2021 A Look Back at Notable Stories and Events We Covered in 2021
est. 1851
JANUARY
JAYCE EUSTICE – JEUSTICE@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru is now known as St. Margaret’s Health-Peru after consolidating with St. Margaret’s Health in Spring Valley.
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Tyler Towne, LaSalle-Peru High School and Illinois Valley Community College graduate, poses with Mr. Peanut and the Planters NUTmobile outside of L-P High School on Friday. The Planters NUTmobile will be seen in and around Starved Rock Country from Jan. 15 to 25. Stops include Hy-Vee, Illinois Valley YMCA and Peru’s skating rink.
Happy Holidays!
Happy New Year!
from your friends at
701 E Thompson St • Princeton • 815-875-2425 • norbergfh.com
SM-LA1942129
Smith’s SM-LA1942317
www.newstrib.com | NewsTribune | Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | YEAR IN REVIEW
2
Sales & Service
1604 Peoria St., Peru • 815-223-0132
Thank You
Warm Wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season and a Very Happy New Year
With glad tidings to all of our customers at this special time of year. We truly value your business and renew our commitment to serving you well in the year ahead.
www.eurekasavings.com SM-LA1937364
SM-LA1941534
250 Marquette St. 1300 13th Ave. LaSalle, IL 61301 Mendota, IL 61342 815-223-0700 815-539-5656 101 N. Columbia Ave. Oglesby, IL 61348 815-883-3354 2959 Peoria St. 105 W. 1st South St. Peru, IL 61354 Wenona, IL 61377 815-223-9400 815-853-4333
3
KIM SHUTE – KSCHUTE@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Spring Valley Police Chief Adam Curran on Monday promoted officer Sarah Kinkin to the rank of sergeant. Kinkin is the first female officer in Spring Valley history to be promoted to that rank.
HAPPY
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Climbers climb a frozen waterfall at Wildcat Canyon as spectators watch at Starved Rock State Park on Sunday.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS! 1102 Meriden St., Mendota 815-539-9341 SM-LA1938917
Happy
Holidays!
There is nothing like a glowing fire to warm up the entire family. Maze Lumber has a whole line of fireplaces... one is right for you.
Along Peru’s Historic Riverfront MENDOTA • PRINCETON • SPRING VALLEY SM-LA1940530
Now Hiring/EOE
1100 Water Street
815-223-1742 • mazelumber.com
YEAR IN REVIEW | Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | NewsTribune | www.newstrib.com
FEBRUARY
MARCH
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
The boom was loud and could be felt all the way to the La Salle-Peru area, where residents said it was like a loud crack of thunder. The remains of the former Utica bridge will be cleaned up to clear the Illinois River. SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
DOUBLE HOMICIDE
Police say Sandwich man killed former in-laws in Sheridan Authorities are investigating the crime scene at the home of Gregory S. Barnes Sr. and Brenda J. Barnes, who police said were shot to death.
Merry Christmas
Pay the Date Membership Special! Join Early and SAVE!
Joiners Fees waived during the month of January! Sue Heider Spencer Luecke Mark Witek Steve Witek Kristy Pytel Amy Noy SM-LA1941646
www.newstrib.com | NewsTribune | Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | YEAR IN REVIEW
4
Registered Representaves with and Securies and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, A Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA / SIPC
Happy Holidays! From Our Family to Yours Personal Injury & Worker’s Compensation Attorneys
SM-LA1938962
815-223-0177 • GANASSIN.COM Peru | Morris | Ottawa | Chicago
PLUS
Your first month’s membership dues amount will match the date on the calendar when you join: Join January 1st and your dues are $1 Join January 2nd and your dues are $2... Stop in or contact the front desk for more information!
IIllinois ll Valley YMCA 300 Walnut St., Peru
Route 251, Mendota
815-223-7904 815-538-2900 ivymca.com
5
KIM SHUTE – KSHUTE@SHAWMEDIA.COM
The Bureau County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois Department of Transportation were called to the scene to investigate after a semitrailer tried to cross the Red Covered Bridge outside Princeton on Wednesday afternoon, causing damage to the bridge structure.
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Workers dismantle the Sandy Ford Bridge on Wednesday as it blocks the channel of the Vermilion River on North 18th Road.
Wishing You & Your Family
a Happy, Healthy Holiday From Your Friends at
St. Margaret’s Health aboutsmh.org
YEAR IN REVIEW | Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | NewsTribune | www.newstrib.com
APRIL
Have a Great
NEW YEAR! Happy Holidays! GRAIN COMPANY
Happy Holidays!
1503 Washington Street Mendota, IL 61342 815-539-7801 specialtybodypaint@hotmail.com
3004 E. 12th Street • Mendota SM-LA1938819
LOTS OF JOY
Merry Christmas
AT CHRISTMAS
from
Mendota Monument Company VAESSEN BROTHERS
CHEVROLET, INC.
U.S. Highway 52 Sublette, IL
800-227-5203 or 815-849-5232
606 S. Main, Mendota ta 1-800-7276 1-800-845-5809 | 815-539-7276
www.vaessenbrothers.com
Wishing You Happy Holidays!
SM-LA1938838
www.newstrib.com | NewsTribune | Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | YEAR IN REVIEW
6
northernillinoisseamlessroofing.com | 815-539-5142
Merry
CHRISTMAS 815-535-6295 1922 Tower Rd. • Sublette, IL 61367
Season’s Greetings BEDDING IN MENDOTA 1091 S St Hwy. 251 Mendota, IL 815-539-6263 www.meyersfurniture.com
Mon. & Fri. 9-6 • Tue.-Wed. 9-5 • Closed Thursday • Sat. 10-5 • Sun. 12-4 SM-LA1938766
from all of us at
City of Mendota
800 Washington St. Mendota, IL 61342
815-539-7459
SM-LA1941326
1700 Burlington Street Mendota, IL (815) 910-5300
TRIPLESERVICEINC.COM 815-539-3828
www.StonecroftVillage.com
SM-LA1940713
Warm Wishes for aHopeCool Christmas your holiday season shapes
Merry Christmas!
up to be wonderful in every way. 800 Monroe Street Mendota, IL 61342
815-539-7211
N.L. Morton B Buildings, ildi Ltd. SM-LA1940716
Merry Christmas!
203 N. 4099th Road, Mendota
815-539-9325
Serving the Illinois Valley Since 1974
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Hours: 8-12/1-5:30 M-F 8-12 Sat
307 Plaza Drive • Mendota • 815-538-2412 EUGENE BODMER
SM-LA1941303
Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays!
McConville Realty & Auctioneering 612 S. Main St., Mendota
501 Ninth Ave., Mendota www.blackbros.com
815-539-5673
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
CARRIAGE HOUSE ELECTRIC
Gloria Cogdal
Designated Managing Broker • 815-228-2752
815-538-5598
Sally Corrigan
Broker • 815-830-8101 1316 Lakewood Pl #5 • Mendota SM-LA1940149
SM-LA1941322
MENDOTA, IL
YEAR IN REVIEW | Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | NewsTribune | www.newstrib.com
Happy Holidays From The Residents and Employees of Stonecroft Village!
Happy Holidays!
7
www.newstrib.com | NewsTribune | Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | YEAR IN REVIEW
8
MAY
JUNE
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Utica Fire and EMS, along with conservation police, the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office and several other agencies, responded to the boat ramp at Starved Rock State Park about 7:30 p.m. Thursday for what had been reported as an explosion. The La Salle County Coroner’s Office said three men were found dead.
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
PISTOL SHRIMP SEASON OPENER
Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp’s Chance Resetich throws out Lafayette’s Mike Synder at first. Resetich is originally from Spring Valley and is currently playing for the Pistol Shrimp.
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Workers with Environmental Restoration LLC use a barrier to contain oil while performing cleanup efforts at Barto Landing in Spring Valley on Tuesday.
Happy Holidays!
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Randy and Patty Norman of Kansas City ride their bikes Tuesday over the new bridge and culvert at the washout site on the Illinois and Michigan Canal about 3 miles east of Utica. Cyclists can now bike the canal between Utica and Ottawa.
From Our Family to Yours Simply The Finest In Retirement Lifestyles
Liberty Village
Libertyvillageofperu.com SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Not-For-Profit Provider SM-LA1935700
An annular solar eclipse rises in the east over Interstate 80 in Bureau County near Princeton on Thursday.
9
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
An aerial view of the partial building collapse at 1001 First St. in La Salle covers the sidewalk and some of Tonti Street on Monday, July 19.
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
The Most Rev. Louis Tylka, coadjutor bishop of the Peoria diocese, sprinkles holy water throughout the hallways during a blessing dedication at OSF St. Clare Medical Center, formerly Perry Memorial Hospital, in Princeton on Thursday. The bishop walked the halls while blessing them with Jackie Kernan, president of OSF St. Clare Medical Center. Perry Memorial Hospital was founded May 29, 1916. The hospital is now part of the OSF health care system.
AUGUST
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
The Taste of the Illinois Valley returned this year to Centennial Park in Peru. The festival features a live band, children’s activities, including a zip line, bounce house, slide, bungee jumping, rock wall and food from local vendors. The festival continues through Sunday.
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
FIERCE WINDS TOPPED 80 MPH
A power pole fell during Tuesday’s storm onto a fence outside the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Mendota.
YEAR IN REVIEW | Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | NewsTribune | www.newstrib.com
JULY
www.newstrib.com | NewsTribune | Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | YEAR IN REVIEW
10
SEPTEMBER
Hail covers the ground and grass areas at Earlville Community Park in Earlville on Tuesday. The town was hit by a severe thunderstorm that produced pea to nickle size hail that accumulated on grassy surfaces and other areas throughout the town.
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Firefighters from four counties were dispatched about 5:45 a.m. Wednesday to Marquis Energy for report of a fire at the facility.
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Utica firefighters and paramedics clean the Stars of Hope bus at the Utica Fire Station on Wednesday. Fire Chief Ben Brown will have the honor of driving the bus to New York City to attend the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
11
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Jelani Day’s mother, Carmen Bolden-Day (from left) and the Rev. Jesse Jackson walk to a prayer site Tuesday at Plain and Water streets in Peru for the March for Jelani Day.
ADAMS CREEK CLEANSED
Bureau County creek once labeled after a man’s skin tone receives new name from national board A small waterfall creates a picturesque view of Adams Creek as it passes through Seatonville on Friday near the intersection of Peru Road and Brookie Avenue. The name of the creek officially was changed to Adams on Thursday after the U.S. Board on Geographic Names voted unanimously on the action. SCOTT ANDERSON –SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Members of the Mendota soccer team celebrate after defeating Quincy Notre Dame in a Class 1A sectional championship match Saturday in Chillicothe.
YEAR IN REVIEW | Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | NewsTribune | www.newstrib.com
OCTOBER
www.newstrib.com | NewsTribune | Wednesday, December 29, 2021 | YEAR IN REVIEW
12
NOVEMBER
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Workers with D Construction begin paving the bridge deck that spans over the Little Vermilion River on Monday along Interstate 80 east of the Route 351 interchange near La Salle. The work is part of a larger $16.38 million project to replace beams and the deck on the bridges carrying I-80 over the Little Vermilion River east of the Route 351 interchange.
PHOTO BY TOM SISTAK FOR SHAW MEDIA
Traffic resumes Wednesday across the Vermilion River on the newly opened Sandy Ford Bridge. The new bridge opened after seven months of construction.
DECEMBER
SCOTT ANDERSON – SANDERSON@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to Peru on a fire truck during the Peru Hometown Christmas parade on Saturday.
PHOTO BY JAYCE EUSTICE –JEUSTICE@SHAWMEDIA.COM
The Doug and Rorie Schweickert Charitable Trust presented a check for$1 million to the city of Peru during the Tuesday City Council meeting. The money will go for park upgrades at Washington Park and Veteran’s Park.