March 17, 2026 | WALLS 102 - Part 15

Open Modal

On Air Now

Up Next

Mon - Fri: 03:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Wall to Wall Country

Magnolia Fire Department hosts spring chicken supper March 29

The Magnolia Fire Department will hold its annual spring chicken supper on Saturday, March 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Magnolia Fire Station.The dinner includes fried chicken, mostaccioli, salad, bread, dessert, and coffee, lemonade or tea. Cost is $15 for adults, $8 for children ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.All proceeds benefit the all-volunteer fire department.The fire department will raffle Amish country hams and turkeys throughout the evening. A 50/50 drawing and door prizes will also be available.The event is a chance to enjoy a home-cooked meal while supporting the volunteer firefighters who serve the community.For questions, contact Chief Dan Baum at 815-869-3031 or 815-257-6405.

Bureau County genealogy society hosts cousin-finding presentation

The Bureau County Genealogical Society will host a Zoom presentation on finding and connecting with distant cousins on March 23 at 7 p.m.Christine Cohen will discuss “Cousin Baiting and Cousin Stalking” — strategies genealogists use to expand family trees by locating and reaching out to living relatives.Cohen will explore multiple research methods, including DNA test databases, online family trees, lineage societies, cemetery indexes, newspaper obituaries, people-finder websites and social media. She’ll also discuss how to use family photos and heirlooms to break through genealogical dead ends.The public can attend in person at the Bureau County Genealogical Society office, 629 S. Main Street in Princeton. A handout will be available.Genealogical Society members can also view the presentation remotely via Zoom.For questions, call the society at 815-879-3133.

Ottawa museum explores cholera’s impact on early La Salle County settlers

The Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum will host its next history lecture about the Daniels Pioneer Cemetery and how cholera devastated early settlers in La Salle County at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 22.Daniels Cemetery, located about two miles north of Ottawa on the west side of Route 71, dates back to 1837 and is considered one of the area’s early pioneer burial grounds. Admission is $10 for the public, $9 for museum members. Light snacks will be served and seating may be limited. Those interested are encouraged to reserve a seat by calling 815-431-9353.

Starved Rock Civil War Round Table explores Lincoln’s use of telegraph

The Starved Rock Civil War Round Table will meet for a presentation at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, in Room 420 at Ottawa High School.Lorraine McCallister will present “Mr. Lincoln’s T-mails,” a program to look at the use of the telegraph during the Civil War and how President Abraham Lincoln adapted to the emerging technology.The meeting will be held on a Thursday rather than the group’s usual Wednesday schedule. The program is free to the public. Light snacks and door prizes will be available.

Veterans, strong newcomers to fill voids for Putnam County baseball

The Putnam County baseball team has several holes to fill due to graduation, but coach Chris Newsome said the Panthers have veteran players to lead and newcomers ready to fill in.“We have a good nucleus of returning players from last year,” Newsome said. “While we have some voids left by graduating seniors from last year, we have an eager core of juniors looking to step in and make an impact. Our seniors are very baseball savvy and are good at sharing their knowledge of the game with our younger players.”The Panthers return NewsTribune All-Area players in seniors Johnathon Stunkel and Traxton Mattingly, while juniors Jacob Furar and Kade Zimmerlein and sophomore Maddox Poole also return with experience.Juniors Peyton Barto, Carter Hochstatter, Wyatt Zellers, Dan Siegmann and Rudy Villagomez, sophomore Tyson Zuniga and freshmen Eli King and Callen Wiesbrock are newcomers looking to make an impact.Putnam County is most experienced on the mound with about 75% of its innings back from last season.Stunkel was 5-4 with a 0.89 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 62⅔ innings last spring, while Zimmerlein (4-1, 3.94 ERA), Furar (1-2, one save, 3.75 ERA) and Mattingly (2-2, one save, 4.24 ERA) also have experience on the mound. “I feel like our returners should be able to keep us in most games this year by limiting the free passes and inducing soft contact,” Newsome said.The Panthers’ defensive alignment will depend on who is on the mound.Barto and Wiesbrock will play catcher, Mattingly and Zellers can play first base, Furar, King and Zuniga are vying for time at second base, Poole and Stunkel can play shortstop, Zimmerlein and Mattingly will man third base, Hochstatter, Siegmann, Stunkel, Furar and Villagomez will play outfield.“With limited depth, our defensive lineup could look quite different depending on who is pitching,” Newsome said.Stunkel will also lead the offense after leading the area in home runs (five) and doubles (17) last season. He also hit .407 with 36 runs and 17 RBIs.Mattingly (.360, 11 2B, 36 R, 27 RBI), Poole (.233, 18 R, 15 RBI) and Zimmerlein (.284, 17 R, 18 RBI) also will be key contributors on offense.“There are many unknowns, especially with our newcomers,” Newsome said. “We have more team speed this year, which will help us put more pressure on the defense.”The Panthers hope to improve throughout the season to advance in the postseason after going 19-13 overall and losing in a regional final last spring.“(Our goals are to) be hard working, process-focused and competitive every time we take the field,” Newsome said. “At the end of the season, we’d like to be in a position to have a postseason run.”

Princeton approves business development district despite public concerns

khsgtopkqbcj7nyc42uag3wsr4515720

Starved Rock Civil War Round Table explores Lincoln’s use of telegraph

7o736cwpjfh7pejqhxhvt7iqb4305847

Veterans, strong newcomers to fill voids for Putnam County baseball

ra4tmdjkyngxlc7qzrqkxzfliu711724

Bureau County genealogy society hosts cousin-finding presentation

ebcwdon5lbesdlitz7hcnjs5ja686290

The Bureau County Genealogical Society will host a Zoom presentation on finding and connecting with distant cousins on March 23 at 7 p.m.

Ottawa museum explores cholera’s impact on early La Salle County settlers

xfpkitvhx5bthonxipx53cglfy912396

The Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum will host its next history lecture about the Daniels pioneer cemetery and how cholera devastated early settlers in La Salle County at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 22.

Loading...