Putnam County Record_11022022

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Putnam County Sheriff race Q&A: Brian Gonet

Belowisanelectionquestionnaire forRepublicanPutnamCountySheriff Candidate,BrianGonet.Gonetisrun ningagainstDemocraticCandidate JoshuaBoedigheimer.

Brian Michael Gonet

Republican Candidate for Putnam County Sheriff

What offices, if any, have you previously held?

None, in my opinion, being employed by local government pre sented too many conflicts of interests to hold office on Town board, County board, etc.

City

Granville, Illinois, with my wife, three children and two dogs.

Occupation

Deputy with Putnam County Sher iff’s Office since July 2019. Served with Granville Police Department and Mark Police Department from 2012-2019. Coached PC fifth and sixth grade boys

basketball for two years, PC seventh grade boys basketball for two years, and now multiple years of coaching soc cer, baseball and basketball with my own children. I’ve actively been part of a group that planted Putnam County Community Church four years ago. I also serve on the Putnam County Back pack Ministry Board as vice president.

Education

Attended Illinois Valley Community College then transferred to University of Illinois-Springfield majoring in crim inal justice. Through continuing educa

tion and training I am a lead homicide investigator, aquatic abuse death and homicide drowning investigator, crisis intervention team member (added level of training for responding to calls per taining to mental health), juvenile offi cer, child abuse investigator, sexual assault trauma informed investigator, human trafficking awareness training, and ALICE certified instructor (certi fied to train citizens in active shooter response) among many other certifica tions and trainings.

Campaign Website

Facebook – Gonet for Sheriff, gonet forsheriff.com

What would your top three priorities be over the next four years?

First would be to successfully transi tion into the role as Sheriff and navi gate the immediate tasks ahead of me. As the department leader I will be charged with effectively communicat ing with the State’s Attorney and relay ing a strategy to the deputies how the SAFE-T Act will change the way we do things come Jan. 1, 2023, and what ways it won’t.

Putnam County Sheriff race Q&A: Joshua Boedigheimer

Belowisanelectionquestionnaire

Joshua Boedigheimer

Sheriff

What

City

Candidate

Photo provided

technology, specialized training and the recruitment and retention of personnel. Advancing the Putnam County Sher iff’s Office to meet these changes, while being fiscally responsible with taxpayer funds, will be a top priority for me as sheriff.

Proactively addressing crime to keep our community safe and providing the leadership, training and opportunities to my deputies needed to accomplish this task.

Continuing strong relationships with the community, first responders and local law enforcement partners to provide the professional service that is expected of the Putnam County Sher iff’s Office.

Occupation

Putnam

Hidden

What

change at a rapid pace, requiring advancement in

Taxes are a top concern raised by voters locally. What do you do within your position to address residents’ tax burden?

As sheriff of Putnam County I will work closely with the county board on budget matters concerning the Sheriff’s Office; utilizing the taxpayer funds properly will allow me to keep reason able operational expenditures and com petitive compensation for those that work at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.

I feel it is important to work closely with the States Attorney to ensure that

Shaw Local News Network

Photo provided

Putnam County Deputy Brian Gonet.

Putnam County Sheriff candidate Joshua Boedigheimer.

Weger case: No match yet on hair retrieved from glove

Judge continues Starved Rock murder appeals case while awaiting results

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

hair was found on the glove of one of the Starved Rock murder vic tims? Chester Weger will be a few weeks from his 84th birthday before that’s revealed, if then.

Weger, 83, and still convicted of the 1960 Starved Rock murders, appeared Friday in La Salle County Circuit Court hoping, in part, to proceed with efforts to identify some DNA retrieved from crime scene evidence. As previ ously reported, a hair found from the glove of victim Frances Murphy was found to have a man’s DNA but that man wasn’t Weger.

There is a process for getting evi dence submitted into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) for com parison but there still are a few hur dles left to cross. La Salle County Judge Michael C. Jansz set a new hear ing for 1 p.m. Feb. 24, 2023. Weger turns 84 the following month.

After Friday’s hearing, Hale

acknowledged a limited chance they successfully identify the source of the hair. DNA was not submitted to CODIS until the late 1990s and there is a possi bility the source of the hair had died or never was logged into the system.

“It’s admittedly a little bit of a long shot, but you never know,” he said. Hale said other hairs are being tested privately and results are pending.

But Weger didn’t leave emp ty-handed Friday. He and his lawyers

did get Jansz to issue a subpoena and protective order for what Weger’s law yers described as newly discovered documents.

Weger attorney Andy Hale said he was contacted by an area resident and told the author Steve Stout had “origi nal” case materials that he donated to the La Salle County Historical Society.

“I wasn’t aware that Mr. Stout had original case files,” Hale said. “I was surprised and concerned to hear it.”

And he wants to know what else Stout has. When the special prosecutor took no position, Jansz agreed to the subpoena and protective order, effec tively binding Stout to hold on to what ever materials are in his possession.

Stout did not speak during the hear ing. Outside the La Salle County court house, Stout said he accepted case materials from the late Harland War ren, a former La Salle County state’s attorney. Warren, Stout recalled, was retiring from practice and planned to discard the case materials unless Stout wanted them. Stout did.

Stout said he would have gladly shared with Hale not only Warren’s nearly discarded materials but also his own records and notes.

“I think it’s very rude that Mr. Hale never contacted me and asked me questions,” Stout said. “I have let the material be seen by anybody who requested the material. I am not hiding it. It’s not hidden at all. I’m preserving it.”

Stout also said Weger shouldn’t get his hopes up.

“Nothing is going to come out of it,” Stout said. “There is no information in the materials I own that will help Mr. Weger overturn his conviction.”

Continuing Tradition

Building for the Future

by Brian

Chester Weger (in the wheel chair), escorted by members of his family and attorney Andy Hale, won’t learn until Feb. 24 (if then) whose DNA was found on a piece of evidence from the Starved Rock murders. The DNA wasn’t his.

Tom Collins – tcollins@ shawmedia.com

by SCOTT

By SCOTT ANDERSON sanderson@shawmedia.com

offsetting the amount of increased tax dollars needed from

residents.

Voters also cited crime as a concern.

do you think needs to be done to address this concern?

Crime is a valid concern that our community faces. With crime on the rise, this is a topic that needs to be addressed head on before it gets to be any worse. There are challenges that law enforce ment has faced, so it is up to us, and the support of our community, to come together and address these concerns.

While illegal narcotics are a leading cause to many crimes in our area, as sheriff of Putnam County, I will support my deputies in a community policing

approach to proactively address all types of crime in Putnam County and continue my support of the Trident Drug Task Force’s efforts in reducing narcotic crime.

Keeping an open line of communica tion with our community will generate more involvement in our efforts to reduce crime in Putnam County.

What do you bring to the table that your opponents do not?

In 24 years of law enforcement, I have gained skills and knowledge through on the job experiences and training, built relationships with other law enforcement agencies, led a team of highly experienced agents, and man aged all aspects of the operation and administration of a specialized unit. My long law enforcement career, along with skills developed while contribut ing to our community over the past 30 years as firefighter, village trustee, youth sports coach and nonprofit board member demonstrate my leadership, commitment, strong work ethic and ability to work well with others.

I have spent half of my law enforce ment career directly serving the citi zens of Putnam County. During which, I continued my law enforcement educa tion and training; completing the Uni versity of Illinois Police Training Insti tute, Juvenile Officer Training, Reid Method of Interviewing, Active Shooter, FEMA Nations Response to

Incident Command and multiple other law enforcement trainings. I have han dled hundreds of calls for service and accidents, as well as numerous arrests in the county. I was closely involved in the response, security and organization of cleanup efforts during the 2004 tor nado. I engaged in community relations with talks to driver’s education stu dents, community forums and protec tion of our children with Child ID. I effectively sought out and obtained grants for specialized equipment that was utilized by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Tri-DENT Drug Task Force, and local first responders. In 2010, I then expanded my experi ence with the opportunity to serve a broader part of our community by being placed on Tri-DENT. During my work with Tri-DENT, I was involved in well over 1,000 narcotic investigations lead ing to hundreds of felony arrests and convictions. I have worked closely with local, state and federal agencies, assisted in narcotic investigations in and outside of the state of Illinois, inves tigated cases with weapons, involved in murder for hire and sex crimes investi gations, seizure of illicit funds and prop erty and as commander managing and overseeing the daily activity of multiple highly experienced undercover narcotic agents and a nationally recognized high way traffic team. I was closely involved in a high-profile local murder investiga

tion that led to the arrest and conviction of a subject. I have received additional education and training in street crimes, narcotics investigation, hidden assets in vehicles/commercial vehicles, tactical training/room entry, advanced vehicle contraband, asset forfeiture, and super vision of police personnel. I also gained countless local, state and federal law enforcement contacts and relationships.

Giving to our community through volunteering and involvement also has provided me skills and leadership, the ability to make decision during high stress situations, managing and orga nizing a team, making decisions within a group and voting on matters in the best interest of a village.

The training and experiences gained over a lengthy law enforcement career, and the time I invested in the commu nity puts me in a very good position to successfully achieve the duties required as the sheriff of Putnam County.

If you could redo or reverse any one decision made by the sheriff in the last four years, what would it be and why?

I feel our sheriff made sound deci sions which he believed were in the best interest of the citizens of Putnam County and the employees at the Put nam County Sheriff’s Department. I am not one to second guess the decisions made by someone I have respected and supported in my nearly 24 years at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.

are also needing to have body

by 2025, so applying for the appropriate grants, selecting the right cost-effective equipment and imple menting them into our operations will be imperative.

Second, I will need to properly staff the department. With Sheriff Doyle retiring, we will have an opening for a new deputy. There also is a need to hire a custodian. Recruitment and retention will be essential to keeping our depart ment at a high level of professionalism. Finding good people to enter into law enforcement is a colossal challenge in today’s environment.

With a budget like ours, we are unable to match dollar for dollar with other departments, but we need to at least be competitive. What we can’t make up for in dollars, we have to be able to incentivize with good benefits and an excellent work environment.

Creating a work culture that is tightknit with high morale will take an intentional leader. As a leader I will see to it that I serve not only the commu nity, but my employees as well.

Third, I want to continue building relationships within the community and throughout the area. I’ve had the benefit of already having great work relationships with the current dispatch ers and deputies that can only come

through shared experiences. So, I intend to instill our community-based approach to future deputies where we build relationships and understanding with the people we serve.

I will consistently reach out to com munity leaders, mayors, fire depart ments, EMS, schools and businesses to keep open lines of communication. It will also be a priority to actively partici pate with the Illinois Sheriff’s Associa tion and work well with neighboring law enforcement.

Taxes are a top concern raised by voters locally. What would you do within your position to address residents’ tax burden?

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am fiscally conservative. I will operate within the budget and responsi bly spend taxpayers’ dollars. As a tax payer myself, seeing government waste in spending is a frustrating experience.

Operating a 24/7 Sheriff’s Department is expensive, but I will consistently seek ways to lighten the burden on the county as much as possible.

With our budget, we are limited on the numbers of deputies we can afford to have on the roads patrolling and responding to calls. If elected, I will be a working Sheriff in uniform helping cover shifts. I believe this will help maximize the resources at our disposal and provide extra support and backup to the patrol deputies that we don’t always have.

Voters also cited crime as a concern. What do you think needs to be done to address this concern?

I believe we have done an effective job in my time with the Sheriff’s Office addressing crime in the community. It’s important to me that we remain proac tive in patrol and handle investigations at a high level. My desire is that we con tinue to provide community policing by engaging with the public, and getting to know the people we serve.

However, if voters are concerned with crime, then I can’t ignore a major issue for law enforcement. The SAFE-T Act will be a burden on our ability to properly protect our communities and law-abiding citizens. I urge voters to educate themselves on this issue, and see how it will affect our profession and the public.

What do you bring to the table that your opponent does not?

Given the enormity of the SAFE-T Act heading into this election, I was given the opportunity to select a politi cal party that represents where I stand on this massive issue for law enforce ment. The SAFE-T Act is without a doubt the most harmful legislation to law enforcement we have ever seen. I took a principled stance in my selection by choosing to stand against the SAFE-T Act, and presented an honest representation of myself to voters.

My experience in the past ten years has been relevant and local to Putnam

County. I’ve done nothing but patrol and investigate crimes in Granville, Standard, Mark, then eventually at the County wide level. In my time as ser geant in Granville, I displayed effective leadership in a supervisory role. I made the schedule, trained new officers and provided my decision-making abilities when officers called on me for help. Now for over three years, I’ve seen firsthand the day-to-day operations at the Sheriff’s Office.

Every day for work I’ve shown up to serve the residents of Putnam County in their towns and streets whether it’s responding to medical calls, handling major traffic accidents, or simply unlocking a car. The role of patrol and investigations are things that have changed immensely in my 10 years, but it’s something I now live and breathe. This is the type of quality experience that will translate appropriately into the role of sheriff.

I also believe I am at an ideal posi tion in my career to provide a long-term option as sheriff. There is something to say about the consistency and stability that Putnam County had the luxury for the past 24 years under Sheriff Doyle. In order to recruit and retain new depu ties and dispatchers, I believe it will be a great benefit for them knowing they have a leader who is invested, and has intentions to be around for a long time.

I intend on being a working Sheriff

GONET, page 10

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Festival 56 to host stand-up comedians

Local News Network

Festival 56 will host stand-up come dian Scott White, with Jeff Adamson of GIT Improv as the opener, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at the Grace Theater in Princeton.

White is based out of Houston and spends more than 40 weeks a year on the road performing stand-up and also finds time to squeeze in some stage time with ComedySportz and GIT Improv. He also has made numerous

NEWS BRIEFS

Magnolia Township Preservation Association’s meeting is Nov. 6

The Magnolia Township Preservation Association will hold its seventh annual meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, in the community room at the museum at 110 N. Peoria St. in Magnolia.

A brief business meeting will be held

trips abroad with USO shows.

Adamson has won the Jay Leno and the Miller Lite Comedy Challenges. He has been the opening act for Jeff Dun ham, Sinbad and Weird Al Yankovic. When he is not doing stand-up, he runs GIT Improv.

The show will be rated PG-13 mean ing it is suitable for high school ages and older. Tickets cost $15 and may be purchased online at www.festival56. com or at the box office the day of the show. For more information, call the box office at 815-879-5656.

Scott White is based out of Houston and spends more than 40

has

for the election of board members and the Class of 1959 will share memories and reflections on their experiences growing up in Magnolia Township towns and schools.

Admission is free and refreshments will be served. The building is ADA accessible and ADA parking is located at

the northeast corner of the parking lot.

Chief Senachwine DAR to host monthly meeting Nov. 4 in Henry

The Chief Senachwine DAR Chapter will hold its monthly meeting at 1:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at the Henry Public Library, 702 Front St.

The chapter will be visited by State Regent Debra Coe, who will present her program “My Grandmother’s DAR.”

A light lunch will be served and the members will note November as Native American Month. A visit to the grave of Chief Senachwine has been arranged for Coe, preceding the meeting.

Hennepin

Department

Photo provided by Brian Harper

Know The Candidates For Putnam County Board. Your Vote Will Determine YOUR FUTURE!!!

Remember who shut down businesses, schools, and churches. Those people want your vote now. Bring back truth, logic, and common sense. Putnam County is NOT for sale! We are fighting for you! No journey comes without challenges. When the day is done; did we do enough? Will our children be proud? How will our legacy be written? Vote for these conservative men. Thank you.

PCJH to host Veterans Day Assembly on Nov. 11

Putnam County Junior High will host its Veterans Day Assembly at 2 p.m. Fri day, Nov. 11, at 13183 N. 350th Ave. in McNabb.

All veterans, members currently serving and their families are invited to attend. Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided in the cafeteria at 1:30 p.m.

The assembly will start at 2 p.m. The PCJH band and chorus will perform.

Sacred Heart Holy Name taking orders for homemade sausage

The Sacred Heart Holy Name is taking phone orders for its famous homemade sausage. Orders will be taken through Nov. 7 by calling Bob Ossola at 815-9936118 or Doug Ossola at 815-339-2631.

Orders can be picked up from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Sacred Heart Church Hall, 311 Hennepin St. in Granville.

Farm bureaus plan College Open House for Agriculture on Nov. 10

The Bureau, Marshall-Putnam and Stark County Farm Bureaus will host a College Open House Day for Agriculture from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at Birkey’s Farm Store in Henry.

This will look to provide an opportu nity for area students to meet locally with representatives of the schools.

Schools who offer agriculture programs have been invited to attend including Illinois State University, University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, Black Hawk East, Joliet Junior College, Illinois Valley Community College, Sauk Valley Community College, Parkland College and Illinois Central College.

All sophomore, junior and senior students from high schools in Bureau, Mar shall, Putnam and Stark counties that are interested in pursuing a career in the agricultural field are invited to attend.

Open house hours will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2 p.m.

For questions, contact your local farm bureau. Registration should be reported before Nov. 1 in order to assure adequate seating.

IVCC sets library summit Nov. 10

Illinois Valley Community College’s Jacobs Library will host the Illinois Valley Libraries Summit for employees of public and high school libraries in District 513.

“We invite district library personnel to connect, collaborate and share ideas with our local library community,” said Stephanie Reeder, public services librar ian at Jacobs Library.

The event will be from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, Nov. 10, in CTC124-125.

Participants will share their work flows, resources, challenges and ideas through a series of discussions. In addi tion, they will tour the Academic Support Center and explore IVCC’s library spaces.

Collaboration opportunities such as Explore and Soar, dual credit library resources, and One Book, One College will be presented. Information on the Illi nois Reads Book Festival at IVCC on Sat urday, Nov. 12, will be provided.

Tickets available for ‘MAME!’ musical at IVCC

Reserved seating is available for the Illinois Valley Community College theatre production of MAME!

All seating is reserved and may be bought online at showtix4u.com/ event-details/68327 or Google “Show tix4U.com” and type Illinois Valley Com munity College in the “Search for an organization” prompt. Tickets also will be available to buy one hour before curtain on performance nights. MAME! plays at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10-13 and the same times Nov. 17-20. Tickets are $22 a person, $15 for students grade school through high school (with student ID).

3 IVCC freshman elected in recent Student Government Association vote

In recent Student Government Associ ation freshman elections at Illinois Valley Community College, Gracyee Funderberg was elected representative and Libby Boyles and Drew Knipper were picked for the freshman programming board. All three are from Princeton.

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• GONET

Continued from page 7

supporting the deputies any way I can. My primary motivation to be Sheriff is to ultimately provide Putnam County with a high level of community-oriented service that they deserve. To keep our county a safe place to live and a great community to raise a family.

Nothing, Sheriff Doyle has done an excellent job as Sheriff and our county is indebted for his 24 years of leadership. It’s his qualities and form of leadership that provides a template to use in the coming years.

Rates

PUTNAM COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER 128 FIRST ST. STANDARD, IL 61363 1(815)339-2711 or 1(800) 757-4579

WWW.PCASERVICES.ORG

account

Certificates

Annual

U.S.

If you could redo or reverse any one decision made by the Sheriff in the last four years, what would it be and why?

$10M for upgrades heading to Starved Rock State Park

By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com

and TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

State Rep. Lance Yednock (D-Ottawa) said Thursday that millions of dollars in state grants are heading to Starved Rock State Park for improvements.

Alvin Harper, complex superintendent for Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks, said the funds were allocated in an appropriations bill enacted April 19, bring ing about $10 million to Starved Rock. The next step is for the Capital Development Board to bid out the project to a design team and/or engineering firm, meaning construction and improvements might not commence in 2023.

Working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Yednock said the lat est plans call for trail improvements at the Tonti Canyon and La Salle Canyon Bridge and Trail System that will involve upgrad ing or replacing timber bridges, stairways, wooden boardwalks and retaining walls

Additionally, trail improvements at the lower French Canyon River Trail bridge/ Jacob’s Ladder, to remove and replace a bridge and expand the boardwalk connect ing one bridge to a stairway

Improvements also include replace ment of a bridge and stairway on Pontiac Canyon Bluff Trail, upgrades to the park’s water filtration systems and addition of five new vault toilets for visitors and elec trical upgrades to 58 campground sites, to provide stronger service for RVs.

Yednock noted additional millions of dollars for infrastructure upgrades and additions will be announced in the coming months for Matthiessen State Park, Illini State Park and the Illinois and Michigan Canal.

Earlier this summer, Yednock said he met with officials from IDNR and the State’s Capital Development Board to tour the park sites. They discussed needed improvements and the funds needed to make them.

“Improved bridges, walkways, and elec trical, water and toilet systems are the criti cal infrastructure needed to keep Starved Rock as a world-class tourist destination every year,” Yednock said. “I’m excited to work with the state agencies to get these projects going in the coming months and to build on the wonderful outdoor recreational centers we have right here in our backyard.”

Initial funds have been released for the Starved Rock priority projects and plan ning work will begin later this year.

Putnam County 535 receives improved ISBE School Report Cards

Shaw Local News Network

Putnam County School District 535 has received its most recent 2022 school report cards from the Illinois State Board of Education. These reports serve as an overall indica tion of the school’s state-wide stand ing.

These ratings vary from compre hensive, to targeted, to commend able, to exemplary.

They are an indicator of how schools are serving students and performing on measures of aca demic proficiency, academic growth, absenteeism, school cul ture, graduation rates and other contributing factors.

Putnam County Primary School and Putnam County Elementary School both received an exemplary rating, indicating the schools’ stand ing in the top 10% of all primary and elementary schools in Illinois.

This year marks the third con secutive year the primary school received this recognition and the first time since summative designa tions became the standard that the elementary school received the rec

ognition. 2022 marked the first time in the district’s history that two of its four schools were rated as exem plary.

As three consecutive years of being rated as a targeted school, Putnam County Junior High has achieved a commendable rating. This increase indicates that there are no underperforming student groups and the school has pro gressed its academic growth.

The Putnam County High School has also received a commendable rating for its fourth consecutive year. Part of the school’s consider ation for this rating included its 90% graduation rate which is above the state rate for the first time since 2019 and the highest is has been in the past five years.

“This amazing feat would not have been possible without the ded icated service and attention to stu dents by each member of the team at PC #535,” Superintendent Clay ton Theisinger said. “I believe this accomplishment is only the begin ning of greater success as we forge ahead with continued learning and teaching improvements at all four schools.”

Vote Nov. 8th ELECT BOEDIGHEIMER

PUTNAM COUNTY SHERIFF

-24

-Educated

-30

65 with COVID-19 at La Salle veterans home

ble parties have been notified per Centers for Disease Control regula tions and notice of the outbreak is posted on the IDVA website.

The veterans’ home has 94 resi dents and 206 staff members.

Salle veterans’ home and ready to assist “in any way possible.”

B y DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com

The Illinois Veterans Home in La Salle reported 42 residents and 23 staff as positive for COVID-19.

All the residents who tested posi tive have been moved to the negative pressure isolation unit and are being closely monitored and cared for by Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs personnel, according to a statement released Monday morning from IDVA Director Terry Prince.

All cases are mild, presenting mostly as cold-like symptoms, and no one has required hospitalization, Prince said. Cases were identified through the veterans’ home’s regular testing procedures.

The residents have been vacci nated, and COVID-19 treatment ther apies have been administered as needed, Prince said. Also, responsi

In November 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak resulted in 36 resident deaths at the La Salle home, prior to the release of the vaccination.

The veterans home recorded 203 positive cases among staff and resi dents. The Auditor General’s Office, among other government agencies, criticized Gov. JB Pritzker’s admin istration for its response.

At the onset of this outbreak, Prince said the IDVA senior infection preventionist responded to the La Salle Veterans’ Home to work with clinical personnel.

Additionally, the state medical officer of the Illinois Department Public Health along with Prince have visited the home to provide advice and assistance.

State Rep. Lance Yednock (D-Ot tawa) issued a statement Monday saying he is closely monitoring the influx of COVID-19 cases at the La

“I am extremely grateful to the dedicated IDVA staff caring for our veterans during this difficult time,” Yednock said in Monday’s statement. “The IDVA senior infection preven tionist, the state medical officer of the Illinois Department of Public Health and the IDVA director have all been to the veterans’ home to offer their expertise and assistance. I truly appreciate their commitment to treating our veterans with the robust health care response and rigorous care they deserve. “

Communal dining has been cur tailed in the home until the outbreak has ended. Activities and social ser vices staff continue to develop lei sure activities, in accordance with social distancing practices, “to care for the psychosocial well-being of our veterans,” Prince said.

Visitation is allowed; however, family members are asked to delay their visit until the outbreak is resolved.

“Our top priority is the health and safety of our military veterans and

the heroic staff who care for them,” said Terry Prince, IDVA director. “We take this very seriously. We are following recommendations from local health officials, the U.S. Depart ment of Veterans Affairs, the CDC, and the IDPH to safeguard everyone at the facility. This includes conduct ing health screenings every four hours on our veterans, COVID-19 testing of staff at each shift change, use of N-95 respirator masks with protective face shields, maintaining social-distancing practices, using gloves and gowns, and intensified cleaning and disinfection protocols.”

Last week, Gov. JB Pritzker eased certain COVID-19 state testing requirements and mask mandates in health care facilities.

The updated executive order removed the weekly testing require ments for unvaccinated health care and long-term care workers.

The order also said face coverings are no longer required in all health care facilities but are still recom mended in health care facilities in areas of high community transmis sion, consistent with CDC guidance.

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State powerhouse too much for Red Devils

By KEVIN CHLUM kchlum@shawmedia.com

SPRINGFIELD – In its first appear ance in the Class 4A playoffs, Hall drew one of the state’s best programs in Sacred Heart-Griffin.

The Cyclones were runners-up in 4A last fall and have won state champion ships in 5A and 6A in the past 15 years.

“Speed, strength, everything,” Hall coach Randy Tieman said when asked the difference between 2A or 3A – Hall’s classes before the new co-op with Put nam County – and 4A. “It’s a whole other ballgame.”

That was evident early in Sacred Heart-Griffin’s 55-6 rout Friday.

Sacred Heart-Griffin needed just five plays to score on its opening drive with Richard Jackson running into the end zone from 12 yards out.

The Red Devils got the ball moving on their opening drive as well, recording three first downs before a Mac Resetich pass hit off the hands of a receiver and fell into the arms of SHG’s Hudson McMann.

The Cyclones scored on the first play

of their ensuing drive on a 40-yard run by Bill Sanders.

On Hall’s first drive, Resetich had runs of 12 and 10 yards for first downs.

He also con verted a third-and-1, which was set up by an 8-yard scamper by Joseph Bacidore, as the Red Devils took 7:27 off the clock.

However, the Red Devils couldn’t get anything else going the rest of the first half as they had four three-and-outs, another interception and a drive that was just two plays before the half ran out.

The Cyclones, meanwhile, scored on all seven of their possessions in the first half and on their first possession of the second half to go up 55-0.

Hall got on the board on its second possession of the third quarter as Rese tich broke free for a 54-yard touchdown on fourth-and-5.

“It’s what we expected,” Tieman said. “They’re good and they’re going to make a run at a state title. Our kids went out

and had a good first drive until we got behind the sticks and we had a bit of a bad situation. The ball got up a little bit, Joe (Bacidore) tried to make a play, and it bounced off his hands. You can’t make mistakes against these guys.

“We were eating clock and it was going good. That’s why they’re where they’re at. That’s where we want to get to.”

This fall’s playoff berth was the first step toward that goal as Tieman took over for his second stint as Hall’s head coach.

The Red Devils won one game during the spring 2021 season and went 1-8 last fall during Tieman’s two-season absence.

Hall started this season 1-3 before winning four of its final five games to qualify for the playoffs.

The Red Devils lost in overtime to Morrison – a playoff team – in Week 4 and lost on a last-second touchdown to Newman – another playoff team – in Week 7.

“I thought the season went really well,” Tieman said. “Potentially, we could have been 7-2, and we wouldn’t

have been in this situation. We improved every week, and that’s what we wanted to do. We got to the playoffs, and that was a goal of mine. The kids got to expe rience it. We have to grow off of this.

“Absolutely, [this season is a good foundation for the co-op]. The Putnam County kids got a little taste of it and hopefully they’re coming back and we can make this thing grow. We have to get in the weight room in a couple weeks and work on our strength and speed.”

Tieman said the five seniors – Rese tich, Hunter Meagher, Joel Rangel, Joe Schrader and Caden Backes – provided good leadership.

“They had great leadership and the kids followed,” Tieman said. “Mac was a great example for them. They know what it takes to get to this level.”

Resetich had a record-breaking sea son for Hall, finishing with 2,227 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns.

“I mean, without him, where are we?” Tieman said. “He did everything we asked of him and more. He’s one of a kind. You aren’t going to see a player like him very often.”

Lady Panthers fall to top seed Newark in semifinal play

Top-seeded Norsemen survive three-set thriller over No. 8 Putnam County

By BRIAN HOXSEY bhoxsey@shawmedia.com

The Putnam County volleyball team went down fighting in the Class 1A St. Bede Regional semifinals Oct. 26 at St. Bede Academy.

The Lady Panthers opened with a 25-23 win over top seed Newark. The Norsemen scored the final two points of the second set for a 26-24 win to push the match to a winner-take-all third set.

From there, Newark jumped out to an early lead before keeping the Panthers at arm’s length the rest of the way in a 23-25, 26-24, 25-15 triumph.

Putnam County (18-14-4) used key kills from Avery Moutray and Maggie Richetta in the late stages of the back-and-forth opening set to grab the advantage. The Panthers then clawed back from a six-point deficit in the second set to tie the score at 24, but Newark received a kill and block from Lauren Ulrich to send the match to a third set.

Ulrich then served the first seven points as New ark held leads of 13-1 and 21-9 before PC closed to within 22-15.

Kiara Wesseh paced Newark (31-5) with 15 kills,

Ulrich (six aces) added 14 and Bre Dixon had six.

“Putnam County is a very scrappy team with good servers and solid serve receive,” Newark coach P.J.

McKinney said. “[PC] did a great job of using tips and putting them into spaces we just couldn’t get to. ... We seemed just a step slow at times. I thought we did a good job of bouncing back after the opening set, and Lauren had a nice service run midway through the second set to get us going a little. I think that gave us a chance to catch our breath a little and get things back on track. There were a lot of nerves tonight, for sure.

“We are in the survive and advance time of the year.”

Putnam County was led by nine kills from Richetta (six aces), as well as seven each from Tori Balma (19 assists) and Moutray (seven digs), while Ava Hatton recorded 11 digs.

“This was a great match, and I hope the girls can look back on tonight as the highlight of the season,” Putnam County coach Amy Bell said. “They came out right from the start with so much confidence, played aggressive and were having so much fun. I think we surprised Newark in a lot of ways, but we earned everything we got tonight. Unfortunately, the third set wasn’t ours, but you know what? We just kept playing hard until the final point.

“The girls left everything on the floor tonight, and that’s how – if you’re going to lose a match – you want it to be. This was a tough one for sure, but I couldn’t be prouder of how we played tonight and battled a very good Newark team point for point nearly the entire match.”

Mac Resetich

Scott Anderson - sanderson@shawmedia.com

Putnam County’s Maggie Richetta pushes the ball to the Newark side of the net in the Class 1A semifinal game on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at St. Bede Academy in Peru.

Putnam County finishes strong in regional win over Earlville

By BRIAN HOXSEY bhoxsey@shawmedia.com

PERU – The Putnam County girls volleyball team trailed late in both sets against Earlville during the Class 1A St. Bede Regional quarterfinal on Monday, Oct. 24

However, in each situation, the No. 8-seeded Lady Panthers were able to score the final few points to register a 26-24, 25-22 victory over the No. 7-seeded Red Raiders at Abbot Vincent Gymnasium.

Putnam County – which has won five matches in a row, including a three-set victory over Earlville (18-16) last Friday – advanced to play topseeded Newark in the regional semifi nals on Oct. 26.

“We talked about coming into tonight, that we were going to earn points tonight by swinging aggres sively and serving aggressively,” Put nam County coach Amy Bell said. “We knew what spots were going to be open, and we really pressed hard at the net tonight. We did an excellent job of running our offense, and [I] thought our serving did a great job of keeping [Earlville] out of theirs a lot of the time. We also cleaned up a lot of errors that we made in the match on Friday.

“Being aggressive the entire match was the main message I gave to the girls tonight, and they did that.”

Earlville held a 14-9 lead in Set 1, but Putnam County used a five-point serving burst by Avery Moutray, which included an ace as well as a block and two kills from Maggie Richetta, to take a one-point lead.

The Red Raiders responded as Bai ley Miller had consecutive aces ahead of kills from Mady Olosn and Nevaeh Sansone to give Earlville a 22-19 lead.

Three more kills by Richetta and another from Tori Balma tied the it at 24-all before another winning swing by Richetta and a Earlville hitting error closed out the set.

The second set was back and forth as well as the teams were tied 13 times, including at 22. The Panthers, with Richetta at the line, used an ace and consecutive kills from Maggie Spratt and Ava Hatton on match point to advance to take on the Norse men.

“It was a couple really good sets of volleyball tonight, we just unfortu nately fell a few points short,” Earlville coach Tonya Scherer said. “Putnam County’s middle hitter [Richetta] got on a couple rolls there, and we just weren’t able to get a good block up on her. I knew coming into the season blocking would be a weakness, we just aren’t tall, but I felt our defense was

good enough to hopefully make up for that.

“I thought we played an overall

good match, and our defense was pretty solid for the most part.

“That second set was back and forth

and neither team could break free. I took a timeout there when we were down two and just said we have to keep playing our game, and we were able to tie it up and take a one-point lead. But from there [Putnam County] was able to find a couple holes and close it out.”

Michetta finished with a match-best 13 kills, with Hatton and Balma adding four each for PC. Moutray had seven points and Richetta six, while Balma had 18 assists. Richetta had nine digs, followed by eight each from Balma, Hatton and Moutray.

Earlville was paced by six kills each from Sansone (two blocks) and Olson (five points, 11 digs, two aces), while Brooklyn Olson had 15 assists and Hannah Pfaff recorded a match-high 14 digs.

“Tori did a great job of spreading the ball around and also sticking with who had the hot hand,” Bell said. “She was also, as we’ve seen over and over this year, very good at attacking the ball and using the tip at the right times.

“She’s a huge leader for us and showed again tonight.”

Photos by Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com

Putnam County players smile after defeating Earlville in the Class 1A Regional quarterfinal on Monday in Peru. BELOW: Putnam County’s Tori Balma digs the ball against Earlville during the Class 1A Regional quarterfinal Monday in Peru.

OUTREACH POSI TION

PART TIME

PUTNAM COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER

P CAS , Inc. DBA Putnam Count y Communi ty Center (PCCC) is accepting resumes for a part-t ime Outrea ch posi tion (26 hours/4 days per week)

Ideal candidate woul d be a team player wi th good interpersonal skills & comfortable with public speaking Posi tion responsibilities will incl ude, but not limited to, reaching out and vi siti ng the aging and di sabled commu ni ty in Putnam County. Educat ing client s and/ or thei r caregi vers on benefi ts and services for which they are eligible and assisting them wi th gaini ng access to those servi ces. Candidate training will be required to become SHIP-certified in Medicare

Resume s can be submit te d to:

Putnam County Community Center 128 First Street, Box 208 St andard IL 61363

A ttn: Direct or or e-mail to: director@pcaservices.org

PUBLISHE R'S

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subjec t to the Fair

Act which makes it illegal to advertise “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

PUBLIC AUCTION

The Following will be sold-LIVE IN PERSON ONLY at the ON SITE LOCATION of 11010 1890 East Street in Tiskilwa, IL on: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2022

TIME: 10:00 A.M.

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SELLER: KATHY TORRI, TISKILWA, IL

TT TUMBLESON AUCTION COMPANY, PRINCETON, IL E-mail: ttauction@yahoo.com or Phone 815-872-1852

Auctioneers: TOM & MARY TUMBLESON & TIFFANY FOES

VIRTUAL ONLINE

as being located in Section 12, T25N-R2W and Section 7, T25N-R1W, Montgomery Township, Woodford County, IL. The farm contains a total of 69.4 taxable acres, will be sold in 1 tract, and offers Class A soils with tremendous development potential. Farmers, investors, and developers, be sure to check out this Woodford County, IL property.

TERRY & JOAN LACONTE FARM

Representing Attorney: Timothy W. Kirk Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen | (309) 676-0400 300 Hamilton Boulevard | Peoria, IL 61602 Auction Manager: Kevin Haas (309) 264-7767

PUBLIC NOTICE PU BLIC NOT ICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT PU TNAM CO UNTY, ILLINOIS IN RE: Order of Stalking no Contact Order Case # 22- OP-12

NOTICE TO JO HN T. MCL AU GH LIN Notice is given to John T. McLaughlin, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer Elisa Herr's petition for Stalking No Contact Order.

John T. McLaughlin's attendance is requested at a hearing December 1, 2022 at 10:30am at the Putnam County Courthouse located 120 N. 4th St Hennepin, IL Failure to attend, may result in a judgment by default rendered against him in Case No 22-OP-12, Circuit Court of Illinois Tenth Judicial Circuit, Putnam County.

Filed Elisa Herr Pro Se

DATED: October 13, 2022

Carly R. Neubaum Putnam County Clerk

(Published in Bureau County Republican October 19, 26, November 2, 9, 2022) 2025419

DATED: October 13, 2022

Carly R. Neubaum Putnam County Clerk

(Published in Bureau County Republican October 19, 26, November 2, 9, 2022) 2025419

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME PUBLICATION NOTICE

Public Notice is hereby given that on October 7, 2022, a certi fi cate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Putnam County, Illinois, setting forth the names and post-office addresses of all the persons owning, conducting and transacting the business known as Heather's Cr eation Box located at 1968

Bradford Blacktop Putnam, IL

Dated this 7th day of October, 2022, TINA DOLDER County Clerk

(Published in Putnam County Record October 19, 26, November 2, 2022) 2024400 Putnam County Record Market place Cl assi fi ed

PUBLIC NOTICE

EARLY/GRAC E PE RIOD V OTING FOR THE GENERA L ELECTION NOVEMBER 8, 2 022

The County Clerk's office will be open Saturday, November 6, 2 022, from 9:00 a.m.-Noon for anyone needing to vote, change an address, or register If you need to register, you need to bring your ID and two official pieces of mail

If you have any questions, please call the County Clerk' s office at 815.925.7129

Tina Dolder Putnam County Clerk, Recorder & Election Authority

(Published in Putnam County Record October 26, November 2, 2022) 2023674