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Deer hunting down in Bureau, La Salle, Putnam counties on first weekend
Hunting up in Marshall County from previous year
By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com
Hunters in Illinois garnered 54,661 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois firearm deer season between Nov. 22-24.
Comparatively, hunters took 53,348 and 52,354 deer during the first firearm weekends in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
While hunting numbers were up across the state, deer taken in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties was lower than the previous year. There were 628 deer hunted in Bureau County, 392 in La Salle County, 229 in Putnam County and 462 in Marshall
County. Those totals are 107 less in La Salle County than the previous year, 67 less in Bureau County and 15 less in Putnam County. There were 33 more deer taken in Marshall County than the previous year.
Illinois’ seven-day firearm deer season will conclude Dec. 5-8.
Remaining 2024-25 deer hunting opportunities in Illinois include: muzzleloader-only deer season Dec. 13-15; late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease deer seasons in select counties only, Dec. 26-29 and Jan. 17-19; archery deer season continues through Jan. 19. Archery deer hunting is closed Dec. 5-8 in counties open for firearm deer season.
For information, visit dnr.illinois.gov/hunting.
Putnam County libraries to host holiday programs, from baking tips to the life of Charles Dickens
By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com
The Putnam County Library District will host a pair of special programs the week of Dec. 9.
Bake Your Way through the Holidays is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10. The Rev. Father Dominic Garramone, will present “Bake Your Way Through the Holidays.” In this program, Dominic will present recipes for three holidays, including Hanukkah jelly doughnuts, fruited sweet potato bread for Kwanzaa, and a variety of show-stopping breads for the Christmas buffet. Register at https://2ly. link/20Iap.
A Novelist’s Christmas Carol: The Life of Charles Dickens will be presented 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Standard branch, 128 First St. Bring the magic of “A Christmas Carol” alive. During the holiday season, one can make the choice to either embrace the holiday spirit of kindness and giving or to say “bah humbug” and be what others call, “a Scrooge.” The greedy Ebenezer Scrooge and the kindhearted Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, all provide life lessons during the holiday season. These lessons originated in the novella. “A Christmas Carol.” by Charles Dickens, has been passed down from generation to generation. Dickens has been said by many to be one of the greatest writers of the Victorian Era. In addition to
Bake your Way through the Holidays is scheduled 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10. The
Garramone, will present “Bake Your Way Through the Holidays.” In this program, Dominic will present recipes for three holidays, including Hanukkah jelly doughnuts, fruited sweet potato bread for Kwanzaa, and a variety of show-stopping breads for Christmas buffet. Register at https://2ly.link/20Iap
“A Christmas Carol,” Dickens is most well-known for his fiction novels, “Oliver Twist,” “A Tale of Two Cities,” “Great Expectations” and more.
Travel through time on a theatrical journey with the Ghost of Christmas Past, portrayed by historical presenter, Michelle Gibbons.
Shaw Local News Network file photo
Rev. Father Dominic
Mark Busch
Hunters in Illinois garnered 54,661 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois firearm deer season between Nov. 22-24.
Cherry coal mining collection on display at Hennepin library
By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com
The Putnam County Public Library District has on display at its Hennepin headquarters a Cherry coal mining collection. An anonymous patron recently donated the collection to the library recently.
With National Coal Miners Day coming up Dec. 6, the library has a local collection to share with the public. Several hat lanterns, a wood box, a large painted image on glass of the Cherry Coal Mine and some miscellaneous tools the miners would have used are on display. The library will have a program Thursday, Dec. 5, “Spring Valley is a Mining Town” with author Richard Joyce discussing the history of Spring Valley coal mining from his book. Visitors will be able to buy his book afterward.
The collection will be on display through the end of January.
To submit a collection to display at the Hennepin library, contact Matt Miller at mmiller@putnamcountylibrary.org or 815339-2038.
Photo provided by Matt Miller
The Putnam County Public Library District is displaying a Cherry coal mining collection at its Hennepin headquarters. An anonymous patron recently donated the collection to the library.
IVCC to add 2 new certificate programs
By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com
The Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees on Thursday approved two new certificates designed to propel computer networking graduates to the next level in their technology career and amplify a manufacturing workforce capable of assembling and maintaining automation/robotics equipment.
The CISCO/CompTIA Certificate is a step forward in preparing students for sought-after positions in the networking or cybersecurity fields, the college said in a news release.
The courses will allow students to quickly upgrade essential networking skills that could lead to career advancement.
A new series of stackable certificates in manufacturing robotics, mechatronics and automation could open new doors for technicians in a rapidly emerging online and automated environment.
New and current employees will be trained to assemble and maintain components, which are essential skills employers demand to meet present and anticipated needs. Employers have also indicated that they look to IVCC as their preferred training center.
In a report presented by Mark Grzybowski, vice president for Student Services, and Mary Beth Herron, director of Human Resources, the board learned fall enrollment is taking a positive direction.
Fall enrollment includes 1,072 fulltime students, a 2% increase over last year and 1,648 part-time students, consistent with what was reported last year.
Regional increases were seen from Oglesby (29%), Marseilles (17%), Mendota (10%), Ottawa (8.5%), Streator (7.7%), Peru (6.5%) and Spring Valley (2.5%).
The age distribution of students also grew slightly, with the average being 22.3 years old versus 22 in 2023.
Herron’s report on employee representation indicated IVCC has 374 parttime and full-time faculty, part-time and full-time support staff, and full-time administration.
According to SURS, 94 active employees qualify for SURS retirement by Dec. 31.
However, in FY2024, 22 employees transferred to new positions within the college and four months into FY2025, eight employees have taken advantage of new internal opportunities. These promotions from within continue to support succession planning initiatives.
Also Thursday, the Board adopted a
tentative 2024 tax levy requesting $17.1 million, including $2.1 million earmarked for a new microbiology lab and classroom.
The increase over last year’s extension of $14.9 million, or 14.89%, is because of the estimated increased equalized assessed valuation provided by the county assessor’s office, as well as an increase in the Protection, Health and Safety fund that will finance the lab renovations.
The levy will result in an increase of $7.96 for an average $100,000 home for IVCC’s portion of the bill. Since the requested increase to the tax levy is greater than 5%, a truth in taxation hearing will be scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12, at the Board meeting.
A link to information can be found at the top of the IVCC home page at www. ivcc.edu.
The new microbiology lab will be enhanced with advanced features and technologies and relocated to the College’s lower level, so it is independent of the other lab areas to improve safety for students.
Other campus services being relocated as part of this update, including the IT department and the Assessment Center, will be paid for through fund reserves.
Other business
• The board adopted the College’s Strategic Plan that includes institutional and strategic goals and objectives.
• The board approved the following appointments: Juliana Dzurisin, CNA instructor/program coordinator, and Michele Cheshareck, nursing instructor.
• The board learned of the following appointments: Kyle Carr, IT support lead; Julia (Summer) Studstill, assessment center coordinator; Michelle Johnson, grant and payroll specialist; Kristin Babio, auxiliary services assistant; Lauren Gehant, administrative assistant, Continuing Education and Business Services; Dawn Lockwood, instructional technologist; Carrie Danekas, adult transition specialist in Career and Technical Education; and Stacey Cervantes, Enrollment Services specialist.
• The board learned of the following resignations: Sandra Safranske, custodian; Madeleine Hunter, Financial Aid administrative assistant; Theresa Carranco, temporary administrative assistant; Curtis Pinter, truck driver training specialist, and the retirement of Bonnie Jasiek, Continuing Education administrative assistant.
Horticulture in action at Putnam County High School, Primary School 5
In order to help the horticulture students learn through on the job training, Kalya Harris, second year ag teacher at Putnam County High School, got the idea to start right here at the school.
With approval from Putnam County Superintendent Clay Theisinger and High School Principal Dustin Schrank, Harris created the PCHS and PCPS Landscaping Project. The goal for students was to analyze the front of both buildings, determine what was currently working and what needed some refreshing, and design a landscaping concept for each. Students
were tasked with choosing the materials needed for each project, including mulch, plants, flowers, including both annuals and perennials, as well as determining the upkeep plan for each spot as well.
Last year’s horticulture students started on the front of the high school and finished just before graduation last May. This year’s class then got their plans created and started work at the primary school. Students hauled mulch, plants and tools necessary for
landscaping from the high school to the primary over the course of several days during the 7th hour horticulture class.
Harris’ favorite part of the class is all of it; she enjoys the planting and getting to work with her students. After working on these two projects, she has also contacted the Putnam County Rotary about their landscaping and any future projects they could work on.
The PCHS Ag Program has a greenhouse at the back of the school and
plans for it to be used for the classes spring project. These include work with hydroponics and other plants, and floriculture. The students will get to make their own centerpieces and flower arrangements.
Harris would like to start a butterfly garden, having students decide where it should go and what flowers should be planted.
A big thank you to Harris and her horticulture students for bringing some life and color back into the land-
Photo provided by Lacey Sistek
The PCHS and PCPS Landscaping Project was created with the goal for students to analyze the front of both buildings, determine what was currently working and what needed some refreshing, and design a landscaping concept for each.
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Rezin bill intended to protect energy infrastructure, security
By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com
State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, recently introduced legislation to prohibit data centers owned by foreign adversaries from operating in Illinois unless they generate their own power on-site, ensuring they do not strain Illinois’ energy infrastructure.
Rezin said this is an attempt to address growing concerns about Illinois’ energy demands and potential national security risks.
“With Illinois already facing an increased demand on our energy grid due to rapid data center expansion, we must take action to secure our infrastructure and prevent potential threats,” she said in a news release.
“This legislation ensures that foreign-owned data centers from known adversaries do not compromise our energy stability or burden Illinois residents with increased utility costs.”
Senate Bill 3890, also known as the Data Center Construction by Foreign Adversaries Act, requires Illinois’ regulatory agencies to jointly assess any proposed data center’s energy impact before allowing the construction of
the center if it will be owned by a company tied to a foreign adversary. This assessment aims to confirm that the facility’s energy consumption is fully self-sustained – whether by on-site natural gas generation, battery storage or renewable sources – so that no additional burden is placed on Illinois’ energy grid. The bill responds to a concerning trend of foreign entities acquiring land in the Midwest for industrial purposes, a trend that experts warn could jeopardize national security.
“Senate Bill 3980 is a necessary safeguard for Illinois and our national security,” Rezin said. “We have to be vigilant about protecting our state’s resources and shielding our energy infrastructure from unnecessary risks.”
Rezin believes that SB 3890 will prompt thoughtful dialogue among legislators on how best to balance Illinois’ growing technology sector with the pressing need for energy security and national safety. If the legislation isn’t taken up before the conclusion of the 103rd General Assembly in January, Rezin intends to refile the measure in the spring, she said.
Dysart-Cofoid
EDCNCI’s Parker Manning receives scholarship to complete economic development course
Agency promotes development in La Salle, Bureau, Putnam counties
By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com
Parker Manning recently joined the Economic Development Corporation of North Central Illinois as director of Business Development.
received the early opportunity to have a strong economic development network and application of economic development. This education will provide him with many tools for his role at the EDCNCI.”
Manning completed the Basic Economic Development Course in Naperville hosted at Nicor Gas. This well-regarded course covered essential topics in economic development, including community analysis, business retention, business expansion and deal-making, the EDCNCI said in a news release. The economic development group promotes La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties.
Recognized for his potential, Manning was awarded a full tuition scholarship to attend the weeklong program.
“I attended the Illinois BEDC course when I was first hired and it provided a well-rounded amount of information,” EDCNCI executive Gina Czubachowski said in the news release. “As soon as I hired Parker, I wanted to ensure he
As director of Business Development, Manning will play a key role in EDCNCI’s mission to attract and retain businesses by engaging with local industries, identifying growth opportunities and facilitating programs that enhance the region’s appeal. Manning’s work will support job creation and regional prosperity across North Central Illinois. His role focuses on establishing a foundation for sustained economic health in the region, ensuring that North Central Illinois continues to be a destination of choice for businesses and entrepreneurs alike.
The EDCNCI works closely with local utility providers for growth and development in the region but also works with them to identify opportunities to educate all local professionals in economic development. ComEd has been a supportive investor for the organization every year since EDCNCI started in 2016.
“It was outstanding to see them award this scholarship to a local economic development professional resident in the North Central Illinois region,” Czubachowski said.
The EDCNCI continues to market the region to site consultants and brokers. For information, visit www. northcentralillinois.org
Send obituary information to putnamobits@shawlocal.com or call 815-632-2534. Notices are accepted until 5 p.m. Friday for Wednesday’s edition. Obituaries also appear online at shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record, where you may sign the guest book, send flowers or make a memorial donation.
Parker Manning
IVCC fundraising campaign aims to prove why every size donation makes a difference
By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com
A single mom struggling through nursing school and a young woman seeking purpose found a way forward at Illinois Valley Community College, and they are not alone.
Those women and other students will share their stories about IVCC’s influence on their lives as the college launches its 2024-25 Give Today for Tomorrow fundraising campaign.
The campaign is open. View the stories and make a donation online at www.ivcc.edu/givingtuesday. Giving Tuesday is a global initiative to encourage generosity and focus support on community causes and charities.
“Most who volunteered to tell their stories have received or are receiving scholarships. Some now repay that generosity by establishing scholarships or as donors. Still others who now work at the college are reminded daily of how lives are changed,” said IVCC Foundation Executive Director Tracy Beattie, who became director in fall 2023.
She prefers to characterize the fundraiser by another term: “friend raising.”
“These are real people who have seen the difference college can make
with the help of the community. They are individuals whose lives have been truly changed, and now they want to give back, to help as they have been helped. They remind us that anyone can be a donor,” Beattie said in a news release.
For example, the student nurse who pledged to give back if she could just be given the strength to finish her degree established scholarships for other nursing students.
The other young woman received support from the college, which showed her how to look beyond a vision impair-
ment toward a university education, a career and community activism, IVCC said in the release.
“She saw that we believed in her,” Beattie said.
Donations are shots of confidence, not just infusions of cash, one of the donors wrote in a testimonial: “The confidence they gain from receiving a scholarship can motivate them to overcome obstacles and push them to achieve even greater things.”
The year’s campaign kicked off with a successful employee-giving segment in which more than 100 employees
raised about $25,000 to support the foundation’s array of scholarships and other student-assistance programs.
“I am so touched by the generosity of staff and faculty,” Beattie said. “We received donations from new employees and from colleagues who had never given before, which showed such a level of commitment and support of the foundation and our students.”
Beattie believes the employee campaign sends a strong message to the community and to students.
Students also notice the results, as banners listing employee donors’ names are displayed around campus to celebrate the campaign’s effectiveness.
“I want the students to see how many people support them and how many staff and faculty believe in them – so much so that we put our dollars behind them,” Beattie said.
The Give Today for Tomorrow campaign continues through spring, when it will wrap up the college’s yearlong centennial celebration with a gala April 12.
Donations by check also are accepted at the IVCC Foundation, 815 N. Orlando Smith Road, Oglesby, IL 61348.
For information, email Beattie at Tracy_Beattie@ivcc.edu or alumni and donor relations coordinator Susan Monroe at susan_monroe@ivcc.edu.
www.hennepinparkdistrict.com
Scott Anderson file photo
Illinois Valley Community College recently launched its 2024-25 Give Today for Tomorrow fundraising campaign.
Putnam County High School celebrates new auditorium lights
Upgrade possible through support of community
By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com
Putnam County High School held a ceremonial lighting Nov. 21 of the auditorium.
Cast and crew counted down to the first PCHS production with the use of the new lighting system. Over the summer, the auditorium received an upgrade to the lighting system.
The upgrade was only possible with support from the honorees, which included Putnam County Rotary, Putnam County Education Foundation, Putnam County CUSD 535 Board of Education, Tracy Reaska, the Ryan and Brandy Sandberg family, Natalie Hulstrom and JRLX. The PCHS Theatre expressed its appreciation to all who made the upgrade possible and said it will con-
Photo provided by Scott Shore
Putnam County Community Unit School
District 535 Superintendent Clayton Theisinger (from left) recognizes the honorees for their contributions to the new auditorium lighting system: Natalie Hulstrom, Adriane Shore (Putnam County Rotary), Lillian Sandberg and Reed Wilson (Putnam County Education Foundation and school board).
tinue to grow in all aspects of theatre, both technical and expressive, according to a news release from Putnam County High School.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR PUTNAM COUNTY COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #535
I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for Putnam County Community Unit School District #535 for 2024 will be held on December 17, 2024 at 6:30 pm at Putnam County Primary School, Media Center, 400 E. Silverspoon Avenue, Granville, Illinois 61326.
Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Dr. Clayton J. Theisinger, Superintendent, 400 E. Silverspoon Avenue, Granville, Illinois 61326, (815)882-2800 ext. 5.
815-339-2323
Mon. - Fri. 8:30am to 5pm Closed Sat. & Sun.
Christmas is Coming!
Toys in the Pantry is very busy this year! We are accepting new, unwrapped toys or monetary donations at Axline Pharmacy in Granville or you can mail donations to:
II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $7,174,706.10.
The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $8,129,800. This represents a 13.31% increase over the previous year.
III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2023 were $0.
Toys in the Pantry PO Box 736 Granville, IL 61326
The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2024 are $0. This represents a 0% increase over the previous year.
IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $7,174,706.10.
The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $8,129,800. This represents a 13.31% increase over the previous year.
Grant programs have positive effects on IVCC students
lege’s nursing program in 2024.
By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com
Three state grant programs are making it possible for local students to jump-start health care careers, get a head start in college and head toward new and better jobs in the workforce.
“These grants are a lifeline for students across the state, providing opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach,” Illinois Valley Community College President Tracy Morris said in a news release.
One of those programs, the Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce, creates, supports and expands opportunities for students in nursing and other health care fields by providing tuition reimbursement, tutoring services and cost assistance for lab equipment and licensure fees.
Funding assistance was critical to students like Blair Hermann, who completed Illinois Valley Community Col-
After multiple college starts and interruptions and starting a family, she decided to pursue a new career in nursing. Having earned her degree, she is working in the medical-surgical unit at OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.
Looking back on the program, Hermann said in a news release, “Every clinical experience I had in the nursing program reassured me that I made the right career choice and that I truly love what I will be doing.”
Most recently, a total of 97 IVCC students were awarded tuition assistance totaling $37,000 and another 69 aspiring nurses have applied for Spring PATH funding amounting to $34,500.
Of the 27,600 students who enrolled in Illinois community college health care programs through the PATH grant, nearly half were first-generation college students.
At IVCC, 378 graduates obtained licenses and/or secured employment in healthcare careers, including certified physical therapy aide, certified nursing assistant, EKG technician, EMT-B,
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There are four potential options for your 401(k) when leaving an employer:
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LPN, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, paramedic, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy, RN and sterile processing technician.
The PATH program also resulted in relationships with more than 1,000 employers across the state and the launch of newly developed or expanded college health care programs.
Another grant makes college courses accessible to students who might otherwise not be able to afford to pursue early college credit.
Dual-credit high school students can earn college credits while fulfilling high school graduation requirements –which makes higher education more attainable to students from diverse backgrounds by reducing the overall cost and time needed to complete a degree.
In fiscal 2024, almost 700 students across the Illinois Valley Community College district – about 20% of the college’s overall enrollment – enrolled in dual credit courses.
In fiscal 2023, Illinois community colleges offered 14,638 dual credit courses to 82,600 high school students
across the state.
IVCC also is one of 18 community colleges across the state providing individuals with short-term training for in-demand fields. The Workforce Equity Initiative has helped community colleges expand skills training and support to at-risk communities and address workforce gaps.
Since WEI began in 2019, community colleges have enrolled nearly 13,000 students in 120 high-demand training programs that lead to careers in health care, information technology, manufacturing, construction, transportation and business. The WEI program has achieved a 67% employment rate, with more than 5,000 of the graduates obtaining jobs paying above life-sustaining wages.
Investing in education and workforce equity is vital for addressing Illinois’ labor shortages, expanding economic opportunities and securing the state’s position as a leader in workforce development.
For information about IVCC’s PATH, Dual Credit and WEI programs, visit ivcc.edu.
1945: “Mr. Inside” Doc Blanchard of Army becomes the first junior to win the Heisman Trophy. Blanchard also becomes the only athlete to win both the Heisman and Sullivan Award.
AREA ROUNDUP
Lady Pumas win 8th grade regional title
By KEVIN HIERONYMUS khieronymus@shawmedia.com
Top-seeded Putnam County Jr. High defeated No. 2 Fieldcrest 31-10 to capture the Class 2A Putnam County eighth grade regional championship on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
PC opened the regional with a 41-3 win over No. 8 Marseilles and defeated No. 4 Spring Valley JFK 30-23 in the semifinals.
The Lady Pumas (22-2) advance to the Indian Creek Sectional to face Wethersfield (16-4) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. The Geese defeated Bureau Valley 27-25 at the Princeville Regional.
Team members for the Lady Pumas are Murphy Hopkins, Kenzie Pierski, McKenna Wrobleski, Hannah Heiberger, Tula Rue, McKlay Gensini, Millie Harris, Kami Nauman, Anni Judd and Lillian Bouxsein. They are coached by Nick Heuser and Charlie Lenkaitis.
High school girls basketball
Putnam County 44, Somonauk 41: Maggie Spratt scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Lady Panthers to a nonconference victory on Tuesday, Nov. 26 in Somonauk.
Eme Bouxsein and Addy Leatherman scored eight points each for PC (3-3).
Boys basketball
Stark County 70, Putnam County 48: The Panthers led 36-25 at halftime but were outscored 45-23 the rest of the way in a loss on the final day of the Wally Keller Invitational at Kewanee Wethersfield, finishing 0-5.
Braiden Bickerman led PC with 17 points and Miles Main added 13.
Annawan (5-0) won the title, Bureau Valley (4-1) came second, and Elmwood (3-2) was third.
Wethersfield 53, Putnam County 41: The Panthers opened tournament play with a loss to the host Flying Geese on Monday, Nov. 25.
Elmwood 62, Putnam County 43: Bickerman scored 10 points while AJ Furar, Jadan Stoddard and Alan Castro all had nine for Panthers in the Wally Keller Invite on Tuesday, Nov. 26
Bureau Valley 62, Putnam County 37: Furar had 10 points and Miles Main nine for the Panthers on the third night of the Wethersfield tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Annawan 65, Putnam County 38: Nickerman had 11 points, Main nine and Furar eight on the fourth night of the tournament on Friday, Nov. 29.
Photos provided
Putnam County Jr. High defeated Fieldcrest 31-10 to capture the Class 2A Putnam County 8th grade regional championship. The Pumas (22-2) advance to the Indian Creek Sectional to face Wethersfield (16-4) on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Team members are (from left) Murphy Hopkins, Kenzie Pierski, McKenna Wrobleski, Hannah Heiberger, Tula Rue, McKlay Gensini, Millie Harris, Kami Nauman, Anni Judd and Lillian Bouxsein; and coaches (back) Nick Heuser and Charlie Lenkaitis.
LEFT: Putnam County Jr. High’s Anni Judd (right) was selected as an IESA Sportsmanship winners for the eighth grade girls regional championship. RIGHT: Spring Valley JFK’s Miracle Wright (left) and Putnam County Jr. High’s Lillian Bouxsein were selected as the IESA Sportsmanship winners for the seventh grade girls regional championship.
2024-25 WRESTLING SEASON PREVIEW CAPSULES
Putnam County-Hall boys
Coach: Joseph Mecagni
Top returners: Been Heerdt, Elijah Leota, James Irwin
Top newcomers: Alex Tucker, Cayden Bouxsein
Worth noting: Heerdt, Leota and James Irwin provide experience, while Tucker and Bouxsein are “promising newcomers to the starting lineup,” Mecagni said. The PC-Hall coach said he’s looking for his wrestlers to develop throughout the season. “My goal as coach is general
improvement of the wrestlers,” he said. “They don’t have to win to make me happy, they just have to work hard.”
Putnam County-Hall girls
Coach: Joseph Mecagni
Top returners: Bailey Herr, Ella Irwin
Worth noting: Herr returns as a two-time state qualifier for the Panthers. She finished 15-11 last season and placed fourth at the Geneseo Sectional at 190. Irwin fell one win shy of state last season.
–KevinHieronymus,KevinChlum
Matt Eberflus’ clock had run out BEARS
Poles, Warren made only logical decision Friday in firing coach
Sean Hammond VIEWS
It was 9:01 and the Bears had yet to send out a Zoom link to members of the media for head coach Matt Eberflus’ regularly scheduled 9 a.m. day-after debrief.
When the link finally did come through and the camera turned on, there was Eberflus. The 54-year-old coach prepared to answer questions about another dubious loss during Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions.
Eberflus sat at a desk and answered questions for nine minutes before the team wrapped it up. He told the world that he fully expected to prepare his team for the San Francisco 49ers next week.
About two hours later, the head coach was fired by general manager Ryan Poles and team president Kevin Warren. Why the team trotted Eberflus out there just hours before canning him will remain a mystery, but it’s a fitting end for this coach, whose team was never very good at clock management.
Bears fans know what happened in Thursday’s 23-20 loss to Detroit. Everybody knows what happened. It was broadcast across the nation on the NFL’s biggest viewership day
outside of the playoffs.
Eberflus and the Bears failed to call a timeout as the final 32 seconds ticked off the clock. The Bears ran one final play as time expired, and they left Detroit with a sixth straight loss and one timeout still in their back pocket.
The head coach was getting skewered by fans, former NFL players and the media alike. It wasn’t just fakename social media profiles with no photos. The heat was coming from the NFL establishment. It was coming from real football people everywhere because everybody who loves football was watching this game.
Two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Jimmy Johnson: “In 70 years
of coaching at all three levels, I’ve never seen dysfunction that cost the team an opportunity to win the game.”
MVP quarterback Matt Ryan: “That’s a massive, massive fail by Matt Eberflus.”
The Bears were the laughingstock of the NFL on a national holiday. The hits just kept coming as this season wore on. To recap what has been an unforgettable (in a bad way) month:
• Oct. 27: Hail Mary loss as time expired vs. Washington
• Nov. 10: three-point effort against three-win New England
• Nov. 17: blocked field goal as time expired vs. Green Bay
• Nov. 24: overtime loss vs. Minnesota
• Nov. 28: game-management
debacle in Detroit
The Bears were making the same mistakes again and again.
They had a field goal blocked at the buzzer against Green Bay, then the Vikings blocked their next field goal try from nearly the same exact spot a week later. Eberflus ran out the final seconds against Green Bay instead of trying to draw closer for his kicker, then on Thursday he watched the clock tick away the final 32 seconds.
The Bears couldn’t keep making the same mistakes over and over again.
For Poles and Warren, there was no other option. The Bears had never fired a head coach during a season, but there was no way this organization could stick to the status quo after what happened Thursday.
Warren’s arrival was supposed to signal a change: This time, things are different. If the Bears didn’t move on from Eberflus this weekend, that entire premise would be a sham.
As he sat on his morning Zoom call Friday, Eberflus started talking about the film review, the details, the operation and all the coaching buzzwords he tends to use. The prevailing question was not: Why is he still the coach? No, the question was: Why are the Bears putting this man through this?
The clock had been ticking on the Eberflus era for a while. It was the final minute of the fourth quarter. It was time to let the clock run out.
• Hammond is the Bears beat reporter for the Shaw Local News Network. Contact him at shammond@ shawmedia.com.
Mark Busch
The Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus on Friday, one day after a 23-20 Thanksgiving Day loss to the Lions in Detroit.
Shaw Local News Network file photo
Bailey Herr of Putnam County defeats Patience Riggs on Feb. 10 to secure her entry into the IHSA girls wrestling state championship during sectionals at Geneseo High School.
PUBLIC NOTICE
FILED
Date: 11/25/2024
12:00 AM
10th Judicial Circuit
Putnam County
Carly R. Zielinski PU BL ICAT IO N NO TICE
IN THE CIRCU IT COURT OF PU TNAM COUNTY CHANCERY DIVISION
in Plat Book 3, Page 156 on September 5, 1969, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Putnam County, Illinois, situated in Putnam County, Illinois; excepting all mineral, oil and gas rights therein.
Mid-America National Bank, a national banking association, Plaintiff, v. Nancy A. Bradley, Nonrecord Claimants, Unknown Owners, and Unknown Tenants, Defendants Case No. 2 024 FC 6
And which said mortgage was made by Nancy A. Bradley, as Mortgagor, to MidAmeri ca National Bank, as Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Putnam County, Illinois, on October 28, 2014 as Document No 140777
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 NOTICE FILED
Date: 11/25/2024 12:00 AM
10th Judicial Circuit
Putnam County
Carly R. Zielinski PU BL ICAT IO N NO TICE
IN THE CIRCU IT COURT OF PU TNAM COUNTY CHANCERY DIVISION
Mid-America National Bank, a national banking association, Plaintiff, v. Nancy A. Bradley, Nonrecord Claimants, Unknown Owners, and Unknown Tenants, Defendants Case No. 2 024 FC 6
The requisite affidavi t for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given you, Nonrecord Claimants, Unknown Owners, and Unknown Tenants, Defendants in the above- entitled suit, that the said suit has been commenced in the Circuit Court of Putnam County,
The requisite affidavi t for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given you, Nonrecord Claimants, Unknown Owners, and Unknown Tenants, Defendants in the above- entitled suit, that the said suit has been commenced in the Circuit Court of Putnam County, Illinois, by the Plaintiff against you and other defendants, praying for the foreclosure of a certain mortgage conveying the prem ises described as follows, to wit: Lot 173 in the Plat of Lake Thunderbird Hills, according to the Plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 3, Page 156 on September 5, 1969, in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Putnam County, Illinois, situated in Putnam County, Illinois; excepting all mineral, oil and gas rights therein.
And which said mortgage was made by Nancy A. Bradley, as Mortgagor, to MidAmeri ca National Bank, as Mortgagee, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Putnam County, Illinois, on October 28, 2014 as Document No 140777
And for such other relief prayed; that summons was duly issued out of the said Circuit Court of Putnam County against you as provided by law, and that the said suit is now pending.
NOW, THEREFORE, UNLESS YOU, the said above defendants, file your answer to the complaint in the said suit or otherwise make your appear ance in the Office of the Putnam County Circuit Clerk,
And for such other relief prayed; that summons was duly issued out of the said Circuit Court of Putnam County against you as provided by law, and that the said suit is now pending.
NOW, THEREFORE, UNLESS YOU, the said above defendants, file your answer to the complaint in the said suit or otherwise make your appear ance in the Office of the Putnam County Circuit Clerk, at the Courthouse in the City of Hennepin, Putnam County, Illinois, on or before thirty (30) days from the date of this publication, default may be entered against you at any time after that day and a decree entered in accordance with the prayer of the complaint. Dated: November 25, 2024, at Hennepin, Illinois
Carly R. Zielinski, Clerk of the Circuit Court Putnam County, Illinois
NANCY A. SCHELL
Froehling, Weber & Schell, LLP
NOW, THEREFORE, UNLESS YOU, the said above defendants, file your answer to the complaint in the said suit or otherwise make your appear ance in the Office of the Putnam County Circuit Clerk, at the Courthouse in the City of Hennepin, Putnam County, Illinois, on or before thirty (30) days from the date of this publication, default may be entered against you at any time after that day and a decree entered in accordance with the prayer of the complaint. Dated: November 25, 2024, at Hennepin, Illinois
Carly R. Zie Clerk of the Ci Court Putnam Co Illinois
NANCY A. SCHE
Froehling, Webe Schell, LLP
167 West Elm St Canton IL 61520
309/647- 6317
Attorney for Plai
(Published in Pu County Record December 4, 11, 2024)2209885
HA VE SO METHING TO SELL?
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