Putnam County Record_05222024

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Parish mergers, church closures in Illinois Valley announced by Peoria diocese

156 parishes now consolidated to 75

By DEREK BARICHELLO dbarichello@shawmedia.com

The Diocese of Peoria announced Saturday it will merge 156 parishes into 75 parishes with 127 worship sites, and in the process, close a handful of churches in La Salle, Bureau, Putnam, Marshall and Livingston counties.

St. Francis of Assisi in Ottawa, St. Joseph in Wedron, St. Mary in Peru, St. Patrick in Ransom, St. Mary in Grand Ridge, Sts. Peter and Paul in Leonore, St. Patrick in Arlington, Immaculate Conception in Ohio, Illinois, St. Mary in Tiskilwa, St. John the Baptist in Lostant, St. Joseph in Henry and St. Joseph in Flanagan are among the churches that will no longer be in use. These churches no longer will be used for liturgical purposes. It would be a separate process carried out by the diocese to formally relegate a worship space so that it can be made available for another use or for sale, the diocese said.

The changes go into effect July 1.

The newly-designated parishes will be overseen by 71 diocesan and religious order pastors, according to the diocese. These modifications include the merging of 12 parishes into neighboring parishes and 107 parishes being merged to create 38 new parishes. All of the new parishes are asked to evaluate their schedule of Masses, their programs of pastoral care and evangelization even in parishes where there is no change to the pastor or parish structure – some parishes have been given 12 months, others up to 36 months to accomplish these goals. Every parish is being challenged to be more intentional in cultivating disciples, the diocese said.

In the next 10 years, the diocese may have fewer than 100 active priests, it said. Currently, there are more parishes than diocesan priests serving in parishes, the diocese said.

For informational data provided by the diocese, visit growingdisciplescdop. org/numbers and growingdisciplescdop.org/faq for frequently asked questions.

Bishop Louis Tylka said in an online video the “necessary changes” are designed to create a more vibrant, mission driven and sustainable church for growing disciples with the diocese that covers 17,000 miles across 26 counties. Tylka said a study called Growing Disciples was started two years ago with the

mission of renewing the church. He said the process on merging parishes and closing churches was thorough, using hard data and examining numbers of baptisms, funerals, parishioners, maintenance costs, church budgets, geography and population trends, among other items. He also said a church’s story was taken into consideration.

Baptism and marriage trends within the diocese reflect the national landscape, as they are half of what they were 20 years ago.

Five criteria or considerations shaped the parish models, according to the diocese. They are: Evangelization Potential, including vibrant liturgies and expanded outreach and ministry; Geography and demographics with no priest or lay person needing to travel more than 30 minutes to attend Mass; Natural affinities and past collaboration among parishes; Long-term sustainability including having the necessary scale and resources for lay leadership, evangelization and financial sustainability; feedback of priests and the faithful. In addition, the size and physical conditions of parish buildings were considered.

Tylka said he is aware the closing of a parish can weigh heavily on a churchgoer’s mind, causing sadness. He said he is hopeful parishioners can see the change is necessary to reach a wider mission and “bring new life to the church.”

Merges are listed (by primary church in bold):

Holy Cross, Mendota with St. Theresa of Avila, Earlville and St. Peter and Paul, Peterstown.

Holy Family, Oglesby with St. Mary, Utica. St. Thomas More, Dalzell with St. Patrick, Arlington and Holy Trinity, Cherry.

St. Louis, Princeton with St. John the Evangelist, Walnut, Immaculate Conception, Ohio, Ill. and St. Mary, Tiskilwa.

Nativity of our Lord, Spring Valley with St. Mary, DePue.

St. Hyacinth, La Salle with Queen of the Holy Shrine and St. Patrick, both La Salle.

Sacred Heart, Granville with St. Patrick, Hennepin.

St. Mary, Wenona with St. Ann, Toluca, St. Patrick, Minonk and St. John the Baptist, Lostant.

St. Columba, Ottawa with St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Joseph, Wedron. Masses will continue at St. Francis of Assisi until St. Columba is renovated and Masses will continue at St. Joseph while Father Waugh is available.

St. John XXIII, Henry with Immaculate Conception, Lacon. Primary worship will be at St. Mary Church in Henry.

St. Joseph, Chenoa with St. Joseph, Flanagan and St. Mary, Lexington.

St. Joseph, Marseilles with St. Patrick, Seneca, St. Patrick, Ransom, St. Mary, Grand Ridge and Sts. Peter and Paul, Leonore.

St. Valentine, Peru with St. Joseph, Peru and St. Mary, Peru.

St. Patrick, Dwight with St. Paul, Odell. St. Michael the Archangel, Streator , no change. Streator parishes merged in 2010 and Immaculate Conception and St. Stephen churches have since been closed and deemed no longer churches, with Immaculate Conception sold.

Photo provided

St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa is one of a handful of churches that are slated to close with the recent announcement of parish restructuring in the Diocese of Peoria.

PCJH hosts Civil War Amazing Race for students

Students took part in themed challenges with reenactors

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The 48 seventh grade students competed in the Civil War Amazing Race at Putnam County Junior High.

From May 7 to May 9, they completed Civil War themed challenges and received clues to their next destinations to lead them to a check-in station. Each challenge pertained to a battle or event related to the Civil War. Challenges ranged from obstacle courses simulating military training and bandaging injuries to reciting the Gettysburg Address while dressed as President Abraham Lincoln. Students completed pie charts relating to math, an experiment relating to science and a timeline relating to social studies.

Each day, as students rushed to the finish line they were greeted by Civil War reenactors. Tuesday’s reenactors were three Southern Confederate soldiers, part of the Missouri Guerrillas unit. Harriet Tubman was at the finish line on Wednesday. President and First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln celebrated the teams on Thursday. After lunch, each of the reenactors presented a short program.

The Putnam County Education Foundation helped fund the reenactors and provide lunches for them as well as medals and a special lunch for the top three teams. The school also purchased some new supplies and updated some of the stations. The Putnam County PTO also provided funds for one of the reenactors. The staff at PCJH worked hard to make the Civil War Amazing Race a memorable experience for all the students, the school said in a news release.

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The 48 seventh grade students competed in the Civil War Amazing Race at Putnam County Junior High from May 7 to May 9.

IVCC’s EMS trainees receive special token at graduation

By PEGGY SCHNEIDER Shaw Local News Network correspondent

Some of Nick Fish’s memories as an active emergency responder still take his breath away. So, on top of preparing his Illinois Valley Community College students to save others, he wanted to offer them first aid for themselves.

After his Emergency Medical Services students completed their final hands-on clinical exam this spring, he gave each of them a badge of identity, unity and achievement called a Challenge Coin.

The tradition originated in the military commemorating shared service, commitment and camaraderie and has been adopted by U.S. presidents, emergency responders and businesses.

IVCC’s brass Challenge Coin resembles others in that one side features the emergency services program and the IVCC shield. But the flip side strays from tradition – it contains a phone number, a name and the invitation, “Sometimes you just gotta talk.”

Fish hopes the coin prompts conversations among crisis responders, reminds them to take care of their own mental health and supplies them

with a resource to talk to, anonymously.

In the classroom, Fish relives his own active-duty experiences as he relates examples to students.

“There have been times when I’ve had to pause the class and take a moment to gather my thoughts and deal with it – again,” Fish said. “I worry about that with our students,” some of whom are just out of high school with little to brace them for

the impact of what they’ll encounter in their careers. Still others are volunteers in their units.

Daily trauma and stress can lead to mental health issues and burnout, aggravating a workforce already stretched thin by staff shortages. Classroom training concentrates on life-saving techniques for the moment rather than resiliency or coping skills for the aftermath, Fish said.

“We focus so much on providing care for everyone else we forget to take care of ourselves,” Fish said.

He wants to banish the stigma that admission demeans the individual or dishonors the profession. Decades ago, Dave Van Laar was an active-duty EMT and firefighter who struggled. Now, as the La Salle County Sheriff’s Department chaplain, he administers aid and comfort instead of CPR.

His latest role found him again at accident and fire scenes, watching crews battle inner demons after fires and road accidents. He had created tokens with his contact information, but after meeting Fish through presentations and activities, the two determined to produce a Challenge Coin jointly.

“Responders ... We’re expected to fix it and walk away. We respond, clean up and go away. Some things you can’t fix,” Van Laar said.

He’s also known as “Chappie,” which is the contact that appears on the coin. The chaplain title isn’t spiritual, he said.

“No other title fits,” Van Laar said. “Right now, crisis counselor, that’s what I do. A lot of it is just listening

See CHALLENGE COIN, page 12

to hail while also boosting energy efficiency and curb appeal. It’s not only the best protection you can get for your home, but it’s also designed to last a lifetime.

Photo provided by Peggy Schneider, IVCC Community Relations

One side of the coins features the Illinois Valley Community College and program logo and the flip side includes Chaplain Dave Van Laar’s contact information.

PC Rotary awards 5 Putnam County High School students

Putnam County Rotary presented five awards to deserving high school students at the Putnam County awards assembly May 1. Each award recognizes academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and community service.

The club’s Knute Hammel Memorial Scholarship award recognizes a student intending to further their education in business practices. This year’s $500 award was presented to Gabrielle Doyle, whose plans include Illinois Valley Community College and a career in business or finance.

The club’s Bill Klein Memorial Scholarship recognizes a student whose qualities include such drive and determination as past Club President Bill Klein had demonstrated to be the keys to personal, as well as vocational success, during his life. The $500 award was earned by Hannah Gorisek, who has shown commitment and determination in community service through volunteer work with Public Action to Deliver Shelter and Illinois Valley Animal Rescue as well as involvement in other school extracurriculars, attending IVCC full time while still in high

school. Gorisek intends to pursue further education in psychology or therapy.

Two students each earned this year’s $500 Co-Op Student of the Year Award, annually recognizing a student who has excelled in the school’s workschool cooperative program.

Emma Henderson’s work experience was earned as an assistant dispatcher at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office – an adventurous prelude to her

studies in criminal justice at IVCC.

Josh Dove learned the ropes as a future operating engineer, working for Central Illinois Equipment Sales with plans to further his education in that field at IVCC next year.

Each employer also is recognized with a plaque in appreciation for their student guidance and participation in the co-op project.

The club’s final award honors a student whose community service and

student leadership accomplishments, earns the club’s highest honor for student “service above self.” Jacob Edens, a PCHS junior, deserves the honors, having served this past year as PCHS Interact president and having participated in every Interact project and event. Edens proves that students can, and do, make a difference through service above self. In his honor, the club presented a donation to the Rotary-sponsored PCHS Interact Club.

Photo provided by Scott Shore

Recipients of Putnam County Rotary Awards include (from left) Emma Henderson, Jacob Edens, Josh Dove, Gabrielle Doyle and Hannah Gorisek. The award presentations were made by Rotary President Adriane Shore and Club Secretary Scott Shore.

Flooring

Fike family establishes scholarship for students in IVCC’s Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity

Scholarship honors Fike’s advocacy for people with disabilities

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

The Fike family has established a $60,000 fund to provide scholarships to students participating in Illinois Valley Community College’s Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity.

The Donald Fike Family Scholarship honors Fike’s advocacy for people with disabilities. Fike was the first executive director of Horizon House of Illinois Valley and later launched a business in Galesburg that developed housing for people with disabilities and for senior citizens.

He remains a leading advocate for zoning laws for housing for people with disabilities, advocacy which led to the first federal test case regarding amendments to The Fair Housing Act.

During his nine years at Horizon House, Fike established a work activity center, a sheltered workshop, various residential programs and a summer program for kids. He also worked with La Salle-Peru High School to establish the first program in the state in which people identified as Trainable Mentally Handicapped (a term used at the time) received regular high school diplomas.

“This scholarship will honor and continue Don’s lifetime work to improve the lives of people with disabilities. IVCC students who participate in The Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity will receive support for years to come,” said Tracy Beattie, Executive Director of the IVCC Foundation.

The scholarship will help strengthen The Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity’s mission of empowering diverse learners. “Awards that are dedicated to this group of students help them see that diversity is valued and difference is embraced,” coordinator Tina Hardy said. “Being awarded a scholarship is a vote of confidence that can help students see their possibilities, increase their motivation and encourage them to move more readily toward their dreams.”

Annually, between 150 to 200 students receive services – accommodations, coaching, strategy instruction, and resource referrals – that help them find support and encouragements for reaching their academic and personal goals. Students with physical, sensory, cognitive and mental health diagnoses that create barriers to the educational process are served through the office.

Fike is a native of Tonica and graduate of IVCC.

Photo provided by Peggy Schneider, IVCC Community Relations

Donald Fike and his family have established a scholarship fund for students served by the Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity. Fike, who is shown here with Illinois Valley Community College Foundation Executive Director Tracy Beattie, has been a leading advocate for people with disabilities in Illinois and the Illinois Valley.

Illinois Valley Community College to host summer youth camps

Robotics, art, space exploration, fishing among options

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

Illinois Valley Community College’s popular summer camps for children and teens will get underway again this summer, centering on robotics, art, space exploration, fishing, welding, animation, culinary arts, artificial intelligence, CAD design, agriculture and several other themes.

Thirty-five in-person Ed’Venture camps will be offered on campus in Oglesby and at Nell’s Woodland in Ottawa. Another 20-plus camps are offered live online through the Black Rocket technology company.

“IVCC summer camps provide a fun, educational environment with a focus on team building, positive social experience and academic enrichment,” Community Program Manager Kim Koehler said in a news release.

The summer schedule includes new programs such as AI Adven -

tures and Culinary Chemists, Koehler said.

“In AI Adventures, participants will use cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence to design fully interactive games and experiences,” she said. “In Culinary Chemists, participants will journey into a world of edible science experiments.”

Popular programs returning this summer include:

• Space Camp, which features a science project, story and craft time, rocket making and a special guest visitor from NASA.

• Camp Kindness, which focuses on character building activities, team-building, civic mindedness, acts of kindness and problem solving.

• Fish Tales, where students will learn fishing skills in the classroom and practice them on field trips.

A full list of camps can be found at ivcc.edu/summercamp.

Full Black Rocket camp descriptions and online registration information can be found at blackrocket. com/online/ivc.

Teens aged 13 to 17 can explore careers such as health, manufacturing/automotive, cybersecurity, agriculture and welding.

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Shaw Local News Network file photo

Declan Kulpa shaves down a leg for a side table July 28, 2023, during the SPARK Junior Welding program, part of Illinois Valley Community College’s summer camp program.

A CLOSER LOOK Cicadas are coming

What national experts say you should know about the noisy insects

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

Matt Bertone, director of the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic and member of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University, said it’s been 221 years since this ecological event has taken place.

“This is the first time since 1803 that Brood XIII, mostly in Illinois, and Brood XIX, widespread but mostly in the south, have seen each other. There are

years where two broods emerge, but this is a

Bertone said in an email to Shaw Local News Network.

T.J. Rauls plants rosebushes in his yard in Macon, Georgia, on March 27. While digging

holes, Rauls unearthed a periodical cicada nymph and named it Bobby. See CICADAS, page 12

CLASS OF 2024 INDUCTEE

CLASS OF 2024 INDUCTEE DISTINGUISHED MEDIA AWARD

CLASS OF 2024 IN TEE

TOM MCGINNIS

Putnam County High School Class of 2024 graduates

By SCOTT ANDERSON sanderson@shawmedia.com

Photo submitted by Tom McGinnis

Photos by Scott Anderson TOP: Putnam County High School graduates enter the gymnasium Sunday for the ceremony. ABOVE: Salutatorian Megan Wasilewski delivers a speech to the Putnam County Class

CLASS OF 2024 INDUCTEE

CLASS OF 2024 INDUCTEE LANNY SELVIN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

CLASS

Photo submitted by Cheryl Mosqueda

Photos by Scott Anderson

Putnam County High School graduates stand to be recognized during graduation on Sunday, May 19, at the high school’s gymnasium.

ABOVE: Valedictorian Alexander Myres delivers a speech to the Putnam County Class of 2024 during graduation on Sunday at Putnam County High School. BELOW: Putnam County High School graduates stand to be recognized during graduation on Sunday during a ceremony in the school’s gymnasium.

Periodical cicadas are known for hatching from eggs in tree branches and then digging holes in the ground, where they pass through five juvenile stages before emerging from the soil years later.

Brood XIII, known as the northern Illinois brood, emerges from the ground every 17 years, and Brood XIX, known as the great southern brood, emerges every 13 years, according documents from University of Connecticut. While 13-year and 17-year broods emerge at the same time with some regularity –the next occurrence will be in 2037 – it’s rare for two large broods that cover an area adjacent or overlapping one-another to emerge at the same time.

The two broods will combine to cover an area spanning 17 states, but they are not expected to co-occur across a widespread area. In Illinois, Springfield is mostly likely to experience both broods, while DeKalb County and the rest of northern Illinois are more likely to predominately see Brood XIII later this spring.

University of Connecticut Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology professor Chris Simon, whose research focuses on the systematics, evolution and biogeography of cicadas, said the 2024 periodical cicada emergence will be “a wonderful spectacle” and “a fantastic educational opportunity for young people, especially budding biologists.”

Birds and other predators will benefit from the emergence, viewing the periodical cicadas as an additional food source, and dead cicadas will act like fertilizer for the soil, Simon said.

While the two broods are expected to emerge across a large swath of the country, Simon said that doesn’t mean the entire midwest and southeast will see large numbers of the noisy insects at the same time.

“In the south they started in midApril and as you go north they start later,” Simon said in an email to Shaw Local News Network. “They were

They will probably come out next week and if not then the week after. Hard to say but the lack of ice on some midwest lakes this winter suggests they will come early (next week).”

Chris Simon

already coming out in the St. Louis area two days ago and continue to do so. In northern Illinois and the Chicago area sightings are still mostly underground nymphs that have not come out yet. They will probably come out next week and, if not, then the week after. Hard to say but the lack of ice on some midwest lakes this winter suggests they will come early [next week].”

Bertone wrote that cicadas emerge when ground temperatures at a certain depth reach 64 degrees, causing the insects to emerge at different times –even within a single brood. Once they’ve emerged, cicadas will be around for about a month before the end of their life cycle.

“Because emergence dates differ in different regions, it’s hard to predict how long they will be active. However, the adults typically only live about 3-4 weeks, so that can be used to estimate when they will begin to subside after emergence,” Bertone wrote.

Simon said people with small trees should take care to cover them with netting, to cicadas from laying eggs on the tree, but Simon and Bertone said the periodical critters – capable of making sounds as loud as 90 decibels when in large numbers – are generally not dangerous to humans and vegetation .

“It could perhaps affect some activities, but not a lot. Some wood, perennial crops, like blueberries, grapes, apples ... are plants that can be affected by cicadas, but it depends on the density of individuals laying eggs in the plants and how much mechanical damage they do,” Bertone said.

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

Methodist churches to host blood drive in McNabb

The Methodist churches will host a Red Cross Community Blood Drive in McNabb from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, June 17, at Goldasich Hall in the McNabb Fire Department, 391 North Route 89.

Participation offers a chance for repeat and first-time donors to help others in need, with their donation of blood. All blood types save lives.

For appointments, call 1-800-7332767 or register online using RapidPass at redcrossblood.org.

• CHALLENGE COIN

Continued from page 4

and referring people to other help. Just talking through something can be helpful – just being there in those tough situations.”

Van Laar knows at least one deputy who has collected 40 or 50 Challenge Coins. Besides being a lifeline to help, he and Fish envision the IVCC coins reinforcing fellowship and alliance, becoming talismans, keepsakes, prized possessions – and

Illinois Valley Democrats to meet May 23 in La Salle

The Illinois Valley Democrats (La Salle, Bureau, Putnam counties) are scheduled to meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at the La Salle VFW, 2325 Donahue St.

The meeting is to strategize to get all Democratic candidates elected. All Democrats are invited and encouraged to attend. Food can be purchased through the La Salle VFW.

–ShawLocalNewsNetwork

reminders of that important peer support.

“Talking is a form of therapy. It’s important to be able to sit together after a call and to be OK with saying, ‘That messed with me,’” Fish said.

“We don’t control the outcomes,” Van Laar said. “I try to help first responders understand their emotions are normal, they happen. It’s OK to have those emotions but to realize we can get through them.

“That’s something I didn’t have 40 years ago.”

Dysart-Cofoid

IVCC holds 58th annual commencement

Photos by MaKade Rios for Shaw Media

LEFT: Graduates celebrate by high-fiving during the Illinois Valley Community College’s commencement ceremony on Saturday in Oglesby. ABOVE:

smiles

SPORTS

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

1997: The Chicago Bulls win the lowest-scoring playoff game in NBA history, a 75-68 victory over the Miami Heat. The 143 combined points were two fewer than the previous postseason low set by Syracuse and Fort Wayne in 1955.

SOFTBALL: NEWMAN 4, PUTNAM COUNTY 1

Johns strikes out 14, pitches Newman past PC in regional final

Johns gets out of bases-loaded jam in the seventh to preserve 4-1 win

By BETHANY NEWSOME

Shaw Local News Network correspondent

GRANVILLE – Jessalin Johns struck out 14 and got out of bases-loaded jams in the second and seventh innings, and Newman – despite being outhit – beat Putnam County 4-1 in Saturday’s Class 1A Putnam County Regional final.

Putnam County, which outhit Newman 10-8, loaded the bases with none out in the seventh, but Johns shut the door as the Lady Comets advanced to Tuesday’s sectional semifinal at Williamsfield against West Central.

“I was feeling like I just wanted to get balls in the strike zone, just get the

balls across the plate and have the girls back me up like they did,” Johns said. “I just tried to keep it cool in my brain, especially in that stressful situation.”

Johns struck out the first five batters she faced. After Putnam County loaded the bases in the second inning, Johns got out of the jam with her sixth strikeout.

“I feel very happy (with the strikeouts) and confident in her ability,” Newman coach Madison Koerner said. “She handles herself well in the circle and it’s great to have her going into the postseason throwing how she is.”

Newman scored three of its four runs in the bottom of the first, setting the tone early in the game.

Newman’s Madison Duhon doubled, and Lucy Oetting singled to

right field to score Duhon with the first run of the game.

After an error allowed Ameya Rodriguez to get on base, Brenleigh Cook hit a pop fly to left field for the second out, allowing Oetting to tag up and score from third for a 2-0 Newman lead. Putnam County’s pitcher senior Paxton Stunkel and her defense got the last two outs of the inning, but not before Rodriguez scored the Lady Comets’ third run. Newman tacked on a fourth run in the bottom of the fourth, Sophia Ely driving in Addison Foster.

When Johns, a Sauk Valley Community College commit, wasn’t recording strikeouts, her defense helped her out. Johns took a shutout into the sixth inning, when Putnam County’s Valeria Villagomez hit a line drive out to the center field fence

giving Maggie Richetta the chance to score.

Villagomez led her team with three hits, including two doubles and a single, with one RBI. Stunkel, who threw every single pitch for the Lady Panthers this season, along with shortstop Gabby Doyle. Richetta, Sarah Johnson and Salina Breckenridge all recorded hits for Putnam County, which graduates six of its nine starters.

“I asked all of the girls to fight every single time and every time we were up to bat we had a lot of runners on, we just couldn’t develop anything and that’s all I asked them to do,” Putnam County coach Adrianna Zeman said. “I thought we did great with that.”

Duhon led Newman with three hits, and Foster had two doubles. Rodriguez, Oetting and Sam Ackman also had hits for the Lady Comets.

Shaw Local News Network file photo

Salina Breckenridge and the Putnam County softball team lost to Sterling Newman in the 1A regionals for the second year in a row, falling 4-1 in Friday’s championship game in Granville.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

PC alumna Kaitlyn Edgcomb to coach St. Bede

By KEVIN CHLUM kchlum@shawmedia.com

St. Bede has hired Kaitlyn Edgcomb as the school’s next volleyball coach.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity, and I’m so excited that I get to continue my coaching career at St. Bede and be part of the community there,” Edgcomb said.

Edgcomb served as Illinois Valley Community College’s volleyball coach for the 2023 season. The Putnam County graduate played volleyball at IVCC.

“I decided to go for the job at St. Bede because I saw an opportunity to bring in a fresh perspective to the game,” Edgcomb said. “I would say I’m more of the ‘old school’ type of coaching style because that’s what I grew up with. But I also bring a fun and relaxing vibe to the game. I don’t really think the transition will be hard and the girls and I will get along just fine.

“I’m hoping to bring my positive energy into the program and watch the girls progress as the season goes on. I’m there to help them better their game and excel in their positions.”

She coached the Eagles to a 13-9 record and a 6-4 mark in the Arrowhead Conference after taking over a team that went 4-29 the previous season.

“I really think coaching at IVCC will be beneficial to the program at St. Bede,” Edgcomb said. “With having the experience as a player and a coach, I know where the girls need to be if they want to continue on to the college level. I plan on running the girls through college workouts so

AREA ROUNDUP

they know what to expect at the college level. I also plan on running different rotations so we will be a hard team to read on the court.”

Edgcomb takes over for Abbi Bosnich, who resigned after leading her alma mater for four seasons. Bosnich coached the Bruins to a regional championship in 2021, their first since 2001.

“Our administrative team is excited to bring Kaitlyn onto our coaching staff,” St. Bede athletic director Michael Armato said in a news release. “We expect her to bring much energy to the program and operate in a fashion which promotes what our young ladies may expect should they decide to play beyond high school. Additionally, we expect coach Edgcomb to continue to challenge all of the students involved in the program to become better players and people each and every day.

“The volleyball program has traditionally experienced strong numbers of young ladies participating each fall. Kaitlyn and her staff will work to continue that trend as well as work to build upon the foundation set forth from previous coaches before them.”

St. Bede went 13-18-1 last season, including 5-4 in its first season back in the Tri-County Conference.

“Some of the goals I have for the upcoming season would be to get the girls into the position where they feel like they are in a competitive yet comfortable environment,” Edgcomb said. “I am a pretty competitive person, so I really want to see the girls succeed this season. I’m really hoping the girls will feed off the energy I bring and put that on the court. I’m looking to grab a regional title this year and I think that’s not a hard goal to reach with all of the girls putting in the work.”

Putnam’s Rodriguez wins sectional title in shot put, discus

SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com

Putnam County sophomore Alex Rodriguez won both throws at the Class 1A Deer Creek-Mackinaw Track & Field Sectional on Thursday, May 16, to qualify for state in both events.

Rodriguez won with tosses of 14.36 meters in the shot put and 43.97 in the discus.

He will compete in the IHSA state meet prelims in Charleston on Thursday.

Hall senior Caleb Bickett advanced to state in two individual events and a relay.

He placed second in the 100-meter dash (11.55) and the 200 (23.13) and ran with Ryan Bosi, Joseph Bacidore and Jeremy Smith to finish second in the 4x100 relay (44.95).

Bosi also qualified in the triple jump with a second-place leap of 12.09.

BASEBALL

Midland 5, Putnam County 2 (12 inn.): The No. 9 Timberwolves scored three runs in the top of the 12th inning to beat the No. 8 Panthers in a Class 1A St. Bede Regional quarterfinal in Granville in a game that started Monday, May 23, and was finished Wednesday, May 25, due to weather.

Drew Carlson went 2 for 5 with a run for PC (7-19), while Miles Main tripled, scored a run and drove

in a run.

Main took the loss in relief.

SOFTBALL

Putnam County 4, Peoria Christian 2: Paxton Stunkel went 1 for 3 with a run and pitched a complete game to help the No. 4-seeded Lady Panthers past the No. 5 Chargers in a Class 1A Putnam County Regional semifinal May 25 in Granville.

Stunkel gave up two runs (one earned) on eight hits with six strikeouts and one walk.

Salina Breckenridge was 1 for 2 with an RBI, while Kylee Moore scored two runs.

The Lady Panthers (10-14) advanced to the title game against No. 1 Newman.

Alex Rodriguez

Kaitlyn Edgcomb

Shaw Local News Network file photo

Former Putnam County player and IVCC coach Kaitynn Edgcomb has been named the new head volleyball coach at St. Bede Academy.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

Magnolia Township and Road District

NOTICE IS GIVEN that Tentative Budget & Appropriation Ordinances for Magnolia Township and the Magnolia Township Road District, Putnam Co., IL for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2024 & ending March 31, 2025 are available for public inspection at the Magnolia Township Building, 210 N. Bloomington St., Magnolia, IL NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that Public Hearings on the Township and Road District Tentative Budget & Appropriation Ordinances will be held at 6:30 PM on June 26, 2024 at the Magnolia Township Building, 210 N Bloom ington St., Magnolia, IL & final action on the Budget & Appropriation Ordinances will be taken by the Town Board at a meeting to be held at that time & place.

Dan Baum, Town Clerk

(Published in Putnam County Record May 22, 2024) 2165505

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Village of Mark, Illinois will meet, vote, and hear public comment at 6:00 P.M. on June 10, 2024, in, the Mark Village Hall at 2 Park Street, Mark, Illinois, for the purpose of considering the USES application subm itted to the Village of Mark, Illinois by Cornbelt Energy. By order of the Council of the Village of Mark, Illinois. By: Gatza & Milus P.C. 3808 Progress Blvd. Ste. B Peru, IL 61354 P: (815) 220- 0900 F: (815) 780- 8346

(Published in Putnam County Record May 22, 2024) 2165527

IT C OURT OF THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCU IT PU TNAM C OUNT Y, ILLINOIS

ESTATE OF DARLENE L. SIEGMAN, deceased

Case No. 2 024 PR4 CLAIMS NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of DARLENE L. SIEGMAN, deceased, 108 W Lafayette Street, Magnolia, Putnam County, Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on May 1, 2024, to Linda C. Holz, 500 Pine Street, Varna, Illinois, 61375, whose attorney is Ryan J. Anderson, 611 Second Street, P.O. Box 174, Henry, IL 61537.

Claims against the Estate may be filed in the Office of the Clerk of said Court at the Putnam County Courthouse, 120 N 4th Street, Hennepin, IL 61327, on or before November 15, 2024, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representative is required by 755 ILCS 5/18-3, the date stat ed in that notice

Any claim not filed on or before said date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representative within 10 days after it has been filed and proof of such mailing must be filed with the Court.

Dated: May 15, 2024

Linda C. Holz

Independent Executor of the Estate of Darlene L. Siegman, deceased

Ryan J. Anderson

Attorney for the Executor 611 Second Street, PO Box 174, Henry, IL 61537 (309)364- 2354

(Published in Putnam County Record May 15, 22, 29, 2024)2164458

The Marshall- Putnam River Conservancy District will hold regular meetings commencing at 7:00 P.M. on the second Thursday of July, September and November of 2024 and January, April and May of 2025. The July, November and April meetings will be at the Marshall County Courthouse and the September, January and May meetings will be at the Putnam County Courthouse.

(Published in Putnam County Record May 22, 2024) 2165843

of the MarshallPutnam River Conservancy District in the counties of Marshall and Putnam in the State of Illinois, being first sworn on his oath, deposes and says that the following statem

and sworn to before me this 11th day of May, 2024.

Ronald Bruch, Secretary/Treasurer (Published in Putnam County Record May 22, 2024) 2165840