Author: princetonmays

Martin Makransky (Photo provided by Martin Makransky)
Name: Martin Makransky
What office are you seeking? Princeton City Council
Age:
Occupation and employer: I proudly served in the United States Air Force for 21 years before transitioning to my current role as a teacher and the head coach of cross country and track & field at St. Bede Academy.
For the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a councilman for the city of Princeton.
Education: I hold a Bachelor’s in Education from Illinois State University and a Bachelor’s in Information Systems Management from Park University. I am also a graduate of Illinois Valley Community College and Princeton High School.
Community involvement: As a long-time member of St. Louis Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, I am deeply committed to serving my community. I have been involved in many local initiatives, including the Flags of Freedom Committee, Habitat for Humanity, and the revitalization of Veteran’s Park. I’ve also been a member of the steering committee for the Homestead Festival and have volunteered for Festival 56, where my family and I have hosted festival guests for 18 years.
Family: Tracy and I are proud parents of four children and grandparents to three wonderful grandchildren.
I am running for reelection because I find great satisfaction in making a positive, direct impact on our community. Over the past four years, I’ve strived to be a voice for the people, listening to their concerns, and finding balanced solutions to local issues. My focus has always been to advocate for policies that protect residents financially while ensuring that our community continues to grow and thrive.
Looking ahead, my vision for Princeton is a community where everyone feels heard and valued. I want to encourage greater engagement in council meetings, fostering an open dialogue where residents can share their ideas and concerns. I’m committed to supporting small businesses, promoting tourism, and continuing to make Princeton a great place to live, work and visit.
We’ve made significant strides in economic development, and we must continue to promote small business incentives, invest in our infrastructure, and enhance our community’s strengths. Our public schools, chamber of commerce, and tourism programs are vital assets that deserve continued support. I also believe it’s important to focus on local jobs by highlighting vocational programs and community colleges that align with the demands of our workforce.
Our city services, including our top-tier fire and police departments, hospital, and public works, are essential to the quality of life in Princeton. I’m proud that we own our electric department and have maintained control of our garbage and recycling services—this local control allows us to serve residents efficiently and responsibly.
One of the things I am most proud of during my time on the council is the creation of a warming center for homeless individuals. Princeton is a caring community, and I believe we can continue to help those in need, not just temporarily, but through long-term solutions. If this issue grows, we will explore more permanent options.
Supporting local nonprofits is also a priority for me. We’ve built strong partnerships with organizations that support public health, mental health, youth services, and housing. These partnerships improve the quality of life for all residents.
Finally, Princeton’s reputation as a welcoming and vibrant community must be maintained. I’m committed to preserving our historic charm while promoting our local assets—our library, theaters, and local events. As I always say, there’s something for everyone in Princeton.
I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, and I’m excited for the future. I ask for your support to continue working together to make Princeton an even better place to call home

Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Veteran Gregory Zerfas holds a Quilt of Valor as Betty Baznik (left) and Shirley Steele (right) drape the quilt over him during the Quilt of Valor ceremony on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Moose Lodge in Princeton. In 2003, quilter Catherine Roberts started the movement that became Quilts of Valor when her son was deployed in Iraq. Since that time, more than 401,361 have been awarded. The local group Illinois Valley Quilts of Valor awarded 189 quilts in 2024 and has given more than 1,000 quilts since its start in April 2017. Two veterans were absent. (Scott Anderson)
Over 15 years covering news, sports and events in the Illinois Valley. Support my work with a digital subscription.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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CItizenship ideals at Logan Junior High School emphasize both curriculum and extracurricular activities. Attitudes and behaviors that reflect a concern for others, participation in school functions, responsible leadership and willingness to serve, and mental and physical courage are the guidelines in selecting. Citizenship Awards at Logan Junior High School for the third quarter of the 2023-2024 school year are (front row, from left) Gabriel Glover, Jaxson Munson, Raymond Donahue and Addie Odell; (middle row) Michael Jones, Maycie Munson and Ailyn Cano; and (back row) Trevyn Munson, Bryce Cochran, Lenora Hopkins and Grace Nesbitt. (Photo provided)
The following students were selected to receive Citizenship Awards at Logan Junior High School in Princeton for the third quarter of the 2023-24 school year.
Fifth grade: Jaxson Munson, Maycie Munson, Addie Odell, Raymond Donahue, Gabriel Glover
Sixth grade: Michael Jones, Ailyn Cano
Seventh grade: Lenora Hopkins, Bryce Cochran
Eighth grade: Grace Nesbitt, Trevyn Munson
CItizenship ideals at Logan Junior High School emphasize both curriculum and extracurricular activities. Attitudes and behaviors that reflect a concern for others, participation in school functions, responsible leadership and willingness to serve and mental and physical courage are the guidelines in selecting.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Starting Tuesday, Dec. 31, all employees, patients and visitors will be required to wear masks at all OSF hospital locations, OSF said on its Facebook page Monday. (Scott Anderson)
Starting Tuesday, Dec. 31, all employees, patients and visitors will be required to wear masks at all OSF hospital locations, OSF said on its Facebook page Monday.
The hospital said the requirement is because of the widespread respiratory illnesses in the community; including COVID-19, influenza and RSV.
The hospital said it also will be allowing two visitors, 18 and older, per patient at this time.
OSF has hospitals and emergency rooms in Ottawa, Streator, Mendota, Peru and Princeton.
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Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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(From left) Princeton Fire Department team members Allysen Jacobsen, Eli Van Autreve, Bureau County History Center curator Jessica Gray, Bryan Berlin and Frank Filippi. Members visited to see the portrait of Wright Seaman as well as the original book of meeting minutes for the department. Seaman was the first Fire Chief in Princeton but was killed during the Civil War’s Battle of Shiloh. (Photo provided by Lex Poppens)
The Bureau County History Center hosted members of the Princeton Fire Department on Feb. 20.
Fire Chief Scott Etheridge and fire department members visited to see the portrait of Wright Seaman as well as the original book of meeting minutes for the department. Seaman was the first fire chief in Princeton but was killed during the Civil War’s Battle of Shiloh.
The portraits exhibit opened March 1 and will run until July 26.
Princeton Fire Chief Scott Etheridge (left) and Bureau County History Center curator Jessica Gray visit to see the portrait of Wright Seaman as well as the original book of meeting minutes for the department. Seaman was the first Fire Chief in Princeton but was killed during the Civil War’s Battle of Shiloh. (Photo provided by Lex Poppens)
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Jonathan Boone (Photo provided by La Salle County Sheriff's Office)
A La Salle man faces felony charges after authorities seized unlawful digital images.
Jonathan Boone, 29, was charged with three counts of possessing child sexual abuse images, La Salle County Sheriff Adam Diss said Wednesday in a news release.
Investigators from the sheriff’s office were assisted by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office High Tech Crimes Bureau and the La Salle Police Department.
Boone was taken to the La Salle County Jail, where he later was released and given a notice to appear in court. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed at a later time, police said.
Investigators with the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office are members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Princeton firefighters respond to the scene of a semi crash on Interstate 80 on top of the U.S. 34 overpass on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Princeton. The crash occurred in the eastbound lane shortly after 5 p.m. Illinois State Police also responded to the incident. Traffic was down to one lane for about an hour. (Scott Anderson)
Over 15 years covering news, sports and events in the Illinois Valley. Support my work with a digital subscription.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Illinois Valley Hispanic Partnership Council will be hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo festival at 5 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Northbrook Middle School, 1804 Guiles Ave., Mendota. There is no fee for entrance to the event. (Tom Sistak for Shaw Media)
The Illinois Valley Hispanic Partnership Council will be hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo festival at 5 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Northbrook Middle School, 1804 Guiles Ave., Mendota. There is no fee for entrance to the event.
This annual event features royalty competitions, food trucks, face painting and music, among other activities. In addition, more than 20 businesses and organizations will have booths at the event. There also will be raffles, including one for a used John Deere lawn tractor (tickets for this raffle are available through IVHPC members or by contacting Mario at 815-830-2547).
Money raised from the event benefits cultural events and scholarships.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The rainbow-colored house at 1617 La Salle St. in Ottawa is listed for sale. (Derek Barichello)
There’s a new residential listing near downtown Ottawa. You can’t miss it.
It’s a one-story ranch that’s white – and also pink, green, blue, orange and yellow, among other colors. Each row of siding was painted a different color to catch the attention of the city of Ottawa.
The house at 1617 La Salle St. was purchased in 2017 by Mike Carretto, of Carretto & Associates, who works at the building just north of the property, according to a 2018 Times article. He planned to demolish the house to expand his lot. The city informed his contractor that he would be required to dig up La Salle Street to disconnect the water line at the water main in the middle of the street and terminate the sewer line at the property line.
Carretto didn’t want to pay the extra cost to dig up the street, and city officials declined to have him demolish the house first and disconnect the lines on their own the next time La Salle Street was under construction. He thought the city would concede in order to have the vacant building demolished, but when they didn’t, he started to paint the house in an effort to get their attention, as well as the attention of his neighbors. He painted it little by little.
The city of Ottawa said at the time it’s the city’s policy to have the line disconnected before demolishing a home and that homeowners are responsible for their own lines to the water main. Future construction could also lead to water main issues, which is why the city requires termination of lines.
In 2018, Carretto said passersby appreciated the technicolor home. Many people stopped to take photos to share on social media.
Currently, the home’s front window is covered with the phrase, “God is love, have courage & be kind.”
The listing calls the house infamous, as most in Ottawa are familiar with the home. It’s listed for $50,000 by George Shanley of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group.
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.
The rainbow-colored house at 1617 La Salle St. in Ottawa is listed for sale. (Derek Barichello)
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Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Gateway Services, Inc. Scholarship application now is open to students who plan to study in a field related to intellectual/developmental disabilities, including but not limited to human services, psychology, sociology, social work or special education. (Shaw Local News Network)
The Gateway Services Inc. Scholarship application now is open to students who plan to study in a field related to intellectual/developmental disabilities, including but not limited to human services, psychology, sociology, social work or special education.
Students currently enrolled in a college or university are eligible to apply. Applicants attending a two-year college may apply with the understanding that they are to continue their education toward a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields of study.
Applicants must reside in Bureau, Marshall or Putnam counties. A one-time scholarship of $2,500 will be awarded annually as funds permit. Applications must be received by March 1 and can be found at forms.gle/6285TAYfiZkGSZFa6. A link is pinned on Gateway’s Facebook page and also can be found on its website at gateway-services.org under the “resources” tab.
Selection of the scholarship recipient will be made on or before April 30. The decision will be based on a combination of community involvement and the future goals of the applicant.
“We are excited to announce the development of our scholarship fund,” Gateway Services CEO Tracy Wright said in a news release. “We have been so fortunate to benefit from kind and generous acts from all over our communities, and this is our opportunity to give back. This is also a great way to help a deserving student who will make a future impact in the world of intellectual/developmental disabilities.”
Nearing its 55th year in existence, Gateway Services provides a variety of services and supports for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in Bureau, Marshall and Putnam counties.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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