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What does it mean for central Illinois native Fulton Sheen to be beatified?
SPIRIT MATTERS
Jerrilyn Zavada Novak
In a long-anticipated move, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints recently announced Archbishop Fulton Sheen will be beatified on Sept. 24 in St. Louis.
Sheen was born in El Paso, Illinois. He was ordained and first served as a priest in Peoria. His remains are entombed in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, available for the faithful to visit. They were transferred from the Archdiocese of New York after a lengthy legal battle, with the support of Sheen’s niece. Cardinal Luis Tagle will celebrate the beatification. Tagle, from the Philippines, was on the short list of those thought to have been in the running to replace Pope Francis, after he died last year.
Sheen is most remembered for his Emmy-award-winning television show, “Life is Worth Living,” making him the first modern Catholic to harness the airwaves to spread the faith.
Once, while visiting my grandmother as a young adult, she gave me two books: one about the life of St. Francis of Assisi and the other a biography of Fulton Sheen. Grandma knew of my love for reading spiritual books and writing. When she gave me the book on Sheen, she specifically said she thought I would find him interesting. It was as though she could already see the trajectory my life would take and thought Sheen would be a good spiritual companion for the ride.
My husband and I have visited St.
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
Princeton and Illini DAR chapters celebrate 130th anniversaries
The Princeton-Illinois and Illini chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently celebrated their 130th anniversaries with a luncheon Saturday, April 4, at Lock 16 Cafe in La Salle. The chapters are two of the oldest DAR chapter in the state of Illinois and national-
Mary’s Cathedral on several occasions, and each time we have spent a few minutes in prayer before Sheen’s tomb. We have also visited the museum nearby that chronicles his life.
“His life and ministry continue to inspire countless people to know and love Jesus Christ more deeply,” Peoria Bishop Lou Tylka wrote in a statement. “Through his preaching, teaching, and personal witness, he brought the light of faith to millions, calling each of us to a deeper devotion to the Eucharist and to Our Blessed Mother.”
Beatification is the second step on the way to officially being declared a saint in the Catholic Church. Sheen was declared “venerable,” meaning he lived a life of exemplary faith, after the first of two required miracles to be canonized was attributed to his intercession.
The first miracle decision involved a stillborn baby delivered in September of 2010 in Peoria. The child demonstrated no signs of life as medical professionals worked for an hour, attempting every possible life-saving procedure. The child’s parents and family began to pray to Sheen and after 61 minutes, the baby was revived and has recovered completely.
A February article in the National Catholic Register shared how Travis Engstrom performed an emergency baptism on his son James after he had been stillborn at home with two medical professionals on site.
“Travis looked around the room for water,” Bonnie Engstrom wrote in her book “61 Minutes to a Miracle.” “Taking the cup I had been sipping from throughout labor, he dipped in his fingers and thumb. The water sprinkled down on James’s forehead, and with his thumb
Travis traced the Sign of the Cross above our son’s brow. His voice was soft and clear, even though it was suppressing a great deal of emotion. ‘James Fulton, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’”
“It was the first time that either of us had spoken James’s full name,” she continued. “There was power in it, because we had made an intentional decision that every time our children’s names are spoken, it will be an invocation of the saints for whom they are named.”
James Fulton Engstrom is now a healthy 15-year-old high school student in Peoria.
In March 2014, a team of Vatican medical experts affirmed they could find no natural explanation for the child’s healing. A seven-member theological board unanimously approved it as a miracle and recommended Sheen be beatified.
After Sheen’s beatification, he will be referred to as “Blessed” Fulton Sheen, and a second approved miracle attributed to Sheen’s intercession will be required for canonization.
We live in a moment in time when the proliferation of falsehoods and negativity through modern technology can be more of a curse than a blessing. Fulton Sheen’s life and ministry remind us the airwaves, and now cyberspace, are a powerful way to intentionally spread the tenets of the gospel.
Let us learn from his example, and ask him for his intercessory guidance in choosing how to use it fruitfully.
• Spirit Matters is a weekly column by Jerrilyn Zavada Novak that examines experiences common to the human spirit. Contact her at jzblue33@yahoo. com.
ly. The Princeton-Illinois chapter was chartered as the state’s 12th chapter April 13, 1896. The Illini chapter was founded May 29, 1896.
The Princeton-Illinois and Illini chapters honored organizing regents Darlene Stevens Reeve and Phebe Anthony Sherwood. The celebration was attended by State Regent Marria Blinn, Honorary State Regent Debra
Coe, State Chaplain Debby Katzman and District II Director Laurie Perry.
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a women’s service organization dedicated to education, historic preservation and patriotism.
To find a local chapter, visit dar.org/ membership – Shaw Local News Network
IVCC to host panel of lenders to help entrepreneurs secure funding
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
Illinois Valley Community College is hosting a panel of local lenders April 28 to help aspiring entrepreneurs navigate the biggest obstacle to starting a business: securing capital.
The event, “Access to Capital: Support for Small Business,” comes as interest in startup ventures grows across the region, but many would-be business owners struggle to find funding, IVCC President Dr. Tracy Morris said.
“One of the largest barriers is funding – so we are partnering with experts and lenders in our community to bring together resources to help,” Morris said.
Consultant Connor Cofoid will moderate the panel and include representatives from Allies for Community Business, Midland States Bank, First National Bank of Ottawa, First State Bank and Eureka Savings Bank.
Attendees can meet financial experts and access resources from Hometown Bank, Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, Streator Oneida Credit Union and North Central Bank. Several institutions will have bilingual staff available to answer questions.
Allies for Community Business, a Community Development Financial Institution, is using local partnerships to identify entrepreneurs and educate them about financial readiness and access to capital, said Amanda Askew, senior community lender.
For entrepreneurs ready to turn an idea into a business, the panel offers a chance to ask lenders directly about funding options. The event is free and open to the public.
Pre-register ativcc.edu/cebsConsultant Connor Cofoid will moderate the panel. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m., with the panel discussion at 5 p.m. The event is in CTC 124-125.
A CLOSER LOOK Journey to the center of the valley
Finding the geographical core of many local counties is an earthly undertaking
By SCOTT ANDERSON sanderson@shawmedia.com
Ever wonder where the exact center of the Illinois Valley is?
A geographic center is an important reference point used by geographers and surveyors to determine accurate latitude and longitude measurements. In many counties, that center is often located near the county seat, although not always directly within a city.
In La Salle and Bureau counties, the county seats of Ottawa and Princeton are relatively close to their geographic centers.
In Putnam County, however, the county seat of Hennepin sits farther from the county’s center point than the neighboring counties.
Anderson Bureau County’s geographic center is near Princeton. Its exact coordinates are 41°24’14.8”N, 89°31’43.3”W. The location is on private land.
In La Salle County, the geographic center is located at 41°20’42”N, 88°53’20”W , about three-quarters of a mile north of the La Salle County Highway Department near Naplate. That location is on private land. Bureau County’s geographic center is located about 1,000 feet south of the inter-
In Putnam County, the geographic center lies at 41°12’18”N, 89°17’10”W , about one-quarter mile west of the intersection of Hattons Road and County Road 700 North, or about 1.6 miles south of the unincorporated community of Florid. That location is on private land.
When all three county centers are combined, the geographic center of the Illinois Valley falls on the shore of the Illinois River, about 1.8 miles west of the Illinois Route 89 Bridge near Spring Valley. Coordinates are 41.318304, -89.235171. Trees, wildlife, river views and more surround the area.
The point lies on land owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and is accessible from the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail west of Spring Valley.
section of Backbone Road and 1800 North Avenue, 3.8 miles northwest of Princeton. Its exact coordinates are 41°24’14.8”N, 89°31’43.3”W. That location is on private land.
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La Salle County’s geographic center is north of Naplate. The center point is located at 41°20’42”N, 88°53’20”W, about three-quarters of a mile north of the La Salle County Highway Department near Naplate.
• TO THE CENTER
Continued from page 4
Data for the geographic centers was obtained through the Bureau County Assessor’s Office and the United States Census Bureau county shapefile maps.
Fast facts
La Salle County center: 41°20’42”N, 88°53’20”W
Bureau County center: 41°24’14.8”N, 89°31’43.3”W
Putnam County center: 41°12’18”N, 89°17’10”W
Illinois Valley three-county center: 41.318304, -89.235171
Related reading
Readers interested in local geography also may enjoy: “Standing at the Highest Points in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam Counties.”
Scott Anderson
Starved Rock Foundation founder recognized
By MATHIAS WOERNER mwoerner@shawmedia.com
The Starved Rock Foundation recognized Pam Grivetti for her 50 years of service to Starved Rock State Park and the foundation in a celebration at the Starved Rock Lodge on Saturday, April 11.
The recognition of half a century of dedication and passion for Starved Rock featured speakers, photos and memories from Grivetti’s time at the park and as the leader of the foundation.
“This is my happy place,” Grivetti said. “I wanted to do anything to make it your happy place as well.”
Grivetti served as the President of the Starved Rock Foundation for 35 years, but has been there since the beginning.
“Before we started, I don’t even know if I really knew what a foundation was,” she said. “We were just tired of having to send any money we got down to Springfield.”
Grivetti’s efforts have contributed to the foundation becoming an asset to Starved Rock. To date, the foundation has donated goods and services amounting to more than $500,000 to the park.
“Among the many things that I absolutely love about Starved Rock is that the 2.5 million visitors we get every year are truly people from every state in the USA and some far-away places that you just can not imagine,” she said.
and the work she’s done, all of this happened in the last 50 years.”
Governor JB Pritzker also lauded Grivetti, sending a letter congratulating her for her years of service and dedication to the park.
“You have brought great fairness, thoughtfulness and wisdom to your work while advancing the mission of preserving and promoting Starved Rock State Park for future generations. You have represented the State of Illinois admirably,” Pritzker said in the letter.
Grivetti recently passed the baton to Matthew Klein, who became the new President of the Starved Rock Foundation on Jan. 15 of this year.
Grivetti said she is excited for what the future of the Starved Rock Foundation holds.
“That kiddo is going to take this foundation to places we never even thought of,” she said. “I want to thank him for where he’s going to take the Starved Rock Foundation for the next 35 years.”
Klein admitted that it’s a tall task to follow Grivetti.
Members had glowing things to say about Grivetti and her time at the foundation’s helm.
“We started working on this probably around December,” current Starved Rock Foundation president Matthew Klein said. “We wanted to make sure that we did something that reflects what Pam has meant to the park and all that
the foundation has become.”
Foundation vice president Mike Toohey said that Grivetti held the glue together for the foundation for decades.
“It says a lot about Pam that she could get all of this together with volunteers and donations,” he said. “For the first 100-plus years of the park, none of this existed, and then because of Pam
“I’m honored and inspired,” he said. “Somebody earlier said that I’ve got big shoes to fill, and honestly, I don’t know if anyone will ever be able to do that.”
Grivetti isn’t leaving the Starved Rock scene. In addition to frequenting the park as a visitor and volunteer, she has been named in the Starved Rock Foundation to Chairman Emeritus.
Mathias Woerner
Pam Grivetti speaks Saturday at the Starved Rock Foundation’s celebration of her 50 years of service at the state park.
JAN ALLEMAN CHANCE
Born: January 23, 1957
Died: March 18, 2026 in McClure, Illinois
Jan Alleman Chance, 69, passed away peacefully at her home on March 18, 2026. She was born on January 23, 1957, and lived a life full of love, laughter, and vibrant personality that touched everyone who knew her.
Jan was a proud graduate of Putnam County High School, Class of 1975, where she was a member of the marching band and cherished the unforgettable experience of traveling to Hawaii. She went on to attend the University of Illinois, graduating in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in Clothing and Textiles. During her college years, she was also a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority.
She spent much of her professional life as
WILLIAM GORDON
William F Gordon, 96, of Princeton, IL, passed on 03/24/2026.
Arrangements entrusted to Norberg Memorial Home, Inc. & Monuments, Princeton, IL. Additional information: www.norbergfh.com.
the manager of a clothing store, Mary Ann’s Plus, where her passion for fashion and people shined, and later worked as a tax preparer for Hewitt-Jackson. Jan was also actively involved with the Widow’s Sons, where she formed many meaningful friendships and was affectionately known as “Mama Jan” to many. Jan had a zest for life and a personality that filled every room. She was a devoted fan of NASCAR and especially loved Dale Earnhardt. She found peace and joy in bird watching, with a special fondness for bald eagles and hummingbirds, which she lovingly fed. She was also an avid Coca-Cola collector, proudly dedicating an entire room to her collection—a place her grandchildren especially loved. She never passed up her favorite Dove chocolate and enjoyed life’s simple pleasures to the fullest.
Jan was married to her beloved husband, JR Chance, for 29 years and embraced her role as a loving wife and grandmother wholeheartedly. she deeply loved her family and the role she
held in their lives.
She is lovingly remembered by her husband, JR Chance; her children she loved as her own: Nickie Davis (Ben), Keith Chance (Tiffany), and Cheral Retzer (Jeff). She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Becka Retzer, Trenton Retzer, Samantha Retzer, Sophia Retzer, Clayton Davis, Jacob Davis, Codi Moore, Chasity Mcculloch, Jake Moore, Peyton Henson, Baylin Chance, Kloie Doolin, Mason Hatch, and Harley Chance, all of whom she adored. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren with another on the way along with six nephews and three nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Darrell and Jeanne Alleman, and her brother, Kimrey Alleman.
She is also survived by her sister, Debra Kimme (Dennis) of Mahomet, Illinois, and her brother, Scott Alleman (Dianne) of Granville, Illinois, along with many extended family members and dear friends who will miss her greatly.
Jan will be remembered for her big heart, her laughter, her bold spirit, and the love she gave so freely. Her presence was truly unforgettable, and her memory will live on in all who were lucky enough to know her.
Pallbearers will be members of her second family, the Widow’s Sons.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Anderson/Alleman Educational Scholarship.
Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at Dysart – Cofoid Funeral Chapel 208 S. McCoy St. Granville, IL. Service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Karen Karczewski will officiate. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery, Magnolia. Online condolences may be made to her family at www.dcfunerals.com
Granville bank suspect made off with $6,000
By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com
A partially masked robber entered Granville National Bank on April 6, wielding a silver kitchen knife. He left with about $6,000. One of the tellers told the FBI the suspect “smelled like he had been drinking.”
That’s according to a sworn statement filedApril 7 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.
According to the new filing, a bystander told police and federal agents in Granville that they had seen David L. Ragazincky walking toward his Granville apartment shortly after the robbery.
According to the filing, police looked up Ragazincky’s record and saw that his file photo matched the partial description provided by bank tellers and what police saw on surveillance footage.
Police then spotted Ragazincky driving a Dodge Ram outside of Granville, court records show. He was then stopped and taken into custody on suspicion of bank robbery, less than two hours after the incident.
“Ragazincky appeared to be intoxi -
cated at the time of his arrest,” an FBI agent disclosed in the statement.
Ragazincky, 58, is scheduled to appear Wednesday in federal court in Peoria. He will be informed of penalties if convicted of bank robbery.
In preparation for Ragazincky’s first hearing, an FBI agent filed an eight-page affidavit detailing the case in federal court.
According to the filing, investigators interviewed the manager of Ragazincky’s apartment complex and were told that Ragazincky owed about $679 in rent. A search warrant of his apartment revealed bundles of U.S. currency in Ragazincky’s kitchen pantry, in a pair of pillowcases tucked behind his living room TV, and inside a mason jar in his bedroom, court records show.
“In addition, a kitchen knife block set was located in the kitchen of the unit,” the agent wrote. “The knives in the set had wooden handles and silver blades and appeared to match the description of the knife brandished at the bank and located in the alley behind the Granville Village Hall. Agents observed that the set was missing one knife.”
A search of the Dodge Ram revealed a black Reebok coat. According to the affidavit, a handwritten demand note was within the pocket of the coat. The note reportedly states, “Give me all your money, you make what, minimum wage. Give it to me.”
Illinois Valley Community College’s
PUTNAM
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Illinois Valley Community College will host its annual SciFest on April 17 at 7 p.m. in the College Gymnasium, featuring more than 100 interactive science demonstrations and experiments.
The event invites visitors to participate in hands-on activities at stations throughout the gym, from aug -
mented reality sandboxes to liquid nitrogen ice cream stations. Spectacles on center court include a 55-gallon barrel implosion, a soda geyser, fire dancing to music, and a bed of nails demonstration that audience members can test themselves.
Experiments span biology, geology, chemistry and physics. Highlights include a giant bubble
David L. Ragazincky
Continued from page 8
demonstration that places a person inside, mylar balloons that rise and sink as helium heats and cools, microscope displays, fossil and mineral collections, and ice cream made fresh with liquid nitrogen.
“SciFest stands out as an immersive experience rather than a science show to watch,” said Matthew Johll, who advises the college’s Chemistry Club, the event’s host. “One of my students this year remembers participating in SciFest 10 years ago. Now, that’s remembering. If you just watch somebody else doing an experiment, it is a different experience completely.”
Johll said the event engages families across generations.
“Parents get to see their children’s
excitement and the children see excitement in their parents,” he said.
Student organizers rotate experiments each year, retiring familiar ones and introducing new demonstrations. This year, they are expanding bubble science experiments and testing new bubble solutions ahead of the festival.
For college students leading the demonstrations, the event offers practical experience beyond the classroom. “It gives them a direct connection and they see science in action. By doing a demonstration to illustrate the topics they discussed in class, they learn how to interact and communicate with an audience of varying ages. That is a learned skill and a valuable opportunity they would not get otherwise,” Johll said.
Visitors set their own pace and can return to favorite stations to repeat experiments.
GRANVILLE TOWNWIDE GARAGE SALES
Friday, April 24th
Saturday, April 25th
SPORTS
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
1947: Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to play in Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers. 1991: Magic Johnson sets NBA record for career assists with 9,898.
Girls basketball numbers decline, affecting Illinois Valley schools
By KEVIN HIERONYMUS khieronymus@shawmedia.com
The Annawan girls basketball team won two state championships with a third-place state finish over a five-year period from 2012-13 to 2016-17.
A decade later, Annawan is unable to field a team at any level this year.
Kewanee playing at the varsity level only this season due to low numbers. Just 12 girls came out, including only five freshmen. Athletic director Tim Atwell said, “It is going to take a while to recover.”
DePue had just four girls come out this year, unable to field a team. Those girls are suiting up for the boys team.
LaMoille has been unable to field a girls team in recent years due to lack of interest.
Putnam County saw its numbers drop a remarkable 59% from last year from 22 to nine. PC had 15 or more girls out in each of the past 12 seasons, an average of 17.5 each year, playing at two levels each season.
St. Bede’s numbers fell from 28 last year to 19 this season, head coach Tom Ptak said, a dip of 32%.
Sterling Newman had just 11 active players with one senior, two juniors, six sophomores and two freshman. A third junior is out for the season with an injury. The Comets are only available to field a varsity team.
For the first time in his four years as head coach at LaSalle-Peru, Adam Spencer said the Cavaliers were unable to field teams at all three levels. They currently have 22 girls out, including four seniors, six juniors, eight sophomores and four active freshmen (started with six).
They are just a handful of the schools that have been affected by a national trend for declining numbers participating in girls basketball.
According to the Sports Business Journal , numbers for girls basketball are down 19% since 2002, while track and field participation has grown by 10%, volleyball by 15% and soccer by 27%.
Despite the “Caitlin Clark Effect,” referring to the former Iowa and current WNBA star, what was once the most popular girls’ sport now ranks
ference varsity slate, canceled its varsity game with L-P in November.
“It’s definitely a negative trend for the sport,” Spencer said.
Retired Hall of Fame coach Brad Bickett commends the Rock Falls girls, including his sophomore daughter Miley, who are playing basketball despited the stacked deck against them.
“I hate to see the numbers decline,” Bickett said. “In Rock Falls’ case, it’s not because of our head coach. We couldn’t have a better guy than Dan Herrera. He’s done more for our program than any one knows. To only have a dozen kids is sad.
“I sure commend the girls who are out and their parents to make a good decision to represent the school rather than throw in the towel because most nights you’re pretty much overmatched. They don’t quit and keep coming back for more.”
Numbers are holding strong, however, for the Bureau Valley, Mendota, Princeton and Hall programs.
fourth, just ahead of softball.
Of the 19 girls out for St. Bede this year, there are three seniors, two juniors and three sophomores with a promising freshmen class of 11 strong. The Bruins have been able to schedule 5-7 freshmen games this year, Ptak said, but they are finding a lot of schools don’t have freshmen teams.
With only three sophomores, one who plays on the varsity, St. Bede’s JV team is pretty much a freshman squad.
St. Bede senior Lily Bosnich, who was a key contributor on the Bruins’ fourth-place state squad as a sophomore in 2023-24, opted out of basketball last year to focus on her training for track.
“I am worried about the decline in numbers, which is across all schools,” Ptak said.
Spencer said the lower numbers this year affects the L-P program in
many ways.
“We’ve been practicing as one large group for the last couple of weeks because with 10 juniors and seniors if we’re missing anyone we can’t go up and down. If we pull up two or three and they’re missing anyone at practice, same issue,” he said.
“We’ve been lucky before this year with three full teams and 18-20 freshmen. This year there were more cheerleaders, dance team or travel sports instead of basketball in the winter.”
Spencer said L-P has had schools on its schedule also feeling the numbers crunch. Sycamore, a school of more than 1,100 students, has just two levels this season with 11 varsity players and 10 on varsity, according to coach Adam Wickness. Rock Falls, which has 12 girls total with no seniors, playing in essence a JV team in the rugged Big North Con-
“Our numbers have been fairly steady over the past several years, generally in the low 20s. This year, we actually saw a slight increase and are at 25 participants,” BV athletic director Philip Pryzbyla said. “We’ve consistently been able to field both a JV and varsity team, and this season we even scheduled a few stand alone freshman games. In that sense, our numbers run a bit counter to the national trend.
“I think a big factor is the strength of our coaching staff and the emphasis they place on the ‘family’ aspect of the program. The girls genuinely enjoy being around one another, which has had a positive impact on both recruitment and overall program culture.”
The Storm program is building for the future with eight freshmen and nine sophomores to go with nine upperclassmen - three juniors and six seniors.
Numbers at Princeton have been steady, athletic director Jeff Ohlson and coach Tiffany Gonigam said. This year’s varsity roster has three seniors, five juniors, one sophomore and a freshman. There are an additional seven sophomores, some who dress varsity, and eight freshmen with one senior foreign
Scott Anderson file photo
Putnam County’s Sofia Borri dribbles around Mendota defenders on Feb. 10 at Mendota High School. Putnam County saw its numbers drop a remarkable 59% from last year from 22 to nine. PC had 15 or more girls out in each of the past 12 seasons, an average of 17.5 each year, playing at two levels each season.
PC stacks runs to break open victory over Midland
BASEBALL
Midland 7, Putnam County 3: The Timberwolves took a 4-0 lead after their first two at-bats and added three runs in the sixth to down the Panthers at Ken Jenkins Field in Granville on Tuesday, April 7.
Barton led the Panthers with two hits, and Johnathon Stunkel doubled.
Traxton Mattingly was tagged for the loss, allowing four hits, four runs (one earned) in three innings.
Eli Rosa, the starting and winning pitcher, and Rayden Marlere each had two hits for Midland.
Putnam County 13, Midland 1 : The Panthers scored 10 runs on seven hits in the third inning to break open a TriCounty Conference victory in Varna on Thursday, April 9.
Johnathon Stunkel went 3 for 4
• DECLINING NUMBERS
Continued from page 11
exchange student for a total of 26 players in the program. Two would-be senior contributors did not go out this season. In comparison, 10 years ago, in the 2015-16 season, the PHS varsity roster had seven seniors, four juniors and two sophomores.
“I would say we have about the same to slightly more girls than we have in the previous years,” said Gonigam, who has served as varsity coach for eight seasons at PHS in two stints, 2017-21, 2023-present. “We have always floated between having a full freshman schedule and scheduling a few games to make sure all girls had an opportunity to play in games. We carry eight on our ‘F/S’ team, nine on JV, and 13 dress varsity.
“We have a full schedule at each level this year. Unfortunately, we have had many JV games dropped due to low numbers at other schools.”
Gonigam said some outside resources have helped keep the Tigresses program viable.
“We have several girls who put in a lot of work on their own, some who have played travel in the past or currently do,” she said. “I also credit our Rim Rocker program here in Princeton, who are working hard to teach the game and get young girls excited about playing.”
Hall Athletic Director Eric Bryant said the Red Devils program’s numbers are holding about the same the past couple years they have been.
with two home runs and three RBIs to power the Panthers (8-3). Traxton Mattingly went 3 for 3 with an RBI, while Kade Zimmerlein (double, RBI) and Maddox Poole (two doubles, RBI) added two hits each, Jacob Furar had a two-run triple, Carter Hochstatter had a two-run double, and Eli King had a two-run single.
Zimmerlein allowed two hits, one unearned run, with eight strikeouts and a walk over five innings for the win, Alexis Margis was 2 for 6 with an RBI, and Piper Terando drove in two runs for PC.
SOFTBALL
Midland 5, Putnam County 0 : Alexis Margis had the lone hit for the Lady Panthers in the Tri-County loss on April 7.
Midland 5, Putnam County 4 (13 inn.) : Gemma Halsne drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in the Timberwolves’ winning run in the bottom of the 13th for a Tri-County Conference win in Varna on April 9.
PC’s Chloe Parcher went 3 for 5 with three runs.
TRACK & FIELD
At Granville: Alison Mitchell won two individual events and ran on two winning relays to help Henry-Midland win a four-team meet a tPutnam County.
The Mallards scored 86.5 points to beat Putnam County (48), Marquette (17.5) and DePue (13).
Winners for the Lady Panthers were Ella Schrowang in the 800 (2:59.43), Sofie Borri in the 1,600
(8:27.25), Lily Breckenridge in the shot put (7.32m) and Veronika Mack, Anna Poignant, Sarah Wiesbrock and Schrowang in the 4x800 (14:06.21).
At Princeton: PC’s Veronika Mack took third place in the 300 hurdles in Princeton’s Howard-Monier Invite on Thursday, April 9.
BOYS TRACK & FIELD
At Streator : Putnam County’s Alex Rodriguez swept the throws by winning the discus (48.86m) and shot (15.92m) in a triangular with Streator and Marquette on April 5.
PC won the 4x400 (4:43.6) and 4x800 (9.28.1) relays while Carter Baxter (5:11) and Carter Smoode (5:47.2) finished 1-2 in the 1,600.
The Panthers (41) finished second behind Streator (80).
your high school were a priority,” Ptak said.
“I do feel for some area programs that just don’t have the numbers for whatever reason it may be. I know kids are ‘specializing’ more. Some travel teams have forced them to choose certain sports,” Hansen said.
Bickett, who’s a basketball/volleyball dad at Rock Falls, doesn’t care for the demands put on kids by club volleyball teams.
“We have actually been able to have about 10 or 12 freshman games the past couple years,” he said.
The Hall varsity roster consists of five seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and a freshmen. There are 22 girls in all, including eight freshmen. By comparison, the Hall varsity roster had six upperclassmen and six upperclassmen three years ago.
Mendota head coach John Hansen has been with the Trojans program since 2014, first as freshmen coach. The program is thriving 34 strong with 12 freshmen, 12 sophomores, nine juniors and one senior. In eight seasons as head coach, Hansen said there’s only been one year they couldn’t field a freshmen squad, which
reflects with this year’s senior class.
“Our program numbers are something I’m extremely proud of and that I do not take for granted,” Hansen said. “We’ve played several teams this season that only have one level. I think our numbers speak to several things - our culture that we’ve built/pushed at the MHS level, parents/ teammates continuing to push our kids, the lower levels and youth camps working hard, etc.”
So why are the numbers declining for girls basketball?
Many coaches point to the demands put on athletes by travel teams such as club volleyball.
“Some choose travel volleyball over basketball. I wish the in-season sport at
“My kids have been put in that situation. I think the club coaches and programs would prefer kids don’t play basketball and focus on volleyball,” he said. “That’s not appealing to the Bicketts. It will never change in our household. The school sports take precedence. We’re going to be parents to teach our kids to play both. In some households, I’m not sure parents want to take the time to do both. Maybe it’s easier to do one.”
Bickett and Hansen said basketball can be a hard, demanding sport that many choose not to play.
“Basketball is hard. If you don’t really put in the work, it’s hard to hide it, and you can get embarrassed,” Hansen said. “There’s other sports where you can maybe more easily hide a weakness or get by doing just what’s required at practice. You can’t just pick up a basketball and be good enough.
“So the lack of free time and dedication to the work on their own makes it hard to keep up. Easier to give up on it then vs. getting embarrassed or working even harder to catch up.”
Mike Vaughn file photo
Hall’s Leah Pelka feels the pinch between Princeton’s Keighley Davis (left) and Madie Gibson at Prouty Gym. The Tigresses won 41-39.
CLASSIFIED
ADVERTISING NOTICE
All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subjec t to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to adver tise “any prefer ence, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an inte ntion, to make any such preference , limita tion or discrimination .”
Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or le gal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of child ren under 18. This newspaper will not know in gly ac cept any advertising for real estat e which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call, HUD toll-free at 800- 669-9777. The toll-free telephone numbe r for the he aring impaired is 800-927-9275
GUS HICKS RETIREMENT AUCTION
Full line of row crop farm equipment offered at Public Auction, located at 99 Tobacco Rd Erie, IL 61250. Nearest exit 6 (Joslin/Hillsdale) off I-88, then East on Rt 92 to E 1520th St. Then north to Tobacco Rd. SATURDAY, MAY 2ND, 2026 LIVE @ 10 A.M.
PLANTERS & DRILL: *2020 CIH 2150 EARLY RISER, 16R30, #YLS085499, HIGH SPEED, CENTER FILL, HYD DOWN PRESSURE, PNUEMATIC ROW CLEANERS, USED 3 SEASONS APPROX 5,000 AC, 1 OWNER; *CIH 5500 SOYBEAN SPECIAL , 30’, MARKERS; *JD 7000 8R30, KELDERMAN FOLD
TRUCK: *2001 FORD F-550, 286,397 MILES, 7.3L POWERSTROKE, 14’ BED WITH JIB CRANE EQUIPMENT & MISC: *AC MATERIAL HANDLING CORP C50 FORKLIFT, #174834A, 7276 HRS, 3 STAGE, SIDE SHIFT, 4400LB, 42” FORKS; *BII 528, #24261, 23.1-26 DIAMOND TREAD TIRES; *J&M 1075, #6124, 66X43 BAR TREAD TIRES; *PATRIOT 100 2 BOX SEED TENDER, 5.5 HONDA W/ ELEC START; *YETTER SEED JET II; *DMI TIGERMATE II, #821537, 42’, WALKING TANDEMS, 3 BAR COIL TYNE; *JD 512 DISC RIPPER, #N00512X012421, 7 SHANK, 3 BAR COIL TYNE HARROW; *JD 230 DISC, 23’9”, WIDE SPACING, HYD LIFT/FOLD; *JD 550 SPRAYER, 40’ BOOM, DEMCO FOAMER; *JD 550 SPRAYER, 40’; *JD 220 ON JD GEAR; *KORY WAGON ON JD GEAR; *WHITE 6 BOTTOM PLOW; *NEW IDEA END GATE SEEDER; *PORTABLE FUEL TANK ON TRAILER, 300 GAL, HAND PUMP; *PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR, INTERNATIONAL 4 CYL GAS ENGINE, DOES NOT RUN; *MISC DUALS & CLAMP ON DUALS; *JD A150 HEATER, *L TRANSFER TANK W/ HAND PUMP; *CAT 3 QHITCH; * MISC TIRES, HITCHES AND ACCESSORIES
The following described farmland will be offered by PUBLIC AUCTION on: Friday, May 8th, 2026 10:00 A.M.
Online bidding available @redigerauctionservice.com
Sale day Location: 207 W Commercial St. Neponset, Il 61345 Neponset Community Center
Tract 1 – 59.88+/- assessed acres located in the N ½ of the NW1/4, Section 23, Neponset Twp., Bureau County, Illinois. 57.62+/- tillable acres with a 129.4 Crop Productivity Index as per Surety
Tax ID# 19-23-100-006 2024 Taxes paid in 2025 - $730.18
Tax ID# 19-23-100-002 2024 Taxes paid in 2025 $1,882.48
Tract 2 – 120+/- assessed acres located in the N1/2 and the SW1/4 of the NE1/4, Section 23, Neponset Twp., Bureau County, Illinois. 112.74+/- tillable acres with a 120.1 Crop Productivity Index as per Surety.
Tax ID# 19-23-200-001 2024 Taxes paid in 2025 $4,226.52
Tract 3 – 15.01+/- assessed acres located in the NE corner of the NE ¼, Section 2, Wethersfield Twp. Henry County, Illinois. 13.43+/- tillable acres with a 133.3 Crop Productivity Index as per surety.
Tax ID# 25-02-100-001 2024 Taxes paid in 2025 $653.90
Tract 4 – 53.13+/- assessed acres located in lot 3, ex NW corner Otley’s 1st addition & PT SW SE Section 34 Kewanee Twp., Henry Co. Illinois. 46.56+/- tillable acres with a 126.6 Crop Productivity Index as per surety.
Tax ID# 20-34-400-010 2024 Taxes paid in 2025 $3,018.48
Plat Locations, Aerial Photos, Soil Map and Legal Description information available @redigerauctionservice.com
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
1. Subject parcels will be sold by the assessed acre with no combinations
2. The successful bidder will be required to enter into a standard purchase agreement contract. 10% of the contract purchase price will be due immediately following the auction. A bank letter of buyer qualifications shall be provided by the buyer to the seller at contract signing. The balance will be due and payable at closing on or before June 8th 2026
3. The seller shall provide a title insurance policy in the amount of the purchase price of the subject properties.
4. The 2025 real estate taxes due and payable in 2026 will be credited, based on the most current evidence available, by the seller to the buyer at closing. All subsequent real estate taxes will be the responsibility of the buyer
5. The property is being sold in “AS IS” condition, with no implied warranties of any kind.
6. The information is believed to be accurate. However, we strongly urge all prospective buyers to thoroughly research all pertinent data and to draw their own conclusions.
7. All announcements made the day of the sale take precedence over any previously printed material.
8. It is pertinent that all online bidders contact Rediger Auction Service, at least 3 business days prior to the auction, for qualified registration.
Seller: Gus Hicks
Attorney: Zachary L. Lessard
Barash & Everett Attorneys LLC Kewanee, IL 309-852-5555
Number system will be used – ID required Not responsible for Accidents Rediger Auction Service – Wyanet, IL 815-699-7999
Jeremy Rediger – Jon Moon – Brik Rediger – Rick Rediger Online Bidding available @redigerauctionservice.com
HENNEPIN FOOD MART
GROCERY SPECIALS
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Planters Dry Roasted or Cocktail Peanuts 16oz
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Our Family Designer Plates 24-48ct 2/$6
Our Family Aluminum Foil 50-75 Ft ������������������� $3�99
Our Family Steak Sauce 10oz
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Kingsford Charcoal Briquets 15# $11�99
DELI
Kretschmar Cajun Turkey lb
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$4�99 Fresh Seafood Salad lb $6�99
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Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer 30pk Cans ���������������� $15�99
