Year in Review
2020 est. 1851
www.newstrib.com | NewsTribune | Wednesday, December 30, 2020 | YEAR IN REVIEW
2
JANUARY
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/TOM SISTAK
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED/JEREMY AITKEN, WLPO RADIO/STARVED ROCK MEDIA
La Salle’s ladder (left) and Peru’s platform are extended above the edge of the Double D Express trucking business early Saturday morning along May Road in Peru.
A Verilife employee helps customers make pre-orders prior to the start of business Wednesday morning, the first day of legalized recreational marijuana sales in Illinois. More than 200 waited in line to be some of the first to make purchases at the dispensary.
FEBRUARY
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
Luke Falkenhayn and his mom Danika are resting comfortably today in Illinois Valley Community Hospital, but that’s not where the Princeton mom gave birth. Luke was born in the PHOTO FOR SHAW MEDIA/MIKE VAUGHN parking lot of Horizon House after Danika, accompanied by her medical student sister, deMembers of the Fieldcrest boys basketball team celebrate with their plaque after beating termined they wouldn’t make it to IVCH. The story had a happy ending: Mother and baby both are healthy and father Adam planned to take them home to Princeton on Wednesday Princeton 78-65 to win the Class 2A IVC Regional on Friday in Chillicothe. It is the 14th regional championship for the Knights. afternoon.
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APRIL
Garnet Dose loads paper towels into her shopping cart at Illinois Valley Food Center in La Salle. Many people have been stocking up on toiletries, paper products and cleaning supplies to prevent the spread of Cornoavirus disease (COVID-19).
Bob Windy (left), owner of Star Union Spirits, helps Casey Beall, distiller, pour alcohol out of a large vat into bottles for hand sanitizer inside the Westclox building in Peru on Thursday. Star Union Spirits is temporarily producing hand sanitizer to help in the fight against COVID-19. The first batch was made at the distillery on April 9. The FDA had to approve Star Union Spirits to produce the sanitizer. The sanitizer will be distributed to local hospitals, fire and EMS departments and emergency personal.
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
McRib is back! Why is the McRib so craveable? Start with seasoned boneless pork dipped in a tangy BBQ sauce, topped with slivered onions and dill pickles, all served on a toasted homestyle bun. When everything combines you have BBQ pork sandwich perfection. It’s only here for a limited time so don’t miss out!
800 W Dakota St, Spring Valley • 2139 N Main St, Princeton 2701 E 12th St, Mendota • 1503 13th Avenue, Mendota
Thank You
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. 250 Marquette St.
101 N. Columbia Ave.
1300 13th Ave.
2959 Peoria St.
LaSalle, IL 61301 815-223-0700
www.eurekasavings.com SM-LA1842791
Mendota, IL 61342 815-539-5656
Dream Big in 2021. Set your goals high and your sights higher. We will be with you every step of the way. Have a safe, happy, and prosperous New Year!
Oglesby, IL 61348 815-883-3354
613 First St., LaSalle, IL (815) 223-1795 pekininsurance.com
Bart Hartauer AUTO • HOME • BUSINESS • LIFE
Peru, IL 61354 815-223-9400 SM-LA1844887
YEAR IN REVIEW | Wednesday, December 30, 2020 | NewsTribune | www.newstrib.com
MARCH
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4
MAY
JUNE
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
This year’s La Salle-Peru Township High School graduation was unlike any before. Senior Ky Copeland holds his diploma as his family releases smoke bombs in the school’s colors during a drive-thru graduation at the L-P Athletic Complex Thursday evening. Students were allowed two cars per graduate. A total of 272 graduates received their diplomas.
Protesters march north on LaHarpe Street Monday in downtown La Salle. The peaceful protest spoke out against racism in the United States.
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
Zack Cinotto, owner of Riverfront Bar and Grill (formerly Waterstreet Pub), watches Illinois River floodwaters less than 3 feet from his business’s front door.
The Utica Fire Protection District and some Utica village officials teamed up with Illinois Department of Natural Resources staff to hose down the parking lot Wednesday at Starved Rock State Park. The parking lot was flooded in late May. Almost one inch of silt covered the 500-space parking lot. The fire department used about 21,000 gallons of water to clean the lot.
Utica cadet Reese Kurtz sprays water on the lower parking lot at Starved Rock State Park.
5
Princeton Police, Bureau County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police investigate a shooting Wednesday at Hillview Trailer Park in Princeton.
Happy Holidays!
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/KIM SHUTE
Thanks for giving us a jingle!
From Our Family to Yours Simply The Finest In Retirement Lifestyles
Liberty Village
www.simplytheďŹ nest.net Peru • Princeton Not-For-ProďŹ t Provider
For More Information Call 815-224-2200 or 815-875-6600
SM-LA1836473
www.ffsbweb.com
Oh what fun it is for us to serve you every day! Happy New Year and many thanks from the Suarez Family and all the employees at Koolmaster, See you in the new year!
300 Second St. LaSalle, IL 815-223-8972
SM-LA1845057
YEAR IN REVIEW | Wednesday, December 30, 2020 | NewsTribune | www.newstrib.com
JULY
AUGUST
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
A line of thunderstorms with straight line winds, referred to as a “derecho,” hit the area Monday afternoon.
Workers installed the new field turf for Howard Fellows Stadium at La Salle-Peru Township High School last week. A bird’s eye view of the stadium, home of L-P Cavaliers football, is shown as workers install the turf for the school’s “Field of Dreams” project. The project, which is being completed by Byrne and Jones Construction, will cost $900,450. The school district raised $528,000 toward the project before it was approved by the board in March.
Happy Holidays! from your friends at
Smith’s SM-LA1844107
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6
Sales & Service
1604 Peoria St., Peru • 815-223-0132
Warm Wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season and a Very Happy New Year
SM-LA1841120
Wishing You Well At The Holidays With warm wishes for a safe and healthy holiday. Thank you for putting your trust in us
SM-LA1842746
7
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
N
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
A human remains detection dog and handler conduct a search Wednesday around the abandoned truck wash north of Peru on La Salle Road.
You can say goodbye to the old Route 178 bridge in Utica some time this winter – a detonation date is pending – but you can drive, cycle or walk across the new one in a matter of days. The Illinois 178 Bridge in Utica is nearing its final stages of completion.
Happy Holidays! From Our Family to Yours Personal Injury & Worker’s Compensation Attorneys
FIREPLACES
815-223-0177 • GANASSIN.COM Peru | Morris | Ottawa | Chicago
SM-LA1839863
Merry Christmas
SM-LA1844888
Sue Heider
Mark Witek
Steve Witek
Kristy Pytel
www.mazelumber.com
Amy Noy
WATER STREET, PERU 815-223-1742
SERVING THE ILLINOIS VALLEY SINCE 1848
Registered Representaves with and Securies and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, A Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA / SIPC
SM-LA1842319
YEAR IN REVIEW | Wednesday, December 30, 2020 | NewsTribune | www.newstrib.com
SEPTEMBER
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Have a Great
NEW YEAR! Season’s Greetings from all of us at
City of Mendota
800 Washington St. Mendota, IL 61342
815-539-7459
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! McConville Realty & Auctioneering
Hours: 8-12/1-5:30 M-F 8-12 Sat
612 S. Main St., Mendota
307 Plaza Drive • Mendota • 815-538-2412 EUGENE BODMER
Wishing Your Family, Happy Holidays from Ours! 815-539-6724 • Mendota
Merry Christmas! N.L. Morton B Buildings, ildi Ltd. SM-LA1840135
815-539-5673
SM-LA1840138
815-875-3838 • Princeton
www.hollandandsons.com
Mendota | Princeton | Dixon | Freeport | Geneseo
LOTS OF JOY AT CHRISTMAS
VAESSEN BROTHERS
CHEVROLET, INC.
U.S. Highway 52 Sublette, IL
800-227-5203 or 815-849-5232
www.vaessenbrothers.com
Merry Christmas from
Mendota Monument Company 203 N. 4099th Road, Mendota
815-539-9325
Serving the Illinois Valley Since 1974
606 S. Main, Mendota ta 1-800-7276 1-800-845-5809 | 815-539-7276
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NEW YEAR! Merry Christmas Insurance
Kurt Bruno AGENT
1103 Main St., Mendota • 815-539-3878
kurtbruno.com
northernillinoisseamlessroofing.com | 815-539-5142
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
The greatest compliment you can give is a referral.
SM-LA1840144
SM-LA1840143
Wishing You Happy Holidays!
Happy
HOLIDAYS! 602 Railroad St. • Earlville, IL • 815-246-8461
Happy Holidays! 501 Ninth Ave., Mendota www.blackbros.com
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
CARRIAGE HOUSE ELECTRIC 815-538-5598
SM-LA1842817
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays! GRAIN COMPANY SM-LA1840463
3004 E. 12th Street • Mendota
MENDOTA, IL
TRIPLESERVICEINC.COM 815-539-3828
SM-LA1840710
YEAR IN REVIEW | Wednesday, December 30, 2020 | NewsTribune | www.newstrib.com
Have a Great
www.newstrib.com | NewsTribune | Wednesday, December 30, 2020 | YEAR IN REVIEW
10
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
While it’s not yet Halloween, some residents woke up Monday morning to snow on their pumpkins. In most areas, little snowfall accumulated and melted shortly after it fell, but not before it left visuals of a clash of seasons. An inflatable Halloween decoration has a light layer of snow on it on Park Avenue in Princeton.
Have a Happy & Healthy Holiday from All of Us at Free Exercise Classes!
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/JAYCE EUSTICE
Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru will be renamed St. Margaret’s Health-Peru after the merger. Approval for the merger was granted Monday.
Y
Rewards!
300 Walnut Drive 30 Pe • 815-223-7904 Peru ivymca.com SM-LA1842762
HAPPY
HOLIDAYS!
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
TOP: The sun sets over Rotary Park’s light displays. BOTTOM: A view of the Celebration of Lights display at Rotary Park in La Salle.
1102 Meriden St., Mendota 815-539-9341 SM-LA1838052
Celebration of Lights at Rotary Park in La Salle began Monday. The park has more than 300 themed Christmas displays. This year, a new quarter-mile addition was built to feature even more lights. Each display is sponsored by an area business.
11 YEAR IN REVIEW | Wednesday, December 30, 2020 | NewsTribune | www.newstrib.com
DECEMBER
WHERE’S WALLY? After day of adventure, close call, Peru fishermen rescue pet wallaroo. Wally jumps along the train tracks on Water Street in Peru. NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/ SCOTT ANDERSON
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO/SCOTT ANDERSON
Dr. Ricardo Calderon receives the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from nurse educator Ashley Freitag at Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru. Dr. Calderon was the first staff member at IVCH to receive the vaccine at the hospital.
Happy New Year 105 First Street • Manlius • michligenergy.com
815-445-6921 • 800-624-5593
125 Backbone Rd. E., Princeton • 815-879-7351
Happy Holidays
Happy New Year!
SM-LA1843811
SM-LA1843803
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Happy New Year!
Johnsons Carpet Shoppe Custom Showers • Vinyl • Backsplashes Hardwood • Waterproof Laminate Carpet • Ceramic Tile
SM-LA1843793
815-875-3444 • www.johnsonscarpetshoppe.com 1033 N. Main Street | Princeton
Happy New Year! McHenry Machine Co. Inc. SM-LA1843799
1309 IL Highway 26 • Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-1953 • mchenrym@verizon.net
Merry Christmas & A Happy, Healthy New Year in 2021 Village of Dalzell and Timber Creek Estates SM-LA1841883 SM-LA1841862
SM-LA1843807
www.newstrib.com | NewsTribune | Wednesday, December 30, 2020 | YEAR IN REVIEW
12
701 E Thompson St • Princeton • 815-875-2425 • norbergfh.com
HAPPY HOLIDAYS Barto Funeral Home
Pre-Need Trust 5 GENERATIONS
SPRING VALLEY DEPUE 815-663-5021 bartofh.com SM-LA1841878