March 17, 2026 | WALLS 102 - Part 5

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Bureau County genealogy society hosts cousin-finding presentation

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Veterans, strong newcomers to fill voids for Putnam County baseball

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

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Veterans, strong newcomers to fill voids for Putnam County baseball

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Princeton approves business development district despite public concerns

After months of discussion and public input, the Princeton City Council officially approved its business development district following a public hearing on Monday night.The district will now allow Princeton to impose an additional sales tax, up to 1%, with the revenue dedicated to economic development efforts. The council voted 4-1 in favor of the district, with Councilman Jerry Neuman the only one to vote against it.A BDD serves a role similar to a tax increment financing district by providing funding for business and redevelopment projects. Still, it relies on sales tax revenue rather than property taxes.“The point of this business development district is to address some of the signs we’ve seen lately as far as economics go,” Planning & Zoning Administrator Michael Zearing said. “We have empty storefronts, historic buildings at risk and areas that need investment.”The council, which previously voted 3-2 in favor of the district at its last meeting, was generally in agreement that the city isn’t necessarily headed in the right direction in attracting new businesses while retaining its existing businesses and that the district could help turn things around.While the council felt good about moving forward, most of the public hearing involved locals who questioned whether the district was really helping or whether the public needed to be better informed.Princeton resident Geraldine Woodlief said she took steps to gather feedback from local business owners ahead of the meeting.“I took two days and got signatures from our dear friends here at Princeton, business owners, and guess what? Everybody said forget it,” Woodlief said.She also questioned how widely information about the proposal had reached the public, noting the relatively small turnout at the hearing.Other residents raised concerns about transparency on how the district’s funds would be used and the potential negative impact of additional sales taxes on consumers and small businesses. Many emphasized the need for clear communication and accountability as the district moves forward.Princeton resident Lynn Holtz supported the district, arguing it’s a necessary tool as the city adapts to an evolving economy.“This is one component of economic development, not the end-all, but a crucial piece,” Holtz said. “We cannot continue to do business the way we always have because it’s simply not working.”Holtz also noted that a large chunk of sales at many local businesses comes from visitors to Princeton, and the BDD would help capture more of that.“This is not just about supporting businesses in Princeton. It’s also about capturing spending from visitors and keeping those dollars in our community to help local businesses,” Holtz said.Mayor Ray Mabry shared examples from other Illinois mayors who have used business development districts, emphasizing how the tool helped their cities achieve economic development goals.The district covers most of Princeton’s primary commercial areas, extending from the I-80 corridor through the city’s north business district and into the downtown area.As for next steps, now that the district is approved, Zearing said the city will align priorities and establish a budget before developing a strategic action plan. However, he said most of the priorities were already set based on feedback from the city’s public meeting in January.

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.”

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