Author: princetonmays

The Down on Main Summer Street Concert Series in Princeton is set to return this summer. (Scott Anderson)
The Down on Main Summer Street Concert Series in Princeton is set to return this summer.
The lineup of bands was announced April 10. The street will be closed farther south to allow space for construction at the intersection of Main and Peru streets.
Friday, June 20: Mae Estes
Friday, July 18: The Dave Matthews Tribute Band
Friday, Aug. 8: Face 2 Face, the Elton John and Billy Joel Tribute Show
Thursday, Sept. 4: Electric Avenue
Saturday, Oct. 18: Heidelberg German Band for Oktoberfest
Derek Barichello is the news editor for The Times in Ottawa and NewsTribune in La Salle, part of Shaw Local News Network, covering La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties. He covers local and breaking news in the areas of government, education, business and crime and courts, among others.

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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.

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The Gamers Guild Lounge, 104 N. Main St., Princeton, offers tabletop gaming, video gaming and virtual reality games. (Derek Barichello)
While living in San Antonio, Texas, Nancy Vaca attended many board and video game conventions and lounges where people gathered to play games like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter.
“After meeting tons of people in the community and hearing their stories wishing for a place like that nearby, I decided to open The Gamers Guild Lounge,” Vaca said.
The Gamers Guild Lounge, 104 N. Main St., Princeton, offers tabletop gaming, video gaming and virtual reality games. The tabletop gaming section has board games and puzzles, and guests can bring their trading cards. The gaming area includes an Xbox, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. The virtual reality room has two Meta Quest VRs with headsets. They also have items for purchase, such as Warhammer products, Pokemon cards, and video game-themed collectibles.
Hours are 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.
• 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.

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The Princeton Elementary School District is accepting applications for two open board member positions. (Shaw Local News Network)
The Princeton Elementary School District is accepting applications for two open board member positions.
Interested applicants can pick up information about the positions at the district office, 506 E. Dover Road. The deadline to submit applications is May 16.
Application packets will highlight the legal qualifications for board members, the term of office, formal application process and board policy relative to the vacated positions.
These particular vacated positions will have new members appointed to fulfill two-year terms, which extend to April 2027.
The Board will have a special meeting for the purpose of interviewing candidates some time in early June, with the intent to appoint/approve candidates at the June 23 regular meeting.
Derek Barichello is the news editor for The Times in Ottawa and NewsTribune in La Salle, part of Shaw Local News Network, covering La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties. He covers local and breaking news in the areas of government, education, business and crime and courts, among others.

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OSF St. Clare in Princeton (Shaw Local News Network)
OSF Health Care will partner with the Bureau County Farm Bureau and the Bureau County Senior Center to hold a The Power of Community: Health, Wealth and Wellness Expo from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 26, at the Bureau County Metro Center, 837 Park Ave. W., Princeton.
The event features various community resources for older adults, caregivers and their families. The resources include OSF HealthCare services, Alzheimer’s and dementia support, end-of-life and retirement planning, financial and legal guidance, health and wellness education, mobile phone assistance, retirement communities and caregiving support.
The OSF OnCall King Care-A-Van also is available from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The van will provide cardio checks, glucose and cholesterol screenings. OSF Digital Health Workers also will explain how to connect primary care providers and explore OSF OnCall virtual health programs.

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Protesters gathered Saturday and lined the 100 block of North Main Street in Princeton to express their opposition to current U.S. foreign policy, domestic policy and the separation of powers being tested by the White House. (Tom Collins)
No kings. Racial justice. Democracy. Resist. Hands off.
About 40 protesters gathered Saturday and lined the 100 block of North Main Street in Princeton to express their opposition to current U.S. foreign policy, domestic policy and the separation of powers being tested by the White House.
Saturday’s demonstration was the fourth one organized by the Bureau County Democratic Party, which to date had aligned its local demonstrations with national protests.
“Mostly people are fearful of losing our democracy,” said Rick Wilkin, party chairman. “People are coming out to say, ‘I am not willing to go quietly into the night and have democracy ripped out from underneath me.’”
Tom Jackson of Princeton organized the protests and prepared food to fortify the protesters before they line the streets.
“I think we’ve seen a significant increase in participation and interest with our organization and looking for some change within the county and nationally, particularly right now,” Jackson said.
Deb Swenson of Princeton said she thinks opinion may be shifting in their favor, noting an increase in the number of passersby who’ve demonstrated support for the protesters.
“It’s been surprisingly positive,” Swenson said. “We’ve mostly had people honking or giving thumbs up.”
While the signage raised indicated disparate objections – policy toward Ukraine versus domestic policy, for example – Mary Ann Smith of Princeton said the group is united in its belief the current administration has lost sight of its mission to serve the greater good.
“We have to turn our country around from the MAGA and get back to our roots, which are compassionate and logical,” Smith said. “We have a government that functions to serve the people and not to serve one person.”
More dates are anticipated, though dates are pending.
 
 
Tom Collins covers criminal justice in La Salle County.

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Michelle Duttlinger of Ottawa won the Hometown National Bank “Hometown Hero” sweepstakes on Friday, Aug. 23, 2025, at Hy-Vee in Peru. Each year, the public is invited to nominate people who have made a positive impact within their community. Six finalists are honored at an event at Your Peru Hy-Vee, with one grand prize winner winning a 2-minute Hy-Vee shopping spree.
Got a news tip? Email ntnewsroom@shawmedia.com
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Princeton Police Officer Taylor Wetsel recites her oath Monday, May 5, 2025, with City Clerk Janet Henning at Princeton City Hall. (Derek Barichello)
Taylor Wetsel is where she wants to be.
On her application to become a Princeton police officer, she said she wanted to become an officer since she graduated Princeton High School in 2022 and she loves her hometown.
“Taylor is a lifelong resident of Princeton,” Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer said at Monday’s City Council meeting. “We look forward to her having a long career of service in her hometown.”
Wetsel was sworn into the department Monday. She has started her field training and will do so until August, Kammerer said. She will succeed Officer Erik Sorenson, who is retiring June 3.
“We will remain at full staff,” Kammerer said.
Wetsel is an Illinois Valley Community College graduate where she played softball and volleyball. Several members of Wetsel’s family was present for the swearing in and helped pin her badger onto her uniform.
Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer (left) introduces new officer Taylor Wetsel on Monday, May 5, 2025, during the Princeton City Council meeting at City Hall. (Derek Barichello)
Princeton Police Officer Taylor Wetsel gets her badge put on her uniform by family members Monday, May 5, 2025, at Princeton City Hall. (Derek Barichello)
Derek Barichello is the news editor for The Times in Ottawa and NewsTribune in La Salle, part of Shaw Local News Network, covering La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties. He covers local and breaking news in the areas of government, education, business and crime and courts, among others.

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Bureau County Family Health staff (From left) Dawn Sanchez, Hector Gomez, Angie Reiner CNM, Dawn Rudolph, Dr. Shaw McMillin, Kendra Poole FNP, Pat Chou, Lisa Entwistle, Joyce Barajas and Chris Landaus pose for a photo in the entrance to the Bureau County Family Health clinic inside the Bureau County Health Department on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Princeton. The Bureau County Family Health clinic provides women’s health {including prenatal care, postpartum care, menopause and hormone specialty} and primary care (encompassing all ages and stages of life). The clinic is open Monday’s and Thursday’s from 9a.m.-7p.m. and Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s from 10a.m.-6p.m. closed Fridays. They can be reached at 815-880-8596. (Scott Anderson)
Over 15 years covering news, sports and events in the Illinois Valley. Support my work with a digital subscription.

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Here's a game-by-game look at Week 1 across The Times area, with games including Streator, Ottawa, Marquette, Seneca, Fieldcrest, Dwight, Sandwich and Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland.
Got a news tip? Email ntnewsroom@shawmedia.com
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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