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Wednesday, October 1, 2025 • $1.25

HARVEST SEASON See Illinois Valley farmers in action / 3

Sharing a toast

See Illinois Valley’s best photos, moments of the week from Sept. 21 to Sept. 27 / 12 SPORTS

Mendota roundup

Boys golf takes third at Mendota Ryder Cup, second at conference meet behind Ottawa / 31

TODAY’S EDITION: 32 pages • Vol. 147, Issue 38

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

MENDOTA REPORTER

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IVCC Foundation awards $377K in scholarships to 327 students Record 400 attend 29th annual ceremony celebrating donors and recipients

By MARIBETH M. WILSON mwilson@shawmedia.com The Illinois Valley Community College Foundation’s 29th annual scholarship recognition ceremony drew record numbers Sept. 10, with over 400 people in attendance.

Recipients, donors, faculty and staff, and family members gathered in the IVCC gymnasium to celebrate.

A total of $377,000 was awarded to 327 students for the 2025-26 school year, and more than 130 of those students gathered to meet the donors, according to an IVCC news release.

IVCC Foundation Executive Director Tracy Beattie and IVCC President Tracy Morris did the welcome and introductions, while foundation directors presented certificates to the students.

“The support of our donors is more than financial assistance; it is a vote of confidence in our students’ potential.

Photo provided by IVCC

More than 400 people attended IVCC’s annual scholarship ceremony to recognize and celebrate donors and recipients. The IVCC Foundation awarded scholarships totaling $377,000 to more than 300 students this school year.

These students are not only pursuing degrees, they are chasing dreams and building futures,” Beattie said in the release.

Since its establishment in 1976, the foundation has supported students through scholarships and provided

financial support for innovative IVCC educational programs and services, according to the release.

To become a part of that effort and create an IVCC Foundation scholarship, contact Beattie at 815-224-0550 or tracy_ beattie@ivcc.edu.

registration is necessary. To sign up, call 815-538-5142.

For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page or pick up a newsletter in person.

present “5 Keys to Resilience,” focusing on the P.O.W.E.R. framework. The session will explore how children lose these important concepts over time and how they can be regained.

The workshop runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 1401 W. Main St. No library card is needed to attend, but registration is required.

To register, call 815-538-5142. More information is available on the library’s Facebook page or by picking up a newsletter at the library.

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LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS Free October program at Graves-Hume Public Library Families and children ages 6 to 11 can learn how to boost self-confidence, reduce negative thoughts and build inner strengths together this October at Graves-Hume Public Library in Mendota.

Family peer specialist Tricia Lockwood will lead a free five-week course designed for kids and their caregivers. The sessions will be held on Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 at the library, 1401 W. Main St. No library card is required to attend, but

5 Keys to resilience workshop at Graves-Hume Public Library

Parents, caregivers, and educators are invited to learn about building resilience in children at a free workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Graves-Hume Public Library in Mendota.

Family peer specialist Tricia Lockwood, owner of Bright Minds, Bright Futures, will

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The sun sets over a combine on Friday near the intersection of U.S. 6 and East 11th Road near Utica.

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3 MENDOTA REPORTER Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Illinois Valley kicks off harvest season

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By SCOTT ANDERSON sanderson@shawmedia.com Farmers begin the 2025 harvest season across the Illinois Valley.

Photos by Scott Anderson

TOP LEFT: A farmer harvests soy beans near the intersection of U.S. 6 and East 12th Road on Thursday near Ottawa. TOP RIGHT: Matthew Milligan, dumps a load of corn out of a hopper grain trailer on Friday at the Ladd Elevator. Harvest has begun across the Illinois Valley. ABOVE: A grain hauler dumps a load of corn on Monday at the Ladd Elevator. The harvest season is in full throttle across the Illinois Valley. LEFT: A view inside a new 1.3 million bushel grain bin on Friday at the Ladd Elevator. The bin will be in service this fall.

Schimmer’s Auto celebrates 80 years in Illinois Valley Dealership group credits its success to loyal staff and community ties

By BILL FRESKOS bfreskos@shawmedia.com What began in the 1930s as a small garage in West Brooklyn has grown into a large dealership group serving Mendota, Peru and Spring Valley. Last weekend, Schimmer’s Automotive celebrated its 80th anniversary in business.

“It all started with my grandfather, Harry Schimmer, in the mid-1930s,” President and Dealer Principal Jeff Schimmer said. “We sold Pontiac, Dodge and Conoco fuels, and over the years, we’ve grown and adapted to serve our community.”

The dealership moved to Mendota in 1942, opening at the corner of Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue, and became a Pontiac dealership in 1945.

Over the decades, the business has expanded through the addition of franchises, including Buick, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, Ford, Lincoln and Hyundai, and now operates four dealerships across the Illinois Valley.

Jeff Schimmer joined the family business in 1984 and became a dealer operator two years later at just 22 years old.

He emphasized that employee loyalty is a hallmark of the dealership. Doug Jackson, general sales manager in Peru, marked 40 years with the company this year, while many other staff members have served 25 years or more.

“It’s like a family here,” said Tori Winterrose, social media and marketing director, who is the fourth generation of the family to work at the dealership.

“We’ve seen multiple generations of employees and customers come through, and our team genuinely cares about our

community and our customers.”

Dan Winterrose, director of operations, emphasized the role that the dealership plays in the Illinois Valley community and how the business has had to lean on its staff and local community to adapt.

“Being around for 80 years is no joke,” Winterrose said. “To stick around that long, you have to weather the storms – economic shifts, changes in the auto industry and everything in between. We’re blessed to have loyal employees and customers who continue to come back, and every day we try to earn their trust.”

Schimmer’s certainly has weathered decades of change in the automotive industry. And while the dealership has thrived thanks to loyal staff and community support, Jeff Schimmer reflected specifically on how much the industry has changed since he first started.

“Front-wheel drive, computerization, improved fuel efficiency – obviously, the vehicles we sell today are completely different than when I Photo provided by Dan Winterrose started,” he said. “But the biggest challenge now is vehicle availability, which Tori Winterrose (from left), Jeff Schimmer and Dan Winterrose pose for a photo at Schimmer’s we address by increasing allocation and Auto in Mendota. offering competitive trade-in values. It’s about being flexible and making sure our customers still have options, even when supply is tight.”

To mark the milestone, the business held a customer appreciation event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Shimmer’s Chevrolet in Mendota.

The celebration featured a food truck, pumpkin painting for families, and a “spin the wheel” giveaway with prizes including gift cards, free detailing and Shimmer’s merchandise.

“Reaching 80 years is incredibly meaningful,” Jeff Schimmer said. “But it’s the employees who made this all possible, and we’re thankful to continue serving our community while carrying on a family legacy.”

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

MENDOTA REPORTER

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Braboy and Arthur to explore Zen, creativity in eight-week program SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com One River Zen in Ottawa, in partnership with the Arts of Starved Rock Country Fund, has selected writer Alexandria Braboy and artist David Arthur for an eight-week residency focused on the intersection of art, community and Zen practices.

Braboy and Arthur were introduced at a bonfire event Saturday, Sept. 20, at One River Zen, 121 E. Prospect Ave. The public was invited to join for cider and an open discussion on Zen and creativity.

David Arthur

Alexandria Braboy

Braboy, from La Salle, holds degrees in creative writing and journalism from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has worked in journalism and grantwriting since 2013 and focuses on storytelling that inspires transformative change.

Arthur, a Springfield native now based near Peoria, is a draftsman, painter and professional tattoo artist

with 20 years of experience. His work spans various styles, with a focus on beauty, nature and spirituality using watercolor and alcohol markers.

For more information, contact René Parks Wendinger, administrator of the Arts of Starved Rock Country, at rene@ srccf.org. The Arts of Starved Rock Country is part of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation.

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Mendota shooting leaves man injured; suspect detained

MENDOTA REPORTER Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

One River Zen names writer, artist for residency in Ottawa

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF A man was shot in the leg Saturday evening in Mendota, and police quickly apprehended a suspect in a neighboring city, Mendota Police Chief Jason Martin said.

At approximately 8:04 p.m. Sept. 25, Mendota police responded to reports of a shooting near Fourth Avenue and Sixth Street. Investigators determined that a suspect fired one round into a vehicle, striking the victim in the leg.

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, treated and released.

Officers identified and located the suspect about an hour later at a business in Peru.

After an interview, the suspect was taken to the La Salle County Jail, awaiting formal charges.

Police said the shooting appears to be an isolated incident.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

– Shaw Local News Network

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

MENDOTA REPORTER

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La Salle Democrats forum talks healthcare, economy, campaign reform

By MARIBETH M. WILSON mwilson@shawmedia.com Healthcare, economic disparity and campaign reform were among the topics discussed during the inaugural La Salle County Democrats forum Saturday at Grand Bear Lodge in Utica.

Saturday’s forum was hosted by La Salle County Democrats. Illinois Valley Community College Professor and College Democrats advisor Mike Phillips introduced each speaker.

Candidates running for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat in the 2026 Democratic primary included: Kevin Ryan; U.S. Reps Robin Kelly, 2nd District and Raja Krishnamoorthi, 8th District. Jump Shepherd also is running but was absent Saturday.

Other speakers included Paul Nolley, who’s running to replace Republican Darin LaHood in the neighboring 16th Congressional District and State Representative Murri Briel.

Briel focused on what she’s been fighting for since elected, saying her focus is on affordable, reliable energy, internet access and of course, healthcare.

Maribeth Wilson

See LA SALLE DEMOCRATS, page 7

State Rep. Murri Briel speaks during the inaugural La Salle County Democrats breakfast forum on Saturday at Grand Bear Lodge in Utica.

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• LA SALLE DEMOCRATS

Photos by Maribeth Wilson

LEFT: U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi speaks at the inaugural La Salle County Democrats breakfast forum Saturday at Grand Bear Lodge in Utica.

RIGHT: Kevin Ryan speaks at the inaugural La Salle County Democrats breakfast forum Saturday at Grand Bear Lodge in Utica. impossible during the chaos of Donald Trump,” he said.

He said the legal immigration system, public housing, education and food stamps are being actively dismantled every single day, under the current administration.

“So, we are confronted with a threshold question as a country,” he said. “What kind of government do we want? Do we want a government that’s there for those fighting to make it or do we want a government primarily

catering to those who have it made?”

Ryan, a Chicago Public Schools teacher and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, said the problem with politics is money because it prohibits good people from running for office.

“If you’re not independently wealthy, you don’t know somebody independently wealthy connected to a super PAC, you don’t stand a shot,” he said.

Ryan said he is running to redefine the Democratic Party in the primary

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as the party that prioritizes people over money.

“We start by electing people who care about campaign finance reform than their own electoral success,” he said.

Briel closed by thanking the La Salle County Democrats, the speakers and the audience.

“Thank you to those of you in my district,” she said. “It’s been the honor of my life to fight for you, to believe in you and to listen to you.”

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“Finding a way to have healthcare here that is the full gamut of healthcare and not limited based on a hospital’s religious beliefs,” she said.

She said she’s fighting for better conditions for labor, to improve education and get teachers out of the current “horrible” pension situation.

Krishnamoorthi opened the event by describing growing up in an immigrant family and the struggles his family faced, but overcame the challenges by receiving government assistance.

“Every night at the dinner table [my father] would remind us of the following,” he said. “He would say think of the greatness of this country …. and whatever the two of you do, my brother and me, just make sure it’s there for the next families who need it.”

Krishnamoorthi said the words of his father became his “North Star” and he continues to fight to pass the blessings bestowed upon his family to the American people.

“But, that American dream, which my family was privileged to attain, is slipping out of grasp for millions of people, if not becoming outright

MENDOTA REPORTER Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Continued from page 6

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation awarded $194,800 in grants Sept. 15, to eight local nonprofits, ranging from a historic summer camp to a new arts center.

The event, held downtown in Utica, featured former 76th Illinois District Rep. Lance Yednock, his successor Amy Murri Briel, and leaders from the recipient Brent Roalson organizations.

The grants were part of the foundation’s 10th anniversary celebration, “Gratitude Abounds,” made possible by an appropriation Yednock secured during the close of the 2024 legislative session.

“Lance, as tonight’s theme attests, ‘gratitude abounds’ for your generosity and belief in the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation,” SRCCF President Fran Brolley said.

Grant recipients and awards included: • Camp Tuckabatchee, Ottawa, $40,800 for roofing and wiring upgrades

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF

Chicago man arrested after Mendota standoff

to its main lodge • Illinois Valley Food Pantry, La Salle, $40,000 to help purchase a new home on Progress Boulevard in Peru • Arukah Institute of Healing, Ottawa, $35,000 to open a new facility at the former La Salle County Farm Bureau building • Voluntary Action Center’s Meals on Wheels senior nutrition site, Peru, $34,000 for a freezer and refrigerator • Ottawa Center for the Arts, $15,000 for an elevator upgrade • Second Story Teen Center, Princeton, $10,000 to support its recent move to a new location • La Salle County CASA, $10,000 for volunteer training • Ottawa Children’s Exploreum, $10,000 as it seeks a downtown site Leaders from each nonprofit thanked Yednock and the foundation for the support.

Camp Tuckabatchee board President Adrienne Pike said the grant has significantly improved the safety for the organization’s facilities, campers and guests.

SRCCF founder Pamela Beckett closed the event by praising the dedication of the nonprofits.

To support the foundation’s “Decade of Giving” campaign, visit srccf.org/anniversary-appeal.

violence report. Mendota police officers responded to the residence and Jones A Chicago man was charged with aggravat- refused to come out.

“He pretty much barricaded himself in ed domestic battery after a Tuesday morning incident in Mendota that led to a three-hour there,” Martin said. “We made contact standoff with police. There were no injuries. [through a window], built a rapport with him, got him to calm down.”

Shaquille O. Jones, 32, surrendered to No shots were fired and Jones surrendered Mendota police at 1:13 p.m., about three without injury to himself or others. hours after he refused to come out of a Mendota police had urged residents to residence located in the 1100 block of Fifth steer clear of the scene and attempted to Street, Mendota. evacuate neighboring residences, with mixed Mendota Police Chief Jason Martin success. A few gawkers yielded to curiosity reported at 2:20 p.m. that Jones was being and had to be turned away from the scene, charged with aggravated domestic battery and would be transported to La Salle County Martin said, while a few neighbors disclosed medical conditions that kept them from Jail. Martin said the incident began shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday when a woman came being moved.

– Tom Collins to the police station to file a domestic

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025 MER

Starved Rock Country Community Foundation awards $194,800 to nonprofits

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MENDOTA ROMAN CATHOLIC MASS Rev. Greg Nelson, Pastor Fr. Joseph Domfe, Parochial Vicar Ray Fischer, Jose Lopez, and Hector Diaz, Deacons HOLY CROSS, MENDOTA Weekday Mass M - 6 p.m., Tu - 8 a.m., W - 8:10 a.m., Th - 8 a.m., F - 7 a.m.

Weekend Mass Sat - 8 a.m. (1st Saturday only), 4 p.m.; Sun - 6:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon (Spanish) Confession STS. PETER AND PAUL, PETERSTOWN Weekend Mass: Sun - 9 a.m.

Confession ST. THERESA, EARLVILLE Weekday Mass: Wed 7 a.m., Fri. 8 a.m.

Weekend Mass: Sat 5 p.m. Sun 8 a.m.

ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 808 Jefferson St. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Pastor Jeff Brace jbrace8459@gmail.com Church office (815) 538-2186 Facebook: Mendota Zion United Methodist Church SUNDAY’S CHEDULE: Sunday Worship 9 a.m.

Sunday School for Preschool - 6th grade in fellowship hall during worship service (Parking lot worship available on 90.9 FM during Sunday services) TUESDAY - Prayer group 7 p.m.

UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH 4401 State Route 251 • (815) 538-3444 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Rev. Charles Yeakel, Pastor E-mail: mendotaupc@yahoo.com www.mendotaupc.org SUNDAY: Christian Education-10 a.m.

Worship - 11:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Midweek Bible Study - 7 p.m.

NEW COVENANT ASSEMBLY OF GOD Rt. 251 at Lake Mendota P.O. Box 54 Phone (815) 539-7107 (church) (815) 871-5702 (pastor) •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Larry Sheaves, Pastor www.newcovenantmendota.org www.facebook.com/NCAOG “Preaching the blood, book and blessed hope.”

Sunday School Worship MENDOTA BIBLE CHURCH Rt. 251, 1/2 mile south of Mendota (815) 538-6876 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Brian Kelly, Pastor www.mendotabiblechurch.org SUNDAY SCHEDULE Sunday School Worship Evening Service ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 607 Tenth Ave. • (815) 539-5626 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Pastor Elise Rothfusz E-mail: office@stjohnsmendota.org Website: www.stjohnsmendota.org Schedule: 9 a.m. Sunday Worship in person and online via YouTube Find us on Facebook FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1003 5th St.• (815) 538-5603 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Website: fpcmendota.com Accessible Pastor Laurie Walker Fellowship 9:45 a.m.

Children’s Sunday School following children’s message Worship 10:30 a.m.

Available on Facebook Live Facebook page: www.facebook.com/fpcmendota

CHRIST’S CHURCH “He is the Head of the Body, the Church . . .

That in everything He might have the supremacy.” Col. 1:18 1107 Main St. • (815) 993-2462 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Dave Manion Jim McDowell Wayne Shuman Please join us for . . .

Sunday Bible Study (all ages) 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

Church Builders 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer 6 p.m.

Men’s Ministry Ladies & Mens Bible Study Thursday 6 p.m.

Non-denominational Please call for more information

COMPTON IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH 398 Church Road, Compton •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Pastor Jeffrey Schlesinger (815) 539-6567 Wheelchair accessible Website: www.ilccompton.org E-mail: immanuellutheran compton@live.com “Living in God’s Grace as a Neighbor to the World” SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE 8:30 a.m. Worship at Immanuel 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship at First Online “devotional service” videos continue every Sunday at facebook.com/ilccompton and YouTube. Check our website and Facebook page for more information.

LA MOILLE ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH LaMoille (Clarion) 4 miles west of Mendota on Rt. 34 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Pastor Sarah (Churness) Floyd (815) 539-7820 Sunday Worship 9 a.m.

Sunday School 10:15 a.m.

Accessible COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH La Moille • (815) 638-2348 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Pastor David Jungnickel E-mail: lamoillecumc@gmail.com SUNDAY WORSHIP 9 a.m.

Children’s Sunday School following children’s message FELLOWSHIP 10 a.m. (nursery available) Mondays - 10 a.m. Adult Bible Study Wednesdays - 5:30 p.m. Soup & Soul

TROY GROVE FAITH BIBLE FELLOWSHIP 208 W. South St., Troy Grove •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Pastor Brian Hamiel Website: www.faithbiblefellowship.info E-mail: fbfchurch20817@gmail.com “At Faith Bible Fellowship, we exist to glorify God through the equipping of His saints, teaching of His Word and raising of His name.

We would love to have you join us to worship and learn about our risen Savior.”

SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9 a.m.

SUNDAY SERVICE - 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT - 6:30 p.m.

The Merchants on this page urge you to attend a house of worship this week.

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MENDOTA REPORTER Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

CHURCH DIRECTORY

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Streator men charged after gunfire investigation No injuries reported in Sept. 9 discharge

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com Two Streator men were charged with felonies Tuesday following an investigation into a gunshot fired Sept. 9 outside Thornton’s in Streator. There were no injuries.

Malik Curington, 21, was charged with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon with no firearm owner’s ID card, both Class 4 felonies carrying one to three years in prison. The latter

Antonio Patterson Jr.

Malik A. Curington

charge would require a trip to prison.

Curington appeared Tuesday in La Salle County Circuit Court for a detention hearing. He and his lawyer successfully argued for pretrial release, and Curington was let go with an Oct. 10 court date.

Meanwhile, the alleged victim also faces a felony charge from the same incident.

Antonio R. Patterson Jr., 22, of Streator, was charged with aggravated battery (range: two to five years) for allegedly “tackling” Curington in an altercation shortly before the gun went off.

What happened is disputed. According to open-court statements, Streator police obtained video surveillance of the altercation. To hear prosecutors tell it, the video showed Curington pulling a gun and discharging a round, which did not strike anyone.

Prosecutor Kelley Porter said the incident happened late afternoon in a busy

HEAR

area where a bystander could have been struck with gunfire.

“The defendant poses a serious threat to the community,” Porter said, urging the judge to deny Curington any form of pretrial release.

Public Defender Ryan Hamer argued that Curington has a limited criminal history and was deemed low-risk, scoring a 3 on a 14-point risk assessment.

Hamer argued it was Patterson’s gun, not Curington’s, and that Curington could argue he acted out of necessity or self-defense.

“The alleged victim (Patterson) is the aggressor here,” Hamer said. “The alleged victim is the one who had the gun.”

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

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LA SALLE COUNTY GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS controlled substance. No bond; NTA. • Joshua W. Sampson, 37, Ottawa, faces multiple charges including unlawful possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver and aggravated felony enhancement. No bond; NTA. • Jeffery M. Dolosczyki, 52, Ottawa, charged with theft. No bond; NTA. • Haley N. Buchanan, 26, Ottawa, charged with disorderly conduct. No bond; NTA. • Jacqueline M. Olson, 35, Ottawa, charged with forgery. No bond; NTA. • Richard J. Ruich, 43, Marseilles, charged with retail theft. No bond; NTA. • Alexis S. Wallace, 29, Ottawa, charged with unlawful possession of controlled substances. No bond; NTA. • Daniel A. Mondy, 37, Ottawa, charged with aggravated battery. Pre-trial release revoked.

• Todd M. Delong, 58, Streator, faces three counts of aggravated battery. No bond; NTA.

• Lorenzo L. Strong, 31, Ottawa, charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine. No bond; NTA. • Danny R. Ostby, 41, Ottawa, charged with unlawful possession of controlled substances. No bond; NTA. • Jeffrey Delagarza, 41, Ottawa, charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Pending detention hearing.

• Fredrick E. Chamblis, 33, Ottawa, charged with failure to register as a sex offender. Sanctioned to 30 days.

• Joshua A. Davis, 42, Ottawa, charged with unlawful possession of controlled substances. Pre-trial release revoked.

• Shawnta L. Ferguson, 40, Ottawa, charged with aggravated domestic battery. Pre-trial release denied.

• Matthew R. Shick, 37, Harding, charged with unlawful violation of an order of protection. Pre-trial release revoked.

• Brianna G. Cook, 20, Naperville, charged with burglary. No bond; NTA.

• Jaren E. Phillips, 21, Streator, charged with forgery. No bond; NTA. • Tyler A. Engel, 29, Colona, charged with unlawful possession of cannabis.

No bond; NTA. • James R. Vollmar, 43, Grand Ridge, charged with failure to register as a sex offender. No bond; NTA. • Donald N. Lage, 45, Ottawa, charged with failure to register as a sex offender. Released pre-trial.

• Sarah M. Kubisak, 33, Sandwich, charged with two counts of aggravated battery. Released pre-trial.

• Aric D. Kain, 51, Ottawa, charged with two counts of unlawful possession of controlled substances.

• Chad E. Johnson, 52, Decatur, charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine. No bond; NTA. • Dylan R. Janke, 22, Ottawa, charged with unlawful possession of controlled substances. No bond; NTA.

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MENDOTA REPORTER Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday and returned the following indictments. An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that enough evidence has been presented to proceed with a court trial. Individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proved guilty.

• Ashley L. Turano, 42, Earlville, faces retail theft charges. No bond was set; case marked as No Trial Appearance (NTA).

• Jermaine T. Fisher, 43, La Salle, charged with aggravated domestic battery and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Bond denied; remains in pre-trial detention.

• Anthony S. Oliver, 41, Marseilles, charged with violating an order of protection. Released pre-trial.

• Danielle E. Patnode, 32, Streator, faces unlawful possession of methamphetamine. No bond; NTA. • Chad E. Christensen, 48, Streator, charged with unlawful possession of a

03212022

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

MENDOTA REPORTER

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Scott Anderson

Illinois Valley photos of the week from Sept. 21 to 27

Scott Anderson

Tom Sistak

Scott Anderson

TOP LEFT: An Elburn Track Surfaces Company worker shovels red-dyed cinder onto the La Salle-Peru Township High School Track on Tuesday at the La Salle-Peru Township High School Athletic Complex in La Salle. TOP RIGHT: Aleena Higley of Dixon reacts as a giant bubble pops on her face Saturday during the 26th annual Pumpkin Harvest Craft Show at Boggios Orchard and Produce in Granville. The weekend also featured a market, bakery, pumpkin hill, jumping pillow, corn maze, wagon rides, petting zoo and a playground.

ABOVE: Horses bring up the rear Wednesday during Ottawa High School’s homecoming parade on La Salle St. in Ottawa. LEFT: Rachel Mershon, 94, of Granville blows out the candles on her birthday cake Monday, inside the Starved Rock Visitors Center. Mershon is a former junior high teacher in Spring Valley who volunteers in the bookstore at the Starved Rock Visitors Center. She has logged nearly 10,000 hours of volunteer time.

13 MENDOTA REPORTER Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

More Illinois Valley photos of the week from Sept. 21 to 27

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TOP LEFT: Emergency crews work the scene of a semitrailer crash Friday after it struck the overpass of Illinois Route 251 and Interstate 80 in Peru. Illinois State Police, Peru Fire and EMS, Senica Towing and Illinois Department of Transportation were on the scene to help remove the driver from the crash.

TOP RIGHT: A cultural tribute to departed loved ones is on display Friday at Illinois Valley Community College’s Main Campus and Ottawa Center lobbies. The Celebration of Día de los Muertos is widely observed from Nov. 1 to 2 as part of a 3,000-year-old tradition paying respects to friends and family who have died.

ABOVE: La Salle-Peru girls co-op swimmer Finley Jobst competes in the 50-yard freestyle Wednesday at Peru’s Illinois Valley YMCA. LEFT: The Princeton High School football team rides on a float Thursday during the homecoming parade along South Main Street in Princeton.

IVCC celebrates The Day of the Dead with cultural tribute

A cultural tribute to departed loved ones was on display Sept. 26 at Illinois Valley Community College’s Main Campus and Ottawa Center lobbies.

The Celebration of Día de los Muertos is widely observed from Nov. 1 to 2, part of a 3,000-year-old tradition paying respects to friends and family who have died.

Central to the festive tribute are decorative and brightly colored altars and memorials covered in flowers, photos, keepsakes and candles.

The public can furnish personal tributes to the IVCC display, which continues through Nov. 1.

Photos, keepsakes or offerings of non-perishable foods and sealed drinks (to provide nourishment and enrichment for those who are gone) can be added to the display. Families can also leave notes or written memories.

When the event is over, contributed items can be picked up at the Main Campus and Ottawa Center front desks beginning at 1 p.m. Nov. 3. The event is sponsored by the Hispanic Leadership Team, The Illinois Valley Visual Arts Club, The Project Success Scott Anderson Leadership Team and the International Club.

A cultural tribute to departed loved ones is on display Sept. 26 at Illinois Valley Community College’s Main Campus and Ottawa Center – Scott Anderson lobbies.

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

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Scott Anderson

More Illinois Valley photos of the week from Sept. 21 to 27

Katy Arnold

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

MENDOTA REPORTER

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Katy Arnold

Kyle Russell

TOP LEFT: La Salle-Peru girls volleyball’s Aubrey Duttlinger (second from left) celebrates Tuesday with fellow teammates Drew Depenbrock, Aubrey Urbanski and Maggie Boudreau after scoring a point against Sycamore in Sellett Gymnasium at La Salle-Peru High School. TOP RIGHT: Ottawa football’s Owen Sanders secures a pass Friday as Sycamore’s Crewe Bartlett and Josiah Mitchell close in on him at King Field.

ABOVE: Ottawa football’s Archer Cechowiz celebrates his touchdown Friday with teammates Dane Carretto, Ethan Poutre and Owen Sanders in their homecoming game against Sycamore at King Field. LEFT: Seneca girls volleyball’s Tori Skelton slides to make a diving save Thursday against Marquette at Marquette High School’s Bader Gym.

By DEVIN OOMMEN Shaw Local News Network correspondent

Shaw Local News Network file photo

DeKalb water tower near the Northern Illinois University, NIU, Convocation Center in DeKalb, on May 13, 2021. economy generated just 22,000 jobs in August, far below the 80,000 that economists were expecting.

“It’s particularly surprising because a college education usually provides some employment protection,” said Serdar Ozkan, senior economic policy advisor at the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank. “Traditionally, college graduates maintain job stability even during recessions. What’s surprising this time is that it’s occurring during relatively strong economic conditions.”

A report from The Burning Glass Institute noted that the sharpest increases in unemployment were in tech, business operations, and finance, roles that traditionally have offered new graduates career entry points.

Students competing for those jobs include computer science, math and economics majors, fields of study seen as lucrative after the tech boom in the 2000s.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the week ending Sept. 6 rose by 27,000 to 263,000, according to The AP. After graduating from NIU with a Bachelor’s in Mathematics in May 2025,

Nathan Lee moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Lee, originally from Northbrook, applied to more than 150 jobs and took a job as a team member at Target to pay expenses. He said that after being inundated with rejection emails, he brushes them off.

“I’m unfazed at this point,” Lee said.

“I just see the word ‘Sorry,’ I just read the first little bit. I’m like, ‘OK, delete.’ ” Advice found on company websites tells candidates to tailor their resume to the posted job description or to have a resume that is friendly to applicant tracking systems (ATS).

“I tailor my resume to some of these, and I’ll do the most on the interview, I’ll even reach out and be like ‘Hey, I’m really excited’ and I still don’t get it,” Lee said. “Those are the ones I die a little bit because I put a lot more effort into it.”

Every May, around 3 million college graduates are absorbed into the economy, said Jeff Strohl, director of Georgetown’s Center on Education and the Workforce.

“What we’re seeing now with some of the hiring problems for recent college graduates, that absorption, how long it’s

going to take for college graduates to be absorbed in the labor market, is probably going to go from what historically has been 7,8,9 months to probably extend outwards to a couple of years.”

Some economists say this creates a ‘scarring’ effect, where graduates entering the economy during a recession have lower lifetime earnings, and as a result, the economy as a whole is damaged. An example used in studies includes graduate outcomes following the Great Recession of 2008. However, economists disagree about this detail.

“The productivity growth is going to be slower because we have cohorts that won’t be able to accumulate experience and skill on the job,” Ozkan said.

As part of a group that attempted to replicate findings of other researchers that indicated a scarring effect, Strohl said, “we didn’t find it happening.”

Explanations for the recent unemployment trend for new graduates vary among economists. Some, like those at the Burning Glass Institute, point to structural issues as the cause. Some say the rise in AI is to blame for an expertise

See JOB TROUBLES, page 24

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The promise that a college degree leads to employment is proving hollow for many recent graduates, who are finding themselves trapped in a job market where thousands of applicants compete for single positions and artificial intelligence-fueled algorithms filter out resumes before human eyes ever see them.

Skylar Weiland did everything right: Graduated with honors, completed internships and networked extensively.

Yet the Northern Illinois University economics graduate spent months unemployed, applying to as many as 50 jobs per day before landing a job outside his field.

“It’s exhausting and it’s dehumanizing and it’s been a nightmare, to be honest,” Weiland said. “My entire life, I’ve been told you’ve got to graduate high school, then you graduate college, then you’ll get a job. It feels like all my hard work was for nothing. I feel almost like I was lied to.”

After graduating in May 2024, the Rockford native applied to more than 1,000 jobs. Thousands of applications, followed by thousands of rejections, take a toll, a sentiment echoed by new graduates across the country.

“You get all these rejections and it hurts you as a person,” Weiland said. “It just feels like I’m not good enough.”

Weiland had an internship after graduating, but the company he interned with did not offer full-time employment after the internship ended.

Economic uncertainty, combined with advancements in technology, has led to the highest unemployment rate for new graduates in recent history.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the last time unemployment for new graduates was at a similar level was in October 2013.

A report published by the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank says that young college graduates are bearing the brunt of recent labor market shifts. Graduates between 23 and 27 are experiencing unemployment rates that average 4.59%, compared to an average of 3.7% in 2019.

In early September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a revised job gains report for the year ending in March, which showed that U.S. employers added 911,000 fewer jobs than originally reported, The Associated Press reported. The BLS also reported that the

MENDOTA REPORTER Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Recent grads struggle to find work after college

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

MENDOTA REPORTER

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Farm Progress Show

By MARTHA BLUM mblum@shawmedia.com

PTx

“Precision Planting Panorama is a companion web and mobile app to the 20/20 monitor,” said Bryce Baker, North America tactical marketing lead for Precision Planting. “It is focused on deep agronomic analysis of information coming off the field and machine to help farmers dive into how improvements can be made through maps, reports, graphs or yield comparisons.”

The latest addition to Panorama is PassMaster.

“PassMaster allows coverage sharing between multiple machines running 20/20 monitors, not only swath control, but also map sharing,” Baker said.

“I’m excited to introduce FarmENGAGE, which is our farm operations management platform that is designed to connect the entire fleet and help farmers manage fieldwork across the farm,” said Cory Buchs, senior director, product management for FarmENGAGE. “What’s unique about FarmEN-

AgriNews photo/Martha Blum

David Soliday talks about some of the features of the 1000 Vario Gen4 tractors launched at the Farm Progress Show. This series is available in four models – 1040, 1044, 1048 and 1052, ranging from 426 to 550 horsepower.

GAGE is instead of targeting one brand of equipment, we are focused on the full mixed fleet,” Buchs said.

“We support connections to our PTx portfolio, as well as directly connecting to our AGCO machines, and we also support connections to John Deere, Case IH and New Holland equipment, enabling farmers to use factory-installed technology on those machines.”

Farmers have the ability to go through their full task management cycles.

“They can plan work, create guidance lines, boundaries and variable rate prescriptions,” Buchs said. “They can deploy that to any machine in the field, ensuring the operator has the right data for the job.”

FarmENGAGE can be taken one step further to create a work order.

“That includes all the details about the job – the configuration of the machine and the data to complete the job correctly,” Buchs said. “The operator selects the work order and the machine will be configured for them which takes the complexity out of the operators’ hands and removes the opportunity for error.”

These tools lose some of their power if a farmer doesn’t have an adequate

See FARM PROGRESS SHOW, page 20

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AGCO aims to be the most farmer-focused company in the industry.

“Most companies here are product-focused, but we’re trying to help our organization understand the farmer,” said Eric Hansotia, chairman and CEO of AGCO. “We are talking to farmers about their biggest pain points, what they are struggling with and what they are excited about.”

Those types of conversations result in a much bigger perspective, said Hansotia from the AGCO exhibit area at the Farm Progress Show.

“Then you can go back and solve problems with product or data,” he said.

“We think the next decade is going to be the most innovative decade in the history of agriculture,” Hansotia said. “So, we doubled our engineering budget, we bought six tech companies and last year we brought Trimble’s ag assets into PTx.” “The retrofit strategy of PTx means instead of selling it on a new piece of machinery, we sell it to any farmer of any brand,” he said.

“We want to serve every farmer.

Regardless of who they have bought from in the past, we want to help them and give them new capabilities to that piece of machinery.”

MENDOTA REPORTER Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Innovative decade ahead for farmers

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Janko Realty & Development Janko Realty currently has 1, 2 and 3 bedroom and studio units available for rent in Mendota.

Please check out our available rentals and applications online at www.jankorealty.propertyware.com or call 815-830-4422.

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

MENDOTA REPORTER

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• ​FARM PROGRESS SHOW Continued from page 19 internet connection.

“We are excited to announce compatibility with Starlink to provide farmers who typically struggle with connectivity to be able to have a satellite-based connection,” Baker said. “This will be available through PTx dealers in the coming months.”

Fendt

Also at the AGCO booth, Fendt celebrated the 30-year anniversary of the introduction of the 926 Vario, that featured a continuously variable transmission.

“This tractor changed agriculture and now there are over 460,000 Vario CVT transmissions in the world today,” said David Soliday, senior marketing manager for Fendt.

“This was the first Fendt tractor ever sold in the U.S. and we found it,” Soliday said. “It will be living at our Fendt Lodge in Jackson, Minnesota, for all to see.”

The Fendt 1000 Vario Gen4 tractor series was launched at the show, including four models – 1040, 1044, 1048 and 1052.

“The 12.4L MAN engine is known for fuel efficiency and this tractor has adap-

their operations.”

In 2020, Fendt unveiled the Fendt Momentum planter in Illinois.

“In five years since then, we have won every agronomy trial where it matters the most – yield,” Santos said.

“I am proud to present to you the Fendt Optimum planter, our first stackfold planting system,” he said. “With this planter, Fendt is bringing the most advanced planter in the industry to a new range of farmers.”

Fendt planters are designed to give three things to farmers.

“They create the best environment for seed placement, they deliver the perfect seed placement and they offer farmers the best efficiency and flexibility,” Santos said.

AgriNews photo/Martha Blum Each main feature of the Optimum Eric Hansotia, chairman and CEO of AGCO, speaks at the Farm Progress Show. planter starts with the toolbar.

“We have four hinge points that tive power, so you are able to adjust the control them all at once or individu- allow the toolbar to flex and move to horsepower,” Soliday said. “You can ally,” Soliday said. “You can turnoff cer- place the row unit exactly where it run at 520 horsepower, but if your imple- tain pods so you don’t blind the combine needs to be,” Santos said. “That allows the precision technology to do what it ment will not handle that, you are able operator.” to adjust down to 400 horsepower in the “We now offer a dry fertilizer option does best.”

Farmers can also choose an optional cab with a push of a button for better for the 30-foot Momentum planter,” fuel efficiency.” added Arthur Santos, Fendt marketing vertical contouring hitch for the The new 360-degree Vision and Ultra manager. “This completes the family of mounted planter.

“Pre-selling for the Optimum planter Vision LED lighting system has up to Momentum planter models that have 120,500 lumens of output. dry and liquid fertilizer, to give farmers will start during the second half of 2026,” “These lights have pods so you can t h e o p t i o n t o c h o o s e w h a t f i t s Santos said.

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SPIRIT MATTERS Jerrilyn Zavada Novak As I write, we are just a few days into autumn, my soul season.

When autumn comes, I feel a natural sense of ease. I have no problem letting go of the frenetic activity of summer, and slowing down into a more natural rhythm of contemplative living. It is as though my being is wired to react to the change in the atmosphere.

I feel a deep sense of relief to be given this season of letting go, in preparation for winter’s soul-healing gifts of deep rest and hibernation.

Each season offers us its own wisdom. This is why it is important to soulfully engage with them as much as possible, even if we have to schedule it into our days. Just as the seasons turn in cycles, so do our spiritual lives.

When we spend time outside in

prayer and meditation throughout the year, we are infused with the wisdom nature holds, even if we are unconscious of it while it is happening. We are, in turn, able to live a more grounded, purposeful existence.

Those of us who admire St. Francis of Assisi, know this on an intuitive level. Our beloved patron saint had a deep spiritual connection with the world around him and all of its creatures. It is just one of the many qualities that have endeared him to millions of people down through the centuries.

I love animals, and I have always appreciated the many churches and pastors who honor our pets on Oct. 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, with a ‘blessing of the animals.’ Even with everyone on leashes or in carriers, the scene can get a bit noisy and chaotic, but that just adds to its charm. Our pet friends aren’t trying to impress or influence anyone. They simply are who they are, and we can learn much from them.

There is a popular saying on social media that I think speaks to the truths

our animals model by just being themselves.

“Your purpose is not the thing you do. It is the thing that happens in others when you do what you do,” attributed to Caroline Leaf.

To put it another way, it is not necessarily what we do with our lives, as much as it is who we are and how we interact with others, that makes a difference in the world around us.

It is our soul, our spirit, that infuses everything we do. We all play different roles at different times in our lives, but there is a golden thread holding it all together, and that is the essence of our being.

A somewhat similar adage goes like this: “How you do anything is how you do everything.”

People will know who we are by the way we show up in this world, by the things we say and the way we say them. They will know us by the things we do and how we do them. They will know us by the way we make them feel inside when we do what we do.

When we live intentionally peaceful and welcoming lives in accordance

with the teachings of St. Francis and the tenets of the gospels, there will be no doubt in others’ minds about who we are and what we stand for.

This autumn, allow the season to help you let go of whatever is keeping you from engaging with life on an organically spiritual level, in a peaceful, life-affirming way.

Let go of the noise of the world shouting and screaming and pointing you in a million false directions, and return to your center, where you will hear the still, small voice of the one in whom we all live and move and have our being.

Listen to that voice. Rest in it, and allow it to remind you who you are and to whom you belong.

Then, we will be prepared to emerge and inspire ‘peace and all good’ in others when we do all that we do, whatever we do.

• Spirit Matters is a weekly column

by Jerrilyn Zavada Novak that examines experiences common to the human spirit. Contact her at jzblue33@yahoo.com.

MENDOTA REPORTER Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Seasonal wisdom teaches us who we truly are

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Catherine Wasmer, Director

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

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Semitrailer crashes into overpass Friday in Peru

By SCOTT ANDERSON sanderson@shawmedia.com

Photos by Scott Anderson

Emergency crews work the scene of a semitrailer crash Friday after it struck the overpass of Illinois Route 251 and Interstate 80 in Peru. Illinois State Police, Peru Fire and EMS, Senica Towing and Illinois Department of Transportation were on the scene to help remove the driver from the crash

23 MENDOTA REPORTER Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025 MER

More photos of Semitrailer crash Friday in Peru

By SCOTT ANDERSON sanderson@shawmedia.com

Photos by Scott Anderson

Emergency crews work the scene of a semitrailer crash Friday after it struck the overpass of Illinois Route 251 and Interstate 80 in Peru. Illinois State Police, Peru Fire and EMS, Senica Towing and Illinois Department of Transportation were on the scene to help remove the driver from the crash

SRCCF marks 10 years highlighting funds that heal and inspire

MENDOTA REPORTER

youth regain safety and selfFour funds support mental help worth.

• Maitri Path to Wellness : This fund health, youth and wellness supports trauma-informed wellness and mental health programs that take in the community a holistic approach to healing, offer-

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

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SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com As the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary, it is shining a spotlight on four powerful funds that embody hope, healing and community care.

“These funds don’t just support services – they carry stories, memories and deep purpose,” SRCCF President and CEO Fran Brolley said. “They were born out of people’s desire to bring light to others, even in the midst of their own pain.”

Among the highlighted funds: • Recognize Your Strength : Founded

by Mary Considine, this fund aids children and teens whose parents struggle with substance abuse. It provides mental health counseling, clothing and essential supplies to

ing therapy, mindfulness and education to foster peace and personal restoration.

• Allison McDowell Fund for Mental Health Support: Focused on ending the stigma around mental illness, this fund provides direct aid to individuals and families facing mental health crises.

• Goodnight, Angel Jade Memorial Field of Interest Fund : Dedicated to suicide prevention and emotional health awareness among youth, this fund promotes education and advocacy to transform loss into courage and hope.

“These funds represent the spirit of generosity that has defined the foundation’s work, transforming grief into action, vision into change and love Photo provided by Starved Rock Country Community Foundation into legacy,” Brolley said.

To support SRCCF’s 10th anniver- Mary Considine created the Recognize Your Strength fund to support children and teens whose sary appeal, visit srccf.org/anniver- parents are battling substance abuse. During the holidays, she provides new clothes, shoes and sary-appeal. winter gear to those vulnerable children and teens.

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS AARP driver safety course to be held Oct. 6

The AARP is hosting a driver safety program at Mendota Area Senior Services.

The program will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, and Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the center, 1901 Tom Merwin Drive, Mendota.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is a classroom and online driver refresher course designed for drivers age 50 and older. The program aims to help participants retain their driving competency.

The course will focus on how to navigate changes, review driving strategies, emphasize being smart on the road, look at changing technology, examine the effects of aging on driving and learn about the changes aging residents need to accept.

Upon completion of the course, participants receive a certificate to present to their auto insurance company that may grant a premium discount.

The course fee is $20 for AARP members and $25 for nonmembers. The

• JOB TROUBLES course is free to participants who are enrolled in UnitedHealthcare insurance.

To register, call 815-539-7700.

– Maribeth M. Wilson

Diabetes support group meets Oct. 9 in Mendota A diabetes support group will meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at OSF Health Care’s Saint Paul Medical Center, 1401 E. 12th St., Conference Room C, Mendota.

University of Illinois Extension nutrition educator Susan Glassman and OSF clinical dietitian Jennifer Scully will lead the session, offering diabetes prevention and management advice. Attendees can also sample a Pumpkin Seed Cluster Snack Mix recipe.

Participants are encouraged to register online at go.illinois.edu/diabetessupport or by calling 815-224-0894.

Those needing accommodations should contact Glassman at susang@illinois.edu or 815-224-0889 in advance.

– Shaw Local News Network

Continued from page 17 upheaval, with AI able to complete entry-level work historically given to new graduates.

While the unemployment rate for recent graduates is unusual, it’s important to note that every education group has higher unemployment rates during this period, Strohl said.

“Everybody wants to say ‘It’s AI,’ but I just don’t think we have enough evidence that it is or isn’t,” Strohl said.

Some students are bucking the trend, but only through relentless preparation and leveraging every campus resource available.

After applying to 10-15 jobs, Megan Brand, an NIU Marketing graduate from Frankfort, landed a position as a sales development representative at Stripe. She spent an entire week preparing for a third-round interview in April after making it past two rounds.

“The whole week I was so locked into that,” Brand said. “I would go to class and come back to my apartment and just take notes on Stripe and the company and figure out what answers I would say to possible questions they

would throw at me.”

Brand said the connections she made through NIU’s sales program gave her a boost.

“I was beyond happy about getting the offer because that was something I really was stressed about going into graduation,” Brand said. “I didn’t know how long it might take. I saw people saying they got something right out of college, or it took them months and months to find something in their desired field.”

New graduates are also currently underemployed at higher rates than normal, according to recent reports from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. For some new graduates, taking a job in a different field provides a stepping stone.

Weiland decided to apply to the management training program at Menards after exerting efforts looking for analyst roles typically sought by economics majors.

“I was not expecting to enjoy this job as much as I have,” he said. “If you feel helpless, you’re not alone in that.

You just have to keep going. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but I found something that I really like and I wouldn’t have done that if I gave up.”

25 MENDOTA REPORTER Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Granville’s Rachel Mershon turns 94

By SCOTT ANDERSON sanderson@shawmedia.com

Starved Rock worker has volunteered almost president of the Starved Rock Foundation. “She’s a very trustworthy person.”

Since 2003, the Starved Rock Foundation has recorded more than 111,000 volunteer hours.

Founded in 1991, the nonprofit partners with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to support the park through conservation, education and recreation.

Volunteers lead interpretive hikes, staff the visitor center, organize trail cleanups and coordinate seasonal events. The foundation funds park improvements through memberships, donations and proceeds from the volunteer-run LeRocher Bookstore and Gift Shop.

Over 30 years, the organization has contributed more than $500,000 to enhance the park’s programs, facilities and natural beauty.

At the heart of Starved Rock, Mershon is more than a volunteer; she is a beacon of joy and service.

Asked about her longevity, she smiled: “I don’t want to sit and do nothing, and I love honey.”

MER

On the first day of autumn, the Starved Rock Visitors Center buzzed with warmth and laughter. Rachel Mershon, 94, sat behind the bookstore desk, her eyes twinkling with joy.

Monday was special. Not only was it her birthday, but it also was a celebration of a lifetime devoted to community service.

A Granville resident, Mershon drives 30 minutes every Monday to volunteer at the Starved Rock Visitors Center bookstore. Since it opened in 2003, she has become a beloved fixture.

She shares her passion for local literature and nature with every visitor.

“I just don’t want to stay home,” she said.

She also regularly attends the Putnam County Senior Center in Standard.

A retired junior high teacher from JFK Elementary in Spring Valley, Mershon has logged almost 10,000 volunteer hours – a testament to her dedication.

“Rachel is our treasure; she consistently shows up and loves what she does,” said Pam Grivetti,

Photos by Scott Anderson

TOP LEFT: Rachel Mershon, 94, of Granville smiles Monday while working the desk of the Starved Rock Bookstore inside the Starved Rock Visitors Center. Mershon turned 94 that day, and her fellow staff celebrated her birthday with a candled cake and cupcakes. TOP RIGHT: Rachel Mershon poses for a photo Monday before blowing out the candles on her birthday cake at the Starved Rock Visitors Center. As a former junior high teacher in Spring Valley, Mershon volunteers in the bookstore at the Starved Rock Visitors Center.

ABOVE: Rachel Mershon chats with Starved Rock Foundation President Pam Grivetti while working the desk of the Starved Rock Bookstore on Monday at the Starved Rock Visitors Center. Mershon has driven to the Visitors Center every Monday to volunteer at the park ever since the bookstore opened in 2003.

MENDOTA REPORTER

CROSSWORD

MEDIUM

HARD

ACROSS 1. Native American people of CA 5. Long periods of time (Brit.)

10. Classroom tool 12. Rods 14. One who renews 16. They start the alphabet 18. Periodical (slang) 19. Smooth singer Cole 20. Dorsal sclerites in insects 22. One from Utah 23. The world of the dead 25. Singer Redding 26. Mafia head 27. Wrongly 28. Unhappy 30. Anger 31. Dark olive black 33. Places to sit and eat 35. Made a mistake 37. Damp 38. Banned fuel type 40. Actor Damon 41. What thespians do 42. A polite address for a woman 44. Disallow 45. Swiss river 48. A banana has one 50. Afrikaans 52. Relative biological effectiveness (abbr.)

53. Agave 55. Journalist Tarbell 56. One-time tech leader 57. Incidentally (abbr.)

58. Intestinal bacterium 63. Loose sheats around the spinal cord 65. Accompanies nook 66. Vogue 67. Highly excited DOWN 1. Witch 2. Utilize

3. Writing utensil 4. Where rockers work 5. Becomes less intense 6. Consume 7. Type of catfish 8. “Horsetown, U.S.A.” 9. Atomic #50 10. The Muse of lyric poetry 11. Brings back to life 13. Humorous critiques

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

15. Cool!

17. Worst 18. Wet dirt 21. Useful 23. Hebrew unit of liquid capacity 24. High schoolers’ test 27. Internet device 29. City in India 32. A place to rest

34. Chat responder 35. A way to move on 36. What consumers are given 39. Digital audiotape 40. More (Spanish) 43. Disfigured 44. White (Spanish) 46. Church building 47. Georgia rockers

49. Surgeon’s tool 51. “Much __ about nothing” 54. Make by braiding 59. Local area network 60. Unit of work 61. Indigenous person of Thailand 62. Liquefied natural gas 64. Distance to top

SUDOKU ANSWERS

HARD

Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

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Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA STATE OF ILLINOIS-COUNTY OF LASALLE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN RE THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH J. SASO, deceased Case No. 2025PR000106 Publication Notice and/or Claims Notice Notice is given of the death of Joseph J. Saso, whose address was 219 Meadowlark, Sandwich, IL 60548. Letters of Office were issued on July 24, 2025, to Nora Hurley Marsh, whose address is 200 S. Frontage Rd., Suite 322, Burr Ridge, IL 60527 as Independent Administrator, whose attorney is Nora Hurley Marsh, Ltd., 200 S. Frontage Rd., Suite 322, Burr Ridge, IL 60527.

Notice is given to Jay Saso Printi, and unknown heirs, who are heirs in this cause.

The estate will be administered without Court Supervision, unless under Section 284 of the Probate of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person may terminate independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Circuit Court Clerk Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of Greg Vaccaro, LaSalle County Circuit Clerk, 119 W. Madison Street, Ottawa, IL 61350, or with the representative, or both, on or before APRIL 1, 2026, (date shall not be less than 6 months from the date of the first publication or 3 months from the date of mailing or delivery, whichever is later). Any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Circuit Court Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney, if any, within 10 days after it has been filed with the Circuit Court Clerk.

Name: Nora Hurley Marsh Nora Hurley Marsh, Ltd. Atty No.: 3124735 Attorney for: Nora Hurley Marsh Address: 200 S. Frontage Rd., Suite 322 Burr Ridge, IL 60527 Phone: 630-325-7600 10615-956532 (Published Mendota Reporter Oct. 1, 8, 15, 2025) 956532

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MENDOTA REPORTER

30 VOLLEYBALL: BUREAU VALLEY 2, MENDOTA 1 (22-25, 25-19, 25-17)

Wetzell, Storm rally past Mendota Spikers win first game, Storm take next two

By KEVIN HIERONYMUS khieronymus@shawmedia.com Maddie Wetzell and the Bureau Valley Storm had come too far not to finish the job.

Wetzell hit for two points off Mendota blockers, and sophomore Mya Shipp’s smash put the finishing touches on a 22-25, 25-19, 25-17 victory for the Storm.

“We played two really good games this week. Tonight, we weren’t there mentally and trying to fight back is something I’m proud of,” Wetzell said.

“We’ve struggled with that in the past and just being able to finish the set was really nice.

“The momentum was on our side, so going into the third set we could feel a little more confident and not as rushed.

We were able to use our momentum for the best.”

The win was the Maddie Wetzell third in four nights for the Storm, defeating Annawan on Monday and Abingdon-Avon on Wednesday, evening their record at 11-11.

“That’s where were are. Going into the last half of the season. We [need to] set the tone ... and continue to make strides and win games,” BV coach Saige Barnett said. “As long as we keep getting better and better and playing our best volleyball at the end of October, that’s all that really matters.”

Shipp gave the Storm a 17-15 lead in Game 2 with a kill and Emma Mussche made it a 19-16 with an ace.

Errors by the Spikers sent the Storm to a 24-20 lead before Brynley Doty, another hard-hitting Storm sophomore, spiked the game-winner.

Doty continued her smashes in Game 3 with three straight kills to give the Storm an early 7-6 lead. She hit again for a 16-13 Storm lead, but Mendota’s Mariyah Elam hit for the kill and Harlow Foltnewicz hit a cross from right to left to bring the Spikers within 16-14.

Enter Wetzell, who hit for a 19-16

Photo provided by Jamison Media Services

Senior libero Emily Wright makes a pass for Bureau Valley in Thursday’s match at the Storm Cellar vs. Mendota. The Storm won in three sets.

Storm lead, followed with another kill to make it 22-16.

“That’s what a senior captain, senior leader does. She was called on and she stepped up,” Barnett said. “She proved tonight why she’s a senior outside [hitter]. She’s been through the program.

She’s seen a lot, and it’s starting to pay off for her.”

Barnett, like Wetzell, was pleased to see how the Storm bounced back from the first game loss.

“It showed our ability to bounce back and face some adversity, and how we did it together. How they responded. I think that speaks for the kind of group that they are,” Barnett said.

“We start to see things go our way and control what we can control, and

that’s our side of the net and how we are doing everything that volleyball takes.

It’s communication factor, being fundamentally sound, being locked mentally at the serve line, and the second and third set we did that way better than the first game.”

Mendota coach Demi Salazar said the Spikers (4-15) can take away some positives from the match.

“I would have liked to have the win, but honestly they did OK,” Salazar said.

The Spikers were the comeback kids in the first game. They spotted the Storm a 7-1 lead only to use a 6-0 run to take a 10-8 lead.

BV senior Emily Wright served up two points, including an ace, for a 19-18 Storm edge, and Shipp turned a back set

from setter Libby Endress into a kill for a 20-10 lead.

Elam, a first-year player with state champion high-jumping talent, had two kills and two blocks to send the Spikers to a 25-22 win.

“When Mariyah comes in, it’s a totally different game,” Salazar said.

Shipp led the Storm with 10 kills, with Doty adding nine and Endress seven. Wright ran the back row for 17 digs while Brooke Helms had 12 digs, 11 points with five aces and Emma Mussche had 10 points with three aces and nine digs.

For Mendota, Elam had 13 kills and seven blocks, Laylie Denault had 14 kills, Eva Beetz dished out 19 assists and Zariah Escatel had 21 digs.

31

PREP FOOTBALL: MENDOTA 14, SHERRARD 10

Trojan defense mades defensive stand with 1:40 left in 14-10 win

By KEVIN CHLUM kchlum@shawmedia.com

Kevin Chlum

Corbin Furar “It’s pretty emotional, especially for some of our coaches who are alumni.

We’ve been doing everything the right way. It was just a matter of either not making the mistakes anymore or not making as many as the other team. We still made too many mistakes, and those have to get corrected, but we have a win.

“I’m hoping the kids will believe a little more, and we’ll see where it goes now. It’s a great feeling for me, but I know it’s an even better feeling for these seniors. It’s a great feeling for everybody involved.”

The Trojans trailed 10-7 at halftime

ties pushed the Tigers into a third-andgoal from the 12. Brown ran for 7 yards to set up fourth-and-goal from the 5 with 1:40 left. Mendota called a timeout before the play.

Brown dropped back to pass, and the pass sailed over his intended receiver, whom Tillman covered.

“We thought Brown was going to roll out and he did,” Eustice said. “We made sure we were in the right coverage for that. The kids have to make the play, and fortunately, we made the stand.

What a great feeling.”

The Trojans had two kneel-downs and a 3-yard gain to run out the clock.

Mendota had a strong start to the game after receiving the opening kickoff, which Adrian Arteaga returned to the Sherrard 40.

After an incompletion on the first play, Furar broke free for a 40-yard touchdown run just 25 seconds into the game.

“I saw the hole my linemen made,” Furar said. “They’re improving and getting good. I’ll do my job when they do theirs.

“It was awesome (to start strong).

Our confidence was high. Obviously, we slowed down a little bit, but we bounced back and came out with the victory.”

The Trojans (1-4, 1-2 TRC Mississippi) play Kewanee (0-5, 0-3) next week.

MENDOTA AREA ROUNDUP

Mendota boys golf earns third at Ryder Cup, second at conference meet SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

Boys Golf

At Mendota: The host Trojans scored a 232 to place third in their own Mendota Ryder Cup on Sept. 27 at Mendota Golf Club.

Ottawa won with a tournament record 208, Morris was second with a 224, Bureau Valley (233) finished fourth, Hall (235) was fifth, La Salle-Peru (241) was sixth, Henry-Senachwine (244) was seventh and Princeton (252) was 10th among the 12 teams.

Ottawa 150, Mendota 163: Brody Hartt shot a 39 as the Trojans lost a nonconference dual on Sept. 25 at Mendota

Golf Club.

Jonas Fitzgerald (40), Alex Holland (41) and Tayven Orozco (43) rounded out the scores for Mendota.

At Princeton: Two Mendota golfers placed in the top five to lead the Trojans to a second-place finish in the Three Rivers Conference Tournament on Sept. 23 at Chapel Hill Golf Course.

Riverdale, which had the top three finishers, won with a 309, while Mendota carded a 329. Hall (332) placed third, and Princeton (348) was sixth among the 11 teams.

“Overall, the boys played solid,” Mendota coach David Ross said. “It was a little bit tougher than the course was on Saturday (for the Princeton Invite, which the Trojans won). River-

dale is a really good team in coming in second place to them is nothing to be upset about. We were able to hold off Hall for second place. We also were able to best the Erie and Newman teams that we will see in our regional next week.”

Mendota’s Brody Hartt tied for fifth with a 78, while Ashtyn Stamberger was eighth with an 82. Jonas Fitzgerald shot an 84 for Mendota and Grady Jones added an 85.

Girls Golf

Boys Soccer

Mendota 3, Sterling 0: Cesar Casas, Isaac Diaz and Ramiro Palacios each scored a goal to lead the Trojans to a nonconference victory on Sept. 25 in Mendota.

Mendota 8, Princeton 0: Casas scored three goals and had an assist to lead the Trojans to a Three Rivers Conference victory on Sept. 23 in Princeton.

Diaz had two goals and an assist for Mendota, while Johan Cortez scored two goals and Ozzy Arteaga had a goal.

Erie-Prophetstown 190, Orion 200, New- Girls Volleyball man Central Catholic 236, Mendota 273: At Kewanee def. Mendota 25-18, 25-23: The

Sterling on Sept. 24, Kamilah Preciado Spikers lost a Three Rivers Conference placed 13th as the top finisher for the East Division match on Sept. 23 in Trojans.

Kewanee.

MER

When the clock hit zero, the 11 Mendota players on the field went running and jumping toward the Trojans’ sideline as their teammates and coaches ran in to meet them.

The Trojans had just held on for a 14-10 victory over Sherrard in a Three Rivers Conference Mississippi Division game in Sherrard to snap a 16-game losing streak.

“It feels great,” said Mendota senior Corbin Furar, who scored both the team’s touchdowns. “Losing 16 games, to win this one just feels awesome. It was a good team win. I’m so excited for my team and coaches, and I’m so thankful.”

It was Mendota’s first win since beating Riverdale 35-14 on Sept. 20, 2023.

“Back on Jan. 13, when I accepted the job, I told myself then that when it does happen, just to take it all in and look at all the faces of the players,” firstyear Mendota coach Jim Eustice said.

but took the lead early in the second half.

Sherrard fumbled on its first play of the third quarter, and Mendota senior Aden Tillman pounced on it, giving the Trojans possession at the Tiger 25-yard line.

Five plays later, Furar ran for an 8-yard touchdown that gave Mendota a 14-10 lead after the extra point by Ethan Escatel.

“We talked about not letting them eat a lot of clock, and to get that turnover was huge,” Eustice said. “And then to be able to punch it in was huge. That was a heck of a run by Corbin.”

From there, the Mendota defense came up big.

The Trojans forced a three-and-out on Sherrard’s ensuing drive, and after Mendota threw an interception, the Trojans got a stop on fourth down.

Sherrard’s offense got a boost for its final drive in the fourth quarter when quarterback/running back Carter Brown returned to the lineup after being suspended for the first three quarters following an ejection last week.

He made an immediate impact as he ran for 39 yards on his second play on offense.

The Tigers drove down to the Mendota 3-yard line. Two false start penal-

MENDOTA REPORTER Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Mendota snaps 16-game losing streak with win over Sherrard

SPORTS Mendota’s Kamilah Preciado tees on #2 at Emerald Hill on Sept. 24.

Photo by Alex T. Paschal

MER

Mendtoa Reporter / shawlocal.com • Wednesday, October 1, 2025

MENDOTA REPORTER

32

LETTING IT FLY

See this week’s Mendota sports roundup / 31

Wednesday, October 1, 2025