Top Story

'A Mendota Christmas'

Leni Kromm of Mendota tells Santa Claus what she wants for Christmas during St. Nick’s stop in Mendota on Dec. 7 for the ‘A Mendota Christmas’ event. (Reporter photo)
MENDOTA – Santa Claus heard Christmas wishes during the “A Mendota Christmas” event held on Dec. 7 in downtown Mendota.
More local news
The next school reform push in Illinois: testing and accountability
SPRINGFIELD – Education officials from five statewide organizations are pushing for fundamental changes in the way student achievement is measured each year and how schools are held accountable for meeting the state’s academic standards.
The secret recipe this holiday season is fire safety
SPRINGFIELD – The OSFM is providing the secret recipe for a fun and safe holiday season; fire safety.
Heritage Corridor Destinations Tourism contributes to record tourism growth in Illinois
JOLIET – Heritage Corridor Destinations announced recently the area generated a local economic impact of $1.6 billion and contributed to an increase in visitor spending across Illinois in 2023.
LaSalle County EMA completes federally evaluated nuclear power plant exercise
OTTAWA – Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were in LaSalle County recently completing a federally evaluated exercise for the LaSalle Generating Station.
Tiffeny Meyers
Helping you find a happy home
MENDOTA – Tiffeny Meyers knew she didn’t want to stay in Mendota after graduating from Mendota High School in 2003. She wanted to branch away from rural life and see what was in the great beyond the corn fields.
Black Bros. celebrated the opening of its new building with an open house attended by nearly 300 people.
Open house marks growth, continued success at 142-year-old Black Bros.
MENDOTA — It was an open house full of familiar faces and fun Nov. 21 as Black Bros. Co. welcomed nearly 300 attendees to celebrate the completion of its new Roll Manufacturing Building.
Sports
Mendota’s Kennedy Knaff drives in for a shot against Newman on Dec. 5 at the MHS gym. (Reporter photo)
Hall, Newman topple Lady Trojans in league play
The Mendota varsity girls’ basketball team opened up the Three Rivers Conference schedule with losses to Hall and Newman.
Dane Doyle,
5 three-pointers
Trojans roll in opener of Colmone Classic
SPRING VALLEY – It was a great start to the Colmone Classic for the Mendota varsity boys’ basketball team as it rolled over Putnam County, 65-30, in a pool play game on Dec. 7 at Spring Valley.
1989, 1990 Trojan basketball teams to be honored Jan. 11
MENDOTA – Mendota High School will be celebrating the 1989 state team and the 1990 supersectional team on Saturday, Jan. 11 against LaSalle-Peru at the Mendota High School gymnasium.
Obituaries
Obituaries
Harold L. Schlesinger
MENDOTA – It is with a deep sense of sorrow that we announce the passing of Harold LeRoy Schlesinger, 87, who left us on Dec. 10, 2024, in Franklin Grove.
Charles Swanson
MENDOTA – Charles Swanson, 85, formerly of Ohio, died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at Allure of Mendota.
Christine M. Mini
CLERMONT, Fla. – Christine M. Mini, 77, formerly of Sublette, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Clermont, Fla.
Social scene

Local DAR chapter hears of area Good Citizen winners; winter travel tips

MENDOTA – The Fort du Rocher Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met Dec. 9 at the First Presbyterian Church.

Find us on Facebook
Special Sections
Web extras

Got holiday FOMO? 7 ways to stay healthy so you can enjoy the festive season

(BPT) - Nobody wants to feel sick during the holiday season. From the hustle and bustle of office parties, school programs, holiday concerts, parades and gatherings with loved ones, the festivities …

Are NFL quarterbacks worth their high salaries?

NFL teams are spending big on quarterbacks. Stacker compiled a list of QBs with a $200 million contract using data from Spotrac.

Pearl Young, the first woman to work in a technical role at NASA, overcame barriers and ‘raised hell’ − her legacy continues today

An avid traveler, Pearl Young – waving at the top of the stairs – traveled to Hawaii on a UND alumni trip in 1960.

Many of her male colleagues believed Pearl Young had an attitude problem based on her efforts to advocate for herself and her team.

How to help prevent the spread of germs this cold and flu season

(BPT) - Chilly temperatures and winter weather aren't the only burden that comes with this time of year — it's also the peak of cold and flu season. Cold and flu germs can lurk on hundreds of …

The Christmas tree is a tradition older than Christmas

Public Christmas trees, like Rockefeller Center

Evergreens have long served as symbols of life during the bleakness of winter. But Queen Victoria spurred the tradition that has become a global phenomenon.

Is Your Identity Safe? What To Do If It’s Not

Identity theft can happen to anyone, but you can take steps to protect yourself.

by Mariana Raymond of Truecaller (NAPSI)—Identity theft is becoming more common, affecting people from all walks of life—but you can protect yourself.   The Problem Scammers are always …