Author: princetonmays

Princeton DAR honors Brad Oeder for his continued work honoring Veterans (Photo provided by Stephanie Foes)
Princeton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held its February meeting where Terry Mecklenburg, a member of the Pierre Menard DAR Chapter, held a presentation.
The presentation illuminated how individuals can contribute their time to activities and causes that support veterans. Mecklenburg is her chapter’s Service for Veterans’ Committee Chairman, a former Illinois State Chair for Service for veterans and a veteran herself.
Following the presentation, the group took the time to honor Brad Oeder as the DAR State of Illinois Outstanding Veteran Volunteer Award recipient. He will be honored at the DAR State Conference in Bloomington in April
Oeder was given a certificate and eagle pin for offering his time and service to multiple Veteran organizations including the VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, schools, Illinois Veterans’ Home and numerous nursing homes.
Oeder has also been instrumental in maintaining the four Flags of Freedom that stand at each corner of the Interstate 80 access ramps in Princeton.
Oeder continuously speaks to schools, organizations and individuals in the count and surrounding area on the importance of honoring and assisting veterans at home, in nursing homes and in streets and homeless shelters.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The wait may be over for Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in Peru. (Katie Finlon)
The wait may be over for Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in Peru.
Economic Development Director Bob Vickrey said during Monday’s Finance Committee the restaurant should be open by the end of the month with no guarantees.
In May 2023, the city approved the $300,000 purchase agreement with AbyPeru, Inc. at the formal municipal property located at 1839 and 1841 May Road for the new Popeyes. Construction crews broke ground in June 2023.
Director of Engineering and Zoning Eric Carls said final occupancy inspection is on Dec. 3.
Mayor Ken Kolowski said he is excited for the opening.
“This will be great for us locally,” he said. “But also more people getting off the interstate and visiting the city of Peru.”
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is a national chain restaurant, known for its fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits. The nearest locations are in Yorkville, DeKalb, Joliet, Bloomington and Peoria.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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A man police said “helped himself to 16 sandwiches” Monday at a Streator gas station showed up at the police station Tuesday and admitted taking the sandwiches, the authorities said. (Tom Sistak)
A man police said “helped himself to 16 sandwiches” Monday at a Streator gas station showed up at the police station Tuesday and admitted taking the sandwiches, the authorities said.
“We are now waiting to hear from the gas station where this theft occurred to determine if they desire to formally press charges against this young man,” the Streator Police Department said in a news release. “Thank you to those who called in, identifying this subject.”
The damage for his theft was $49.39, police said. A surveillance video at the gas station captured the man’s photo, which Streator police shared on its Facebook page.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Easter bunny signals when to begin the 2023 Easter egg hunt at the Jordan block in Ottawa. The event returns Saturday, March 30, to the Jordan block. (Tom Sistak for Shaw Media)
Here are five things to do this weekend:
1. Easter egg hunts: If you missed the first round of egg hunts, there’s more opportunities Saturday to collect prizes and visit with the Easter bunny. Egg hunts are scheduled 10 a.m. at the park in Buda, at Hopkins Park in Granville and at the Community Building in Neponset; 10:30 a.m. at Soldiers and Sailors Park in Princeton; 11 a.m. at Tiskilwa East Park and Carey Memorial Park in Utica; 1 p.m. at the Bureau County Fairgrounds in Princeton, Wyanet Memorial Park and at United Methodist Church, 2259 U.S. 52, Serena; 2 p.m. at New Hope Church, 30 N. Sixth St., Princeton; and Ottawa will host Hurray for Spring Egg Hunt and Scavenger Hunt 1 to 3 p.m. at the Jordan block. There will be free treats and crafts along with the hunt. The traditional egg hunt begins at 1:45 p.m. for ages 1 to 4 and 2:30 p.m. for ages 5 to 8. The scavenger hunt begins at 1 and it is for ages 9 and older. Check-in is at 610 Court St.
2. STEAM Irish Quartet: The Princeton Theater Group/Festival 56 will present the STEAM Irish Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in a performance at the Grace Theater, 316 S. Main St. Tickets cost $25 and are available online at festival56.com, by contacting the box office at boxoffice@festival56.com or by leaving a message at 815-879-5656. They also will be available at the door.
3. Adult Easter Egg Hunt: Egg hunts aren’t for kids only. The tasting room at August Hill Winery, 106 Mill St., Utica, will host for an adult Easter egg hunt. Find an egg and take it to an AHW associate to claim a prize. Each egg will have something special, the business said. One egg per customer. Participants must be 21 or older. For more information, go to https://augusthillwinery.com/event/adult-egg-hunt/.
4. Steve Mobley Benefit: Help a Marine veteran and Peru store manager, Mobley, of Princeton, who is fighting cancer. He was born in the Ottawa/Serena area. His family and friends are hosting a benefit event 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Senica’s Oak Ridge in La Salle. Cost is $25. Several items donated by the community will be raffled or auctioned at the event. Go to “Steve Mobley Benefit” on Facebook for more information.
5. Jon Rian in concert: The singer-songwriter will perform 7 p.m. Saturday at the Barrel Society, 930 N. Main St., Princeton. The singer’s 2023 “Midwest Boy” album charted as the No. 2 alternative country LP for seven weeks. Rian will be joined by his AM drinker bandmate BC Carter on guitar. Go to https://www.facebook.com/barrelsociety/ for more information.
Would you like your event highlighted in this weekly feature? The first step is submitting your events to the Illinois Valley’s community calendar at shawlocal.com/illinois-valley/local-events.
The annual Easter egg hunt set Saturday in Utica features hard boiled, dyed eggs. The Utica Fire Department has hard boiling the eggs for their hunts since the 1970s. (Scott Anderson)
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois
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A crash occurred Tuesday, June 6, 2024, on U.S. 6 east of La Salle near the entrance to Senicas Oak Ridge golf course. La Salle police, fire and EMS were at the scene. Traffic was reduced to one lane for a short time during the crash cleanup. (Scott Anderson)
Traffic was reduced to one lane Thursday afternoon on U.S. 6 near Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club in La Salle as emergency crews cleared a two-vehicle traffic crash.
One person was taken to a hospital with a minor injury. The crash occurred about 1:40 p.m. Thursday. La Salle police, fire and EMS responded to the scene.
• Shaw Local News Network may update the story with more information as a report is made available.
Traffic was reduced to one lane Thursday afternoon on U.S. 6 near Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club in La Salle as emergency crews cleared a two-vehicle traffic crash. (Scott Anderson)
Traffic was reduced to one lane Thursday afternoon on U.S. 6 near Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club in La Salle as emergency crews cleared a two-vehicle traffic crash. (Scott Anderson)
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Smoke smolders from the roof of Harper’s Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Sheridan. The Illinois State Fire Marshal and La Salle County Sheriff’s Office were among the responders. (Scott Anderson)
A 78-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene of a commercial fire Tuesday afternoon in Sheridan.
Firefighters were dispatched at 12:57 p.m. Tuesday to Harper’s Towing, 2899 U.S. 52, for a structure fire. Newark Fire Department was first on scene.
La Salle County Coroner Rich Ploch reported at 6:13 p.m. that a 78-year-old man, a resident of that address, was pronounced dead. An autopsy is scheduled Thursday.
The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of his family.
Details on the source and cause of the fire are pending.
Newark Fire and EMS along with La Salle County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a fire at Harper’s Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Sheridan.
Smoke smolders from the roof of Harper’s Used Cars and Towing on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Sheridan. (Scott Anderson)
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Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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A suspicious death investigation was launched Tuesday, March 4, 2025, after a woman’s body was recovered in Streator. Police taped off this residence in the 1100 block of Elm Street. (Derek Barichello)
A suspicious death investigation was launched Tuesday morning after a woman was found dead in Streator.
Streator police responded to a residence in the 1100 block of East Elm Street about an unknown issue, according to a Tuesday news release. Officers arrived to find a 37-year-old woman unresponsive, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Because of the suspicious nature of the call, Illinois State Police Crime Scene responded. The name of the woman is being withheld, until notification can be made to her family.
The investigation is ongoing, however, with further details to be released as they become available, police said.
The Streator Police Department was assisted by the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office, La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, Tri-Country Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team and Illinois State Police Crime Scene.
A Streator police officer sits outside a home in the 1100 block of East Elm Street on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Streator. (Scott Anderson)
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Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Peru police are investigating a fatal crash reported at 10:58 p.m. Thursday in the 1200 block of May Road in the city’s north end.
Peru police are investigating a fatal crash reported at 10:58 p.m. Thursday in the 1200 block of May Road on the city’s north end.
In a Friday news release, Lt. Doug Bernabei said Peru police, fire and emergency medical services responded to a traffic crash that resulted in a fatality. The victim was not immediately identified.
“The overnight investigation is continuing by Peru police and the La Salle County coroner,” Bernabei said. “Further details will be released when available.”
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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GDL Mexican Restaurant opened this month in the former Monte’s, 903 E. Norris Drive, Ottawa. (Stephanie Jaquins for Shaw Local)
GDL Mexican Restaurant opened this month in the former Monte’s, 903 E. Norris Drive, Ottawa.
GDL offers authentic Mexican flavors from Guadalajara, Jalisco.
“As proud Tapatios, we bring you fresh, homemade dishes made with love – no fast food, just real Mexican tradition in every bite,” read a post on the restaurant’s social media. “From the moment we arrived, we knew this was the perfect place to share our culture, hospitality and delicious food.”
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Monte’s closed in November after opening in the 1950s.
The Times / NewsTribune / Bureau County Republican is committed to keeping readers up to date with business happenings in the area. Much of our reporting relies on what we see and hear, but we’re also reaching out to readers for tips on business items. If you have a tip to share for Eyes on Enterprise, email newsroom@mywebtimes.com.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Order candy-filled eggs through Gateway Services Inc. to be scattered around your yard in time for Easter morning fun. (Dominic Di Palermo for Shaw Local)
Order candy-filled eggs through Gateway Services Inc. to be scattered around your yard in time for Easter morning fun.
Egg delivery will begin at dark (about 8 p.m.) and will continue until all eggs are delivered (last year, it was about 4 a.m.)
Several options are available. Twenty-five eggs are available for $20, 50 eggs for $37.50, 75 eggs for $52.50 and 100 eggs for $65. There is an option to buy more than 100 eggs with a cost savings.
All deliveries include a letter from E. Bunny. For an additional $5, a personalized egg-shaped 12-by-9.5-inch corrugated plastic sign is available; it includes a golden egg filled with trinkets. This year, four of the gold eggs will contain a short note with a special email address for E. Bunny.
If your child receives one, follow the instructions to receive one of the gift baskets. A treat-filled egg for the family dog or cat can be bought for $5.
Orders are being taken for addresses in Bureau, Marshall and Putnam counties. Delivery also is available within Peru city limits. Pickup is available at the Princeton location and includes a $5 discount.
The order deadline is 4 p.m. March 27. Additional information and an online order form can be found at tinyurl.com/2s3wvhnr, or anyone interested can call 815-875-4548, ext. 221. All proceeds will benefit Gateway Services.
Gateway Services has provided a variety of services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Bureau, Marshall and Putnam counties for 54 years. For information, visit the website at www.gateway-services.org or follow the organization on Facebook.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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