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City hires new police chief, officer

Students from Northbrook Middle School give a presentation on ‘Project Sidewalk’ to the Mendota City Council at the April 21 council meeting. (Reporter photo)
MENDOTA - There’s a new police chief in town after a swearing in ceremony made it official at the April 21 regular meeting of the Mendota City Council.
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Jason Martin, right, is given the oath of office by his brother, Todd Martin to become the new Chief of Police of the Mendota Police Department at the April 21 city council meeting. (Reporter photo)
New police chief Martin's career comes full circle
MENDOTA – Jason Martin has come full circle in his law enforcement career.
Who's behind the art you're going to see in Mendota?
MENDOTA – Once promised grant awards begin coming into the City of Mendota’s bank account, the “The World’s Greatest Little City” is going to get a creative makeover.
Country band 'Sawyer Brown' to headline Sublette's Hops + Harmony
SUBLETTE – Hosted by Sublette 365, Hops + Harmony is back for its fifth year with an exciting lineup featuring over 15 craft breweries from Northern Illinois and Chicago. With each passing …
OSF HealthCare Foundation accepting loan assistance applications thru June 15
OTTAWA – The OSF HealthCare Foundation is accepting applications for loan assistance from residents of LaSalle County who are pursuing a career in a patient health-related field. Residents from surrounding communities served by OSF facilities in the I-80 area may also apply.
Graves-Hume Library entertains, educates during the spring
MENDOTA – If you imagine a library to be a place where every time a word is muttered you’re shushed, you’re not picturing Graves Hume Public Library.
This year’s Cinco de Mayo celebration will return to Northbrook School in Mendota on Friday, May 2.
Cinco de Mayo celebration to take over Northbrook School
MENDOTA – For the second consecutive year, the giant Cinco de Mayo community celebration is taking place at Northbrook School in Mendota.
Sports
Mendota native and Purdue University Fort Wayne graduate student Amellia Bromenschenkel passes a Green Bay defender during the Horizon League Championship on March 11. The Mastodons didn’t win the league tournament, but they finished 27-9 and made it to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament Great 8 for the first time in program history.  (Photo contributed)
A. Bromenschenkel ends college hoops career
MENDOTA – The Women’s National Invitation Tournament was bittersweet for Amellia Bromenschenkel.
Carlos, Elam pick up first-place finishes in Rollie Morris Invite
SPRING VALLEY - Mendota’s boys’ and girls’ track teams went up against some tough competition in the Rollie Morris Invitational on April 19 at Spring Valley.
MHS girls take 2nd in IVC F-S Invite
CHILLCOTHE – Mendota took its girls’ and boys’ freshman-sophomore track teams to Chillicothe for the IVC F-S Invitational on April 14.
Obituaries
Obituaries
Matthew J. Gambrel
MENDOTA – Matthew J. Gambrel, 54, of Mendota, passed away unexpectedly on April 18, 2025, at OSF Saint Paul Medical Center, his loving wife by his side.
John M. Littlewood
La MOILLE – Burial of John M. Littlewood's ashes will take place at Greenfield Cemetery in La Moille at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, followed by a fellowship luncheon and sharing of remembrances at the Community United Methodist Church in La Moille.
Michael S. Kelly
EARLVILLE – Michael S. Kelly, 67, of Earlville, passed away Monday, April 14, 2025, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, with his loving family by his side.
Social scene

Local DAR chapter learns about easy care native plants

LaSALLE – The Fort du Rocher Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met April 12 at the LaSalle Public Library. Regent Donna Jungnickel presided over the meeting.

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