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Art grant to give Mendota vibrance

MENDOTA – In 2024, Mendota was awarded grants to help improve the city.
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IRS announces Jan. 27 start to 2025 tax filing season
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service announced that the nation’s 2025 tax season will start on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, and will feature expanded and enhanced tools to help taxpayers as a result of the agency’s historic modernization efforts.
Li Arellano
L. Arellano takes over as 37th District Senator
SPRINGFIELD – Newly elected State Senator Liandro “Li” Arellano Jr. (R-Dixon) took the oath of office on Jan. 8, in the newly remodeled Illinois State Capitol Senate Chambers in Springfield.
Potawatomi land transfer clears General Assembly
SPRINGFIELD – Nearly two centuries after losing its reservation in Illinois in a land sale that most people now concede was illegal, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation could soon get its land back.
New Starved Rock Country Community Foundation board chair Tracy Bedeker, right, is joined by former SRCCF chairs Jay McCracken, left, co-founder Pamela Beckett, Reed Wilson, and Bob Eschbach. A reception honoring Bedeker was held at the Ottawa home of Jay and Kim McCracken. (Photo contributed)
Starved Rock Country Community Foundation names new board chair
LaSALLE – Tracy Bedeker of Seneca was recently named the fifth chair of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation. She will serve as chair for 2025 and 2026.
Warm up with winter programs at Graves-Hume Library
MENDOTA – Need something to do during the cold days of winter?
Sports
Mendota’s Aden Tillman grabs a rebound away from LaSalle-Peru’s Erick Sotelo on Jan. 11 at the MHS gym. (Reporter photo)
Trojans take down league foe, 2 former NCIC rivals
The Mendota varsity boys’ basketball team is riding a six-game winning streak after disposing of one Three Rivers Conference opponent and two former NCIC rivals. The Trojans are 12-6 overall and 2-0 in league play.
JV Trojans top Erie-P., lose to LP, Ottawa
Mendota’s junior varsity boys’ basketball team won a conference game and lost two non-conference contests last week.
MHS bowlers rolling toward regional
The Mendota boys' bowling team is wrapping up the regular season with an eye toward post-season competition.
Obituaries
Obituaries
Darrel “D.D.” Smith
FLORENCE, Ariz. – Darrel “D.D.” Smith, 92, of Florence, Ariz., formerly of Paw Paw, passed away on Dec. 19, 2024.
Kathryn J. Baker
MENDOTA – Kathryn June (Wood) Baker, 66, of Mendota, passed away on Dec. 11, 2024, at Batavia Rehabilitation and Health Center.
George Frost Jr.
BLOOMINGTON – George Frost Jr., 93, of Bloomington, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.
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.

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Marine Toys for Tots Embraces the New Year with New Resolve

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Is winter miserable for wildlife?

Yes, I am a bit chilly, why?

When you’re warm and cozy inside, it can be natural to wonder if the animals you see outside your window this winter are doing OK. Don’t worry – they’re doing better out there than you would.

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