Author: princetonmays

Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network

source

Dennis and Connie (Cramer) Anderson, of Princeton, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 4 with a card party. (Photo provided by Meredith Hattan)
Dennis and Connie (Cramer) Anderson, of Princeton, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 4 with a card party.
Friends and family are asked to send a card to 26743 2100 N. Ave. Princeton, IL, 61356 to help them celebrate.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

source

The complete schedule for the 2023 Homestead Festival has been announced. The annual celebration will take place Sept 8-10 in Princeton. (Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com)
The complete schedule for the 2023 Homestead Festival has been announced. The annual celebration will take place Sept 8-10 in Princeton.
Visitors will be able to take trolley rides to Zearing Park from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The trolley will be providing free rides with pick up and drop off locations at Zearing Park, the Prouty Building and the Knox Hotel.
The schedule for this year’s activities are as follows:
Friday, Sept. 8
Noon to 5 p.m. – Bureau County Historical Society exhibits at 634 South Pleasant St.
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. – bounce houses at Zearing Park
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Lego Contest reception at Prairie Arts Center at 24 Park Ave. E.
5:30 to 9:30 p.m. – tethered hot air balloon rides at Zearing Park
6 to 10 p.m. – music, drinks, food trucks and Brass from the Past performing at Zearing Park
7:30 to 9 p.m. – hot air balloon glow at Zearing Park
Saturday, Sept. 9
8:30 a.m. – Underground Railroad 5k Race at the Bureau County Metro Center
9 to 11 a.m. – Homestead Festival Fun Fair at the Heartland Bank Parking Lot
9 a.m. to noon – stamp collection on display at the Princeton Post Office
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Beta Sigma Phi Arts and Craft Show at the Bureau County Courthouse lawn
9:30 a.m. to noon – 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – 4-H Club BBQ at Soldiers and Sailors Park and a drive-thru at the Bureau County Fairgrounds
Noon to 5 p.m. – Bureau County Historical Society exhibits at 634 South Pleasant St.
1:30 p.m. – Homestead Festival Parade on Main Street with Grand Marshal Jeff Hunt
5 to 8 p.m. – bounce houses in Zearing Park
5:30 to 9:30 p.m. – tethered hot air balloon rides in Zearing Park
6 to 8 p.m. – Mississippi Heat to perform at Zearing Park
7 to 8:30 p.m. – hot air balloon glow at Zearing Park
Dusk – rootbeer floats and outdoor movie at Covenant Church at 24 North Main St.
Sunday, Sept. 10
6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – 12th annual Homestead BBQ Rib Cook Off at Central Bank Parking Lot
8 a.m. to noon – Pancake and Sausage Breakfast at the Princeton Moose Lodge
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Homestead Flea Market at the Bureau County Fairgrounds
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. – 43rd annual Car Show on South Main Street
9 a.m. to noon – Chainsaw Artist Tim Bryner will be in Soldiers and Sailors Park
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Beta Sigma Phi Arts and Crafts Show on the Bureau County Courthouse Lawn
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Bureau County 4-H Clubs BBQ at Soldiers and Sailors Park
Noon to 3:30 p.m. – kids activities including horse rides, bounce houses and more at Soldiers and Sailors Park
12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Children’s Tractor Pull, registration at noon at Soldiers and Sailors Park
3:30 p.m. – Homestead Festival 50/50 Ticket Drawing in front of the Apollo Theater on Main Street.
Members of the L-P High School band perform in the 51st annual Homestead Festival on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 in Princeton. (Scott Anderson – sanderson@shawmedia.com)
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

source

Eric D. Mills (Photo provided by Illinois State Police)
A 57-year-old Princeton man was arrested Wednesday on charges of possession of child pornography.
Eric D. Mills was arrested on three counts of possession of child pornography, which is a class 2 felony, carrying a possible sentence of 3 to 7 years in prison if convicted, said the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 1 in a Wednesday news release.
ISP DCI agents initiated an investigation into child pornography, then agents obtained a warrant for Mills. He was taken to the Bureau County Jail and bond was set at $20,000, with 10% to apply.
The Illinois State Police provide resources for parents, for the public to report crimes against children and victims to start their path towards healing and recovery. Anonymous tips of child pornography can be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s cyber tip line at cybertipline.com.
To keep children safe online, go to illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/onlinesafe/ or cybertipline.org. Go to missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources for resources for survivors of sexual abuse.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

source

Theresa Wittenauer
Princeton City Manager Theresa Wittenauer will remain in her position after the City Council unanimously approved to renew her contract with the city during its Oct. 2 regular meeting.
Wittenauer’s contract will run concurrently with Mayor Ray Mabry through the 2027 election.
“We’ve been very pleased with her services,” Mabry said. “We had a nice discussion with the council, commending her for her work. We are glad to renew this.”
Wittenauer was first hired to the position in November 2019 under the City Council and former Mayor Joel Quiram.
Wittenauer works closely with city department heads and elected officials to maintain the day-to-day operations of the city of Princeton.
Covering local government, breaking news and whatever is thrown at me for the La Salle News Tribune

source

Syngenta Group’s Board of Directors has elected Princeton native Jeff Rowe as CEO of Syngenta Group, effective Jan. 1.
Syngenta Group’s Board of Directors has elected Princeton native Jeff Rowe as CEO of Syngenta Group, effective Jan. 1.
Rowe is currently the President of Syngenta Crop Protection, Syngenta Group’s largest business unit, and was previously President of Syngenta Seeds.
CEO of Syngenta Group, Erik Fyrwald, will continue as CEO until the end of the year when he will retire after seven and a half years with the company. Fyrwald will continue as Advisor to the Chairman of Syngenta Group and remain on the Board of Directors.
Rowe has nearly 30 years of experience in the agriculture sector and is a fifth generation farmer who has first-hand knowledge of the issues that are important to farmers.
“With the strong foundation established by (Fyrwald), (Rowe) is the right CEO to lead Syngenta Group,” Chairman of Syngenta Group Li Fanrong said. “The Board is pleased with the world-class, orderly and planned succession process and has found in (Rowe) a strong leader with the business acumen, operational skills and strategic vision needed to guide Syngenta Group in this critical industry.”
Syngenta Group is one of the world’s biggest agricultural technology companies with roots going back over 250 years and is supported by over 59,000 employees while operating in over 100 countries.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

source

Monterey Mushrooms has announced that it will close two of its mushroom growing locations by the end of January 2024, including the facilities in Princeton and Orlando, Florida. (BCR photo)
Monterey Mushrooms has confirmed that it will close two of its mushroom growing locations by the end of January 2024, including the facilities in Princeton and Orlando, Florida.
“Monterey Mushrooms, an industry leader with over 50 years in business, alongside other produce companies, have faced significant challenges in recent years: a global pandemic, weather impacts, inflation and changes in market behavior,” a company statement read.
Monterey Mushrooms has been in operation for nearly 47 years in the Princeton area and at one time employed between 525 and 550 individuals in the 250,000 square foot facility located on U.S. 6.
“We have operated these two facilities for decades and the decision to close was made after a long and careful review,” the statement read.
Over the coming months, work will be ongoing at the facilities to ensure a smooth closing as productions will be shifted to other farms within the company’s network.
“The company is committed to investing in its other seven mushroom growing locations,” the statement read. “A detailed plan is in place to ensure a smooth transition for the company’s teammates and customers.”
Monterey Mushrooms has confirmed that it will close two of its mushroom growing locations by the end of January 2024, including the facilities in Princeton and Orlando, Florida. (BCR photo)
Covering local government, breaking news and whatever is thrown at me for the La Salle News Tribune

source

A view of the damage looking south at the Red Covered Bridge on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 in Princeton. Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and Bureau County law enforcement surveyed the damage bridge after it was struck by a semi-truck. (Scott Anderson)
Over 15 years covering news, sports and events in the Illinois Valley. Support my work with a digital subscription.

source

The groundwork has been laid for the opening of a new dog park in Princeton in spring 2024 at Zearing Park. (Photo provided by Princeton Park District)
Soon Princeton’s four-legged friends will have a park of their own.
The Princeton Park District Dog Park is expected to open in spring 2024. The turf has been put down and the fence has been erected, the park district said.
“We need to let the sod get restabilized, regenerated, established and ready for use,” the park district said in a news release. “The turf must remain undisturbed to allow for healthy, initial growth process.”
Park Superintendent Nathan Cook and his team jumped right into the project the Monday after Homestead Festival. There were water lines to run and much ground work to coordinate and complete. Princeton City Manager Theresa Wittenauer assisted the park district in its effort.
“This is community working together,” said Tammy Lange, executive director of the park district.
Jeanne Hutchinson has been a lifelong lover of dogs. She believed the addition of a dog park would be a valuable asset for the community, Lange said. Hutchinson donated funds to the Princeton Park District to make this happen.
Lange said the park district was excited to receive Hutchinson’s call about a year ago and set up the meetings to discuss this possibility. After several meetings and discussions with Hutchinson through her daughter and son-in-law, Mike and Jan English, a one acre park with an area for small and large dogs inside of the large fenced area has come to fruition.
The location will be on the far, east side at Zearing Park, near the prairie grass. This area will be away from residences and will be able to be accessed using the east end of the gravel parking lot or walking onto the path from the Thompson Street access.
The Princeton Park District Foundation has donated two trees and two benches for inside the dog park area. Prairie Nursery & Landscape (Josh Schnaiter) also has committed to the donation of two trees.
“We are thankful and blessed to have this wonderful addition coming to our park,” Lange said. “The announcement of the name of the dog park will be revealed at a later date.”
The Princeton Park District Board gave its blessing to move forward at the February board meeting. Future plans will include the opportunity for community members and businesses to sponsor added amenities.
“We want to see how the park is used and enhance that use,” Lange said.
Information will be updated at Bureau County Metro Center Facebook page or at www.princetonparkdistrict.org.
The location of Princeton’s new dog park will be on the far, east side at Zearing Park, near the prairie grass. (BCR photo)
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

source

Emerald Tablet Collective opened in October at 905 N. Main St. Its creative crew is committed to providing high-quality tattoos, piercings and oddities. The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a ceremonial ribbon cutting to celebrate their opening. (Photo provided by Jenica Cole)
Emerald Tablet Collective opened in October at 905 N. Main St., Princeton. Its creative crew is committed to providing high-quality tattoos, piercings and oddities.
The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to celebrate their opening.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

source