Top Story

New Black Bros. Co. building is on track for fall completion

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 25 for the construction of new manufacturing space at Black Bros. Co. in Mendota. The building is scheduled for completion this fall. (Photos contributed)
MENDOTA – Black Bros. ownership and key team members gathered with Mendota city officials and employees of Phalen Steel Construction Company for a commemorative ground-breaking photo Thursday, April 25.
More local news
Crafters Market Place & Flea Market one of highlights of Sweet Corn Festival
MENDOTA – The very popular Crafters Market Place and Flea Market will again be featured at Mendota's 77th Annual Sweet Corn Festival. 
A map of the 130 acres of land the Prairie Band purchased in DeKalb County that now makes up the tribe’s federally recognized reservation. (image provided)
Prairie Band Potawatomi becomes first federally recognized tribe in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – Nearly 200 years after Native Americans were forced out of Illinois, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has become the first federally recognized tribal nation in the state after a recent decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Mariah Ambler, left, and Cheryl Stewart of Mendota competed in a recent weightlifting event.
Stewart, Ambler represent Mendota in weightlifting competition
MENDOTA – The Mendota Area YMCA has seen a lot of Cheryl Stewart and Mariah Ambler over the last few years.
Jodi Manning is the new operations manager at the Mendota Golf Club.
Manning takes over as Mendota Golf Club's operations manager
MENDOTA – Jodi Manning isn’t new to the Mendota Golf Club since she’s been a bartender or the bar manager since 2001.
Three Mendota High School students were awarded scholarship monies after participating in the Junior Achievement Titan competition on April 18. Left to right, are Alex Holland, Bryan Herrera and Jace Baird. (Photo contributed)
MHS students participate in JA Titan competition
MENDOTA – Mendota High School participated in the Junior Achievement Titan (JA Titan) competition on April 10 virtually. MHS competed against area high schools and both Mendota teams qualified to compete on April 18 at Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa, for scholarship monies. 
Mendota invites volunteers who want to give back
MENDOTA — The City of Mendota invites community members to come learn about volunteer opportunities.
Sports
Mendota’s Elaina Reddin delivers a kick during soccer action against DePue/Hall on April 25 at the MHS field. (Reporter photo)
MHS girls chalk up 2 soccer wins
MENDOTA – The Mendota varsity girls’ soccer team cruised to a 3-0 victory over DePue/Hall on April 25 at the MHS field.
Cameron Escatel
MHS's Escatel takes 2nd place at No. 2 singles in Rochelle Tournament
Dixon nipped Mendota, 3-2, in varsity boys’ tennis action on April 23 at Dixon
Mendota boys' & girls' track teams each finish 3rd in Bureau Valley Invite
MANLIUS – Mendota’s boys’ and girls’ track teams both took third place in the Bureau Valley Co-ed Invitational on April 22 at Manlius.
Obituaries
Obituaries
Gerald Prokuski
MENDOTA – Gerald “Jerry” Prokuski, 89, of Mendota, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Allure Nursing Home.
Beverley J. Moore
MENDOTA – Beverley J. Moore, 97, of Mendota, peacefully passed away April 27, 2024, at Stonecroft Village of Mendota.
Melanie J. Schroeder
MENDOTA – Melanie J. Schroeder, 82, of Mendota, died April 24, 2024, peacefully in her sleep after a long fight with Parkinson’s, at The Meadows of Fall River, Wis.
Special Sections
Web extras

Ranking the biggest NFL Draft busts of the last 30 years

BestOdds.com ranks the 10 biggest NFL Draft disappointments of the past three decades.

How bird flu virus fragments get into milk sold in stores, and what the spread of H5N1 in cows means for the dairy industry and milk drinkers

The discovery of fragments of avian flu virus in about 20% of milk samples from stores in initial testing across the U.S. suggests that the H5N1 virus may be more widespread in U.S. dairy cattle than previously realized. …

How the pretzel went from soft to hard – and other little-known facts about one of the world’s favorite snacks

The pretzel, one of the fastest-growing snack foods in the world, recently crossed a billion dollars a year in sales. It has its own emoji, comes in flavors like pumpkin spice, mocha and banana, and is now available as an aromatherapy scent. …

Gen Z is averaging higher credit scores than millennials: Is it financial competence or just good timing?

Rocket Loans analyzed its own data to see which generational group is faring better financially than the others.

6 popular Kentucky Derby traditions, explained

OLBG compiled and discovered the history behind some of the Kentucky Derby's most popular annual traditions using a variety of online sources.

Antoni Porowski's tips for creating a yard-to-table garden

(BPT) - Have you ever grown salsa in your garden? What about potato salad? You can, with spring’s hottest culinary trend called "yard-to-table." It brings farm-to-table home and is about …