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Why we’re expanding our coverage – and doubling down on what matters locally

Dear Readers,

NOTE TO READERS

M. Eileen Brown

If the paper looks a little different today, you’re not imagining things. We’ve been making some changes – and we want to take a moment to explain what’s new.

For one, you’ll be seeing more local reporting on health, education and public safety, including today’s story on the devastating impact the fentanyl epidemic is having on our communities and neighbors.

These are topics that come up again and again, and for good reason. Decisions made in schools, police departments, public health organizations, hospitals and city halls have a direct impact on daily life, and we’re committed to covering those stories with more depth and context.

At the same time, we’re expanding our national coverage. While local news will always be at the heart of what we do, many readers have told us they want help making sense of what’s happening beyond our community – and how those national stories connect back to life here at home.

You’ll also notice some new columns and features appearing in the paper. These bring in fresh voices and per-

spectives – sometimes to inform, sometimes to explain, and sometimes just to give you something interesting to think about.

We’re also proudly celebrating our 175th anniversary as a news organization, and we’ll be showcasing front pages and stories we have covered over the decades.

These enhancements are part of our commitment to our readers and the communities we serve. They’re about listening, evolving and making sure the paper continues to be a reliable, relevant part of your day.

As always, we appreciate your feedback – and thank you for reading.

• M. Eileen Brown, executive editor

Former Monterey Mushrooms plant sees partial sale

By BILL FRESKOS bfreskos@shawmedia.com

Portions of the former Monterey Mushrooms property in Princeton have been sold, although the main processing plant remains unsold, according to the real estate agent involved in the transaction.

According to Bureau County documents, Sundog Roamer LLC is listed as the buyer of the property. However, David Sickley, the listing agent, said the 250,000-square-foot mushroom processing facility and the immediate 50 acres surrounding it have not been sold.

Sickley said the sale involved about 150 acres of excess land, while the main building and nearby property have been off the market for several months.

It is not yet clear what Sundog Roamer LLC plans to do with the land, and the company was not available for comment as of Jan. 29.

A view the Monterey Mushrooms plant on Nov. 10, 2023, in Princeton. The company has confirmed that it will close two of its mushroom growing locations by the end of January 2024, including the facilities in Princeton and Orlando, Fl. The plant employees more than 200 jobs and it has been in operation for over 50 years.

Property-transfer records show Monterey Mushrooms sold land connected to the former Princeton plant to Sundog Roamer LLC in December for $974,100.

The plant closed over two years ago due to financial reasons, including the fallout of the pandemic in 2020.

Monterey Mushrooms had been in

CHP of Illinois voiced their advocacy for the 340B drug pricing program with groups of state leaders, legislators, hospitals, patients and more. Shaw Local News Network file photo ON THE COVER

operation for almost 47 years in the Princeton area and at one time employed between 525 and 550 individuals in the 250,000 square foot facility located on U.S. 6.

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CHP of Illinois advocates for drug pricing program

Met with groups Sunday, Feb. 1 in Chicago to voice support for 340B

By MATHIAS WOERNER mwoerner@shawmedia.com

Community Health Partnerships of Illinois convened with groups of state leaders, legislators, hospitals, patients and health care employees on Sunday, Feb. 1 in Chicago to voice their advocacy for the 340B drug pricing program.

The 340B drug pricing program requires drug manufacturers to provide discounted outpatient drugs to eligible community health centers like the Mendota Health Center.

The program enables CHP to serve vulnerable patient populations at the

Mendota Health Center and provide access to outpatient drugs at significantly lower cost, which helps it improve overall patient care.

“The ability to offer discounted medications through 340B is central to all health centers,” CHP of Illinois President & CEO Eleace Sawyers said. “Without it, many of our low-income and uninsured patients would have to choose between their health and other household expenses.”

Opponents of the 340B drug pricing program claim that it is not effective, the health care centers that use the program often do not pass the savings on to their patients, and that it has accelerated health care consolidation.

“Today, the 340B program is a broken promise to Illinois’ neediest patients,” Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations board member Erin Arnold said. “Our health care system has a finite number of

Lake Mendota to be site of 9th annual polar plunge

Set for 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb 28

By MATHIAS WOERNER mwoerner@shawmedia.com

The Mendota City Council approved the use of Lake Mendota Park for the

9th annual polar plunge.

The plunge will be at noon on Saturday, Feb 28, at Lake Mendota.

Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Mendota Civic Center and continues up until the plunge starts.

For more information, call 309-5333725.

resources, and it’s concerning that 340B program drug discounts, intended to aid underserved communities, are being misdirected toward wealthier communities, straining the system’s ability to provide equitable care.

“Covered entities gain a competitive edge by purchasing drugs at a 20% to 50% discount through their 340B program status, providing a revenue and cash flow advantage. Without patient-centered reforms, the 340B program will only continue to grow without serving the most vulnerable patient populations.”

In Mendota, the 340B program “Saves Lives” helps health care providers offer discounted medications and comprehensive primary preventive health services, enables low-income and uninsured patients to afford critical drugs like insulin and helps patients stay healthier and prevent

costly hospitalizations through medication management.

“340B savings are critical for funding uncompensated care, ensuring patient access to affordable, life-saving medications and improving the overall health of our communities,” Sawyers said. “The program ensures that we can reach more eligible patients and provide more comprehensive services, which is a true game-changer for public health.”

Community Health Partnership of Illinois in Mendota is a community-based health center that provides comprehensive primary care, like medical, dental and behavioral health services, at a nominal fee regardless of income or insurance status. It accepts all major insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid and other thirdparty insurance plans.

For more information, visit the CHP of Illinois website.

USDA boosts corn harvest from mid-year projection

By TOM C. DORAN tdoran@shawmedia.com

In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Agriculture increased corn harvested area by 4.5 million acres since its mid-2025 projection, bolstering production to record levels.

USDA’s atypical move was included in its 2025 crop production summary released Jan. 12 that also reported record U.S. corn and soybean yield averages.

Corn

Harvested corn acres was estimated at 91.258 million, the highest since 1933, and 4.5 million acres above the June acreage survey of 86.774 million. USDA plugged in 90.047 million harvested acres it its September estimate.

The largest harvested acre increases from the June planting report to the January USDA estimates were in Kansas, 800,000 acres; South Dakota, 640,000; Nebraska, 580,000; North Dakota, 550,000; Wisconsin, 240,000; and Texas, 220,000. Indiana, Illinois and Iowa June-to-January changes were minimal.

Corn for grain production in 2025 was estimated at a record high 17.021 billion bushels, up 14% from the 2024 estimate. USDA projected production of 16.752 billion bushels in November.

The average U.S. yield was estimated at a record high 186.5 bushels per acre, a half-bushel higher than the November estimate and 7.2 bushels above the 2024 yield average.

Record high yields were estimated in Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Soybeans

USDA estimated the nation’s 2025 soybean production totaled 4.262 billion bushels, up from 4.25 billion in November estimate and down 3% from the 4.374 billion produced in 2024.

The national average yield per acre was estimated at a record high 53 bushels, unchanged from the November prediction and up 2.3 bushels from 2024.

Harvested area, at 80.437 million acres, was 7% lower than 2024’s 86.208 million acres. The previous forecast in November was 80.3 million harvested acres.

Record high soybean yields were estimated in Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa,

Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

‘I’ Corn Acreage

Although there was the unusually big jump in harvested corn acres from the June harvested acres report to USDA’s final production summary, the “I” states saw only small changes.

Illinois was unchanged at 11 million acres from September, and the June planted acres report had 10.8 million corn harvested acres.

Indiana was lowered from 5.25 million acres in the June and September estimates to 5.23 million acres in the Jan. 12 summary.

Iowa was up from 13 million acres in September to 13.2 million in January. The harvested acreage in the June plantings report was 12.95 million.

‘I’ Yields, Production

In USDA’s 2025 crop production summary, the Prairie State’s corn averaged 214 bushels per acre, matching 2022 and 3 below the 2024 record. Total

production is estimated at 2.345 billion bushels, 43 million above the previous year.

Illinois soybean yields averaged 62.5 bushels per acre, producing 639.375 million bushels in 2025, after a 64-bushel average and production of 688 million in 2024.

The USDA estimated Indiana’s average corn yield at a record 204 bushels per acre, a bushel above the 2023 high-water mark. The state’s production totaled just under 1.067 billion bushels after hitting 999.9 million in 2024.

A 59.5 bushels per acre statewide average was estimated for Indiana with total production of 323.085 million bushels. In 2024, Indiana produced 341.02 million bushels with an average of 59 bushels per acre.

An average corn yield of 210 bushels per acre was plugged into Iowa’s 2025 summary, 1 bushel below 2024, resulting in production of 2.772 billion bush-

els, about 145 million higher than the previous year on higher acreage.

Iowa averaged a record 63.5 bushels per acre for soybeans last year, one-half bushel above the previous record set in 2021, and produced 595.63 million bushels. The state averaged 60 bushels per acre in 2024, producing 597.6 million bushels.

Survey-Based

The estimates in this report are based primarily on surveys conducted during the month of December.

The December Agricultural Survey is a probability survey that includes a sample of approximately 73,100 farm operators selected from a list of producers that ensures all operations in the United States have a chance to be selected.

Data from operators was collected by mail, internet, telephone, or personal interview to obtain information on crop acreage, yield and production for the 2025 crop year.

Beck’s conducts research trials to help farmers succeed

By MARTHA BLUM mblum@shawmedia.com

The practical farm research conducted by Beck’s aims to make a difference and help farmers succeed.

“We know you are fighting for margins, so we try to do as much as we can to help you with information,” said Chad Kalaher, a field agronomist for Beck’s.

Beck’s conducts research at 12 locations that includes more than 1,200 acres and over 150 studies. Several years ago, the company started to replicate the same research protocol at multiple sites.

“That makes the data more powerful,” Kalaher said during a PFR Insight meeting hosted by Beck’s.

More than 150 practices researched by the company have received the PFR Proven stamp.

“To earn a stamp, we have to test the practice a minimum of three years, it has to give us a yield increase every year, and it has to average a positive return on investment over the years it was tested,” Kalaher said.

During the meeting, he highlighted some of the results from trials conducted by Beck’s, including information about soybean seed treatments.

“We do not offer untreated soybean seed,” Kalaher said. “Our base package comes on every soybean seed, and we are the only company that offers a standard nematode product in our base package.

“In 2025, we saw a yield advantage from our base treatment of 4 bushels per acre,” he added. “When we added Saltro, we saw an additional 2 bushels on top of the base.”

Red crown rot is a new soybean disease threat.

“Last year was the first time I aggressively scouted for the presence of red crown rot,” Kalaher said.

Soybean plants with this disease will have red coloring at the base of the stem, and white mycelial growth often is associated with the red color.

“The leaves tend to stay attached at the top of the plant, and even during harvest, leaves can still be attached to the plant,” the field agronomist said. “For sudden death syndrome, those leaves will fall off.”

Kalaher talked about a soybean field in southern Douglas County that was affected by red crown rot. Parts of the field yielded 78 bushels per acre, but the infected plants produced 55 bushels per acre.

“Red crown rot is potentially as damaging as white mold, and maybe even more,” Kalaher said. “It is something we need to be watching for and potentially managing for in the future.”

The company did screening projects with known red crown rot areas in two Illinois locations.

“We found that there are variety differences,” Kalaher said. “Victrato is a new seed treatment from Syngenta that gives us better protection for red crown rot, and it is also better than Saltro for sudden death syndrome and soybean cyst nematode.”

PFR research shows that farmers may want to change their talc and graphite mixture.

“Stride Bio is an 80/20 talc-graphite blend that also has nutritionals put in, and it has earned the PFR Proven stamp with a return on investment of

almost $14,” Kalaher said.

GroPak A.I. has nutritionals and microbes, he added.

“For two-year results, we’ve seen pretty good results from this product,” he said. “This is one thing that you are probably already doing that doesn’t take any additional time or effort to boost production.”

For corn, researchers at Beck’s looked at how to manage hybrids based on their ear styles and root architecture.

“With plant populations of 28,000 to 40,000, for semi-determinate ears, the ear size pretty much stays the same no matter the population,” Kalaher said. “But for full-flex ears, the ear size tends to go down as the plant population increases.”

With semi-determinate ears, he said, the researchers do not see a difference in population trends for both of the root styles.

However, researchers are seeing differences in hybrids with full-flex ears.

“The vertical-root hybrids tend to show a trend for higher populations doing better,” Kalaher said. “For horizontal-root hybrids with full-flex ears, if we plant them too thick, we see the yield come down. There is a $90-peracre difference in 28,000 and 40,000 populations.”

Farmers need to pay more attention to the architecture of corn roots along with the ear flex to determine the population, Kalaher said.

“Match the correct population to the hybrid,” he said.

Applying fungicides to crops can be accomplished in several ways, including ground sprayers, drones, helicop-

ters or airplanes.

“Here are three years of data, where we sprayed 10 to 20 gallons per acre with ground rigs, which gave us a $6 to $7 return on investment,” Kalaher said. “Spraying with the drone at 2 gallons per acre resulted in an average of $14.66 return on investment.

“There are many effective ways to get that application of fungicide on, and we need all the options because it comes down to getting the field sprayed versus not sprayed.”

He continued: “In 2025, we had heavy pressure from southern rust and tar spot, so at one location, we saw a 30-bushel yield advantage with the fungicide.

And I know there are guys who had 80-bushel yield losses who did not spray fungicides on corn.”

The pH of the water and of the solution after products have been mixed in also may dictate the success or failure of fungicide applications.

“A pH of 7 is neutral, and lower than 7 is acidic, which is what we want,” Kalaher said. “If you have a neutral pH in your spray system, it takes three hours for half of that active ingredient to degrade and not be active. So, you just lost half of your money for that application.

“If you make the pH 5, you increase your time from three to 10 hours,” he added. “The product is remaining active that much longer on the leaf surface if the pH is correct.”

When Brandt’s Indicate 5 water conditioner is added to a spray tank, it turns pink when the solution is at a pH of 5.

“That product gave us the highest return,” Kalaher said.

Treasurer reminds Illinois residents to check for missing money to claim

By JUDY HARVEY jharvey@shawmedia.com

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging people to visit the ICash missing money website this weekend to see if they have money or unclaimed property waiting for them.

Sunday is National Unclaimed Property Day, and residents can check the ICash website to see if they or any loved ones have missing money to claim, according to the treasurer’s office.

The ICash site is available anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the

office said in a news release.

An estimated one-in-four adults who check ICash discover they have missing money or other unclaimed property, the treasurer’s office said.

“It’s a good idea to check the names of family members and friends, as well as your own name, because you might find some unexpected treasures. If you find something for your relatives or neighbors, you can use our website’s Family and Friends ‘share’ feature to let them know,” Frerich said in the release.

“We work hard to return missing money and unclaimed property to the

rightful owners. The proof is in our record-breaking numbers over the years,” he said. “Putting money back in your warm hands is better than keeping it in our cold bank vaults.”

Since 2015, more than $2.4 billion in unclaimed property – the largest amount in state history – has been returned to people, according to the release.

The average claim in 2025 was $539, according to the treasurer’s office.

Unclaimed property includes forgotten or overlooked bank accounts, uncashed rebate checks, unpaid life insurance claims and the contents of

abandoned safe deposit boxes.

When companies and banks cannot return these items to the rightful owners, by law, they are turned over to the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. The treasurer is legally required to return unclaimed property to its owners or their heirs, no matter how long it takes, according to the release.

Frerichs worked with state lawmakers to streamline the process, returning money without filing a claim through the Enhanced Money Match program, and adding a Spanish-language website.

Scott Anderson

Cole McDaniel, president of Hometown Consulting in Peoria, gives a presentation during a Community Meeting of Business Development District on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Bureau County Metro Center in Princeton.

Princeton residents hear about possible business development district

Sales tax bump would fund projects within the district

By BILL FRESKOS bfreskos@shawmedia.com

More than 60 Princeton residents and business owners attended a community meeting Tuesday night to learn more about a business development district being considered by the city.

The city meeting included a presentation from Hometown Consulting, a firm the city hired to help with economic development. Cole McDaniel, president of the firm, explained to everyone what a BDD does, how it could impact the city and answered questions from residents.

A BDD serves a similar role to a tax increment financing district by providing funding for business and redevelopment projects, although it relies on sales tax revenue instead of property taxes.

If created, the district would be paid for through an additional sales tax on certain retail purchases made within the district.

Notably, the tax would only apply to items meant for “immediate consumption,” such as meals at a restaurant, snacks or drinks, but would not apply to groceries, prescription drugs or titled items such as vehicles.

The city would use the money to support projects inside the district, such as downtown improvements, building upgrades, infrastructure and new business development.

City officials estimate a 1% tax could generate about $800,000 annually, although the amount would depend on the final boundaries of the district.

McDaniel, along with city officials, treated the meeting as a way to not only explain to residents what a BDD is, but also to gather data and receive public feedback so that if the city goes through with it, they’ll have a better understanding of what residents and business owners want and need.

“All too often, I’ve been in communities to do these presentations where six

Fire crews respond to house fire Saturday near Mendota

By SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

Fire crews responded to a structure fire in the 3900 block of East 550th Road on Saturday in Mendota. The fire started in the chimney area. Fire departments from Troy Grove, Utica, La Salle, Peru, Mendota and others

Suspect in Sheridan sex case granted pretrial release

Brown told no computer, internet or phone access

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

A western Illinois man was placed on home confinement with GPS monitoring while awaiting trial on charges he visited La Salle County to make illegal contact with a minor.

Harley S. Brown, 19, of Adair (near Macomb) appeared Friday in La Salle County Circuit Court and was presented with two felony charges. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted of traveling to meet a minor and/or up to three years if convicted of solicitation to meet a minor.

Brown was picked up on Tuesday on a La Salle County warrant and transported early Friday to La Salle County Jail.

He won’t stay there, however. A judge approved his request for pre-

Harley S. Brown

trial release with conditions. Prosecutors wanted him detained. Assistant La Salle County State’s Attorney Laura Hall said in open court that Brown, in October, “hooked up with” a 14-year-old on Snapchat, lied about his age and traveled to Sheridan for sexual relations.

Assistant Public Defender Brad Popurella countered that Brown is 19, has no criminal history and scored a 1 on a 14-point risk assessment.

Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. declined to hold Brown. Instead, the judge ordered home confinement with restrictions, including no access to a computer or a cellphone and no contact with any minors.

Brown will next appear Feb. 20 for arraignment.

Man charged after traveling to meet La Salle County minor

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

La Salle County investigators have apprehended a resident of western Illinois who allegedly traveled to La Salle County to meet a minor, according to a news release sent Wednesday from the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force picked up Harley S. Brown, 19, of Adair, near Macomb, on Tuesday at his residence, according to the release.

The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office received an Oct. 23 complaint of an adult male who traveled to La Salle County to meet a minor, according to

the release.

The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division, along with the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office, investigated the incident and later identified Brown as a suspect, according to the release.

Brown’s charges include traveling to meet a child, a Class 3 felony carrying two to five years in prison; solicitation to meet a child, a Class 4 felony carrying one to three years in prison; and criminal sexual abuse, a misdemeanor.

Court dates are pending in La Salle County Circuit Court. The case is assigned to Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.

NEW APPLICANTS

This Notice is for persons filing for the Homestead Exemption for the first time. All senior citizens who are or will be 65 years old during 2026 and who own and reside in their own home, are eligible for the $5,000 Senior Homestead Exemption on the 2027 real estate tax bill. A copy of the owner’s driver’s license and any other persons listed on the deed driver’s license(s) are needed for the application. The signature on this form must be notarized. There are (3) Notaries in the Mendota Township Assessor’s Office.

EXISTING SENIOR HOMESTEADS

Renewal forms for existing Homesteads were mailed out in early February 2026. All recipients should read the form, answer all questions completely and return them to the Township Assessor’s Office. (See address below.) If needed, one of our staff members can help you fill out the form.

ASSESSMENT FREEZE

Renewal forms for the Assessment Freeze Exemption are included in the mailing with the regular Senior Homestead Exemption. Your total gross household income must be $75,000 or less. This exemption freezes your assessed valuation, not your taxes. Forms must be filled out, signed, notarized, and returned to the respective township offices. Staff members can assist you with all of this. If your income is $75,000 or lower, we will need a copy of your 2025 form 1040 and any loss schedule. If you do not file for federal income tax, we will still need to see proof of income in order to qualify. For example, such documents as IRS Forms 1099, 1099 SSA, W-2, etc.

OWNER-OCCUPIED EXEMPTION

Home Owners have to file an Owner-Occupied Exemption Form to get this Exemption. These forms are available at the Mendota Township Assessor’s Office. This form must be Notarized.

MENDOTA TOWNSHIP OFFICE ADDRESS, HOURS AND PHONE NUMBER

The Mendota Township Assessor’s Office is located at the Mendota Township Offices at 602 S. Main St. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday, 9am to 3 pm or by appointment. Completed forms may be mailed to Mendota Township Assessor, PO Box 465, Mendota, IL 61342. Staff members can make home visits for homebound individuals. Bilingual assistance is available by appointment. If you have any questions, call the office at 815-539-3201.

Susan Hochstatter / Mendota Township Assessor

Mendota Township Assessor’s Office / 602 S Main St / P.O. Box 465 Mendota IL 61342 / Phone: (815) 539 3201 / Cell: (779) 732-0387

Embodying Christ begins with deep prayer

SPIRIT MATTERS

When I was in my mid-20’s, my mom gave me a copy of the Book of Psalms for Christmas.

I was thrilled, truly.

Due to some work-life issues, I had recently begun my adult journey seeking strength from the God of our ancestors. In that brief time, I had already tasted a bit of consolation that the Holy One pours out on those who approach, seeking comfort and guidance.

So, when I opened that gift that year, I knew what a prize I had in my possession.

The Psalms are THE prayer book of Scripture. They contain prayers and petitions for every kind of human experience imaginable.

From petition to gratitude, lamentation to intercession, the 150 chapters of the Psalms offer hope, comfort, encouragement, strength and spiritual reinforcement for the tired spirit and the pilgrim soul.

I went on to carry that little green book around in my purse for years, to the point where the covers – what was left of them – were creased and torn, and the pages dog-eared and

wrinkled from extended overuse.

Recently, the Streator contingent of the Associates of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, the order from Springfield that formerly operated St. Mary’s Hospital, met for a belated Christmas lunch.

I wanted to share with them a reminder of where we gather our spiritual strength during these unspeakable times, so I made up a prayer card for each of them with verses 1 and 4 from Psalm 27, one of my favorites:

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear

The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid

One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek:

To dwell in the LORD’s house all the days of my life,

To gaze on the LORD’s beauty, to visit his temple.

Turning to these words does not minimize the moral responsibility we each have to call out wrongdoing and stand united with those who are being treated unfairly and inhumanely.

But they do remind us why we do what we do, and that beyond all the noise and chaos, Beauty and Love remain.

Many of us, myself included, sometimes despair as to why God is not intervening in a big way to stop all

the human, ecological and spiritual suffering the world is enduring in this moment in time.

I still believe God is at work in a multitude of ways, whether through the election of a reasoned, gentle, measured, principled man as pope or through courts that still apply constitutional principles to strike down efforts by the administration to take away our rights.

And then there is the consistent resistance that continues to build among everyday citizens here and around the globe who have had enough of the reckless destruction to our society.

There are people like Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who see themselves as “their brother’s keeper” (Genesis 4:9), nonviolently putting themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow citizens, even to the point of sacrificing their lives at the hands of violent agents of the government.

St. Teresa of Avila, a Spanish mystic and doctor of the church, is credited with the following prayer:

Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours.

Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassionately on this world.

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.

Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands.

Yours are the feet.

Yours are the eyes.

You are his body.

Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours.

Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassionately on this world.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

Amen.

For those of us who sometimes question, ‘Where is God in all of this?” the answer is simple. Christ is indeed present in the bodies of all of those offering shelter, making phone calls, handing out food, offering transportation, blowing their whistles, taking tear gas to the face while acting as a shield to another human being, taking videos with their cell phones to provide accurate documentation of what is happening, and so on.

When you find yourself wondering if and when these dark times will ever end, turn to the Psalms, pour out your soul in lamentation, and gather the moral strength to carry on, bringing the embodied Christ to a world filled with people, desperately in need of healing.

• Spirit Matters is a weekly column by Jerrilyn Zavada Novak that examines experiences common to the human spirit. Contact her at jzblue33@yahoo. com.

Heirloom, ancient grains grown and marketed from Hazzard Free Farm

By MARTHA BLUM mblum@shawmedia.com

Heirloom and ancient grains are grown on Hazzard Free Farm without any chemical pesticides.

“Corn is my specialty, but I also grow wheat, oats, rye, barley and dry beans,” said Andrea Hazzard, owner and operator of Hazzard Free Farm. “I am starting to play around a little bit with sorghum and flax.”

One thing that Hazzard has noticed is that the flax plants compete with foxtail.

“I had heavy foxtail pressure and I sowed some flax in that field and the number of foxtails was non-existent,” the farmer said during the Rooted in Resilience: Learning Circle for Farmers and Landowners event, hosted by

the American Farmland Trust.

Hazzard started her operation in 2007, growing vegetables.

“I had a CSA and our main thing was wholesale vegetables to Chicago,” she said.

In 2011 or 2012, Hazzard began to grow grains and she added an 8-inch mill in 2013 to process her grains. The following year, she ended her vegetable production.

However, she is considering the addition of some vegetables to her operation.

“I am really into growing carrots and the ground here is sandy, so they grow really good,” she said. “That might be a bulk crop that I grow and I also had garlic up until this year.”

Andrea Hazzard explains how she uses her 20-inch stone mill to produce products from a variety of heirloom and ancient grains she grows, including five kinds of corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley and dry beans.

A CLOSER LOOK A groundhog named Wanda

Starved Rock State Park hosts a program about America’s favorite forecaster

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

Wondering if we’re in for another six weeks of winter? You’ll have to wait until Tuesday to find out. The groundhog that appeared Sunday at Starved Rock State Park was in no mood to prognosticate.

Wanda the Groundhog was a celebrity guest at the park, where about 20 visitors came to get a peep (no touching, please) at the species most closely associated with winter forecasting.

Molly Craig, director of animal pathways at Anderson Humane, a wildlife rehabilitation center, introduced Wanda as one of five orphaned pups rescued in hopes of reintroducing them into the wild after they’d reached adulthood.

“It’s always with the intent to release them back out into the wild,” Craig said. “Unfortunately, Wanda was far too habituated to be safely released into the wild.”

So it was on to Plan B: make Wanda an “ambassador animal” to be shown at programs to teach interested persons about the species.

Groundhogs go by a variety of nicknames, including woodchucks. No, they don’t actually chuck wood; Anderson Humane said that’s the most-asked question at their programs.

Groundhogs are actually shy and not geared to confrontation – they’ll bite only when cornered – though they have a poor reputation with gardeners for munching on produce. Anderson Human recommends sprinkling chili flakes around the perimeter of a vegetable garden – groundhogs hate the stuff – to keep them away.

As far as forecasting, the tradition of predicting more winter dates back to Germany and was brought to the United States by the Pennsylvania Dutch, explained Dee Patel, an educator for Anderson Humane. Initially, a groundhog’s shadow was thought to portend four more weeks of winter, but the tradition evolved into six weeks.

Actually, a few European cultures

have traditions of anticipating the duration of winter, in part because Groundhog Day falls on the Christian feast of Candlemas. Patel said it was believed that if the feast day was mild, weather-wise, it indicated a swifter end to the cold and snow.

Whatever the roots of Groundhog Day, Wanda is much in demand these days.

“She is a popular lady this time of year. It’s a combination of the Punxsutawney Phil phenomenon, as well as the Bill Murray movie and all of that. It has become a very impressively popular holiday.

“So we are very happy to be able to celebrate that and have her use this opportunity to really teach about the species.”

• DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

Continued from page 6

people show up and the council moves forward soon after,” McDaniel said. “That’s not what’s happening here, and it’s important for how priorities are set if this happens.”

McDaniel also included examples from other Illinois communities where BDDs helped revitalize downtowns.

He shared how the district in smaller towns supported projects such as building renovations, new businesses and infrastructure improvements, which increase foot traffic and sales tax revenue over time.

Attendees were able to ask questions and participate in a live survey at the end of the presentation. Residents had the opportunity to anonymously give feedback about their thoughts and concerns.

In the live survey, 19 participants

• HAZZARD FREE FARM

Continued from page 10

Hazzard also feeds some of her garlic to her sheep flock.

“They would eat sometimes an entire bulb at a time and that was helping with parasites,” she said.

In 2017, Hazzard saw an advertisement for a 20-inch stone mill.

“I bought it sight unseen from a guy in Chicago,” she said.

Grains are grown on 35 to 40 acres on the Winnebago County farm.

“The winter wheat is planted,” the farmer said. “I grew Sonora white wheat last year and it was kind of wet, so it didn’t love it, but I will keep planting it because it will adapt.”

Marquis hard red spring wheat is grown on the farm and about five kinds of corn every year.

A variety of products are available for purchase from Hazzard Free Farm including cornmeal, wheat berries, wheat flour, raw rolled oats, oatmeal, grits and polenta.

“I am almost completely direct marketing through an online farmers market called Jo Daviess Local Foods,” Hazzard said. “I also sell to a couple of retail shops, I have clients in Chicago and a lot has gone straight to the food bank the last couple of years.”

When planting her crops, Hazzard does a lot of underseeding.

“I do that to fix nitrogen and then I also have something for the sheep,” she said.

said they or their organization would consider applying for BDD funding, 9 said no, and 20 said maybe.

Mayor Raymond Mabry said he thought the meeting was productive and would help guide the city going forward if they made any moves.

“It was very encouraging to see people show up,” Princeton Mayor Ray Mabry said. “The live survey was a neat tool to see some results in real time and how people are feeling. Every day, we’re trying to make Princeton a community we’d want to live in and share with visitors. But it starts with quality of life for our residents first and this could be a great thing for our city.”

Deadlines for establishing the district are Apr. 1 or Oct. 1, and it looks like the city is shooting for the April deadline.

Mabry said more discussions, including public input, will continue at future City Council meetings before any official decisions are made.

This year Hazzard received a grant to do a fencing project.

“We are going to do temporary fencing so that we can graze the sheep on the grain early and that will increase tillering,” the farmer said.

“Then we will pull the sheep off, go through the season, harvest the grain and then put the sheep back out on the field and let them glean the field,” she said.

In 2025, Hazzard had a second crop of oats, which was accidental.

“The oats almost went to seed, so if I plan it better, I think we can double crop oats,” the farmer said.

“I plant hulless oats that are really high in Omega-3s and Omega-6s, so it is almost like eating fish,” she said. “That’s why the oats worked really well for my horse that was really thin when I got her and they are great for the sheep, too.”

For the future, Hazzard said, she is thinking about doing large-scale camping on the farm.

“I love people who love horses,” she said. “I would love to be able to do a little bit of farming with horses, like a horse plow day or host clinics where people could come and learn more about horses.”

In addition, clinics could be offered for people to learn more about raising sheep.

“I want to give people the option to get their hands back into old-timey work,” Hazzard said.

For information about the farm, call 815-289-1431 or go to www.hazzardfreefarm.com.

Tri-County Opportunities Council scholarships open

Deadline is March 13

By BILL FRESKOS bfreskos@shawmedia.com

The Tri-County Opportunities Council announced that applications are open, and it will award at least 10 scholarships to income-eligible students this year.

The scholarships are for $2,000 each and can be used at a college, university or trade school. Students may attend in-state or out-of-state institutions and may enroll in in-person or virtual programs.

Eligible applicants must be residents of Bureau, Carroll, La Salle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark or Whiteside counties and be members of an income-eligible household.

Students enrolled full-time with at least 12 semester hours may qualify for the full $2,000 award. Part-time students also are eligible to apply, although scholarship amounts would be awarded on a prorated basis if selected.

The application deadline is March 13.

For information, call 800-323-5434, ext. 710, or visit tcochelps.org.

Suspect in La Salle shooting could face up to 14 years

Fisher enters blind plea to felony weapon possession

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

Prosecutors are close to wrapping up a July shooting in La Salle. The victim, who was found to be carrying an illegal gun, has pleaded guilty to a felony weapon charge.

Jerron D. Fisher, 27, of Stanley, North Dakota (also listed in Ottawa), appeared Friday in La Salle County Circuit Court and entered a blind plea to one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 2 felony carrying three to 14 years.

In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dismissed a more serious count of discharging a gun.

Sentencing will be on April 23 before Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. Fisher will have a chance to address Ryan before sentencing.

La Salle police were dispatched on July 28 to the 100 block of Tonti Street after a shooting. During the incident, police said, Fisher suffered a gunshot

wound to the chest and “was uncooperative in the ensuing investigation.”

According to open-court statements on Friday, video surveillance and the ensuing investigation showed why. Fisher was carrying a weapon of his own despite a felony conviction (aggravated battery) that precluded him from bearing arms.

La Salle police said the warrant was issued after an investigation into a July 28 shooting in the 100 block of Tonti Street in La Salle. During the incident, police said, Fisher suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and “was uncooperative in the ensuing investigation.”

The man who shot Fisher recently was sentenced to prison.

Leeonta Patton, 28, of Oglesby (also listed in Chicago)was sentenced to a pair of 13-year terms, one for armed habitual criminal and one for possession of fentanyl.

Now through February 13th, submit a photo of your pet into one of our 3 categories - Cat, Dog, or Other.

Then from February 14th-23rd, Illinois Valley readers will vote for which pet they think is the cutest.

The winning pet in the Dog and Cat categories will each receive a free grooming service from Pawsitively Purrfect Mobile Grooming & Spa. The winning pet in the Other category will receive a $25 gift card.

La Salle County recorder launches fraud alert system

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

The La Salle County Recorder’s Office has introduced a new fraud prevention tool designed to protect notaries and the community from the growing threat of notary-related document fraud.

The Notary Fraud Alert program is a free, easy-to-use service that allows notaries to monitor activity under their name and quickly detect signs of misuse.

“As your Recorder, my top priority is preserving the integrity of our public records,” said Karen L. Miller, La Salle County recorder.

“This new alert system empowers notaries with information – so they can catch fraudulent activity early – and in doing so, helps safeguard the entire community from property fraud and related scams.”

Once enrolled, notaries can choose to

receive daily, weekly or monthly alerts whenever a document is recorded in La Salle County that lists them as the notary. Each alert includes the document number, type and parties involved, making it easy to identify suspicious filings at a glance.

Notary fraud can occur when someone forges a signature, misuses a notary seal or records a document without the required presence or authorization. These actions can lead to property theft, financial loss and legal complications. With this alert system, notaries are no longer in the dark – they are part of the frontline defense.

This service is offered at no cost and is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting our local notaries while strengthening trust in our public record-keeping systems.

If you suspect you are a victim of notary fraud, consider reaching out to law enforcement or legal counsel for further action.

STATE

Pritzker drops $5M to boost Stratton in Senate race

Krishnamoorthi gives $33K to immigrant advocacy groups after receiving controversial donation

By BRENDEN MOORE bmoore@capitolnewsillinois.com and BEN SZALINSKI bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker donated $5 million in December to a political action committee supporting Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s U.S. Senate bid, according to federal campaign finance records filed over the weekend.

Illinois’ billionaire governor had long been expected to use his hefty financial weight to bolster his No. 2, whom he’s endorsed in the Democratic primary to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. It comes as Stratton’s own direct fundraising continues to lag polling leader, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, with just six weeks until the primary and early voting kicking off on Feb. 5.

Pritzker accounted for almost 80% of the $6.3 million Illinois Future PAC raised in 2025, according to campaign finance records. Most of the rest came from his cousin, Jennifer Pritzker, who donated $1.1 million. The PAC raised more than $10 million through January, according to a spokesperson, who declined to say whether the governor was also behind the funds beyond what was disclosed.

Illinois Future PAC, which is run by former Pritzker political operative Quentin Fulks, used some of those funds to book $2 million in ad buys in late December, according to the documents. The group launched its first ad last month, highlighting Stratton’s status as Pritzker’s governing partner and casting her as someone who will “take the fight to Washington to pass ‘Medicare for all’ and tax the rich.” Two more ads have followed, each spotlighting Stratton’s call to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

While PACs can’t directly coordinate with a candidate’s campaign, they can raise unlimited sums from corporations, unions, associations and individuals to advocate for that candidate. This makes it an attractive vehicle for Pritzker to exert outsized influence on the race, given the

incidents by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

Krishnamoorthi donated $33,000 to nonprofits that provide services to immigrants after receiving campaign contributions from people connected to President Donald Trump or companies that have contracts with immigration enforcement agencies.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported in December that Krishnamoorthi received $29,300 from Shyam Sankar since 2015, including $3,500 last June. Sankar is a Trump ally and the chief technology officer of Palantir – a company that holds a $30 million contract with ICE to help track individuals for deportation.

The Sun-Times reported Krishnamoorthi has received more than $90,000 over the years from people connected to the president.

strict contribution limits placed on candidate committees.

That said, PACs don’t offer the same bang-per-buck that Stratton’s own advertising would provide. Under campaign finance law, federal candidates are entitled to the lowest advertising rate on TV and radio stations within 45 days of a primary election. PACs must pay full price, which is often double or triple the cost.

Stratton, a first-time federal candidate, did not have years to build up her campaign war chest like her leading opponents, Krishnamoorthi and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Lynwood, as federal and state elections are governed by different fundraising laws. As a result, she began the race at a financial disadvantage, and it’s persisted.

Stratton raised $1.1 million and spent $912,379 in the final three months of 2025, leaving her with $1.1 million in her campaign account at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Krishnamoorthi raised $3.6 million and spent $6.4 million, leaving him with $15.2 million at the end of December.

About $4.8 million of Krishnamoorthi’s campaign spending last quarter was on TV and digital advertisements. The Schaumburg Democrat had been the only Senate candidate on TV for six months until the pro-Stratton PAC launched ads in January.

Kelly raised just $212,936 and spent $595,017 last quarter. The Lynwood Democrat has just less than $1.6 million on hand.

Krishnamoorthi started blitzing the airwaves in July with a set of biographical ads telling the state’s voters to, in a nod to his long last name, “just call me Raja.” Kelly and Stratton did not have enough funds at the time to run paid advertising.

An Emerson College poll last month placed Krishnamoorthi in the polling lead, with 31% support compared with Stratton’s 10% and Kelly’s 8%. An internal poll released by his campaign last week showed him leading with 43% compared with 17% for Stratton and 13% for Kelly.

In both polls, a significant share of voters remained undecided despite Krishnamoorthi’s advantage in name recognition. Stratton’s allies argue that this suggests his support is soft and that her numbers will improve as more voters become familiar with her.

While the pro-Stratton PAC is running ads, Stratton’s campaign isn’t on air yet.

Kelly launched her first ad this week. The 30-second hit highlights her effort to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and to “dismantle ICE.” It is part of a larger $2 million ad buy that will run through the March 17 primary, Politico reported.

All three leading candidates have homed in on the issue of immigration, which has been center stage since “Operation Midway Blitz” began in the Chicago area last September. It has taken even greater importance since two American citizens were killed last month in separate

The contributions sparked criticism from his opponents, and Krishnamoorthi’s campaign announced he donated a sum equaling Sankar’s contributions to immigrant rights organizations, although the campaign declined to publicly identify them.

Campaign spending records released Saturday show Krishnamoorthi gave $11,000 each to Centro Romero, which provides legal assistance to immigrants on Chicago’s North Side; the Illinois Migrant Council, which connects immigrants to social services like education and housing; and Instituto del Progreso Latino in Chicago, which provides Latino immigrants with legal services and career development opportunities.

On the Republican side, former Illinois GOP chair Don Tracy holds a major cash advantage over his five opponents.

Tracy, of Springfield, is mostly self-funding his campaign, having lent himself $2 million in August. In the final quarter of 2025, he reported raising an additional $83,709, which included $3,500 from Nebraska Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts, who also is a co-owner of the Chicago Cubs. He spent just $108,152, leaving him with $2 million on hand going into the homestretch of the campaign.

His next closest competitor on fundraising was Chicago attorney Jeannie Evans. She raised $510,861 in the last quarter of the year, but almost all of it was her own money. She ended the year with $298,594 on hand.

No other Republican candidates reported having more than $6,000 on hand.

Mendota library sets list of events for February

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

The Graves-Hume Public Library, 1401 W. Main St., Mendota, will host several events and programs in February.

Registration is encouraged. To register, call 815-538-5142.

The events schedule includes:

• Adult Craft: 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3. Participants will be able to create a heart garland. The program is open to adults. Due to limited supplies, the program is first-come, first-served.

• Shake, Rattle, and Read: 11 a.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 4 and 18, and at 6 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 12 and 26. The event features music, books, and playing. The event is intended for babies ages newborn to two and caregivers.

• Small Fries: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4. The program includes story, fun, and movement. The program is open to children ages three through kindergarten.

• Lego Club: 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5. Attendees can create Lego builds. The club is intended for children in first through eighth grades.

able to learn about the Winter Olympics history. The program features artifacts, stories, and historic images. The program will be led by the Lake Placid Olympic Museum

• 3rd Tuesday Book Club: 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17. Attendees can discuss “Dreamers of the Day” by Mary Doria Russell. The club is intended for adults.

• Chapter Crew: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18. Participants will be introduced to chapter books through play and movement incorporation. The program is open to children in first grade and older.

• Tween Video Game Night : 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19. Attendees can play video hames. The game night is intended for children in fifth through 12th grades.

• Decorate Youth Department: 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9. Participants will be able to help decorate the library’s youth department.

• Tweens Read: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb.

10. Attendees can participate in a monthly book club. The club is open to children in fifth through eighth grades.

• History of the Winter Olympics: 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. Participants will be

• Tweens (Iron Chef): 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23. Participants will be eace against the clock to create unique food dishes. The event is open to children in fifth through eighth grades.

• M.A.S.S.: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25. Attendees can watch a screening of the movie “The Boys in the Boat.” The event is intended for adults.

Mendota Historical Society to Host its first virtual program

By MATHIAS WOERNER mwoerner@shawmedia.com

The Mendota Historical Society will be holding its first virtual program at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14. The program will be entirely virtual so preregistration is required. Tickets are $10.

Genealogist and historian Peg Kapustiak will be giving a talk enti -

tled “Food of My Forefathers: The Cultural Context of Traditional and Ethnic Foods.”

Kapustiak has worked as a genealogist and family historian for nearly fifty years and is the author of two books and 58 research articles.

She serves as a volunteer at five historical/genealogical societies and is on the board of the South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society.

According to Mendota Historical Society Executive Director Alex P. Revzan, “This talk will definitely be of interest to not only people interested in tracing their family history but also those interested in the history of food and traditional foodways.”

Revzan added, “Having virtual programs is a big step forward for society.

By being able to hold programs online, we will be able to offer a much broader selection of content for our audience as well as reach people who might not be able to join us in person.”

To sign up, visit https://mendotamuseums.org/programs/.

For more information, call (815) 539-3373 or email mmhsmuseum@ yahoo.com.

PUZZLES

ACROSS

1. Native American group of

N. California

5. Geological times (Brit. sp.)

10. Tool to remove

12. Rods

14. One who renews

16. They precede C

18. Chatter incessantly

19. __ King Cole, musician

20. Insect parts

22. One from Utah

23. The world of the dead

25. Singer Redding

26. NBA legend Nelson

27. Indicates wrongly

28. Unhappy

30. Anger

31. Dark brown

33. Some are in kitchens

35. Made a mistake

37. Damp

38. Type of fuel

40. Actor Damon

41. What thespians do

42. One’s mother

44. Disallow

45. Swiss river

48. A banana has one

50. Philippines lake and volcano are two

52. Relative biological effectiveness (abbr.)

53. Agave

55. Journalist Tarbell

56. One-time tech giant

57. Indicates upon

58. Intestinal bacteria

63. Loose sheaths around the spinal cord

65. It goes with nook

66. A fashion

67. Very eager to hear or see

DOWN 1. Witch

2. Utilize

3. Writing utensil

4. Where rockers go to work

5. Subsides

6. Consume

7. Greek mythological figures

8. California mountain town

9. Tin

10. Muse of lyric and love poetry

11. Animates anew

13. Humorous criticisms 15. Cool! 17. Worst

Wet dirt

Designed to be useful 23. Hebrew unit of liquid capacity

24. High schoolers’ test

Computer device 29. Indian territory __ and Diu

32. A place to sleep

34. AI tool

35. Pass or go by

36. Indicates a purchase

39. A digital tape recording of sound

40. More (Spanish)

43. Disfigured

44. White (Spanish)

46. Church building

47. Georgia rockers

49. Type of surgery

51. Much __ about nothing

54. Make by braiding

59. Local area network

60. Unit of work or energy

61. Member of indigenous people of Thailand

62. Liquefied natural gas

64. Distance to top

The farm is located 8 miles north of Ottawa, IL. It is further described as being located in Sections 22 & 23, T35N-R3E, Freedom Township, LaSalle County, Illinois. The Taylor Trust farm represents nearly all Class A Soils and sells with an open lease for the 2026 crop year!

GARY TAYLOR TRUST NO.

BOYS BASKETBALL: MENDOTA 65, NEWMAN 46

Mendota starts strong, hands Newman first loss

By KEVIN CHLUM kchlum@shawmedia.com

After losing to Newman by one point on Jan. 13, the Mendota boys basketball team installed a few wrinkles last week in preparation for its rematch with the Comets.

“We had a couple set plays we put in this week just for them,” Mendota coach Steve Wasmer said. “We were hoping they would work because we wanted to get off to a hot start, and we did.”

The Trojans scored the first eight points of the game and dominated start to finish for a 65-46 rout of the previously undefeated Comets in a Three Rivers Conference East Division game before a packed crowd in Mendota.

“The boys have been waiting for this game since we lost to them, which put a bad taste in their mouths,” Wasmer said. “We thought we did enough things to win [the first game]. They’re a really good team, so we knew we had to play four quarters, and we

did.”

The win gives Mendota a shot to win at least a share of the conference title after winning it outright last winter.

“It means a lot,” Mendota sophomore Cole Tillman said about the win. “Moving forward for the postseason, it gives us a good edge. Now we share the conference lead and we’re hoping we can win out.”

For the Comets, (24-1, 6-1 TRC), it was their first lost in 11 months. Newman’s last defeat was a 55-44 to East -

land in a regional final Feb. 28, 2024.

“It’s a different feeling,” Newman coach Ray Sharp said. “[I told the team] understand the feeling and do what it takes to not have it happen again. We’ve had a heck of a run. We have to be proud of that. We can still tie for conference. We have to be focused on winning out the rest of our conference games.”

Mendota attacked Newman’s 1-3-1 zone well from the start with Tillman

Continued from page 22

scoring the team’s first two baskets on assists from Dane Doyle and his brother, Aden.

“It’s about player movement,” Wasmer said. “Ball movement is great, but if the players are standing still, it’s hard to get a good shot against that 1-3-1 zone. We cut really well. We cut to the middle. We had some guys cutting baseline, and we never stopped moving.”

Drew Becker scored on a layup and off an assist from Aden Tillman for an 8-0 lead.

“It was definitely great to get off to a good start,” Cole Tillman said. “It helps the team momentum, especially in front of this big home crowd.”

The Trojans also limited Newman to one field goal in the first quarter. The Comets shot 25% from the field, including 18.5% from 3-point range, and were held to their lowest point total of the season.

“We communicated,” Wasmer said. “We switched everything because we don’t really have any bad mismatches with them. It’s all about talking. They set a ton of screens. I could hear us

talking. We communicated and played together.”

Mendota extended its lead to 22-7 by the end of the first quarter.

“I thought they came out with a lot more intensity than we had,” Sharp said. “They were more ready to play than we were. I take the blame for that. You have to give them a lot of credit for that. We didn’t shoot well. We only made six shots the first half. If you shoot it poorly, you have to play better defense. I thought defensively we didn’t play well early. We weren’t playing as hard as we needed to play. We gave up 22 points in the first quarter. We only gave up 23 in the second half. That’s a little bit of a problem. We gave up 42 in the first half. We’re never going to win games giving up 42 points in a half.”

The Trojans continued to extend their lead in the second quarter, taking a 42-22 lead at the break after Aden Tillman buried a 3 just before the buzzer on a kickout from Oliver Munoz.

Mendota scored the first two buckets of the second half to go up 24 and led by as many as 25 in the fourth quarter.

Cole Tillman scored a game-high 19 points to lead Mendota (20-5, 5-1 TRC East), while Doyle had 14 points, Becker and Aden Tillman each added eight points, and Munoz contributed seven points and five assists. Evan Bushman led Newman with 15 points.

SPORTS

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

1924: Jacob Tullin Thams of Norway wins ski jumping gold at the first Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France.

1969: John Madden is named head coach of NFL’s Oakland Raiders.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

‘WE COMMUNICATED’ Mendota

tops

Newman,

has a chance at a share of the conference title / 22