PAGE 1 / SEC A • THE MENDOTA REPORTER
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025
VOLUME 147, NUMBER 30
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025
ONE DOLLAR, 25 CENTS
Shop local, plant a tree...help improve Mendota q Night Market scheduled for July 28; tree planting workshop planned July 29
Compton celebrated its 150th birthday Saturday, July 19 at the Compton Park. The event saw hundreds of residents and visitors enjoy Bingo, vendors, Mendota Lions Club corn dogs, a pork chop dinner, memories through photos and a 25-year time capsule at Compton United Methodist Church, cupcakes, naming the park “Doc” Swope Memorial Park after the late former mayor, and the band Free Beer & Chicken. (Reporter photo by Brandon LaChance)
By BRANDON LaCHANCE Staff writer MENDOTA – The City of Mendota and Reimagine Mendota have continuously made efforts to revitalize the city since the fires in 2022. There are two events happening next week to further push for improvement in Mendota. Mendota is hosting a Night Market from 4-8 p.m. Monday, July 28 in the downtown area and a tree planting workshop from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 29 at Blackstone Park. The Night Market has a couple initiatives. “We’re hoping to get people to walk around Mendota and shop. I think a lot of people don’t realize there are new stores open downtown,” said Mendota Project Director Annie Short. “We really want residents to come check out
council that the Mendota Historic Restoration and Preservation Commission recommended awarding grants to the owners of several downtown buildings. The council approved $7,000 grants each to 705 Jefferson St. and 710 Main St., and a $4,294.50 grant to 728 Main St. Also during Holland’s business, the council approved an ordinance authorizing the sale of
our Night Market and see what Mendota has to offer. “The City of Mendota passed a city ordinance in December to address the vacant downtown buildings. For the last few months, we’ve diligently worked with the building owners to identify their plans. The ordinance is to move our businesses. We have retail buildings, they need to be retail stores. “During the market, the owners will either have a soft open for their business, offer guests a glimpse of
what is going to be in their building or taking inquiries to rent or sell. It’s a great opportunity for guests to see there is progress being made in downtown Mendota.” The Night Market is in collaboration with the City of Mendota, Reimagine Mendota and the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce as it will take place during Food Truck Mania, the popular game, the Human Slot Machine, will be played and there will be a table showcasing “Why I love Mendota” gear with the opportunity to purchase. There will also be 2025 vendors and downtown businesses are staying open later than usual for you to visit. Trees will be planted and adopted after the Mendota Sweet Corn Festival (Aug. 7-10). In preparation, the tree planting workshop will
get planters, adopters, water cans and smiles ready in anticipation. “The City of Mendota was awarded a tree canopy grant. The grant is providing us with 40-50 trees. They’re designed to be planted in different locations in Mendota,” Short said. “We are looking for individuals, families and organizations to help initially plant the trees and to water them over the next year to make sure they establish correctly. “In addition, we are partnering with University of Illinois Extension to host a tree planting workshop. We have the Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, FFA and Interact Club coming to learn how to plant and maintain a tree. It’s open to everyone. For instance, I want to plant a tree in my backyard, so I’ll be at the workshop to learn how.”
property at 205 and 205 1/2 Orchard Ave. Bids will be accepted through Aug. 29 and will be opened on Sept. 2 at the city council meeting. Alderman Jim Fitzpatrick presented two requests for the council’s consideration, both of which were accepted. Veterans Way will be closed from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, July 25 for the First State Bank’s Lunch in the Park. Also,
the Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry will hold a Tag Day on Saturday, Aug. 23 at the intersection of Main and Meriden streets. Alderman John Hessenberger presented a zoning variance request from the property owners at 1712 Peri Drive to construct a fence around a swimming pool. Hessenberger said the fence would be on the easement and that no adjacent property owners
signed off on the request. The council agreed to table the matter. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor David Boelk said a Night Market is planned for Monday, July 28 from 4-8 p.m. in downtown Mendota. Stores will be open for business and there will be other activities, including the scheduled
City Council hires police officer; approves grants for downtown buildings By KIP CHEEK Staff writer MENDOTA - A new officer will be joining the Mendota Police Department and improvements to downtown buildings will take place after action by the Mendota City Council at its regular meeting on July 21. ALDERMANIC REPORTS Alderman Kyle Kim announced that the Police
and Fire Commission recommended hiring Sabrina Poole as a patrol officer with the Mendota Police Department. The recommendation was approved by the council. Poole is a graduate of LaSalle-Peru High School and currently resides in Mendota. She is scheduled to begin at the police academy in August. Alderman John Holland informed the
Queen contestants practicing for big night
See Council, Page A5
q Bloomquist to provide entertainment at SCF Queen Pageant on Aug. 8 MENDOTA – Ten young women are busily preparing for this year’s Sweet Corn Festival Queen Pageant, which will be held on Friday, Aug. 8 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The pageant will take place on the First State Bank stage on Washington Street in downtown Mendota. Queen Pageant practices continue for the 10 candidates, getting everything and everyone relaxed and ready for the big night. Getting used to what it will be like on stage, being comfortable with those hosting, and taking cues will help things go smoothly that evening. Singer-guitarist Andrew Bloomquist will provide pre-pageant entertainment beginning at 6:45 p.m. and will return to the stage while the judges are deciding who will wear the crown for 2025. Let’s introduce four more contestants in this year’s pageant. Claire Hanson has been selected to represent the Mendota Elks Lodge #1212 in this year’s pageant. She is the daughter of Jason and Maureen Hanson. Standing five feet, five inches tall, she has blond hair and blue eyes. Hanson is a 2025 graduate of Mendota High School. During her time at MHS, she participated in basketball cheerleading for
four years and football cheerleading for two years. She played volleyball and softball for two years each. She was a UCA AllAmerican cheerleader in 2023 and helped with little girls’ cheer camp for all four years. She made honor roll for eight semesters, was in the National Honor Society for two years and participated in the Interact Club. This summer you will find Hanson working at Woodhaven Lakes as a lifeguard where she is the second in command. She ensures that all swimmers are safe, deals with emergencies, pool chemicals and manages other lifeguards. Some hobbies and interests that Hanson has are swimming, exercising, reading, fashion, golf and hanging out with friends. She will continue to work and hopefully travel a little this summer while prioritizing her studies. The Mendota Golf Club has selected Lauren Holland as its pageant candidate. Holland is the daughter of John and Jeni Holland. She has blond hair and blue eyes and stands five feet, four inches tall. A 2025 graduate of Mendota High School, Holland was active in a variety of clubs, organizations, and sports, including the See Pageant, Page A5
Four candidates vying for the title of Sweet Corn Festival Queen, left to right, are Claire Hanson, Lauren Holland, Makenzie Bean and Ella Coss. (Photo contributed)