal application process and board policy relative to the vacated position.
This particular vacated position will have a new member appointed to fulfill the remainder of Lusher’s term, which extends until April 2025. The school board will have a special meeting for the purpose of interviewing candidates some time in the first week of July, with the intent to appoint/approve a candidate at the July 22 regular meeting of the school board.
After more than 20 years of service on the Princeton Elementary School District, Lusher resigned for the purpose of tending to his health, but his commitment to the school district will not be forgotten, the district said in a news release.
Lusher also will be remembered as a longtime educator within the district. Before his time as a board member, Lusher was a building principal at Logan Junior High prior to his retirement from education.
In fall 2022, Lusher received the recognition status of “Distinguished Board Member” through the Illinois Association of School Boards, a status achieved by a small percentage of members. Throughout his years on the board, Lusher held the offices of board secretary, vice president and resident, while also serving as the district’s legislative delegate for many years.
“Lusher’s contributions to the school district have been greatly appreciated and will be missed by many,” the district said in its announcement.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

Dr. Larry Powell (left) was removed from the Nov. 5 ballot for coroner Monday, June 17, 2024. Powell, seen here with La Salle County GOP chairman Larry Smith, now wants a La Salle County judge to reverse his removal and put him back on the ballot. Court dates are pending in La Salle County Circuit Court. (Tom Collins)
An Ottawa physician said his name was improperly removed from the Nov. 5 ballot for La Salle County coroner. Now, Dr. Lawrence Powell wants a judge to put him back on the ballot.
Powell, a Republican who was removed from the race on June 17, has filed an appeal in La Salle County Circuit Court. Court dates are pending. The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Troy D. Holland.
In his pleading, Powell said a three-member panel got it wrong in sustaining a ballot challenge filed by Democrat Rich Ploch, the incumbent coroner seeking reelection.
Ploch’s lawyer, La Salle attorney Tom McClintock, had said Powell missed a key deadline and circulated numerous petitions outside the time frame spelled out by the Election Code – indeed, circulated petitions before the GOP even selected him.
“You have to dot the Is and cross the Ts to stay on the ballot,” McClintock said.
Now, Powell has said the La Salle County Republican Central Committee slated him on March 13 – an affidavit from chairman Larry Smith was filed at the courthouse – and that the petitions were circulated within the correct timeline.
Powell said the panel based its decision on an “inaccurate” reading of the statute and “improperly applied the law in sustaining (Ploch’s) objection.” Powell also cited case law that he said supports him being restored to the ballot.
The three-member review panel was comprised of La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro (a Democrat), County Clerk Jennifer Ebner (a Republican) and Circuit Clerk Greg Vaccaro (a Republican). The trio emerged from closed-door deliberations and unanimously upheld Ploch’s challenge.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

Bureau County is hosting a free electronics recycling event on Saturday, April 26, at the Bureau County Highway Department, 595 Elm Place, in Princeton. (Photo provided by Kati Foley)
Bureau County is hosting a free electronics recycling event Saturday, April 26, at the Bureau County Highway Department, 595 Elm Place, in Princeton.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon. This free collection event is limited to only Bureau County residents, and there is a limit of seven items per drop-off. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or other ID with an address, may be required.
The event is subject to end when semi collection containers fill. Oversized loads may be turned. This event is not open to businesses. It is scheduled to continue in rain or shine.
Accepted items include TVs, monitors, CPU desktops, printers, scanners, fax machines, copiers, typewriters, boom boxes, iPads, keyboards, computer mice, computer speakers, digital music players, air fryers, microwaves, laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, camcorders, video game consoles, landline phones, coffee makers, electric tea kettles, pizza makers, toasters/toaster ovens, electric power tools, vacuum cleaners, calculators, cable/satellite receivers, digital converter boxes, handheld electronics, Christmas lights, power cords, box fans, dehumidifiers, irons, radios, clocks, space heaters, VCR/DVD/DVR players, CD players, record players, stereos and speakers.
Unacceptable items include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, air conditioners, water heaters, smoke detectors, fluorescent bulbs, batteries and blenders.
White goods are prohibited and will not be accepted.
For information, email Recycle@bureaucounty-il.gov.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

Gateway Services is hosting a fundraiser Wednesday, March 19, and Thursday, March 20, at Rip’s Tavern 311 N. Main Ave., Ladd. (Shaw Local News Network)
Gateway Services is hosting a fundraiser Wednesday, March 19, and Thursday, March 20, at Rip’s Tavern 311 N. Main Ave., Ladd.
Doors open at 4 p.m., and they will be serving until 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 each and are available in advance at Gateway’s main office at 406 S. Gosse Blvd., Princeton. Those interested in paying by credit/debit can contact Cari at 815-875-4548, ext. 221, and tickets will be mailed to the purchaser.
No tickets will be sold at the door. Diners can choose from quarter light, quarter dark or chicken strips. Fries and bread are included. Carryout or dine-in eating is available. There also will be a bake sale, raffle baskets and a 50/50 drawing.
Gateway Services, Inc. – now in its 55th year – provides a variety of services to adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Bureau, Marshall and Putnam counties. For more information, visit www.gateway-services.org or find them on Facebook.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

A snapped power pole toppled over along Illinois Route 71near the intersection of Holmes Road on Saturday, March 15, 2025 near Hennepin. High winds from Friday’s storm caused some power outages across the Illinois Valley. (Scott Anderson)
Putnam County was hit hard with straight-line winds Friday night into Saturday morning, leaving hundreds without power. There were, however, no injuries.
Most of the Illinois Valley was, and remains, under a wind advisory issued. Late Friday, the area was hit with storms that drenched the region into the wee hours Saturday.
The National Weather Service reported no evidence of any tornado, but the straight-line winds pounded Putnam County. At 7 a.m. Saturday, Corn Belt Energy reported 380 outages there, affecting three-quarters of its Putnam County customers. Ameren Illinois reported 847 customers without power near Hennepin.
Putnam County Sheriff Josh Boedigheimer reported numerous trees and limbs down, resulting in multiple power line and pole issues. Route 71 was closed from Holmes Road to Florid Road due to downed lines and poles.
“It was a mess,” Boedigheimer said. “It was a quick, powerful storm we had in the area.”
Was that the result of straight line winds or something worse? The National Weather Service couldn’t say. The Quad Cities office, which was collecting data from many Iowa and Illinois counties, reported Saturday they had no preliminary information on why the outages and tree damage occurred.
City and county officials had been braced for the possibility of wind damage, but most of those interviewed Saturday were heaving sighs of relief. Though Streator and the La Salle County panhandle were listed in a zone showing an elevated risk of storm damage, Streator Police Chief John Franklin reported no downed trees, flooding or outages.
“We had some heavy rain,” Franklin allowed, “but it wasn’t enough to disrupt things.”
La Salle and Bureau counties had fewer outages. Ameren Illinois reported at 7 a.m. nearly 400 without power mostly in Ottawa but also in Marseilles and Spring Valley. Corn Belt reported just 1% without power in those counties.
“We had a few spots where wires were down and that caused some outages,” Spring Valley Police Chief Adam Curran said. “One spot in particular was the Spring Valley curves where a tree and a power line were down which caused us to temporarily close off the road until the scene could be cleared.”
Ottawa Police Chief Mike Cheatham said he woke to a report of minimal damage – save for downed light pole, power line and a commercial awning –“but nothing significant as predicted.” Ameren was working on a downed line at Woodward Memorial and Clinton.
“It looks like we missed the brunt of the storm that went south of us,” Cheatham said.
Utica Fire Chief Ben Brown reported no damage within village limits though there were reports of poles and lines down in a field near the border of Waltham and Ophir townships. La Salle Fire Chief Jerry Janick said his first-responders were not dispatched to any storm-related scenes and he had no damage reports. Peru Fire Chief Jeff King said the city “fared well” during the overnight storms.
To hear one meteorologist tell it, Illinois Valley residents were fortunate this weather event happened at the tail end of winter.
Todd Kluber, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Romeoville said winds were clocked at 67 mph at the Peru airport. That would surely have caused more damage when the trees are in full bloom.
“One major difference this time of year as opposed to the summer is the leaves are not on the trees yet,” Kluber explained, “so we don’t see as much tree damage as when we do when there’s full leaf cover.”
La Salle-Peru appeared to fall within a sweet spot, insofar as more significant damage was reported to points south and north.
Kluber said there more pronounced damage was reported in eastern DeKalb and Kane counties, though the NWS had not yet ascertained whether the damage was from straight-line winds or tornadoes.
A snapped power poles lay in the ditch as electric crews respond along Route 71 near the intersection of Holmes Road on Saturday, March 15, 2025 near Hennepin. High winds from Friday’s storm caused some power outages across the Illinois Valley. (Scott Anderson)

Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source