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Putnam County Public Library District teams up with Chiefs, Rivermen to promote reading
By KEVIN HIERONYMUS khieronymus@shawmedia.com
The Putnam County Public Library District is teaming up with the Peoria Rivermen hockey and the Peoria Chiefs minor league baseball teams to offer young readers a thrilling reward as part of the 2025 “Color Our World – Summer Reading Program.”
Participants who read three books over the summer will be eligible to receive a free or discounted ticket to an upcoming Rivermen game and a Chiefs game on Friday, Aug. 29.
Once the reading goal is met, participants can visit any Putnam County Public Library branch to pick up a ticket order form. Eligible participants can pick up a Chiefs ticket order form from Aug. 1-8. Completed
forms must be submitted to the Peoria Chiefs box office no later than two weeks before the game in order to receive the free ticket.
These partnerships encourage literacy while offering a fun and engaging incentive for children to continue reading all summer long.
For information, call the Putnam County Public Library District at 815339-2038.
Illinois turkey hunters have record spring harvest
By KEVIN HIERONYMUS khieronymus@shawmedia.com
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois turkey hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 18,189 wild turkeys during the 2025 spring turkey season.
This year’s total compares with the previous record total of 17,208 turkeys harvested in 2024.
The top five counties for the spring harvest were Jo Daviess, (628), Jefferson (518), Pike (468), Marion (428) and Pope (425).
Bureau County (195) and La Salle County (111) reported the same harvest as last year.
Other counties’ harvest compared to last year were Henry
LOCAL NEWS BRIEF
IVCC to begin summer schedule June 13
Illinois Valley Community College will begin its summer schedule on Friday, June 13.
Both the Oglesby and Ottawa campuses
County (153/131), Lee County (113/112) and Whiteside County (212/167).
The 2025 total includes the record youth spring turkey season harvest of 2,099 birds, which compares with the previous record of 2,010 birds set in 2024.
This year 89,687 permits were sold compared with 86,083 last year.
Spring turkey hunting was open in 100 of Illinois’ 102 counties. The 2025 regular season dates were April 7 through May 8 in the south zone and April 14 through May 15 in the north zone. The 2025 youth spring turkey season was March 29-30 and April 5-6 statewide.
will be closed on Fridays from June 13 through Aug. 1.
In addition, the college will be closed Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth, and Thursday, July 3, ahead of the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 4.
IVCC will return to its regular five-day schedule the week of Aug. 4.
Campus Preview orientation for new students is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15. Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 18. Registration for fall courses remains open.
Photo provided
A wild turkey walks across a field May 3 at Big Bend State Fish & Wildlife Area between Prophetstown and Erie
Wedding season is in full swing in the community
We have entered the month of June. Oh, goodness, I am actually getting nervous with the wedding of my daughter Verena and Daniel Ray being in 18 days. I have not done much grocery shopping yet. I am still working on my list. It takes a lot of brain work to figure out all the ingredients you need to make over 1,000 meals for the wedding day. And, of course, it does not help being another year older. Ha!
I want to thank everyone for all the nice birthday wishes, cards, gifts, etc. Also, a thank you to my precious children for their lovely tributes to me. I thank God for blessing me with children who are so thoughtful and show me such great love. It is not easy being a mother, but I do the best I can. I remember my mother always saying that it takes a lot of prayers to raise a family. I fully understood what she meant not far into motherhood.
I had a lovely birthday on May 22. Our whole family came in honor of my birthday on May 25. They brought supper in so I didn’t have to cook. We had a delicious meal by the time everybody brought something. Nephew Ben and Crystal brought me a nice supply of radishes from their garden. I love those first radishes from the garden. I planted mine later this year, so they aren’t ready yet.
Last night we were invited to our niece Elizabeth and Manuel’s for supper. They invited all the church families back for supper, as they hosted church services again. Two weeks ago, they also hosted church services. We were also invited to go to Daniel Ray’s parents’ for supper. They also hosted church services at their house.
Last week, one afternoon and evening, quite a few men from our church district gathered to put a fence up in daughter Loretta and Dustin’s field. They worked until the fences were all up and the gates all hung. This was greatly appreciated by Dustin and Loretta. They are quite busy raising three children, all under age 3. There is not a lot of extra time to do these jobs. Congratulations to our neighbor girl, Marianna, and Matthew. They had a nice wedding on May 23. We also attended the 5 o’clock meal at the wedding of Dave and Linda on May 29, Ascension Day. Congratulations to
them as well. We have another wedding invitation on June 19, the day before Verena and Daniel Ray’s wedding. It is another neighbor girl, Loranna, and Leon. I am doubtful that we will make it with Verena’s wedding the next day. We wish all three couples a long, happy married life, and with God as their guide.
Tomorrow night we plan to attend the kindergarten graduation of grandson Timothy, or TJ, the son of daughter Elizabeth and Tim. Time has a way of slipping by.
On Saturday, we have our family and Daniel Ray’s family coming to help prepare for the wedding. Lots of jobs should get done. The list includes cleaning the barns, power washing the house, trimming the fences, washing windows in the house and barn, and generally getting the barn cleaned so tables can be set up the following Saturday.
We have had a lot of meals of asparagus this season fixed in many different ways. The season of asparagus is coming
to an end. Next in season are strawberries. I would like to make strawberry freezer jam, which is our favorite jam. My rhubarb plants are doing very good this year, and I canned 38 quarts of rhubarb juice last week. Enjoy!
God’s blessings!
Rhubarb Juice
8 pounds rhubarb, washed and diced
8 quarts water
2 (12-ounce) cans frozen orange juice
2 (46-ounce) cans pineapple juice
4 cups sugar
2 (3-ounce) packages strawberry gelatin
Combine rhubarb and water and cook until rhubarb is soft, about 25 to 30 minutes. Strain the liquid into a large bowl or pot, discarding the rhubarb. Add the orange juice, pineapple juice, sugar and gelatin to the rhubarb juice. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. The juice may be frozen or canned. Makes around 12 quarts.
To can it, I ladle the warm liquid into jars and place the jars into a water bath that is about the same temperature as the juice. I bring the canner to a boil, cover it and process for five minutes. I know others process it for up to 20 minutes. I can the way my mom taught me, and her mom before her. It is probably good to check the Department of Agriculture website for more detailed canning instructions.
• Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, an Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife and mother of eight. Her three cookbooks, “The Cherished Table,” “The Essential Amish Cookbook” and “Amish Family Recipes,” are available wherever books are sold. Readers can write to Eicher at Lovina’s Amish Kitchen, P.O. Box 234, Sturgis, MI 49091 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply), or email questionsforlovina@ gmail.com and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.
Photo provided by Lovina Eicher
Canning rhubarb juice
Lovina Eicher
LOVINA’S AMISH KITCHEN
Photos by MaKade Rios for Shaw Local News Network
TOP LEFT: Joe Park cooks shrimp Saturday at the annual ShrimpFest & Brew Hullabaloo at Rotary Park in Princeton. ABOVE MIDDLE: Tricia Pinter dips Kyla Kissick on Saturday during Brass From The Past’s performance at ShrimpFest & Brew Hullabaloo at Rotary Park in Princeton. ABOVE RIGHT: Grayson Rapp jumps in a puddle Saturday during ShrimpFest & Brew Hullabaloo at Rotary Park in Princeton.
LEFT: Julie Leuck of Brass From The Past sings Saturday at the annual Shrimp Fest at Rotary Park in Princeton. ON THE COVER: Everett Eckberg peeks from under a sign Saturday during ShrimpFest & Brew Hullabaloo at Rotary Park in Princeton.
Every visit to ‘Big Apple’ provides a real slice of life
“598! Medium fries!”
The shout was easy to hear from the McDonald’s stand. We were nearby, waiting to board our flight to New York from O’Hare.
“715! Seven-one-five!” The young man’s voice filled the area again. It remained a constant interruption. I could hear him well, but struggled to understand our boarding instructions through the PA system.
Noise. Hustle and bustle. A fitting start for our visit to the big city, where I watched a sax player employ the acoustics under a tunnel to compete with nearby angry, honking auto horns. We were visiting one of our sons who lives in Brooklyn.
That McDonald’s stand got me started, jotting down notes. A trip to New York always provides stories to tell. Or, for starters, a series of observations. Let me share more of my notes.
“Happy birthday,” my wife said to the young lady across from us, who would be on our plane. She had just stood up to put on a huge white sash that read, “It’s my birthday.” I got the feeling this plane trip was the start of a great adventure for her.
Airports are all about people-watch-
PAPERWORK
Lonny Cain
ing, but it’s a fast-moving slideshow. If I were doing a documentary on that amazing invention we call the wheel, I would make sure to get lots of footage at an airport. Everyone had a destination and was rushing to get there. Guess that defines an airport.
In New York, we walked the High Line. It’s a slice of nature carved into the city over an old rail line. It’s a beautiful hiking area where natural flowers are in bloom and greenery is preserved for city dwellers to enjoy. A small section had been converted to what I will call a flat waterfall next to the path we walked. Water came from one side and flowed a few feet to the drains on the other side. Like a hose running water over a sidewalk, but it produced the sound of a flowing stream. A gentle reminder that we need nature to muffle the chaos.
A young lady walked toward us with her head bent over her phone. Not
uncommon, I know. She was not there to enjoy nature. Perhaps it was a shortcut to anywhere for her. I made a mental joke, “Hey, maybe she’s watching a video of the High Line.”
Peering over the side of the elevated High Line to the street below, I saw two dirty yellow construction machines working in tandem. One was breaking a concrete pad into large chunks, and the other had a claw to remove them. I wondered what stood there before that needed that concrete slab and why it had to be removed, probably for another slab. We build, then we destroy so we can build again. I think we call that “progress,” but it seemed sad.
Further down our little hike, I peered over the edge again, drawn by a man shouting – no, yelling – at everyone nearby. His small dog waited patiently. He stood in front of a Wells Fargo, where he chose to speak his piece, saying, “You’re the problem! You never take you seriously!” I stopped listening and moved on. Much like everyone walking by him. They never stop making space for more people in the Big Apple. I could see construction cranes on top of tall buildings. There is only one way to expand.
That’s up. Then up again. I wondered if there is a limit, or if there will always be an engineer who says, “We can go higher if you want.” And someone will always want.
While waiting for a Lyft driver, I saw a young man on a scooter. Scooters were everywhere in the city, with riders of all ages. This guy zoomed by us – fast – and shot straight through a stop sign without hesitation. This would be another scene in my documentary, “The Wheel and How It Turns Us.” I’d add some commentary about how the rules of the road don’t matter if you have only two wheels.
There’s more, of course, including the half-naked lady bathing herself near Times Square while a man was filming and shouting, “This is New York! This is New York!” But my time and space have ended.
But yeah … New York always provides great stories.
Chris Kunkel, 90, of Peru (formerly of Granville) passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Peru. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, 13, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church 311 Hennepin St. Granville, IL. Mass of Christian Burial to follow. Fr. Patrick
DeMeulemeester will officiate. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Granville. Military honors will be conducted.
Dysart – Cofoid Funeral Chapel 208 S McCoy St. Granville, IL will be assisting the family with the arrangements.
Chris was the 8th son of August and Teresa Kunkel. He was a graduate of St. Bede Academy and the University of Illinois, and a veteran of the US army, serving in Alaska. He married Sharon (Weisenburger) in 1959, and they lived and raised their four sons in Granville, IL.
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish and its Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus. Chris was also a member of the National Holstein Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, and the Dairy Shrine. He was a charter member of Granville Rotary.
He and his brother Eugene farmed in the area and raised registered Holstein cattle. They showed cattle for many years at county, state and national dairy shows. Chris was a member of the Putnam County Board of directors for 16 years and a volunteer for the Red Cross disaster team, St. Margaret’s Red Coats, and an associate member of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation.
Chris is survived by his four sons, Mark (Jennifer) Kunkel of Belvidere, Kurt (Rita) Kunkel of Lemont, Kent (Beth) Kunkel of Peru and Scot Kunkel of DeKalb; seven grandchildren, Courtney, Lauren, Thomas, Grace, Jack, Bridget, and Alec; four great grandchildren, Alexis, Joanna, Louie, and Kennedy; two brothers and one sister, Lawrence (Mick) Kunkel, Eugene Kunkel and Sr. Teresa Kunkel.
He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Teresa Kunkel; his wife, Sharon Kunkel in 2022 and five brothers, Aloysius, August, Richard, Joseph and Ken Kunkel. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Bede Academy or the American Red Cross.
Online condolences may be made to his family at www.dcfunerals.com
TANKLESS WATER HEATER
OBITUARIES
MICHAEL WALLACE
Born: November 16, 1936 in IL
Died: May 23, 2025 in IL
Michael Henry Wallace, age 88, of Henry, IL, passed away on May 23, 2025, at Henry Rehab and Nursing. Mike was born November 16, 1936 in Princeton, IL, the son of Henry Patrick Wallace and Lillian Kuss Wallace. He graduated from Henry-Senachwine High School in 1954. Upon graduation he worked with his father on the family farm. He began working at B.F. Goodrich (later Geon) in 1960. He attended Illinois Central College for drafting and welding.
Mike was a member of the Air National Guard, 169th Airlift Squadron, based in Peoria, serving for six years. On October 1, 1961, as a result of the Berlin Crisis, his unit was mobilized and assigned to the Missouri Air National Guard 131st Tactical Fighter Wing. While the Peoria squadron remained stationed at home due to budget shortfalls, Mike was among those rotated to Toul-Rosieres Air Base, France, as a mechanic.
Mike married Mary Eugenia “Jean” Morse on June 14, 1969 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with Father Roger Noonan and Reverend Clarence Bangs officiating. He enjoyed family vacations to Mexico, the Wisconsin Dells and throughout the Midwest and Rocky Mountain states. After he and Jean retired, they traveled extensively, with trips to England, Ireland, and Greece, Israel and Palestine, Brazil and Argentina, New Zealand and Australia, and a cruise
on the Danube among the highlights. The energy and antics of his grandchildren and grand-pets always delighted him.
Mike was a devoted member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish and then St. John XXIII. He was an emeritus member of the Knights of Columbus.
Though he spent thirty-five years working for Goodrich/Geon at the Henry plant, his true avocations were farming and tractors. He was a proud Minneapolis-Moline Collector and Prairie Gold Rush member. Some of his happiest days were spent attending tractor shows with friends.
Mike had a fantastic memory, particularly for history and movies – especially the Westerns he saw with his father at the Henry theater as a young boy. Incredibly hard-working and attentive to detail, he took an interest in all things mechanical and was particularly
pleased when his grandsons went through their “trucks and trains” phases. Remaining to cherish Mike’s memory are his wife, Jean; children, Mary (Ray Plante) and John (Diana); grandchildren, Eamon Plante and Simon Plante; sister, Johanna Hammel; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. His parents preceded him in death. Visitation will be held from 5-7 P.M. on June 13, 2025 at the Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home, Henry. Funeral mass at 11 A.M. on June 14, 2025 at St. John XXIII Catholic Church with Rev. Father Pica. officiating, Memorial donations in Mike’s memory may be directed to St. John XXIII Catholic Church, Henry, IL, Henry Community Food Pantry, or The A.R.K. animal shelter, Lacon, IL. Online condolences may be made to: www. calvertmemorial.com.
How to submit: Send obituary information to putnamobits@shawlocal.com or call 815-632-2534. Notices are accepted until 5 p.m. Friday for Wednesday’s edition. Obituaries also appear online at shawlocal.com/putnam-county-record, where you may sign the guest book, send flowers or make a memorial donation.
Ptak Monuments
Mark and Tom Ptak 1026 4th Street, Peru 815.223.0172
Affiliated with Helmer Shields Funeral Home. Offering
line of Granite Memorial Products. For more information check out website at: PtakFh.com or call 815-223-0172
IDOR accepting tax return amendments
SHAW LOCAL NEWS NETWORK contact@shawmedia.com
The Illinois Department of Revenue is reminding taxpayers that if an error is discovered on a previously filed state income tax return, they are required to file an amended return.
The errors include a miscalculation, missed deduction or unreported income.
“It’s not uncommon for taxpayers to spot an error after they’ve filed their returns,” IDOR director David Harris said in a news release. “Amending a
return is a straightforward way to make it right and ensures taxpayers are paying exactly what they owe – or getting the refunds they’re due.”
How to file an amended return:
Use the correct form: Always file Form IL-1040-X to amend an individual income tax return.
Include supporting documents: If you are amending due to a federal adjustment, wait until the Internal Revenue Service finalizes it. The amended return must include supporting proof.
Provide a clear explanation: Use Form IL-1040-X Step 11, Line D to
explain the amendment’s reason. Incomplete or unclear explanations may delay processing.
Sign and date the form: If filing jointly, both taxpayers must sign and date the form.
Submit the completed return: Taxpayers can file electronically through the modernized filing system starting with the 2021 tax year. Completed forms and documents also can be sent via mail.
Taxpayers do not need to file an amended return for name, address, or Social Security number changes. The updates can be made via mail or MyTax
Illinois. Taxpayers are encouraged to file as soon as an error is identified.
“If a taxpayer finds a mistake, it’s best to correct it without delay,” Harris also said in the news release. “Promptly filing an amended return will help avoid unnecessary penalties and interest if additional tax is owed – and if a refund is due, it will result in getting the money back faster.”
Taxpayers can refer to Form IL-1040-X instructions available on the IDOR website.
For information, visit tax.illinois. gov or call 800-732-8866 or 217-782-3336.
Erik Sorenson, who is retiring after 27 years with the Princeton Police Department, is greeted by a host of law enforcement officers during his retirement
ment on Tuesday. Sorenson served 30 years in law enforcement, including three years with the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office.
Princeton Police Department honors retired officer Sorenson with open house
By KEVIN HIERONYMUS khieronymus@shawmedia.com
Friends, family and law enforcement officers from past and present came to salute Erik Sorenson at his retirement open house at the Princeton Police Department on Tuesday.
Sorenson is retiring after 27 years with the Princeton Police Department. He served 30 years in law enforcement, including three with the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office.
Sorenson joined the Princeton Police Department on May 31, 1998, as a patrol officer. He
was a member of the TRIDENT drug task force for almost two and a half years, working throughout Bureau, Putnam and La Salle counties on significant drug cases.
He is best known for being a K-9 handler, partnering with Dax (2001-08), Renda (2013-20)
NEW DEEP WELL INJECTION IN PUTNAM COUNTY
Thursday, June 12th 5:30pm - 6:45pm
and Gus (2020-25). He conducted numerous K-9 demonstrations for community groups, National Night Out and area schools.
His K-9 partner Gus is also retiring and will remain with Sorenson as they begin their new adventures together.
The Life of Thomas Jefferson At PCCC Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 12:30 pm
Thomas Jefferson was a man with a mission. Jefferson was a member of the House of Burgess, the Govenor of Virginia, a member of the Continental Congress, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, the Secretary of State appointed by President George Washington, the Vice President under President John Adams, the founding father of the Democratic Party and finally, third Presidnet of the United States. Jefferson’s profound wisdom and foresight brought about the dream of total independence from Great Britain to form The United Stated of America!
Historian, Jim Gibbons, will present the life of Thomas Jefferson US diplomat in Paris and Minister to France. Gibbons will explain how Jefferson was the creator of the Jefferson Bible, the overseer of the Louisiana Purchase, the Presidnet when Lewis and Clark began their expedition, the speaker of five languages, and the founder of the University of Virginia. He will explain Jefferson’s viewpoints against slavery, yet Jefferson was a slave owner. Gibbons also will discuss Jeferson’s vision for the dynamic future of the United States and his invention and final design of the executive mansion–the White House.
Please remember to call ahead to confirm for lunch.
Photo provided by Kelsey Pennington
open house at the Princeton Police Depart-
Erik Sorenson
Sizzling hot campaign season forecast for Chicago and Illinois
As I write this column, the spring legislative session is a day away from adjournment. Nothing of great importance has cleared both chambers. So, there’s no point in writing about any of that. I’ll let you know my thoughts next week.
Let’s discuss a different topic instead.
For quite a while now, most folks in politics have assumed that Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and Comptroller Susana Mendoza will probably run for mayor of Chicago in 2027. The incumbent Brandon Johnson is spectacularly unpopular, and a real hunger is developing in the city (again) for new leadership.
Anyway, some wags have also speculated that one or even both of the statewide officials will not run for reelection in order to gear up for a mayoral bid.
With Cook County Democratic Party candidate slating coming up in July, the rumors have intensified.
I bumped into Secretary Giannoulias last week at the Statehouse, and we talked about the rumors and then I asked him if he was running again.
“I’m running for reelection,” Giannoulias bluntly replied. He did not rule out or rule in a run for mayor.
Mendoza’s response was different.
Back in 2018, Mendoza easily won reelection, besting her Republican opponent by 23 percentage points.
But in September of that year, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel surprised
Rich Miller VIEWS
the city’s political world when he announced that he wouldn’t seek a third term. People who hadn’t considered running suddenly changed their plans. Mendoza, in the midst of her first reelection bid, was suddenly on a growing list of possible candidates.
Then, a few days before election day, NBC Chicago’s Mary Ann Ahern disclosed a draft TV ad by Mendoza announcing her mayoral candidacy.
Mendoza said it was just a contingency in case she decided to run, but she caught a lot of heat. And while it obviously didn’t hurt Mendoza in her statewide bid, it may have damaged her somewhat when she eventually jumped into the mayor’s race. Mendoza didn’t make it past the first round.
So, I asked Mendoza’s people if she planned to stand for reelection as comptroller and/or run for mayor.
“Comptroller Mendoza is weighing her options, including reelection,” a spokesperson said. “She loves her job and is committed to public service. She will make her decision based on what is best for Illinois, Chicago and her family.”
Now comes the important part: “She will not run for two offices at the same
WEIR-OWNER
time. Whatever she decides to run for, she’ll be all in.”
There are those who believe Mendoza may be overthinking the impact of her 2018 back-to-back election experience.
And, on the other hand, there are those who believe that Giannoulias may not fully appreciate the pressure he’ll be under and the criticism he will face if he runs for reelection and then runs for mayor.
The secretary of state is one of the best jobs in state government. If Giannoulias had hedged about running again, a long line of potential hopefuls would’ve quickly started forming.
Not as many people are interested in being state comptroller, but if Mendoza decides to skip reelection, the opening will add to the growing turnover in Illinois politics.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement announcement has already attracted three incumbents who want to replace him.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly announced her intention to run, as has U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.
Those attempts to move up have
already attracted several candidates and potential candidates. And many of those folks are elected officials who will either have to give up their current offices to run – creating more down-ballot turbulence – or be replaced by an appointee, who might then have to be replaced, etc., etc., etc.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has also announced for U.S. Senate. That means Gov. JB Pritzker will have to choose a new running mate. And if chooses someone who is an elected official, then that’ll create more openings down the food chain.
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky has announced her retirement, and people are lining up to replace her, including Democratic Sen. Laura Fine, who will have to give up her seat to run.
And there are plenty of rumors that U.S. Rep. Danny Davis won’t stand for reelection.
Next year promises to be a fascinating campaign season.
• Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.
• Steps
• Garage Floors • Sidewalks • Pole Barns
• Retaining Walls
• Parking Lots
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SPORTS
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
1919: Sir Barton, ridden by Johnny Loftus, captures the Belmont Stakes to become thoroughbred racing’s first Triple Crown winner. 1959: Charlie Sifford becomes the first Black golfer to play in the US Open.
NEWSTRIBUNE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: PUTNAM COUNTY’S ALEX RODRIGUEZ
By KEVIN CHLUM kchlum@shawmedia.com
Putnam County junior Alex Rodriguez has been a strong thrower throughout his career with the Panthers.
This spring, he had his best season yet. Rodriguez capped the season with his best performances yet as he set school records in the shot put and discus and brought home Class 1A state medals in both events, finishing seventh in the discus and ninth in the shot put.
“I’m very proud of Alex’s performances at state,” Putnam County coach Chuck McConnell said. “I had a good feeling he would make the finals for shot and disc. The fact that he even surpassed that goal by medaling in both shot and discus with a ninth place and seventh place and having both school records is just amazing. I’m so
happy for him.”
For his performance, Rodriguez was voted the NewsTribune Athlete of the Week – the final one for the 2024-25 school year – sponsored by Sullivan’s and Grasser’s Plumbing & Heating. Rodriguez answered some questions from NewsTribune sports editor Kevin Chlum.
Where is your favorite place to compete in track and field besides Putnam County?
Rodriguez: Seneca. I look forward to competing there for conference.
Who is the best thrower you’ve ever competed against?
Rodriguez: [Dwight sophomore and Class 1A shot put champion] Graham Meister. The kid’s an absolute animal.
Do you prefer the shot put or discus?
Rodriguez: Discus mainly because it just looks better flying through the air on a good throw.
If you could be good at another track and field event, what would you pick and why?
Rodriguez: Hammer. It’s harder than it looks, and the pros make it look easy. I feel if you’re good at it, then it’s fun.
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions?
Rodriguez: Usually listening to music and taking a long nap is what I do every bus ride to a meet.
What is your favorite subject in school and why?
Rodriguez: History. The past is pretty cool just to see what happened before our time.
When traveling home from a meet, where do you like to stop to eat and what do you get?
Rodriguez: Usually a quick fast food joint and a good burger is the go-to meal.
What is your favorite thing about summer?
Rodriguez: Not being in school and having time to hang out with friends and enjoy my hobbies.
Do you have any nicknames?
Rodriguez: Typically A-Rod, although some people call me Bear.
What are your thoughts on your performance last week?
Rodriguez: On the biggest stage all season, I feel great about double [personal records] and double medals. I couldn’t ask for a better performance.
Scott Anderson file photo
Putnam County’s Alex Rodriguez competes in the Class 1A shot put May 31 at the boys track and field state finals at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
Henry’s historic season ends with supersectional loss to Dakota
By KEVIN CHLUM kchlum@shawmedia.com
STERLING – Henry-Senachwine found itself in uncharted territory June 2 as the 2025 Mallards were the first softball team in school history to advance to the Elite Eight.
Henry had a tough start as Dakota scored two runs in the top of the first inning.
Ace Lauren Harbison and the Henry defense shut down the Indians the rest of the way, and the Mallards had several scoring chances but couldn’t push any across in a 2-0 loss in the Class 1A Sterling Supersectional.
“We were a program that’s only ever won a regional in years past, so it’s hard to ask a group of girls to go from only winning a regional in a program to going all the way to state,” Henry senior catcher Kaitlyn Anderson said. “Not that I don’t think we were capable of doing it. I think if some of our hits went down, the tables would have turned and I’d be holding a plaque right now, but sometimes that’s just the way it happens.”
Despite the loss, it was a historic season for the Mallards as they won backto-back regional championships for the first time in program history, won a sectional title for the first time and set a school record for wins in a season as they finished 25-4.
“It’s disappointing, but I’m proud of the kids,” Henry coach Lori Stenstrom said. “They worked hard all season. We broke records all season. So how can you not be happy with that? This game doesn’t define our season. We had a great season.”
The Indians (24-7), who lost to LeRoy in the state semifinals Friday and finished fourth in state, did all their damage in the first inning.
With one out, No. 2 hitter Autumn Kinney smacked a triple to deep left field. Finley Banks was hit by a pitch and moved to second on defensive indifference.
Harbison struck out the next batter, but Hailey Kerchner then went the opposite way for a two-run double into right-center field.
“We had a rough first inning, and that cost us,” Anderson said. “We’re not a team that’s always in the supersectional, so we did probably struggle a little bit with understanding the pressure that was on. It just took a minute to navigate that, but once we did, we got it under control.”
After the first inning, Harbison was perfect through the next three before stranding runners in scoring position in each of the final three innings.
Harbison allowed six hits while striking out 10 batters, walking none and hitting one.
The Mallards had a few scoring opportunities against Dakota pitcher AJ Howarth.
Harbison led off the bottom of the first inning with a double to deep left field and moved to third on a wild pitch, but the next three batters were retired.
Bella Williams led off the second with a fly ball to left field that the outfielder seemed to lose in the sun for a double, but again, the next three batters were retired.
“We swung at way too many high pitches,” Stenstrom said. “Her riseball kept getting us until about the sixth inning we finally kind of settled on that a little bit. It was maybe a little bit of nerves on that.”
The Mallards did not have a base runner in the third, fourth or fifth innings against Howarth.
“She had a lot of movement upwards, and I think we struggled staying disciplined on that pitch,” Anderson said.
“She’s a good pitcher. She hit good spots and jammed us up a couple times, but I think we did good adjusting to her.”
Henry got another scoring chance in the sixth.
With two outs, Bella Thompson singled up the middle and Anderson followed with a line drive into left-center for a single to bring up her sister, Brynna.
Brynna Anderson smacked a hard
Henry-Senachwine coach
Lori Stenstrom talks with pitcher Lauren Harbison during the Class 1A Sterling Supersectional on June 2 in Sterling.
line drive into left-center, but Dakota center fielder Bella Keyes was well-positioned to catch it.
“We had two base runners with two outs, and Brynna had a great rip,” Kaitlyn Anderson said. “On any given day that could have fallen and it would have completely changed the game. I think it would have switched the momentum and it would have been different, but that’s just how it fell today.”
Photos by Brian Hurley
Henry-Senachwine senior Kaitlyn Anderson hits a single during the Class 1A Sterling Supersectional on Monday, June 2, in Sterling.
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(Published in the Putnam County Record June 11, 2025) 2251235
PUBLIC NOTICE TO : ALL PUTNAM COUN TY PROPERTY OW NERS FROM: PUTNAM COUNTY SU PERVISOR OF ASSESSMENTS GREETINGS, MY OFFICE WILL PRESENT AN IN FORMATIVE O VERVIEW OF PROPERTY TAX ON TUESDAY, JUNE 10TH AN D WEDN ESDAY, JU NE 11TH AT 6:00 PM AT TH E PUTNAM COUNTY COURTHOUSE PLEASE CO ME TO ONE OF THE M EETINGS TO LEARN MORE ABO UT WH AT YOUR ASSESSED VALUE MEANS, AND THE ROLE IT PLAYS IN DEVELOPING YOUR TAX BILL. SINCERELY, TAMARA MEHALIC SU PERVISOR OF ASSESSMENTS
(Published in Putnam County Record June 11, 2025) 2251031
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(Published in Putnam County Record
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(Published in Putnam County Record June 11, 2025) 2251359
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