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Registration is now open for multiple youth sports leagues in Streator for this spring and summer.
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Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
'Little Women' kicks off Stage 212's 2026 season with performances running Feb. 6-15.
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Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
The Princeton Public Library, 698 E. Peru St., will host activities the week of Jan. 22. (Shaw File photo)
The Princeton Public Library, 698 E. Peru St., will host activities the week of Jan. 22.
5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22: Monday Night Movie. January’s movies are all movie musicals from various decades.
10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23: Preschool Storytime/Craft, Matson Meeting Room. Cats and Mittens with paper mitten sewing craft
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25: Youth Dungeons & Dragons For ages 10 and older – second and fourth Thursdays. For more information, contact the PPL Youth Services Desk 815-875-1331, ext. 220 or email help@princetonpl.org
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois
The Princeton Public Library, 698 E. Peru St., will host activities the week of Jan. 22. (Shaw File photo)
The Princeton Public Library, 698 E. Peru St., will host activities the week of Jan. 22.
5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22: Monday Night Movie. January’s movies are all movie musicals from various decades.
10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23: Preschool Storytime/Craft, Matson Meeting Room. Cats and Mittens with paper mitten sewing craft
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25: Youth Dungeons & Dragons For ages 10 and older – second and fourth Thursdays. For more information, contact the PPL Youth Services Desk 815-875-1331, ext. 220 or email help@princetonpl.org
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois
Boggios Orchard and Produce float had a giant ear of corn during the Homestead Festival Parade on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Princeton. (Mike Vaughn for Shaw Local News )
The 54th annual Homestead Festival, an end-of-summer tradition in the Illinois Valley, returns Sept. 4-7 in Princeton.
The festival honors Rev. Owen Lovejoy’s contributions to the Underground Railroad and offers a blend of historical experiences and modern-day fun.
From a Main Street parade and a classic car show to a flea market and live entertainment, the festival highlights Bureau County and offers something for everyone.
The Homestead Festival parade rolls down Main Street during the Homestead Festival on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in Princeton. (Mike Vaughn for Shaw Local News )
Live Music
Enjoy performances from Electric Avenue: “The ’80s MTV Experience” on Thursday, Sept. 4; Rodeo Drive and Infinity on Friday, Sept. 5 and Midnight Rider on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Car Show
The 45th annual car show is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 on South Main Street. More than 20 classes of vehicles will be on display and judged for trophies.
Craft Show
Dozens of vendors will line the Bureau County Courthouse lawn on Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7 for the craft show. Browse home decor items, handmade jewelry, sculpture, art and much more.
Homestead Festival Parade
The parade steps off at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 from North Main Street and travels about 2 miles before finishing at South Main Street. This year’s parade marshals are Dr. Barbara Swalve Everett and Dr. Richard Everett.
Additional events happening throughout the weekend include a pie-eating contest, baby contest, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, Euchre tournament, tug fest, Underground Railroad 5K race, kids activities, BBQ contest and much more.
Tours of the Owen Lovejoy Homestead will be ongoing throughout the festival.
For more information and a complete lineup of events, visit homesteadfestival.com or the festival’s Facebook page.
Aimee Barrows is the editor of The Scene, Shaw Local News Network's entertainment section. The Scene is your go-to destination for all things fun in Northern Illinois. Prior to The Scene, Aimee was the editor of the Kane County Chronicle for five years, and a freelance reporter for Shaw Media for four years.
Princeton Logan defeated Mendota Northbrook 36-18 to capture the IESA Class 3A Princeton Regional championship Tuesday at Pannebaker Gym on Tuesday. The Lions (16-3) advance to the Morris Saratoga Sectional, facing the winner of the Crest Hill Richland Regional at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3. Team members are Hattie Dye (front row, from left), Ashlyn McConnell, Lauren Driscoll, Addi Odell and Skylar Hayden; and (back row) assistant coach Garey Driscoll, Alyxis Watson, Avery May, Abby Michlig, Maycie Munson, Leena Gutshall, Alivia Norman, head coach Adam Gutshall and Cora Gutshall. Absent was Hayleigh Mack. (Photo provided)
Kevin has been sports editor of the BCR since 1986 and is Sports Editor of Putnam County Record. Was previously sports editor of the St. Louis Daily News and a regular contributor for the St. Louis Cardinals Magazine. He is a member of the IBCA and Illinois Valley Hall of Fames. He is one of 4 sportswriters from his tiny hometown Atlanta, IL
An aerial view of the Bureau County Courthouse on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024 in Princeton. (Scott Anderson)
The Bureau County Grand Jury considered the following cases on Nov. 14.
The following cases were presented by State’s Attorney Daniel C. Anderson and Assistant State’s Attorney William Brozovich before judges Geno J. Caffarini and James Andreoni:
Casey M. Evans, 49, Princeton, was indicted on a Class 4 felony charge of driving while license revoked. She is accused of driving while her privileges were revoked and has two previous convictions for the same offense. A Princeton police officer testified. Evans is on pretrial release.
Hunter J. Bland, 24, Manlius, was indicted on two counts of Class 2 felony unlawful failure to register as a sex offender. He is accused of failing to register on his annual registration due date in September. A Bureau County Sheriff’s Department sergeant testified. Bland is on pretrial release.
Rigoberto Mejia, 33, DePue, was indicted on a Class 4 felony charge of driving while license revoked. He is accused of driving while his privileges were revoked and has two previous convictions for the same offense. A Ladd police officer testified. Mejia is on pretrial release.
Angalo C. Magnotti, 35, Spring Valley, was indicted on two counts of Class 3 felony threatening a public official. He is accused of threatening to kill two Spring Valley police officers. A Spring Valley police officer testified. Magnotti is detained at the Bureau County Jail following a detention hearing.
Jeremiah J. Widmer, 45, Princeton, was indicted on Class 3 felony escape and Class 4 felony criminal damage to government property. He is accused of violating home confinement terms by removing his GPS ankle monitor and damaging the device. A pretrial services officer testified. Widmer is detained at the Bureau County Jail following a detention hearing.
Steven J. Cain, 36, Princeton, was indicted on a Class 4 felony charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance. He is accused of possessing less than 15 grams of cocaine. A Princeton police officer testified. Cain is on pretrial release.
Tammie N. Snow, 40, Princeton, was indicted on a Class X felony charge of unlawful possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. A Bureau County Sheriff’s Department investigator testified. Snow is on pretrial release.
Two cases were suppressed.
The indictments are accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Maribeth M. Wilson has been a reporter with Shaw Media for two years, one of those as news editor at the Morris Herald-News. She became a part of the NewsTribune staff in 2023.
Victoria Suarez Yepsen has been named the City of Princeton’s new tourism director. (Photo provided by City of Princeton)
Victoria Suarez Yepsen has been named Princeton’s new tourism director.
She will be filling the role of the previous director Jenica Cole, who for almost two years has been in the middle of many of Princeton’s hallmark events, working to market and promote the city and its assets.
Cole was wearing two hats as the director of the Princeton Chamber of Commerce and the Princeton tourism director. Because of the growth the city is experiencing, these two roles now require full-time directors for each position.
“Having a chamber director and tourism director is such a positive for Princeton,” Cole said. “Princeton is growing, Princeton is thriving. There will now be two of us to promote and help progress Princeton forward; and will allow for each of us to collaborate and focus on specific roles for both the city of Princeton and Chamber of Commerce. This is going to be an amazing milestone for our community and I look forward to working with [Yepsen].”
As tourism director, Yepsen’s primary responsibilities will be to promote and market Princeton to the traveling public and work to establish Princeton as a destination for meetings, shopping, events, group tours, day trips and live performances.
City Manager Theresa Wittenauer expressed confidence in the new hire, who brings loads of experience and enthusiasm to her new position.
“The city of Princeton is pleased to welcome Victoria to our team,” Wittenauer said. “We expect her vast experience and background will help take the city’s tourism development and marketing efforts in new and exciting directions.”
Most recently, Yepsen served as the executive director of the Bureau County United Way where she successfully exceeded the campaign goals for the past two years through hosting numerous community events and fundraisers for local nonprofits and businesses.
Victoria Suarez Yepsen will be filling the role of the previous director, Jenica Cole, who for the past nearly two years has been in the middle of many Princeton’s hallmark events, working to market and promote the city and its assets. (Photo provided by City of Princeton)
Yepsen will look to use her experience with community engagement, advertising and social media to expand Princeton’s marketing reach.
Yepsen, originally from Princeton, is a graduate of Princeton High School. She attended Illinois State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music business.
Yepsen recently relocated from Chicago and now resides in Princeton with her husband, Brent.
“It’s an honor for me to hold the position as director of tourism and I am proud to promote and advocate for my hometown that has shaped me into the person I am today,” Yepsen said. “I’m looking forward to building upon Princeton’s tourism expansion to generate further growth and success for our community.”
In her tourism director position, Yepsen will handle media inquiries about area attractions, city news, as well as festivals and events. Her responsibilities also will include responding to visitor inquiries and distribution of materials to surrounding areas.
“We are excited to have Victoria join the city ranks in her new position of tourism director for the city of Princeton,” Mayor Joel Quiram said. “We can’t wait for her to get started on promoting all things tourism, not only throughout the state, but throughout our region as well.”
Yepsen joined Princeton Tourism on Nov. 10 and will be formally introduced at the Princeton City Council on Nov. 21.
Yepsen can be reached by contacting Princeton City Hall at 815-875-2631 or vyepsen@princeton-il.com.
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(Row 1 L-R) Ellie Welte, Jadah Shipley, (Row 2 L-R) Abigail Brown, Caitlin Meyer, Morgan Foes,(Row 3 L-R) Bennett Williams, Michael Smith and Morgan Bartkiewicz were designated at Illinois State Scholars from Princeton High School. (Photo provided by Elena Hilmes)
Princeton High School Principal Andy Berlinski has announced that eight students from the graduating class of 2024 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients from Princeton High School,” Berlinski said. “This designation is an indication of each individual’s scholastic achievement and hard work. This designation is well deserved by each.”
The designated Princeton High School state scholars include: Morgan Bartkiewicz, daughter of Emily Stevensen and Christopher Bartkiewicz; Abigail Brown, daughter of Brett Brown and Jill Lundeen; Morgan Foes, daughter of Dan and Bridget Foes; Caitlin Meyer, daughter of Eric and Heather Meyer; Jadah Shipley, daughter of Kim Kuehl and Nathan Shipley; Michael Smith, son of Kelly Smith and Brandon Smith; Ellie Welte, daughter of Brooke and Mike Welte and Bennett Williams, son of Cheryle and Mark Williams.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the state’s college access and financial aid agency, recognizes the academic achievement of Illinois high school students annually.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois
