Local historian Curt Johnson will explore the skilled gunmakers who produced long rifles throughout the Illinois Valley in 1800s. The program features original rifles crafted by local makers.

Featured makers include Henry Tope, who worked in Magnolia from 1844 to 1848 before relocating to Peru, where he died during the 1849 cholera epidemic, and Morris Wood of Hennepin, whose rifles date to the late 1860s.

This program includes the display of antique firearms as part of a historical and educational exploration of craftsmanship and local history. It is not a gun show.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 815-339-2038 or visit the library at 214 S. McCoy St., Granville.

Please check for updates.

Due to inclement weather, Dimmick School will be closed Monday. Family Reading Night and the Academic Fair have been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 17.

Due to the anticipated weather conditions, Earlville CUSD 9 (including EELC) will have a snow day.

LaMoille CUSD #303 is on e-learning Monday. There will be no out-of-district routes or after school activities.

St. John Baptist De La Salle Parish in La Salle has canceled Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament due to inclement weather.

La Salle Elementary School District announced Monday that both Lincoln Junior High and Northwest Elementary are closed. All school-related activities are also canceled.

Due to the severe weather conditions and dangerous traveling conditions, LaSalle-Peru Township High School will not be in session on Monday. All activities and athletic events scheduled for the day are canceled.

Due to inclement weather, there will be no school on Monday at Mendota Township High School. Parents are advised to check the website and Facebook page for after-school updates.

Due to the inclement weather, Oglesby Public School District 125 will be closed. All after-school activities today will also be cancelled.

Due to the winter weather and road conditions, Ottawa Elementary School District 141 will transition to an e-learning day Monday for staff and students. Each building/teacher will send out information to families about the expectations for e-learning.

Peru Elementary School District 124 will not be in session today due to the weather. All activities scheduled today are canceled as well.

St. Bede monks will close Abbey Church to public worship on Monday, March 16.

Due to the forecasted severe weather, Princeton Elementary School will have an E-Learning Day on Monday.

JFK Elementary School is closed today, Spring Valley Elementary said Monday.

Hall High School has cancelled school today.

Monday will be an E-Learning Day, Streator Township High School announced. All school activities will be postponed. Google classroom will be utilized for instruction, work, and attendance.

Due to high winds, road conditions, and drifting snow, today, Monday will be an E-Learning Day, Streator Elementary Schools announced.

School is cancelled, Tonica Elementary announced, and there is no E-learning today.

Waltham Elementary School will be closed today due to the March winter storm. All after-school activities will also be cancelled.

Shannon V. Marshall, 33, former treasurer for both entities, is charged in La Salle County Circuit Court with two counts of theft and two counts of forgery, all Class 3 felonies carrying two to five years in prison.

The Grand Ridge Police Department, in a Thursday news release, said an investigation was launched a year ago after complaints from members of the two organizations. Charges were filed on Wednesday by the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office.

When reached for comment, Marshall declined.

Her first appearance will be on April 22 before Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.

According to court records, Marshall is alleged to have exerted unauthorized control over more than $500 but less than $10,000 between July 2022 and March 2025. The forgery counts allege she drew a pair of checks in 2023, each for more than $600.

Oliver Jesus Mayora Avendano of La Salle and Marcela Figueroa of La Salle

Dakota James Sater of Morris and Kyra Skye Warren of Morris

Chad David Irving of Streator and Karri Lynn Solis of Streator

John Edward Farran of Utica and Jodie Lynn Sonnenberg of Utica

Justin William Cartwright of Grayslake and Brooke Diann Shepard of Grayslake

Richard Alan Anderson of Aurora and Julie Ann Happold of Streator

Tyler Kenneth Weiher of La Salle and Stephanie Ariel Venegas of Morris

Mohammed Jamal Hashim Salman of Mendota and Amy Adele Gierden of Mendota

Kenneth Leonard Bodnum Jr of Cherry and Samantha Jane Wallaert of Cherry

Darren Thomas Bragg of Ottawa and Amber Lynn Streu of Ottawa

Riley Scott Besola of Hennepin and Kali Nicole Pettit of Hennepin

Justin Michael Coble of Oglesby and Mikaela Amber Salazar of Oglesby

Jay William Trumbo of Marseilles and Izabella Mackenzie Odum of Marseilles

Brayner Carreno of Streator and Eglymar Anays Escalona of Streator

Kaylyn Nicole Wimberly of Streator and Meggen Nicole Decker of Streator

Jarrett Clayton Spencer of Streator and Haley Michelle Marmion of Streator

Vanessa Marie Wilking of Streator and Katie Astasia Richardson of Streator

Brockton Stone Harner of Sugar Grove and Cassidy Lynn Underwood of Gallatin, Tennessee

Blaze LeRobbie Ballowe of Ottawa and Madison Mae Thompson of Ottawa

Jaron Thomas Black of Streator and Macie Elizabeth Marconi of Streator

Brian Lee Klein of La Salle and Justine Ann Argubright of La Salle

William Cohen Martin of Streator and Malea Jo Mascal of Streator

Except for Bureau County, where the polls could get a boost from a contested race for sheriff, county clerks in the Illinois Valley don’t foresee long lines at the polling places.

Jim Reed opted not to seek reelection as Bureau County sheriff, which ushered in races on both the Republican (Tom Kammerer vs. Ed Jauch) and Democratic (Mike Wittig vs. Joseph Flanagan) sides of the ballot. The twin contests could spark voter interest.

Bureau County Clerk and Recorder Matt Eggers looked at the past three mid-term elections and, mindful of the sheriff’s race, is betting on turnout of 15% to 25%.

“It would be great to have more,” Eggers said, “and there could be a better turnout due to the sheriff’s race.”

Eggers said there could be a spike in LaMoille, which could get “a little higher turnout” due to a referendum on the high school.

Turnout of 25% isn’t great, but it would likely exceed voter participation elsewhere in the Illinois Valley.

While the field is packed for Dick Durbin’s seat in the U.S. Senate and for the Republican nomination for governor – incumbent JB Pritzker is expected to win the Democratic nod – there aren’t enough local races to put any sizzle into Tuesday voting.

In Putnam County, Clerk and Recorder Tina Dolder said 2022 (the last mid-term cycle) produced 24.86% turnout, which was “higher turnout than normal.” This time, Dolder is betting on lower turnout.

“During that (2022) election, there was a county board race that drove up the percentage,” Dolder recalled. “I am predicting a 19.2% turnout for this election.”

Dolder said statewide races for comptroller and governor might attract voters. Increasingly, however, voters are turned off at having to declare a political party, and this in turn has driven down participation at primaries.

Locally, there aren’t many races of interest save for Senachwine precinct, where the Tiskilwa Fire District question is on the ballot.

La Salle County Clerk Jennifer Ebner said she anticipates just one in five registered voters will cast ballots Tuesday, if even that.

“For the General Primary elections, voter turnout has been 17% to 22%,” Ebner said. “I hope that we have a bigger and better turnout, but I’m not expecting it.”

There are no contested primary races for La Salle County’s constitutional officers and just one referendum impacting the Streator area, specifically parts of Eagle 2, Eagle 3, Richland, and Vermillion townships.

Peru attorney John Fisher started his law career prosecuting domestic violence cases in the early 1990s. Back then, female suspects charged with domestic battery were virtually unheard of.

Times have changed dramatically. Fisher is now a solo practitioner in La Salle County, and an increasing number of his clients are women charged with domestic violence.

“I’ve seen more and more women getting charged for attacking men,” Fisher said. “In the last two years, it’s really picked up.”

Court statistics back him up, revealing a significant generational shift in domestic offenses by gender. In 2000, just 13% of misdemeanor domestic battery charges filed in La Salle County were against women. Last year, that figure had more than doubled to 28%.

The trend is not unique to La Salle County. Nationally, women still make up the majority of victims. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 41% of women and 26% of men experience physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. More than 61 million women and 53 million men have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner.

Police and prosecutors interviewed for this story cite broad societal shifts: Stricter police policies, rising substance abuse, changing family structures and the legalization of same-sex marriage. But experts disagree on whether women are truly committing more domestic violence or whether men are finally reporting abuse they previously hid.

La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro said substance abuse is a key factor in the rise.

“It’s equal to both parties with regards to substance abuse,” Navarro said. “That’s been a key theme that’s followed this type of case.”

Tom Templeton, who spent 50 years with the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, the last 20 as sheriff, acknowledged that men were historically reluctant to report abuse due to stigma.

“The crime was terribly underreported from the early 1970s and 1980s and not only by women,” Templeton said. “Men were not going to call the cops and say, ‘My wife beat me up.’”

Templeton noted that in the 1970s and ’80s, police focused on immediate safety rather than investigation. “We were taught: Get them separated. Get her safety. Get the guy out of the house,” he said.

And at that time there wasn’t much protest from the victims. “As bad as things were, they still needed him at work and to put food on the table,” Templeton said. “So a lot of them just endured, which was horrible.”

A fundamental shift occurred in the 1990s when lawmakers limited police discretion in domestic violence cases. Police who spotted corroborating evidence of abuse — blood, bruising, or other injuries — were effectively required to make an arrest.

“There was no help. There was no aid. They were on their own,” Templeton said of victims in earlier decades.

But as studies and high-profile cases brought attention to domestic violence, the response shifted from mediation to evidence collection and prosecution. Police began coordinating with prosecutors for court intervention, such as counseling or classes.

That policy change has boosted not only the number of cases but also increased the number of women taken into custody.

Police and prosecutors agree that women today struggle as much with substance abuse as men, which has ratcheted up domestic disputes.

La Salle County’s problems with drug-fueled violence mushroomed in 2004 with the arrival of heroin. Felonies climbed 60% over the next four years, and other drugs of abuse surged over the same span.

Emily Baker, communications specialist for the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, said deputies have responded to calls where both women and men are aggressors.

“The calls, like most domestics, typically involve alcohol, drugs, mental health, relationship and financial issues,” Baker said.

The sheriff’s office social workers follow up on domestic calls and provide resource referrals, she said.

Historically, domestic disputes have been between husband and wife, with the male partner typically the assailant. But the rise of same-sex unions has skewed the statistical data.

Some of the statistical shifts may also reflect changes in how relationships are recorded.

Illinois enacted civil unions in 2011 and same-sex marriages in 2014. When a domestic dispute occurs between same-sex female partners, the assailant is necessarily logged in court records as female. This has created a statistical bump in the number of women charged with domestic violence.

Mendota attorney David Kaleel, a longtime defense lawyer in La Salle County, noted this shift. In his first 10 years of practice, starting in 1981, he could recall only one woman charged with domestic battery – she was accused of stabbing her cheating husband in the leg.

“Now, in a lot of my current cases a woman is a defendant,” Kaleel said, “and the victim is also a woman.”

In Crystal Lake, the largest city in McHenry County, Deputy Chief Richard Neumann said that since 2022, Crystal Lake police have responded to 1,404 domestic-related incidents. In 848 of those calls, the victim was listed as female, while in 556 calls the victim was male.

Although cases of domestic abuse may be underreported, police who respond to all cases, regardless of who calls for help, “are expected to conduct thorough investigations,” Neumann said.

Tomorrow: Part 2 examines the debate over whether women are truly committing more domestic violence, explores the experiences of male victims, and presents real cases that illustrate the complexity of these situations.

While some northern Illinois jurisdictions have noted an increase in the number of women charged with domestic violence, not everyone agrees that women are on the rise as domestic abusers.

Mary Margaret Maule, executive director at Turning Point Inc. in McHenry County, takes issue with the inference that female aggression is increasing.

“In domestic violence cases that I am aware of, 97% involve male aggressors and maybe just about 3% involve female aggressors,” Maule said.

Maule emphasized that domestic abuse is fundamentally about control. Domestic abuse comes in the form of physical, sexual, mental, financial, religious abuse and stalking, she said.

“Domestic violence is an intentional and repeated pattern of behavior,” Maule said. “Control can be rooted in financial control, threats to do harm to children or loved ones, immigration status. The dynamics are the same, regardless of gender.”

Historically, male partners held control over female partners. Until the 1970s, women could not have their own credit cards. Until the mid-1980s, property owners were not legally obligated to rent to single women with children. Even until 1992 in Illinois, it was not considered a crime for a man to rape his wife.

“Women didn’t stay because it was bliss; they were stuck,” Maule said.

When women gained more independence and economic power, particularly through sports and professional opportunities in the 1970s, they developed tools to leave abusive relationships, Maule said.

Still, Maule said that underreporting affects both genders.

“Yes, both can do it, and yes, it is underreported on both sides,” she said.

But in her professional experience, reports of abusive men still surpass the number of abusive women. “We have men who have gone through our programming seeking emergency shelter or counseling or treatment as aggressors, so yes, it can happen,” Maule said. “But at the end of the day, domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. It happens in any race, age, gender, economical status. A man can be a survivor or perpetrator.”

Turning Point facilitates a men’s mental health group and a 26-week Partner Abuse Intervention Program for aggressors who may have their own traumatic history.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the most common form of abuse experienced by men is psychological. This abuse “usually targets a man’s masculinity. Men are usually accused of not being ‘manly’ enough, not making enough money, being weak or crying when abused.”

Men also are more likely to report being stalked by an intimate partner.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men often are reluctant to report abuse because they feel embarrassed, fear they won’t be believed or are scared their partner will take revenge. “About 16 million women and 11 million men who reported experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime said that they first experienced it before age 18,” according to the CDC.

While national data shows females are more often victims of domestic homicide – 57 female victims in 2023-24 – there also were 33 men killed as a result of domestic abuse during the same time frame.

An abusive partner who needs to make up for any difference in strength might hit, kick, bite, punch, spit, throw things or destroy possessions. An abusive partner might attack while their partner is asleep or catch them by surprise, abuse or threaten the partner’s children or pets, or use weapons such as guns or knives.

Husbands’ reluctance to press charges mirrors a pattern seen in abused women. Men who experience abuse may minimize incidents or protect their abuser due to financial dependence or fear of retaliation.

In August, a 30-year-old McHenry woman was accused of stabbing her husband in the abdomen with a steak knife. She was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a Class 3 felony, and domestic battery causing bodily harm.

At an initial court appearance, Judge Cynthia Lamb ruled the woman was a danger to her husband and the community at large and detained her in the county jail pretrial. Police had made at least five previous calls to the home in response to domestic violence allegations, and the woman has a pending assault case in another state.

Lamb said that the couple “had been verbally arguing” when the man tried to leave the home. The woman threw his keys into the toilet. When he retrieved them and tried to leave again, the woman “approached him with a kitchen knife ... stabbed her husband in the abdomen,” the judge said.

Assistant State’s Attorney Garrett Miller said the couple had argued the night before, with the dispute continuing the next morning and escalating to the stabbing. The man was afraid of her, Miller said.

However, the defense told a different story. Assistant Public Defender David Giesinger said the husband was not afraid of her, did not request an order of protection and wanted her released. The man said his wife suffers from anxiety and was on medication, which “may have been the reason” for the incident, Giesinger said.

The woman denied going after him with a knife. She claimed that during the argument, she had a knife in her hand, and the man knocked it to the floor. She picked up the knife, and during a struggle, the man was stabbed, according to the defense.

After the case was reported, readers commented seemingly in the woman’s favor, questioning what the man had done before she stabbed him – a reaction that illustrates how domestic violence cases can be complicated and how public perception may differ from legal reality.

The woman has been accepted into mental health court and is receiving mental health treatment, court records show. Her case is still pending.

In 2020, a woman in St. Charles township was charged with domestic battery, violating an order of protection and criminal damage to property, according to Kane County Sheriff’s reports.

She was accused of breaking items in their residence, then beating her boyfriend with the handle of a rake after he wouldn’t reveal the name of the woman she believed he was cheating on her with. Before the physical attack, she had picked up a shovel and dented the man’s truck.

Before the physical attack, she had been accused of violating a protection order. This woman eventually pleaded guilty to domestic battery and was sentenced to 18 months of probation, which included completing domestic violence counseling and an evaluation.

While some experts question whether women are truly committing more domestic violence, most agree that underreporting has historically masked the true scope of abuse by both men and women.

What’s clear is that domestic violence – regardless of the perpetrator’s gender – remains a serious issue rooted in substance abuse, mental health challenges, economic stress and power dynamics. And as police policies have shifted to mandatory arrest and prosecution, more cases involving female perpetrators are entering the criminal justice system.

The National Weather Service in Chicago said Friday that residents of northern Illinois definitely should brace for wind, bitter cold, and, most concerning, the potential for another round of severe weather.

Kevin Birk, a meteorologist at the weather service’s office in Romeoville, said rain is forecast on a rather warm Sunday (projected daytime high: 61 degrees) followed by a much colder and windier Monday (projected high: 36 degrees) that could bring snow.

“There will be a return to winter,” Birk said ruefully.

What Birk and his peers don’t yet know is how much snow is coming. While a strong cold front will follow the Sunday rain, forecasters aren’t sure how quickly it will arrive and therefore can’t say how much rain will be converted to snow.

The good news is Chicago and the collar counties are less likely to get snow – Birk estimated 1 to 4 inches – than Rockford, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, which could see 7 inches or higher.

Bureau and Whiteside counties have been placed under a Winter Storm Watch to last Sunday evening through Monday evening.

The bad news is the cold front will not arrive slowly and gently – “It’s a very, very strong system,” Birk said – but with wind gusts up to 40 mph or higher. Northern Illinois residents are urged to keep the weather radios handy on Sunday in case we see another bout of severe weather.

That forecast didn’t make Fred Moore very happy. Moore is director of the La Salle County Emergency Management Agency, and, to his chagrin, he unveiled the county’s mobile command center on Tuesday, mere hours before his and neighboring counties were besieged with severe weather warnings.

Moore said Friday the short-term outlook isn’t as worrisome as Tuesday, though he encouraged all residents to be vigilant and attuned to weather reports. The potential for severe weather, he said, is “significantly reduced” from Tuesday and more likely to impact the Interstate 55 rather than the Interstate 80 corridor.

“We’re looking at more of a wind event than any tornado event,” Moore said.

Nobody relishes more severe weather, but Sunday’s rain will be welcome. Except for DuPage and most of Cook County, nearly every Illinois county needs precipitation.

The U.S. Drought Monitor, updated Thursday, shows “abnormally dry” conditions across the suburbs and moderate to severe drought across the rest of northern Illinois. True, that update was computed before Tuesday’s storms – meaning the March 19 update could show improved conditions – but farmers need more help.

“We need more rain to get the sub moisture built back up,” said Steve Michelini, who farms in La Salle, Bureau, Putnam, and Marshall counties. “We have enough moisture to get the crop in the ground and get going, so we’re not worried about that now, but we need to continue to have moisture.”

Thursday, the Utica Village Board voted unanimously to modify the outdoor dining ordinance to include a security deposit. Business owners would put a deposit and get half back as long as there are no problems at the end of the season.

“I like the fact that businesses have the option of getting some of the deposit back,” Trustee Eric Bara said.

The board approved a three-tiered fee system: $500 for businesses serving food and beverages, $250 for businesses serving only beverages, and $100 for businesses are using their outdoor space for retail. Compliant businesses will get 50% back.

Thursday’s action comes weeks after village officials proposed non-refundable fees to use Mill Street for sidewalk and street service. After pushback from business owners, Mayor David Stewart reached out and brokered an accord.

Not all business owners were satisfied. Jen Cetwinski, who co-owns Bruce & Ollies, said she was displeased with the village “nickeling and diming us to death.”

“And no one came to talk to us, either,” she said of the dialogue the village opened with business owners.

There may be additional changes to outdoor dining later this year. The board adopted it during the pandemic as an accommodation to businesses grappling with social distancing. The resulting ordinance was for five years and 2026 will be the last year unless the board decides to extend it.

St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year, meaning celebrations will stretch across the entire week — plus the weekends before and after. To keep impaired drivers off the road, the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating with the Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Transportation for the enforcement push.

“We urge everyone to celebrate responsibly,” Sheriff Adam Diss said. “Plan ahead for a sober ride home before you leave the house — your safety and the safety of others depends on it.”

During the enforcement period, deputies will patrol for drivers impaired by alcohol and cannabis, along with other drugs including prescription medications. Officers will also increase seat belt checks, especially at night when fewer people buckle up. Speeding, distracted driving, and all traffic violations will be enforced.

Whether you’re attending a party, hosting friends or going out to a bar, plan ahead. When it’s time to leave, make sure your designated driver is sober.

Walking or biking while impaired, whether by alcohol, cannabis or other drugs, can also be dangerous. Choose a sober friend to go with you. If you’re driving, watch for drunk or high pedestrians who may not obey traffic signals.

• Never drive impaired. It doesn’t matter if you’re drunk, high, or taking prescription medications that affect driving.

• Designate a sober driver before you go out.

• Use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.

• Call your community’s sober ride program.

• If you see an impaired driver, call 911 and report it.

• If a friend is about to drive impaired, take the keys and help them get a safe ride home.

• Always buckle up.

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI” enforcement campaign is funded by federal traffic safety funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Any family with a child attending preschool at JFK for the 2026-27 school year must arrange a screening, even if the child was previously screened but didn’t get into the class.

Call the office at 815-664-4601 to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Screening dates are May 1, May 8, and July 19.

Additionally, JFK’s Kindergarten class pre-registration and round-up will be on April 15.

Any family with a child aged 5 by Sept. 1, 2026, and living in the Spring Valley School District is asked to contact the JFK office to be added to the registration list. Callers will then be sent information about the April 15 round-up.

In presenting the award, Thomas Stickrath, Chairperson of the CAC, and Ricky Dixon, President of the American Correctional Association (ACA), complimented the facility on their professional level of operation and their success in completing the accreditation process. The agency is one of over 1,265 correctional organizations currently involved in accreditation across the nation.

The accreditation program is a professional peer review process based on national standards that have evolved since the founding of the Association in 1870. The standards were developed by national leaders from the field of corrections, law, architecture, health care, and other groups who are interested in sound correctional management.

ACA standards address services, programs, health care and security operations essential to effective correctional management. Through accreditation, an agency can maintain a balance between protecting the public and providing an environment that safeguards the life, health, and safety of staff and offenders. Standards set by ACA reflect practical, up-to-date policies and procedures and function as a management tool for agencies and facilities throughout the world.

The three-year accreditation award granted to the La Salle County Jail does not signal the end of their involvement in the accreditation process. During the award period, staff will work to improve any deficiencies identified during the audit and maintain continuous compliance with the standards.

St. Bede competed against students from La Salle-Peru High School, Hall High School, Mendota High School, Ottawa Township High School, Streator Township High School, and Marquette Academy at the area’s Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Program (WYSE). Marquette placed second overall and Ottawa finished third.

St. Bede students delivered particularly strong performances in science categories, sweeping the top three individual places in both physics and chemistry.

In chemistry, first place went to junior Ranbir Saini, followed by junior Ishvir Singh in second and junior Kyra Finley in third.

In physics, senior Alp Arslan earned first place, senior Ryan Soliman placed second and senior Noah Buck finished third.

Additional honors included a first-place tie in mathematics by junior Lin Lin and Soliman and Saini tying for second place. Arslan also received an honorable mention in computer science.

Faculty advisor Dan Fitzpatrick noted that this year’s competition featured a new format in which students competed directly against all area schools regardless of enrollment size.

“For the first time, students competed against every local school in the same pool,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was impressive to see our students perform so well in a very rigorous academic competition.”

Following the competition, Soliman said he’s very grateful to have been taught so well by all the science and math teachers at St. Bede.

“They’ve set the building blocks for not just my success, but the team as well. This competition was a team win and I just simply did my part to help,” he said.

The WYSE program encourages high school students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through competitive academic testing.

Fitzpatrick said the results reflect the dedication of students as well as the support and preparation provided by their teachers.

“It’s always exciting to see students apply what they’ve learned in the classroom and excel in a challenging environment,” he said.

The meeting is open to anyone caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.

For more information, contact Joanne Milby at 815-228-1858, Peggy Garner at 815-585-0561 or Bob Frig at 815-220-0202.

But Putnam County officials heaved sighs of relief after the storms passed. The twister in Marshall County didn’t stray across the county line and the rotating cloud didn’t produce a touchdown.

“We dodged a bullet,” Putnam County Sheriff Josh Boedigheimer reported Wednesday morning.

Boedigheimer confirmed the two warnings issued, but reported no storm damage of any note. There were no reported injuries, structural damage, or blackouts.

The National Weather Service in Davenport largely confirmed that. A meteorologist said the office is still collecting data from a broad region hit by the storms. Still, so far, there are no indications of serious storm damage in either Putnam or Bureau County.

“We know of hail in PC and BC, but we don’t have any reports of wind or tornado damage as of yet,” meteorologist Matt Friedlein said.

Officials in neighboring counties were breathing easier, as well.

Fred Moore, director of La Salle County Emergency Management Agency, reported Wednesday that his office was alerted only to “minor” tree damage and wires down north of Ottawa.

While there was one EMS dispatch, Moore said, the medical call was not related to the storm.

“We skated by relatively unharmed,” Moore said, “and I’m quite happy with that.”

The situation is similar in Streator, where city planner David Plyman said response personnel are ready to help, but have not been notified.

“I haven’t received any reports of damages,” he said. “I just talked to the police chief and he’s not aware of any either, nor have I received any reports from the fire department.”

The Friday reception is free and open to the public.

Sparks is also offering a class in soft pastels from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14 at the NCI ARTworks Gallery.

Dalrymple is a Chicago-based artist who has moved to the Illinois Valley and works with a variety of mediums. Here, his artistic repertoire expanded to embrace textiles, jewelry, and furniture design.

Sparks is a native Nebraskan who is living and working in Iowa. As a young artist, she began working in portraiture and her work has evolved into painting buildings, animals, and other subjects in styles that range from impressionism to realism.

People may register for Sparks’ class on her website: www.jerisparks.com or at www.nciartworks.com. The cost is $45 and includes all materials.

Samuel H. Musson, 25, of Aurora (disarming a peace officer; aggravated battery)

Jacob M. Rinaldo, 29, of Mendota (financial institution robbery; robbery; theft)

Dallas R. Hulse, 28, of Peru (theft; retail theft)

Jerome A. Salois, 64, of La Salle (three counts of sex abuse images)

Eric L. Morris, 37, of Princeton (two counts of aggravated DUI; driving while revoked)

Alontae M. Hall, 19, of Galesburg (two counts of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon)

Frank N. Savery, 48, of Granville (unlawful possession of methamphetamine)

Billy J. Schultheis, 49, of La Salle (unlawful possession of methamphetamine)

James W. Harvey, 48, of La Salle (unlawful possession of methamphetamine)

Colleen M. Wall, 61, of Oglesby (driving while revoked)

Robert Remy, 35, of rural Earlville (two counts of driving while revoked)

Jeron M. Johnson, 18, of Sheridan (two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon)

Anthony Blameuser Jr., 32, of Streator (two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding)

Blake A. Couch, 35, of Marseilles (unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon; unlawful possession of a weapon by a repeat felony offender)

Clinton A. Anders, 47, homeless (retail theft)

William J. Grennan, 35, of Ottawa (burglary)

Jordan C. Beard, 41, of Ottawa (two counts of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender)

Shane E. Pennington, 19, of Ottawa (unlawful possession of a controlled substance)

John J. Schiffgens, 64, of Ottawa (unlawful possession of a controlled substance)

Sapphire F. Steele, 24, of Marseilles (unlawful possession of a controlled substance)

For more than a century, St. Bede has played a vital role in the Illinois Valley, educating students who go on to live, work and lead in the community.

St. Benedict’s Day is a 24-hour celebration of generosity that reflects St. Bede’s Benedictine tradition and its patron saint. The academy aims to raise $335,000 for the St. Bede Annual Fund, which is critical in sustaining the education and faith formation students receive.

While tuition at St. Bede is $6,900 a year, the true cost to educate one student is approximately $15,000 per year. The Annual Fund bridges this gap, ensuring that students benefit from exceptional faculty and staff, innovative STEM and academic resources, faith formation rooted in the mission of the Benedictine monks and strong athletic and fine art programs.

As an independent Catholic school, St. Bede does not receive federal or state funding or subsidy from the Diocese of Peoria. Fundraising and gifts from supporters and foundations sustain its mission.

Anyone who donates $50 or more to the St. Benedict’s Day campaign will receive a pair of retro Bruin crew socks as a thank-you. Early gifts help set the pace for the day, inspire others to participate and demonstrate the collective commitment of the St. Bede community.

Donations can be made online at www.st-bede.com/stbenedict-2026

The presentation features live, native reptiles and amphibians. Guests will explore the fascinating herpetofauna species in Illinois, such as frogs, snakes, turtles, and more.

Register children for a week of spring break nature workshops at the park with area naturalists. Each day will have activities related to a different nature theme, where kids will learn about mammals, geology, birds and more.

Programs run from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, April 8, to Friday, April 10.

This three-day event is suitable for youth ages 5 to 12. Registration is required by emailing the park’s naturalist at lisa.sons@illinois.gov.

In a Tuesday press release, the La Salle County Emergency Management Agency said officials from La Salle County and the siren vendor have determined that a piece of faulty equipment sounded the sirens “IN ERROR.”

“There is no threat to the public and conditions at the plant are functioning normally,” EMA director Fred Moore said. “Repeating: there is no threat to the public.”

Proceeds will support Special Olympics Illinois athletes across the state, helping to provide them with life-changing programming. This includes year-round training and competition, as well as leadership, personal development, and health education opportunities.

To register or donate, visit the event’s website here.

For questions, contact Katie Risley at krisley@soill.org or 309-533-3725.

The breakfast this year will include scrambled eggs. There will be a bake sale, raffle items and a 50/50 drawing.

Portions of the proceeds will provide tuition assistance for Academy of St. Carlo Acutis students who plan to attend St. Bede Academy, as well as financial support for local community and parish programs. The breakfast is the primary fundraiser.

St. Joseph Halle is at 1925 Fifth St., Peru.

Edin Sterling of Arlington was presented with the Odell-Arkels-Stopka Citizenship Award for rendering medical aid to an unresponsive male. The victim’s name was not disclosed and authorities did not disclose the location.

Sterling, an emergency room nurse, was driving by when she saw an emergency medical situation and administered life-saving aid until an ambulance crew arrived. Sterling and the ambulance crew stabilized the patient for transport.

“One thing is clear,” Peru Police Chief Sarah Raymond told the city council, “had Edin not stopped to assist and take over the scene, things could have been very different.

“The successful outcome is directly related to her compassion, integrity, teamwork, trust, and leadership.”

The award, established in 2022, was named for three individuals – Adam Odell, Logan Arkels, and Brandon Stopka – whose efforts were credited with saving another person’s life.

Sterling humbly expressed her gratitude for the officers who were first on the scene.

“I’m very thankful they were there,” Sterling said.

La Salle County has had many all-hands-on-deck incidents. Fred Moore decided the time had come to invest in a resource to help with the next crisis, whenever that may be.

Moore, director of the La Salle County Emergency Management Agency, unveiled the “Mobile Operations & Communications Center.” At first blush, it lookslike a recreational vehicle used to dispense coffee at all-night emergency scenes. But Moore said the MOCC will serve as a command post during planned events as well as disasters.

“It’s not a matter of if something happens in La Salle County,” Moore said, “it’s when it happens.”

Moore had been pressing for a county-owned unit for three years and finally got the OK to order one in October 2024. County officials green-lit the $760,000 purchase and funded it through the quarter-cent public safety sales tax, which is levied on all retail purchases made within the county’s corporate limits.

“We felt as though that was only fair, because we’re capturing sales tax from everybody, not just La Salle County residents,” Moore said. “It’s not property tax money that paid for it.”

The MOCC will, among other things, provide on-scene command, coordination, and resilient communications when fixed facilities are damaged or inaccessible.

The unit offers multiple features, including:

Moore pointed out an additional function:

“In addition to disaster response, if something were to happen to my office and I needed to relocate to an office, we could actually relocate here. It’s totally functional.”

EMA took possession of the unit on Feb. 18. A test case is pending. Moore said the unit was requested for a missing person search, though the person was located before the unit could arrive on scene.

While by no means eager for a test case or trial run, several public officials who went to Monday’s open house said they approved of the purchase.

Tom Ganiere, public safety commissioner for the City of Ottawa and a longtime firefighter, rattled off a list of past disasters – the Ottawa and Utica tornadoes, the derecho storm – where the unit would have come in most handy.

Ottawa Police Chief Mike Cheatham agreed a county-owned mobile unit will surely prove its value, doubly so because of the digital capabilities, “and being able to dispatch things out.”

In a statement, Zens said his resignation will take effect in July.

“This decision has not been an easy one to make,” Zens wrote. “I have enjoyed my time in this role and everything that IVAC has been able to accomplish in the nearly five years I have been here.

“The relationships I have been able to build in my time here mean the world to me. I am truly blessed to have been able to connect with and work with so many of you all across the Illinois Valley.”

Zens said he was committed to seeing through scheduled projects including Lemonade Day, Champions of Change, and the golf outing.

Neal Knauf, President of the IVAC Board of Directors, praised Zens for his vision and commitment.

“Bill’s leadership has been instrumental in evolving the Chamber to meet the modern needs of our members,” said Knauf. “The addition of 20+ new programs and his work on regional development have created a lasting impact. We thank him for his nearly five years of service and wish him the absolute best in his next chapter.”

Zens said he’d be available to help his successor through the transition.

“Serving as the executive director has been one of the most fulfilling chapters in my career, and I will truly miss it.”

Discover fascinating stories of La Salle County’s earliest settlers through the early 1800s. Plus, you’ll get to meet Elsie Armstrong “in-person,” and listen to her story of life as a settler.

In a Monday press release, EMA director Fred Moore said the cancellation was forced by the potential for severe weather affecting La Salle County before and during the scheduled presentation time.

With storms expected to move into the region, EMA and National Weather Service officials felt it was important to practice the very safety principles that are taught during these trainings.

“La Salle County Emergency Management encourages residents to take severe weather threats seriously and to adjust plans accordingly,” Moore said. “Because of the timing of the storms, cancelling Tuesday’s class allows everyone to focus on monitoring weather conditions and taking appropriate safety precautions if storms develop.”

La Salle County EMA is working with partners to identify a future date to reschedule the training, and the new date will be announced once it has been confirmed.

Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring forecasts and be prepared to act should severe weather warnings be issued. Monitor official sources of information, including NOAA weather radio, local broadcast stations and the La Salle County EMA app.

Owner Elena Ridley confirmed Monday that she put out the fire. Oglesby firefighters were summoned, but the incident was under control when they arrived.

There was no damage. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, as the restaurant is closed on Mondays.

Hike with a park naturalist to learn about Spring changes in the park and see blooming wildflowers and waterfalls at their peak.

Registration is required for this event. You can register online at Starved Rock Eventbrite starting at 8 a.m. March 25.

A total of 41 artists from across Illinois showcased their nature-themed artworks, which were on display for the public throughout February.

The public participated by casting their votes into a ballot box, with the counting of votes occurring on Friday afternoon, followed by the award presentations at this morning’s ceremony.

The Starved Rock Foundation provided the awards and refreshments.

Best of the junior show went to artist Helena Lucia Lopez for her colored pencil drawing of a barn owl.

Best of the adult show went to artist Melanie Zammoto for her watercolor called “Frank’s Favorite” of a nature scene.

Other award recipients in this year’s show included Jacoby Tustin, and Luci Max from the junior show, as well as Shreya Mokashi, Candace Kekosinski, Carrie Woeltje, Ashley Spanos, and Lori Clampitt.

Anyone interested in entering the 2027 Starved Rock Art Show may visit the Starved Rock webpage, where they can download the Art Show Entry Form and information or email the Natural Resources Coordinator at lisa.sons@illinois.gov.

Next year’s show will start the first weekend of February and end the first Friday in March.

The fundraiser will run until March 19 with delivery before Easter. Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the music department at Princeton High School.

Bundtlets offered include chocolate chocolate chip, red velvet, white chocolate raspberry, lemon, confetti, classic vanilla, strawberries & cream, carrot, and Oreo cookies & cream. There are also two gluten-free options: chocolate chip and lemon raspberry.

The cost is $7 per item, payable at the time of order.

To order, contact any Princeton High School music student, directors Brandon Crawford or Steven Olson, or any Princeton High School Music Booster Board Member. Inquiries may also be made through the booster Facebook page, Princeton Music Boosters.

For additional information about the PHS Music Boosters, contact president Ben Atkinson at 815-866-5465, or treasurer Linnea Campbell at 815-875-1635, or visit the Music Boosters Facebook page, Princeton Music Boosters.

Participants will design a striking shamrock silhouette with chalk pastels, learning blending techniques in this hands-on project perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. All supplies will be provided. The program is free and open to the public and is geared toward adults and youth ages 8 and older.

For more information, contact the Granville Branch of the Putnam County Public Library District at 815-339-2038 or visit the library at 214 S. McCoy St., Granville.

In a Thursday update, Peru Mayor Ken Kolowski said the project isn’t behind schedule, but it is weather-dependent and will resume in earnest when spring has finally sprung.

“We’re waiting for the weather to break to finish up details and landscaping this spring,” Kolowski said. “It depends on Mother Nature.”

As previously reported, the Peru City Council awarded a pair of bids to replace the multi-use path at Baker Lake. The base bid of $253,639.75 was awarded to Gillan Construction as was an alternate bid of $40,212.76.

Parks director Adam Thorson had estimated the path is at least 30 years old. City engineer Eric Carls said the project is to remove the asphalt path and replace it with concrete, with an additional path to the forthcoming parking lots. The alternative bid is to expand the path from 8 feet to 10 feet.

Secondary concrete paths will connect the new parking lot near Lighted Way to the parking lot, playground, and shelter on the west side of Baker Lake.

The deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol in 2021 exposed the consequences of widespread anger and baseless conspiracy theories. At the same time, the disappearance of more than 2,000 newspapers nationwide has revealed a direct link between the decline of trusted local news and the rise of dangerous misinformation. As reliable sources vanish, many communities are left without accurate, independent reporting, deepening a national misinformation crisis.

“News Matters” explores this cause-and-effect relationship by examining the erosion of America’s newspaper industry and its implications for democratic institutions. The film follows the high-profile effort to save The Denver Post, highlighting the broader struggle to preserve local journalism at a time when its role in American democracy is increasingly at risk.

The film is 1 hour and 24 minutes, not rated, and available through Kanopy. This program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Granville Branch of the Putnam County Public Library District at 815-339-2038 or visit the library at 214 S. McCoy St., Granville.

Participants are invited to enjoy a creative, hands-on craft workshop decorating miniature wooden birdhouses. Designed for adults and youth ages eight and up, this program includes all supplies. Attendees will have the chance to personalize their birdhouses, perfect as charming tabletop décor or whimsical additions to a fairy garden. The program is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the Condit Branch of the Putnam County Public Library District at 815-339-2038 or visit the library at 105 N. Center St., Putnam.

HONOR ROLL

Sixth Grade

Liam Benedetti, Jordan Bollinger, Robert Henry, Bram Kinzer, Bentley McFadin, Payzlie Miller, Mila Peradotti, and Harper Quiles

Seventh Grade

Olivia Barnhart, Madisyn Engel, Araceli Guadarrama, Junie Hancock, Stella Harty, Shaylynn Keckler, Avery Klinefelter, Kash Mathesius, Jiselle Salazar, Felix Shapiro, and Haylee Swiskoski

Eighth Grade

Jett Arkins, Elayna Delgado, Georgia Grosenbach, Landen Halm, Ethan Haradon, Madison Hill, Addison Sesto, Kensley Turczyn

HIGH HONOR ROLL

Sixth Grade

Leana Asani, Bryleigh Camenisch, Declan Dahl, Camden Deegan, Lincoln Hammers, Grace Knutson, Carter Mann, Ruby Martin, Keigan Olson, Dexter Rigby, and Jonah Thorson

Seventh Grade

Logan Balestri, Isabella Hawley, Nathan Jarosz, Mackenzie Kalita, Brody Kramarsic, Michael Padilla, Elliana Ramirez, Lilabeth Skodachek, Lucas Straughn, Aiden Zavsza, and Levi Zermeno

Eighth Grade

Natalie Baker, Gabrianna Cervantes, Aubrie Emmerling, Laney Gardner, Aubrey Hale, Laiken Halm, Lydia Kamnikar, Ariella Margis-Ragazincky, Easton Strand, Leslee Thompson, and Vincent Wren

In a press release, village officials said these psychoactive substances can pose “significant public health risks” due to their lack of regulation and potential for abuse, addiction and overdose. These products are typically sold in convenience stores, gas stations and vape shops. They are commonly known as “gas station drugs.”

“This measure, approved by a unanimous vote, reflects the Council’s commitment to public health and safety,” stated the press release. “The ordinance aims to address growing concerns regarding the unregulated availability of products containing these substances and their potential for misuse.”

The ordinance takes effect immediately. Before passing this ordinance, Chief of Police Jeff Wold met with village retailers to discuss the risks associated with these substances and to notify them that the village was considering prohibition. In February, Wold reported to the council that none of the Seneca retailers were selling these products.

“The safety and well-being of our residents are our highest priorities,” said Scott Peddicord, commissioner of public safety.

“By implementing this ordinance,” Mayor Jeff Olson said, “Seneca is taking a proactive stance to protect our community from the risks associated with these specific substances.”

For more information regarding the specifics of the ordinance, contact Village Clerk Jessica Harvey at clerk@senecail.gov or visit the village hall at 340 N. Cash St.

Eli Jeppson, Kenleigh Fowler, Jack Carroll, Bryer Harris, and Annabelle Threadgill joined other high school students from the Illinois 38th Senate District to learn more about the state’s legislative process.

“I found it valuable for students to see how legislation works in a realistic setting,” said social science teacher Nick McLaughlin, who accompanied the students to Springfield.

OTHS students are selected for the YAC program based on participation in the Advanced Placement U.S. Government course.

The YAC program begins in the fall with students learning more about government in a meeting with Rezin (R-Morris) and their peers. There, they discuss issues important to them that could become legislation, providing a unique experience exploring public policy, state government, and leadership.

During the visit to the State Capitol complex this week, YAC students participated in simulated meetings and hearings related to the legislative issues they reviewed in the fall meeting and visited the floor of the Illinois Senate to meet with state leaders.

“I believe experiences like this are incredibly important,” McLaughlin said. “They help students understand how government functions and hopefully inspire them to become active voices and partners in our democracy.”

All activities are free and open to the public. The day begins from 10–10:30 a.m. with a morning blessing and brief history of St. Patrick and the early La Salle Catholic community at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (725 Fourth St.).

The blessing will be followed by live Irish fiddle music by Sarah Arter at 11 a.m at the I&M Canal Visitor Center (754 First St.).

Downtown restaurants will feature Irish lunch fare before the First Street parade steps off from 1–2 p.m. along First Street from Bucklin to LaHarpe streets.

Storytelling will be 2–3 p.m. at the I&M Canal Visitor Center. The event features Irish folklore and canal-era history told by Tricia Kelly.

The celebration concludes at 3:15 p.m. with a ceremony dyeing the fountain at First and Gooding streets green in honor of the Irish diggers.

Visitors may also enjoy decorated window displays as part of a window decorating contest for downtown businesses.

Long before railroads crossed the prairie or smokestacks rose along the river, LaSalle began with picks, shovels, and determined hands carving a waterway through rock and earth. Completed in 1848, the canal connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River system and transformed northern Illinois into a center of trade and settlement. Nearly 10,000 immigrant laborers — many newly arrived from Ireland, some even before the Great Famine — endured dangerous conditions to dig the canal by hand.

They faced backbreaking labor, prejudice and disease. Cholera outbreaks swept through shantytowns along the canal route, including in La Salle, claiming hundreds of workers. Paid about $1 a day and often in canal scrip redeemable for land, many remained after construction ended, turning from laborers to farmers and founders, and choosing to make La Salle their permanent home.

In its early years, La Salle’s population was nearly 50% Irish. Today, the city’s Irish ancestry is about 15%. The Irish community established a lasting Catholic presence, including St. Patrick’s Church, believed to be the oldest continuously active Catholic parish in Illinois, as well as historic cemeteries such as St. Vincent’s.

The event is hosted by the La Salle Business Association and sponsored by Millstone Bakery, JB Contracting Corp. Electrical/Mechanical Contractors, La Salle State Bank, and Just Needs Done Enterprises.

Samuel H. Musson, 25, was picked up on an original La Salle County warrant and charged with disarming a peace officer and aggravated battery to a peace officer, according to a Thursday press release by the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office.

Both charges are Class 2 felonies carrying three to seven years in prison.

The charges stem from a January incident between Musson and a Leland police officer, police said. The officer received minor injuries after Musson attempted to take the officer’s firearm, police said.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force from the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office executed the warrant, accordingto the press release.

Musson was taken to the La Salle County Jail where he was held pending an appearance in La Salle County Circuit Court.

“Every year, I see growth from band students,” OTHS Band Director Andrew Jacobi said. “It’s rewarding to see things click for them and watch them make connections as they put things together with me or their accompanist. Some highlights on the band end are that we have a student playing the Gordon Jacob Trombone Concerto, which is a major work in professional trombone repertoire, and a student who is playing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto.”

“This year, I’m seeing the most participation I’ve ever seen from the students in Treble and Concert Choirs,” said OTHS Choir Director Ali Stachowicz, who adds Solo and Ensemble contest is voluntary for those students, but is a requirement for members of the Crimson Choir. “It’s exciting for me as an educator to watch younger students be brave enough to sing a solo for the first time, and it’s really exciting when they come in well-prepared and confident. For some of the older choir students, Solo & Ensemble is a fun challenge for them to try out some upper-level standards of vocal literature.”

For the IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest, students prepare individual pieces for classical voice or instrument or assemble in small groups to practice a selection. During competition, they perform the piece for an audience and a judge who evaluates accuracy, technique, and musicality, issuing a rating from 1-5, with 1 being the highest mark a performance receives. “Through this process, students learn and improve their ability to

Anthony Brito, 32, appeared Wednesday in La Salle County Circuit Court in his ongoing bid to reverse his August conviction for attempted murder. He faces up to 50 years for firing shots outside La Salle County’s downtown courthouse. No one was hurt.

Sentencing has been on hold since October. After a La Salle County jury convicted him, Brito split with his private attorney, then fired the public defender and has since represented himself at post-trial hearings.

Not anymore. A new lawyer, Chicago attorney Marc Barnett, appeared on Wednesday and asked for time to review the trial transcripts before filing post-trial motions. Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. agreed and set a May 13 status hearing.

Brito remains convicted and no longer enjoys any presumption of innocence. The onus now is on Barnett to persuade Ryan to vacate the jury’s guilty verdicts and send the case to a new jury.

Jurors rejected Brito’s claims that there wasn’t enough evidence linking him to the shots fired at Larry Burns, who was not injured. Prosecutors persuaded jurors that Brito was trying to silence Burns, who was cooperating in a separate investigation against Brito.

The seasonal video series, which began rolling out this year, captures Starved Rock State Park throughout the year. Two of the four campaign videos — Winter and Spring — have already been released, with Summer and Fall set to debut later this year. Each ad highlights the Lodge as a natural extension of the park experience, inviting guests to stay close to the trails while enjoying comfort, dining, and hospitality on the property.

“This campaign has always been about showing people how easy it is to escape into nature and still wake up with adventure right outside your door,” said Matthew Klein, co-founder of reelCreative. “With the seasonal videos already in motion, this next phase allows us to visually elevate the Lodge even further, ensuring that every room and key space is represented in a way that reflects the quality and experience guests can expect.”

The partnership will expand to include a comprehensive photography initiative designed to showcase every room type and key gathering space across the Lodge property.

The new imagery will be used across digital platforms, print advertising, and promotional materials to better reflect the Lodge experience and attract new visitors to both the property and the region.

“Starved Rock Lodge has long played a central role in welcoming visitors to the region,” said Abby Farrell, area operations manager of Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center. “This partnership allows us to not only support tourism growth, but also remind our local community that the Lodge is a place for them as well; whether for dining, events, conferences, or a weekend reset close to home.”

By investing in both seasonal storytelling and updated photography, the Lodge continues to strengthen its digital presence while reinforcing its role as a home base to Illinois’ most-visited state park.

Additional campaign releases and photography updates will be announced throughout 2026

Monday, city officials discussed the possibility of increasing the Plank Road speed limit from Midtown Road to near the electric and public works building above the current 35 mph.

City Engineer Eric Carls explained the recent stretch of Plank Road improvement was designed to Illinois Department of Transportation standards based on the projected future growth of the surrounding area.

The Phase 1 Plank Road project is a wrap and that portion is under the City of Peru’s jurisdiction. Therefore, the city may adjust the speed limit. Carls explained that due to the new concrete curb and gutter along this section of roadway, the maximum speed limit considered should be 45 mph.

While not a done deal, a clear consensus emerged for raising the speed limit.

“I’m all for it,” Alderman Jim Lukosus said. “I thought the 35 (mph) was too low.”

Alderman Mike Sapienza said he’d fielded a pair of calls asking for the speed limit to be raised to 45 mph.

“I think they’re going 45 (mph) now,” said Alderman Tom Payton.

Mayor Ken Kolowski polled the council on whether to simply raise the city-owned portion of Plank Road to 45 mph – outside city limits it’s 55 mph – and there were no objections.

“45,” Kolowski said after taking a straw poll. “Done.”

A formal vote is expected at the next meeting on Monday, March 9.

The program, which is offeredin partnership with meteorologists from the National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville office, is free and open to the public.

The annual presentation provides residents with critical information on severe weather awareness, storm development, safety practices, and reporting procedures. Meteorologists will explain how thunderstorms form and evolve, demonstrate weather spotter tools, review notable local severe weather events, and address additional warm-season hazards.

“La Salle County experiences a full spectrum of severe weather hazards each year,” EMA Director Fred Moore said. “Prepared and informed residents strengthen the safety of our entire community. This training ensures citizens understand what to look for and how to report it safely and effectively.”

La Salle County has served as a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador since 2015 through the National Weather Service’s Weather-Ready Nation initiative. The Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador program is a nationwide effort to build community resilience in the face of increasing weather, water, and climate hazards.

As a WRN Ambassador, La Salle County Emergency Management is committed to strengthening partnerships, improving public preparedness, and promoting proactive safety messaging throughout the county.

The presentation is one of several initiatives supporting that commitment by enhancing community awareness and encouraging residents to take an active role in preparedness.

Community members, emergency responders, weather enthusiasts, and anyone interested in learning more about severe weather safety are encouraged to attend.

Meals are available for carryout only and can be picked up in the bar, which will be open. The dining room is closed.

Dinners are $17 each and include fried cod, fried shrimp or a combination, plus fries, coleslaw and bread. To place an order, call 815-883-3181.

Three tacos cost $6. Call 815-883-3214 with orders or questions.

Charnelle Mond, 29, also listed in La Salle, appeared Monday in La Salle County Circuit Court for a hearing on prosecutors’ motion to revoke her pre-trial release.

Mond had mostly been out of custody on GPS monitoring since an April 25, 2024, drug raid in Peru that yielded about 900 grams of purported cocaine, according to court records and a report from the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team.

She would face 12 to 50 years in prison if convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Super Class X felony.

La Salle County prosecutors asked to have her held until trial, arguing she broke the law twice since she was granted pre-trial release.

That follows a Feb. 19 traffic stop that yielded a small amount of unbundled cannabis – a no-no for a driver – and for a driving while license suspended arrest to which Mond pleaded guilty.

Prosecutor Laura Hall said in open court that either of those misdemeanor charges would be grounds for detention, but that Mond further pushed her luck by repeatedly asking pre-trial services to let her out of the restricted GPS zone.

“(If) she gets denied movement, she leaves anyway,” Hall said, terming the number of GPS alarms that Mond racked up “astonishing.”

Mond’s attorney Peter Siena acknowledged some violations but argued the appropriate remedy was full-time home confinement, save for leave to attend church on Sunday.

Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. rejected Siena’s argument and agreed with prosecutors that there were “multiple violations” of pre-trial release conditions and that “her explanations are not satisfactory.”

Mond will next appear for a status hearing on March 19. Attorneys noted “negotiations are ongoing.”

A second suspect, 40-year-old Robert L. Wright, has been in custody since the 2024 bust. He, too, is charged with felony possession of cocaine and with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.