Tom Collins

Reporter at Shaw Local

Reporter for Shaw Media. Married to Carol, dual U.S.-Irish citizen, Rutgers graduate and 4th Degree knight.

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Articles

Greenfield Station to perform June 21 at Lake Mendota

6 days ago | shawlocal.com | Tom Collins

Greenfield Station will provide live music Friday, June 21 at a Reimagine Mendota event at Lake Mendota. All proceeds go to the Pavilion on Main fundraiser. The event includes a cookout from 5 to 10 p.m. with food, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages available. Greenfield Station will provide live music from 6 to 10 p.m.
Learn foil art June 12 at the Granville library

6 days ago | shawlocal.com | Tom Collins

The Putnam County Public Library District will host an art workshop, “Foil Fun: Embossed Art,” at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 12, at the Granville branch, 214 S. McCoy St. This program will introduce participants to the creative process of embossing using accessible, everyday materials. Attendees will explore techniques for creating unique, textured designs on foil, resulting in personalized works of art. The program is free and open to the public.
La Salle businessman gets probation for sales tax evasion, theft

6 days ago | shawlocal.com | Tom Collins

A La Salle business owner avoided prison Friday despite failing to pay state sales taxes for more than two years. Erick Rosales, 31, the owner of Blaze Smoke Shop, appeared in La Salle County Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to theft, a Class 1 felony carrying four to 15 years in prison, and sales tax evasion, a Class 2 felony carrying three to seven years.
Peru Catholic School honor roll: Fourth quarter of 2024-25 school year

6 days ago | shawlocal.com | Tom Collins

Peru Catholic School released its honor and high honor rolls for the fourth quarter of the 2024-25 school year. High Honor RollSixth grade: Jaxon Barto, Adalyn Mavity, Sophia Morrow, Aiden Torri, Layla VoglSeventh grade: Lucy Burkart, Larson Caruso, Callie Fusinetti, Leo Gillan, Greyson Grilc, Nicholas Larson, Dax Manicki, Pippa Phillips, Joseph Potthoff, Yariela Robles, Mya Rosploch, Wes Wilke, Gio ZepedaEighth grade: Beatrice Affelt, A. J.
Learn about abstract art June 11 at McNabb library

6 days ago | shawlocal.com | Tom Collins

The Putnam County Public Library District will host an art workshop, “Tape It Up! Abstract Art,” at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at the McNabb branch, 322 W. Main St. This hands-on workshop will introduce participants to the tape-resist technique, a form of abstract art that uses varying widths of tape and paint to produce striking, one-of-a-kind designs on canvas. The program is free and open to the public.
Peru Catholic School graduates 15 eighth graders

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Tom Collins

Fifteen Peru Catholic School eighth grade students participated in a graduation ceremony held May 16, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Church. Members of the 2025 Peru Catholic School graduating class are Beatrice Affelt, Anthony Barto, Aksel Bernal, Tegan Brandt, Henry Burr, Gretchen Carden, Emma Credi, Liv Gahan, Elliana Giacalone, Caleb Heersink, Emma Kenney, Gavin Lamboley, Bernadette Larsen, Jan Maldonado-Guzman and Gianna Yanish.
La Salle man gets probation after being accused of brandishing rifle near EPA workers

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Tom Collins

A La Salle man was placed on nonreporting probation after pleading guilty Friday to two misdemeanors filed after he brandished an assault rifle with Environmental Protection Agency workers nearby. Israel Castelan, 53, pleaded guilty in La Salle County Circuit Court to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm without a firearm owner’s identification card and one count of obstructing identification, both Class A misdemeanors carrying a sentence of up to a year in jail.
Sign up for Peru library summer reading program

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Tom Collins

Get ready to blast off into a summer of adventure with Peru Public Library’s 2025 summer reading program. This year’s theme, “Reading is Out of This World,” invites readers of all ages to explore space through books and activities. The program runs from June 2 through July 29, featuring weekly activities, reading challenges, raffles and more. Sign up at both the main and youth circulation desks.
Learn about the oceans June 10 at the Granville library

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Tom Collins

The Putnam County Public Library District will screen a documentary, “Soul of the Ocean,” at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the Granville branch, 214 S. McCoy St. The 53-minute film offers an exploration of ocean life. In contrast to commonly held perceptions of the ocean as a place of relentless danger and predation, the documentary reveals the intricate and interconnected relationships that sustain marine ecosystems.
La Salle man gets 7 years for firearm, residential burglary

1 week ago | shawlocal.com | Tom Collins

A gunshot fired 2022 in La Salle – no one was hurt – led to a prison sentence for a La Salle man. Larry J. Kelly, 31, appeared Friday in La Salle County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to residential burglary and to unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. He could have faced up to 15 years and up to seven years, respectively. However, attorneys in the case advised Circuit Judge Michelle A. Vescogni the parties had reached an agreed sentence.