Author: princetonmays

The shop, currently at 225 Backbone Road, will move to 902 N. Main St., the former location of Sean Philip Bridals, which closed in March 2025.
Citing risks of increased pollution and higher electricity costs for all consumers, a science-based nonprofit is calling on Illinois lawmakers to strengthen regulations amid the ongoing data center boom.
School districts across the Illinois Valley have announced full closures, shifts to e-learning or delays on Monday due to dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills forecast for the region.
Delilah Gyurkovics was selected during an audition process in October.
Visitors to Starved Rock State Park brave harsh winter weather during Bald Eagle Weekend on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Power outages affecting areas along the Illinois waterway forced organizers to relocate programs and shows to the La Salle room at Starved Rock Lodge. The Illinois Waterway Visitor's Center closed due to a lack of power, with its activities moved indoors.
The Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation District will hold its annual meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday at The Cliff Event Center in Princeton.
Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Jan. 18-24. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you
Nearly the entire state is abnormally dry or in some form of drought as a result of a shortfall of precipitation last year, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor released Jan. 15.
Putnam County Sheriff Joshua Boedigheimer will award a $500 scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA) and member municipalities are offering four $1,000 scholarships for high school seniors in the area.
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood has announced millions of federal dollars secured for three projects in the 14th District: A Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation building in Shabbona, a food pantry in La Salle and a health center in Mendota.
The Chief Senachwine Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is helping members research ancestors who participated in the American Revolution.
Dr. David Lawrence, principal of St. Bede Academy in Peru, Friday announced St. Bede’s honor roll for the first semester of the 2025-26 school year.
Two DePue men were ordered detained Thursday in Bureau County Jail after being charged with non-probationable drug offenses.

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La Salle firefighters responded to a fully engulfed two-story home in the 800 block of Bucklin Street on Friday, Jan. 23. A woman, her son and their dog evacuated safely before crews arrived. Firefighters from La Salle, Peru, Oglesby and Utica fire departments worked together to battle the blaze in subzero temperatures. Peru Fire Department provided an aerial truck to help crews reach the roof. Firefighters broke windows and cut a hole in the roof to access the seat of the fire. Bucklin Street was closed between 8th and 9th Streets during firefighting operations.
School districts across the Illinois Valley have announced full closures or shifts to e-learning on Friday due to the dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills forecast.
A 78-year-old Princeton man was hurt in train-truck accident early Wednesday, the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office said.
Firefighters from multiple departments battled a house fire on Saturday night. One Spring Valley firefighter was injured during the blaze, but was treated and released at the scene.
A Spring Valley family was safely evacuated late Saturday afternoon after a fire apparently destroyed their home in the 200 block of East Devlin Street.
OSF Saint Clare Medical Center in Princeton recently notified patients that some of their personal and medical information may have been exposed in a breach involving its former electronic health record software vendor, Cerner.
The Illinois State Police is investigating a death in Bureau County.
The IDPH state board voted to approve OSF’s consolidation plan on Tuesday night in Bolingbrook, despite a strong effort from communities on the east side of La Salle County.
La Salle County authorities have identified the victim killed in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday on Interstate 39 between Oglesby and Tonica.
Multiple agencies responded to a structure fire at the Marquis Energy property in Hennepin early Wednesday afternoon
A Princeton man was found deceased on Sunday after entering the Illinois River, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said in a Monday news release.
A motorcyclist died after a single-vehicle crash on Route 6 east of the Interstate 180 overpass late Thursday night, according to a Bureau County Sheriff’s Office press release.
Steven Olson always dreamed of playing on the game show Jeopardy one day. Knocking off a 7-day champion and winning four games was not a part of that dream. The Princeton band instructor won four straight games pocketing more than $76,000 in prize money.
Buffington said it took about 35 minutes to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries. 

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Princeton High School (Shaw Local News Network)
Dr. Rich Halberg will become the newest member of the Princeton High School Academic and Career Hall of Fame.
Halberg will be honored Friday, Sept. 9, during a ceremony in which he will address the student body.
Halberg graduated from Princeton High School in 1983. He received a bachelor’s degree with majors in biology and chemistry and a minor in mathematics from the University of Iowa. Halberg graduated with a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Michigan State University.
Halberg is a professor in the Departments of Medicine and Oncology at the University of Wisconsin, with appointments in the Carbone Cancer Center, Institute of Clinical and Translational Research and the William S. Middleton Veterans Hospital.
In 2021, he was appointed senior director of biomedical research facilities overseeing 34 cores in the School of Medicine and Public Health.
Halberg helped prove a longstanding theory in cancer biology was incorrect. Scientists believed for more than 100 years that each cancer is derived from a single rogue cell. Halberg and his research team demonstrated a cancer can be derived from multiple rogue cells and that is why cancer can be so difficult to treat.
Halberg’s research has been described in more than 70 publications of leading scientific journals and supported by grants from the American Cancer Society, American Association of Cancer Research, Department of Defense, National Cancer Institute and NASA.
For more information on the Princeton High School Academic and Career Hall of Fame, visit http://phs-il.org/hall-of-fame/.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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Hawaiian shirt day (front row, l to r): Tonia Balensiefen, Bernie Wise, Linda Bickett, Sharon Coomer, Cassidy Blake, Greta Frazier, Chris Merkel, Patrick Wilson, Kylee Schuetz (back row, l to r): Rob Balensiefen, Tammy Prusak, Tonya Keller, Gayle Little, Kimberly Wittenauer, Abby Ptak, Christine Fundell, Sharon Beaber (Photo provided by Ace Hardware)
Managers at the retail support center for Ace Hardware utilized the month of September to celebrate the building’s 30th-year of operation and impact on the local economy.
The month-long celebration included daily events including meals and snacks catered by local businesses such as Sisler’s and Tony’s Butt Shack, a water balloon ‘dunk tank’, prize raffles and more.
Ace leadership also invited members of the Princeton Fire Department to be honorary judges for an employee chili cooking contest.
Members of the Princeton Fire Department prepare to judge entries in the employee chili cook-off. (Photo provided by Ace Hardware)
“30 years of the Princeton ACE Hardware RSC being in the business of serving others is a tremendous event to celebrate,” Director of the Overall Facility Nick Oertel said. “It is a testament to our TEAM, our core values and the Princeton community.”
Constructed in 1992, the 1.1 million square foot facility began shipping product to local Ace Hardware stores in 1993.
In the years since, the stability of the hardware industry and the Ace brand has allowed residents of Princeton and the surrounding area to create a career.
The current workforce includes several employees who started either when the building first stocked product, first shipped to stores or shortly thereafter.
Charles Teague and Greta Frazier pose with anniversary t-shirts containing their designs. The t-shirts were given to all employees. (Photo provided by Ace Hardware)
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce (Provided)
The Princeton Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of its Costume Contest held on Oct. 22.
Ages 0-4:
1st Place – Revi and Ridge Fritz
Revi and Ridge Fritz (Photo provided by PCC)
2nd Place – Westin Petersen
2nd Place – Westin Petersen (Photo provided by PCC)
3rd Place – Olivia Sledgister
3rd Place – Olivia Sledgister (Photo provided by PCC)
Ages 5-8
1st Place – Wyatt Quanstrom
1st Place – Wyatt Quanstrom (Photo provided by PCC)
2nd Place – Hazel Schnaiter
2nd Place – Hazel Schnaiter (Photo Provided by PCC)
3rd Place – Sophie Sledgister
3rd Place – Sophie Sledgister (Photo Provided by PCC)
Ages 9-12
1st Place – Samuel Biccochi
1st Place – Samuel Biccochi (Photo provided by PCC)
2nd Place – Paisley Brewster
2nd Place – Paisley Brewster (Photo provided by PCC)
3rd Place – Travis Johnson
3rd Place – Travis Johnson (Photo provided by PCC)
Favorite Group Costume
Ella, Allex and Nicholas Johnson
Ella, Allex and Nicholas Johnson (Photo provided by PCC)
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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Alexander Hall graduated from Princeton High School in 2015 and went on to graduate from Northern Illinois University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. (Photo provided by Angel, Isaacson and Tracy)
Angel, Isaacson and Tracy have announced the addition of Princeton-native, Alexander Hall, as new associate attorney.
Hall graduated from Princeton High School in 2015 and went on to graduate from Northern Illinois University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. In 2022 he obtain his Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School in Wisconsin. He also obtained a certificate in litigation.
Hall was involved in a number of organizations including the Family Law Society and Criminal Law Society. He also volunteered his time at the Milwaukee Justice Center Family Law Forms Clinic and worked at Milwaukee County’s District Attorney’s Office.
Hall was inducted into Marquette’s Pro Bono Society for his contributions while volunteering in the community.
At Angel, Isaacson and Tracy, Hall will be focusing on family law matters, landlord/tenant law, real estate matters and a variety of other civil law issues.
Hall stated that he will seek to make accessing the law and understanding the legal processes simple and straightforward for his clients.
Angel, Isaacson and Tracy has a history of providing quality legal services to the local communities. Originally founded by Thomas Henderson and Harvey M. Trimble, the Trimble family continued the firm’s legacy as Trimble and Trimble until merging with Hornbaker and Isaacson over 40 years ago.
Angel, Isaacson and Tracy is located at 111 Park Ave. E. in Princeton.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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Justin McIntire (Photo provided by Ottawa Police Department)
A Princeton man has been charged with a felony in connection with an investigation into sexual contact with a juvenile in Ottawa.
Justin G. McIntire, 23, of Princeton, turned himself in Thursday to the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office on one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse to a victim between the ages of 13 and 17, a Class 2 felony carrying three to seven years in prison. He posted bond and was released.
In a news release issued Friday, Ottawa police said they began in January an investigation into a reported criminal sexual abuse between an adult and a juvenile. The reported incident occurred in December.
Ottawa police were assisted in the investigation by the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office and the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office.
McIntire will next appear April 27 in La Salle County Circuit Court before Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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Coborn’s Inc. of St. Cloud, Minnesota is acquiring Sullivan’s Foods, including stores in Mendota and Princeton, according to WJON radio in St. Cloud.
Coborn’s Inc. of St. Cloud, Minnesota is acquiring Sullivan’s Foods, according to WJON radio in St. Cloud.
Sullivan’s Foods has 11 grocery stores, including locations in Princeton and Mendota, among other holdings. All 800 employees will be hired by Coborn’s and make the transition. Coborn’s said the locations still will operate under the Sullivan’s Foods name going forward, according to the report.
The purchase is expected to close in May, reported WJON radio. The transaction will push Coborn’s portfolio to 77 locations.
Sullivan’s Foods started in 1967. John Sullivan took a part-time job as a meat cutter while serving in the U.S. Army and then bought his own store when he moved to Savanna, Illinois with his wife June. The company has since expanded to the central and northern parts of Illinois.
The acquisition was announced late Friday afternoon.
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.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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Alexia Bouslog poses at the Princeton High School Awards Night on May 15. Bouslog received the Charles Phelps Family Scholarship along with many others. (Photo provided by Elena Hilmes)
Over $200,000 in scholarship were awards at the Princeton High School Awards Night held on May 15. The 2023 Princeton High School award and scholarship winners are as follows:
• Valedictorian – Kailey Patterson
• Salutatorian – Alexia Bouslog
• Class of 2023 Top Ten – Kailey Patterson, Alexia Bouslog, Christian Rosario, Robert Nelson, Sadie Thornton, Veronica Tirao, Allie Leone, Claire Grey, Isabella Whitfield, Lily Keutzer
• Board of Education Academic Excellence Awards:
Seniors – Alexia Bouslog, Kiana Brokaw, Emma Frost, Claire Grey, Mariah, Hobson, Lil Keutzer, Allie Leone, Kailey Patterson, Christian Rosario, Veronica Tirao, Jesse Wright
Juniors – Morgan Bartkiewicz, Abigail Brown, Morgan Foes, Adeline Hecht, Caitlin Meyer, Caleb Novak, Tyson Phillips, Ellie Welte, Bennett Williams
Sophomores – Ellie Harp, Micah Hult, Nolan Kloepping, Ian Morris, Kamryn Patterson, Gavin Pinter
Freshmen – Levi Boggs, Casey Etheridge, Makayla Hecht, Ryan Jagers, Lydia Johnson, Kathy Maciczak, Haylee Mancini, Ashley Richardson, Sydney Scully
• IPA Principal’s Award – Teegan Davis, Isabella Ibarra
• Princeton Lions Club Scholarship (Dave Gillispie Memorial) – Lily Keutzer, Christian Rosario
• Optimist Club of Princeton (Robert Lautzenhiser Service Learning Award) – Claire Grey, Christian Yepsen
• FFA Senior Award – Anthony Carr, Madison Doran, Lily Keutzer, Hailee Pembleton, Chase Wright, Jesse Wright
• FFA Alumni Scholarship – Lily Keutzer, Chase Wright
• Smallwood Sportsman of the Year – Jarrett Carr
• Karen Carlson Greer Scholarship – Isabella Ibarra, Isabella Whitfield
• Palmer Science Award – Christian Rosario
• Princeton Chapter DAR American History Award – Cayden Hansen
• Patterson Lang History Essay – Emma Frost
• Terri L. Simon Words Matter Award – Jessica Fisher
• Princeton Public Schools Foundation IVCC Tuition Program – Kiana Brokaw, Carson Etheridge, Julia Johnson, Allie Leone, Erin May, Matthew Sims
• Princeton Public Schools Foundation Healthcare Scholarship – Christian Rosario, Annaca Watson
• Velma and Hugh Morrison Scholarship – Sadie Thornton
• Nelson Family Trust Scholarship – Anthony Carr, Carson Etheridge
• Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award – Sadie Thornton
• Sons of the American Revolution Outstanding Citizen Award – Alexia Bouslog
• Bureau County Democratic Party Scholarship Foundation – Kyle Jaeger
• Kurt Garvin Memorial Princeton Jaycees Scholarship – Anthony Carr, Lily Keutzer
• Princeton Youth Soccer League Memorial Scholarship – Mariah Hobson, Matthew Sims
• Princeton Youth Baseball and Softball League Scholarship – Isabella Ibarra
• The Princeton Closet Scholarship – Olivia Gartin, Claire Grey, Christian Rosario, Sadie Thornton
• Betty Pretzsch Memorial Reading Award – Kailey Patterson
• Princeton Rotary Scholarship – Madison Doran, Kyle Jaeger, Lily Keutzer, Kailey Patterson, Isabella Whitfield
• Princeton Rotary Vocational Scholarship – Anthony Carr, Carson Etheridge
• Elks Lodge Female of the Year, Great Northwest District Female of the Year, State Female of the Year – Lily Keutzer
• National Honor Society – Alexia Bouslog, Kiana Brokaw, Jessica Fisher, Mariah Hobson, Isabella Ibarra, Lily Keutzer, Kailey Patterson, Isabella Whitfield
• ImpactLife LifeSavings Grant Scholarship Award – Allie Leone
• Marcella Borge Keener Art Award – Kaylee Dowda
• Chris Friend Graphic Arts Scholarship – Brennon Mills
• The Dramatic or Elocutionary Performance Award – Emma Frost
• Outstanding Business Student – Carson Etheridge
• Perfect Attendance Awards: Seniors – Jaden Eggers Juniors – Noah Baker, Anagrace Issacson, Caitlin Meyer, Sydney Mount, Tyson Phillips Freshmen – Nolan Brongel, Landon Davis, Haylee Mancini
• Service Learning Hours Accomplishment:
Seniors – Alexia Bouslog, Anthony Carr, Madison Doran, Morgan Forristall, Claire Grey, Mariah Hobson, Lily Keutzer, Kailey Patterson, Grady Thompson, Chase Wright, Jesse Wright, Christian Yepsen
Juniors – Morgan Bartkiewicz, Carlos Benavidez, Ashton Bland, McKenzie Borys, Georgie Breeding-Fulton, Scarlet Breeding-Fulton, Abigail Brown, Carson Burger, Justin DePauw, Natasha Faber-Fox, Kambri Fisher, Morgan Foes, Olivia Giaquinto, Austin Gordon, Micah Harris, Charlie Hartz, Adeline Hecht, Savannah Hollars, Anagrace Isaacson, Katherine Kammerer, Isaac Knickerbocker, Jacob Knickerbocker, Josephina Leone, Kylen Lewis, Olivia Longville, Caitlin Meyer, Kelsea Mongan, Sydney Mount, Sophia Oester, Tyson Phillips, Brenna Powelson, Morgan Richards, Brennan Roden, Jadah Shipley, Christiane Sierens, Jayden Sims, Bennett Williams
• Keith Schultz Memorial Award – Abigail Brown, Morgan Foes, Caitlin Meyer, Bennett Williams
• Lyle King Award – Brady Byers, Augie Christiansen, Teegen Davis, Isabella Ibarra, Grady Thompson
• Outstanding Senior Athlete – Alexia Bohms, Kiana Brokaw, Augie Christiansen, Daniel Cihocki, Teegan Davis, Olivia Gartin, Mariah Hobson, Isabella Ibarra, Matthew Sims, Grady Thompson
• IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award:
Seniors – Kiana Brokaw, Anthony Carr, Kaylee Dowda, Jaden Eggers, Carson Etheridge, Emma Frost, Gabriel Glass, Claire Grey, Connor Hickey, Mariah Hobson, Isabella Ibarra, Lily Keutzer, Dawysn Kinsley, Emma Kruse-Carter, Erin May, Robert Nelson, Kailey Patterson, Karter Patterson, Christian Rosario, Matthew Sims, Grady Thompson, Sadie Thornton, Veronica Tirao, Isabella Whitfield, Kailee Winner
Juniors – Cameron Adkisson, Benjamin Anderson, Abigail Brown, Sophia Carlson, Natasha Faber-Fox, Kambri Fisher, Morgan Foes, Miyah Fox, Olivia Giaquinto, Adeline Hecht, Anagrace Isaacson, Katherine Kammerer, Jacob Knickerbocker, Josephina Leone, Kylen Lewis, Olivia Longeville, Caitlin Meyer, Payne Miller, Kelsea Mongan, Sophia Oester, Anisha Patel, Andrew Peacock, Tyson Phillips, Morgan Richards, Brennan Roden, Joshua Roth, Christiane Sierens, Michael Smith, James Starkey, Kole Transou, Abigail Ward, Bennett Williams
• IHSA All Academic Team Nominees – Jaden Eggers, Kailey Patterson
• Masonic Athlete of the Year – Isabella Ibarra, Teegan Davis
• German Award – Alexia Bouslog, Madison Doran, Jaden Eggers, Kaegan Hansen, Kyle Jaeger, Lily Keutzer, Emma Kruse-Carter, Kailey Patterson, Karter Patterson, Christian Yepsen
• Spanish Award – Kiana Brokaw, Olivia Gartin, Emiliana Gonzalez, Claire Grey, Connor Hickey, Mariah Hobson, Isabella Ibarra, Noah Martin, Robert Nelson, Hailey Peterson, Christian Rosario, Elliott Weddell, Isabella Whitfield
• Art I Emerging Artist – Sasha Kusmierz, Kathy Maciczak, Alliyah Shurts
• Art II Emerging Artist – Grace Killin
• Art III Outstanding Class Artist – Allie Leone
• Art IV Outstanding Class Artist – Heather Elmore
• Chopin Piano Award – Lily Keutzer
• National School Choral Award – Emma Frost
• Michael Skean Award – Sadie Thornton
• John Philip Sousa Award – Sadie Thornton
• Louis Armstrong Jazz Award – Isabella Whitfield
• Director’s Award – Kailey Patterson
• Adele Zearing Gibbs Performing Arts Scholarship – Emma Frost
• Illinois State Scholars – Alexia Bouslog, Claire Grey, Lily Keutzer, Allie Leone, Robert Nelson, Kailey Patterson, Christian Rosario, Sadie Thornton, Veronica Tirao
• Roger W. Gustafson Memorial Scholarship – Claire Grey
• Mildred A. Eckstrom Memorial Fund – Jaden Eggers, Kyle Jaeger
• Jim and Lynn Mortensen Scholarship – Anthony Carr , Madison Doran, Kaylee Dowda, Carson Etheridge, Emma Frost, Isabella Ibarra, Lily Keutzer, Christian Rosario, Sadie Thornton Isabella Whitfield
• Charles Phelps Family Scholarship – Alexia Bouslog
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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Two OSF HealthCare lifeflight helicopters landed on a farm in the 13000 block of County Road 950 North just south of Granville after two people fell into a grain bin on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. Emergency responders worked to extract the victims from the hazardous situation. Residents are advised to avoid the area during emergency operations.
An Ottawa woman was injured after her vehicle struck the BP service station Saturday afternoon.
The shop, currently at 225 Backbone Road, will move to 902 N. Main St., the former location of Sean Philip Bridals, which closed in March 2025.
Peru officials announced Monday that, due to continuing emergency electrical work in the area, Shooting Park Road will be closed Monday between Pulaski and Walnut streets.
The suspect in the Streator strangulation will stand trial for murder on June 1.
Earlville Jr./Sr. High School is having a fundraiser to raise money for the class of 2032.
The Reddick Public Library District in Ottawa will host several programs and events in February.
The Putnam County Public Library District’s McNabb Branch will host “Bird Snack Station” at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Putnam County Public Library District’s Granville Branch will host a free craft workshop at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The Streator Public Library recently announced its upcoming events and programs for February.
Streator firefighters extinguished a fire at a restaurant at 720 East Main St. on Saturday morning despite subzero temperatures.
Spring Valley Ford will consolidate with Schimmer Ford in Peru and Mendota Ford, following nearly 17 years of operation, Owner and President Jeff Schimmer announced.
As Shaw Media celebrates its 175th anniversary, we looked back at four front pages from January 26, including coverage of the infamous 1967 blizzard
School districts across the Illinois Valley have announced full closures, shifts to e-learning or delays on Monday due to dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills forecast for the region.

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