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When needed in the community, Basil answers the call

Mendota native Brian Basil, holding plaque, was named the 2024 Horace Hume Outstanding Service Award winner at the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Awards Night on Nov. 1 at Mendota Elks Lodge. Basil has owned and operated Basil Construction for the last 26 years and has worked at Starved Rock Wood Products for the last year. He received the award for doing a little bit of everything for the chamber and the community. (Reporter photo by Brandon LaChance)
MENDOTA – Brian Basil grew up watching his family be involved in the Mendota community.
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Mendota YMCA Assistant Branch Manager Omar Espinoza, center, was awarded the 2024 Tom Merwin Gold Star Employee Award at the 2024 Mendota Award Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Awards Night Nov. 1 at the Mendota Elks Lodge for his passion and dedication at the YMCA and in the community. Left to right, are the YMCA’s Moises Carlos, MACC Past Chair of the Board Marion Quintana, Espinoza, MACC President/CEO Sam Setchell, and YMCA Branch Manager Stephen Donnell. (Reporter photo by Brandon LaChance)
YMCA's Espinoza strives to be a positive influence in the community
MENDOTA – When Omar Espinoza left his hometown of Mendota when he was 13 to go to Houston, he didn’t know if he would ever be back.
City Council takes action for street improvements
MENDOTA - The Mendota City Council took action for the improvement of streets and heard a preliminary report on the city’s tax levy at its Nov. 4 regular meeting.
Department on Aging offers free help to make Medicare decisions
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is encouraging everyone with Medicare to check if their plan still meets their needs and budget during this year’s Open Enrollment Period, which began on Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, 2024. Individuals can get free help comparing health and drug plan options by contacting the state’s Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP).
Design a Christmas tree at Graves-Hume Library
MENDOTA – Help Graves-Hume Public Library create art for the Youth Services Department at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11 by designing a Christmas tree for all to see.
Crews move grain onto a temporary pile at the FS grain elevator near Amboy. (Photo by Catrina Rawson of FarmWeek)
Grain storage concerns dwindle as harvest winds down
AMBOY – As corn and soybeans disappear from Illinois fields, so are worries about storage space for crops.
City of Mendota awarded grant through Powering the Holidays program
MENDOTA – The festive season is fast approaching, bringing with it opportunities for communities to come together and spread cheer.
Sports
The Mendota boys’ soccer team captured its first super-sectional championship thus earning the first-ever trip to the state tournament by defeating Aurora Central Catholic, 2-0, in the Mendota Super-Sectional on Nov. 2. Celebrating the victory, front row, left to right, are David Casas, Johan Cortez, Cesar Casas, Mateo Goy, Gianni Figueroa, Mauricio Salinas, Kevin Herrera, Cameron Escatel and Daniel Garcia. Middle row, Cole Kleckner, Aaden Castle, Mauricio Martinez, Samuel Matura, Gael Garcia, Ramiro Palacios and Cameron Kelly. Back row, manager Kaley Siemer, manager Crystal Garcia, manager Ariana Sanchez, assistant coach Rey Arteaga, Omar Nanez, Luis Ramirez, Angel Orozco, Aaron Venegas, Alex Beetz, Abel Nanez, Isaac Diaz, Sebastian Carlos, Hugo Falcon and head coach Nick Myers. (Reporter photo)
Trojans make history!
MENDOTA - What better place to secure your first-ever berth in the state soccer tournament than at home sweet home.
Late goal lifts MHS to sectional soccer title
CHILLICOTHE - It was of no secret that the sectional soccer battle between Mendota and Peoria Christian would come down to the wire.
Anthony Kelson
MHS's Kelson has cross country season end at sectional
ROCK ISLAND – Mendota High School senior Anthony Kelson had his season and cross country career come to a close in the Rock Island Alleman Class 1A Sectional on Nov. 2.
Obituaries
Obituaries
Lloyd H. A. Bialas
STEWARD – Lloyd H. A. Bialas, 88, of Steward, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at his home in Steward.
Ronald E. Lilja
MENDOTA – Ronald Edwin Lilja, 82, of Mendota, passed away on Oct. 30, 2024, in Wausau, Wis.
Clifford L. Schmidt & Janet L. Schmidt
MENDOTA – Clifford Leo Schmidt, 91, and Janet Lea Schmidt, 91, both of Mendota, passed away within three days of each other. Cliff passed away Friday, Nov. 1 and Janet passed away Sunday, Nov. 3, both in Mendota.
Social scene

DAR members make goodie bags for Veterans

LaSALLE – The Fort du Rocher Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met Oct. 12 at the LaSalle County Veteran’s Home. Regent Donna Jungnickel presided over the meeting.

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