Author: princetonmays

Protesters flood rotary park at the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Princeton. (MaKade Rios for Shaw Media)
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
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The Bureau County Courthouse is at 700 S. Main Street in Princeton. (BCR file)
These are the property transfers that occurred in Bureau County between May 1 and May 15, 2025.
May 1, 2025
David Olsen Sr. (trustee), David Olsen Sr. Trust, Renee Olsen (trustee) and Renee Olsen Trust to Ashley Talaga and Jett Wedekind, trustees’ deed, part of Section 21 in Princeton Township, $280,000.
Carolyn and Michael Maynard to Jacob and Tiana Holschlag, warranty deed, part of Section 20 in Greenville Township, $450,000.
Chris Kieffer to Tucker Nichols, warranty deed, Lot 1 in Sunrise Suites in Princeton, $200,000.
James and Tracy Robbins to Jonathon Hohertz, warranty deed, part of Lot 1 and part of Lot 2 in Block 25 in Myrick’s Second Addition in Cherry, $213,000.
May 2, 2025
Aaron and Michael Book to Ag-Products Company, warranty deed, part of Section 9 in Berlin Township, $1,204,815.
Brande Bertrand to William Veach, warranty deed, Lot 8 in Block 69 in Dalzell’s Third Addition in Spring Valley, $77,999.
Mary Erickson (trustee) and Mary Erickson Trust to James and Tracy Robbins, trustees’ deed, parts of Section 36 in Princeton Township, $390,000.
Lauren Tornow to Enid and Thomas Carl, warranty deed, Lot 20 and part of Lot 19 in Homeway Sixth Addition in Walnut, $87,500.
Mary Stander (trustee), Thomas Stander (trustee), Mary Stander Trust and Thomas Stander Trust to Dominick and Kaitlynn Catton, trustees’ deed, Lot 10 in Erickson Subdivision in Princeton, $249,500.
May 5, 2025
Alexia Backos (AIF), Alexia Backos, Dominic Guerrini (AIF), Louis Guerrini (AIF), Dominic Guerrini, Louis Guerrini, Bonny Kohr (AIF), Bonny Kohr, Andrew Loebach (AIF), Eric Loebach (AIF), Sarah Loebach (AIF), Andrew Loebach, Eric Loebach, Sarah Loebach, Bridgett Potthoff and Joann Rooney to Bryan and Laurie Galetti, warranty deed, Lot 18 in Block 8 in Cherry, $45,000.
Gladys Gomez Ramey to Alexis Scarpaci and Ian Stanley, warranty deed, Lot 5 in Block 47 in Ladd, $50,000.
Loren Lott to Rick Rokosz, warranty deed, parts of Lot 181 in Tiskilwa and part of Lot 182 in Tiskilwa, $35,000.
May 6, 2025
RMS Equity Solutions LLC to Janelle and Joseph McCarter, warranty deed, Lots 1 and 2 in J.H. Seaton’s First Addition in Seatonville, $162,250.
May 7, 2025
The Stough Group Inc. to Stacy and Willard Mott, warranty deed, Lot 3 in Princeton Senior Housing, Lots 1-3, $100,000.
Alma Madera to Ryan Hackward and Josh Nickelsen, warranty deed, Lots 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Block 8 in Seatonville, $93,000.
May 8, 2025
Chris and Mary Kieffer to Casidy and Ryan Blume, joint tenancy deed, Lot 4 in Orchard View Estates, Part SW, Sec. 19-16-9, $380,000.
Anthony and Karina Polcaster to Cindy Strader, warranty deed, Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Reavley Addition in Wyanet, $157,000.
May 9, 2025
Rock Pile LLC to Big Door Home Buyers LLC, warranty deed, Lot 15 in Spring Creek Subdivision First Addition in Spring Valley, $40,000.
John and Sarah French to Andrea Gonzalez, warranty deed, Lot 2 in Block 130 and part of Lot 3 in Block 130 in Greenwood’s Addition in Spring Valley, $121,000.
May 12, 2025
Janelle and Joseph McCarter to Dane and Kelsey Stier, warranty deed, part of Lot 202 and part of Lot 203 in Elston’s Addition in Princeton, $116,000.
Trevon Spencer to Brady Snethen, warranty deed, parts of Section 17 in Princeton Township, $145,000.
May 13, 2025
Veronica Orduno to Jennifer Del Prete, warranty deed, parts of Section 34 in Concord Township, $100,111.
Wendell Hansen (deceased) and Stephen Hansen (executor) to Donald King, Dee McCune and Harry McCune, executor deed, parts of Section 33 in Greenville Township, $1,445,304.
Dane and Kelsey Stier to Amanda and Thomas Higgins, warranty deed, part of Lot 5 in Prouty Subdivision in Princeton, $150,600.
Laura Gaylord, Gladys Rowley (deceased), Bryan Rowley and Gregory Rowley to Gabrielle and Trevon Spencer, warranty deed, Lot 11 in Manor Court Subdivision First Addition in Princeton, $180,000.
May 14, 2025
Ella Davison (deceased) and Frankie Davison to Mary VanKuelen, warranty deed, part of Section 5 in Mineral Township, $55,000.
Mary VanKuelen to Alissa and Drew Cotton, warranty deed, part of Section 5 in Mineral Township, $150,000.
Beverly Faber to Vuong Thi Le and Hoa Nguyen, joint tenancy deed, Lot 22 in Erickson Subdivision in Princeton, $138,500.
April Buchanan and Adam Odell to Adnan Dervic, warranty deed, part of Lot 1 in Stoner’s Second Addition in Princeton, $105,000.
May 15, 2025
Tracy Cain, Cari Riker, Amy Peterson, Betty Rollo (deceased), Alan Rollo and Harold Rollo to Harold and Verna Rollo, warranty deed, part of Section 10 in Walnut Township, $135,000.
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Casa Mia, a nearly 80-year-old Naplate icon, plans to discontinue its menu and limit its offerings in February. (Stephanie Jaquins for Shaw Local)
Casa Mia, a nearly 80-year-old Naplate icon, plans to discontinue its menu and limit its offerings in February.
“We will still have our amazing high class martini/casual bar, rent out our back room for private shower/parties, and do pop-up favorite items and offer outdoor venues as we so choose. Eventually we will have gaming machines as well,” Maribeth Hoffman, who owns the restaurant with her husband Phil, wrote on the business’ social media page.
Phil Hoffman began working as a dishwasher at 11 years old and purchased the restaurant just before his 30th birthday. He will be 60 in May and has owned the restaurant for 30 years this April.
“That’s pretty impressive,” Maribeth wrote.
The Hoffmans thanked their staff and patrons for their support. Gift certificates will be honored for drinks and pop-up favorites in the future. A menu will not be available and reservations not accepted after Feb. 15.
The restaurant, a former home, is known for its intimate dining. It seats 55 to 60 people and the kitchen is in the basement with the food brought up through a dumbwaiter. The original owners were Jim and Florence Cheli.
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.
Casa Mia, a nearly 80-year-old Naplate icon, plans to discontinue its menu and limit its offerings in February. (Stephanie Jaquins for Shaw Local)
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Morgan Bartkiewicz (Photo provided)
Morgan Bartkiewicz, a Princeton High School senior, recently received from Deborah Knupp, a private benefactor representing a community of Chicago moms, a generous award of $15,000 for exemplary character, extraordinary kindness and exceptional leadership to use toward her future education.
Bartkiewicz and the Chicago moms first met when Knupp and a group of her friends were having dinner at Neil & Shortys BBQ Co. during Bartkiewicz’s shift. Knupp and her friends immediately recognized the “it” quality within Bartkiewicz.
During their conversation, Knupp shared that she and her family were relocating to Princeton and would be needing a sitter from time to time. This chance encounter led not only to an additional employment opportunity for Bartkiewicz but also began a friendship between the two. In addition to receiving this award for her own education, Bartkiewicz has been given the opportunity to bequeath this same amount to a graduating senior next year.
Bartkiewicz plans to attend the University of Iowa in the fall and major in molecular and cellular biology on a prephysician assistant track.
Princeton High School senior Morgan Bartkiewicz (right) received a $15,000 scholarship from Deborah Knuff (left) and a group of “Chicago Moms.” (Photo provided)
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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.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
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Stage 212 in La Salle has announced the new Queen of Hearts raffle to benefit its Auditorium Renovation Project. (Tom Collins)
Stage 212 in La Salle has announced the new Queen of Hearts raffle to benefit its Auditorium Renovation Project.
The Queen of Hearts is a progressive raffle utilizing a deck of 54 playing cards (including two jokers) that are placed face down on a mounting board purchased from a certified gaming vendor. Once a card is selected, it will be turned over with the card face up on the board. The Queen of Hearts is the Jackpot Card. The board will be displayed in the Atrium of the Westclox Building, next to Fire on Fifth, at 300 Fifth St., Peru.
The Queen of Hearts drawing will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the Atrium of the Westclox Building with one ticket drawn from the tickets purchased that week. If the Queen of Hearts is not revealed, the jackpot will roll over for the next weekís drawing. Winners will be announced/posted on Facebook, on Stage 212′s website, in The Atrium and at Stage 212.
The ticket holder who selects the Queen of Hearts is the grand prize winner. If the grand prize winner is present at the time of the drawing, they will receive 100% of the jackpot. If the grand prize winner is not present, they will receive 50% of the jackpot. The jackpot is defined as 70% of the total ticket sales accumulated at the time of the last drawing.
Tickets will be available starting July 1 with the first drawing to be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 at The Atrium. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 with no limit on the number of tickets purchased. They will be sold at Stage 212, 700 First St., La Salle, during events, and at Fire on Fifth during regular business hours.
All players must be 18 years of age or older to participate. All proceeds from this raffle will benefit Stage 212′s Auditorium Renovation Fund. Stage 212, Inc. is a 501c3 charitable organization. For more information and complete rules, visit stage212.org.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
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A view of Big Lots on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at the corner of 38th Street and Route 251 in Peru. Big Lots reached a deal Friday to keep hundreds of its stores open but it is unclear how it will affect the Peru store. (Scott Anderson)
Big Lots reached a deal Friday to keep hundreds of its stores open but it is unclear how it will affect the Peru store.
Big Lots Account Associate Jillian Choy said in an email that the company was unable to provide any additional details about the Peru store at this time.
The company said in a Friday news release it has agreed to a sale transaction with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners LLC (Gordon Brothers Retail Partners) that enables the transfer of Big Lots assets.
“We are pleased to reach this strategic agreement with Big Lots and partner with Variety Wholesalers to achieve a path forward that allows Big Lots to continue to serve customers with extreme bargains and an outstanding shopping experience,” Rick Edwards, Gordon Brothers Retail Partners’ head of North America Retail said in the release.
Big Lots Inc., which filed for bankruptcy in September, announced Dec. 19 that it would no longer be able to complete its previously announced asset purchase agreement with Nexus Capital Management and was preparing to move forward with going-out-of-business sales at all remaining Big Lots stores.
Variety Wholesalers, according to the news release, owns more than 400 retail stores in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic United States and intends to acquire between 200 and 400 Big Lots stores, which it plans to operate under the Big Lots brand moving forward, and up to two distribution centers.
“Variety Wholesalers may employ Big Lots associates at the acquired stores and distribution centers, as well as certain corporate associates needed to support the go-forward footprint,” the company said in the release.
Bruce Thorn, Big Lots’ president and CEO, said in the release that the strategic sale to Gordon Brothers and the transfer to Variety Wholesalers is a favorable and significant achievement for Big Lots that reflects the tireless work and collective effort of the team.
“This sale agreement and transfer present the strongest opportunity to preserve jobs, maximize value for the estate and ensure continuity of the Big Lots brand,” he said. “We are grateful to our associates nationwide for their grit and resilience throughout this process.”
Lisa Seigies, Variety Wholesalers’ president and CEO, said they are excited to partner with Gordon Brothers to provide a path forward for the Big Lots brand and hundreds of its stores.
“We look forward to working with members of the Big Lots team to realize the exciting opportunities ahead,” she said in the news release.
The agreement is subject to approval by the Bankruptcy Court and other customary closing conditions.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
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True Leaves Bookshop in Princeton will be celebrating Independent Bookstore Day – a nationwide event honoring the magic of indie bookstores and the communities that support them – from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 26. (Photo provided by Angela Adams)
True Leaves Bookshop in Princeton will be celebrating Independent Bookstore Day – a nationwide event honoring the magic of indie bookstores and the communities that support them – from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 26.
Located at 15 Park Ave W. in the historic Sash-Stalter-Matson Building, True Leaves Bookshop will host a day for book lovers.
“Whether you’re a local or just visiting, we’d love for you to be part of our day,” said co-owner Matthew Adams. “Grab a doughnut, meet a friend, pick up a new or used book – have some fun.”
“Indpendent Bookstore Day celebrates the irreplaceable role independent bookstores play in communities,” said Angela Adams, co-owner of True Leaves Bookshop. “In a world of big box stores, Independent Bookstore Day is a chance to support local, connect with fellow readers and celebrate what makes indie bookshops so special.”
True Leaves will serve complimentary refreshments, along with have some special releases and promotions.
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.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce announced this years group of 40 Under Forty recipients. (Image provided by IVAC)
The Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce announced this years group of 40 Under Forty recipients.
This year’s recipients represent organizations and industries from all across the Illinois Valley. The recipients exemplify a drive to make a positive impact on our communities, our businesses and our organizations, and have a proven track record for both business and community service and involvement.
The group is made up of leaders in education, small business, finance, nonprofits, retail and community protection, among other sectors.
“This award is about celebrating the next generation of difference makers across the Illinois Valley,” IVAC Executive Director Bill Zens said. “The group that was selected this year are not only difference makers in their organizations but also our communities. I am in awe of the work they are doing, and will continue to do to make the Illinois Valley an amazing place to be.”
The chamber’s selection committee included Steve Wrobleski, La Salle–Peru High School (IVAC Board president), Rachel Balestri, Eureka Savings Bank (IVAC Board vice president), Kim Bima, OSF Healthcare (IVAC Board member), Jay McCracken, Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce and Tracy Morris, Illinois Valley Community College.
The recipients are
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
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Arborist and Princeton Tree Board member Dennis Taylor talks about the April 19 event to plant 100 trees at Oakland Cemetery in Princeton. (Derek Barichello)
The Princeton Tree Board will plant 100 trees on Saturday, April 19, at Oakland Cemetery, 1103 Park Ave. W. and the community are invited to help.
Planting will be done by professionals, ensuring each tree is placed with expertise. Complimentary coffee and doughnuts will be served, provided by the Princeton City Council.
There will be free tree giveaways. Take home a tree, available on a first come, first-served basis.
Participants will also get a chance to see the state record white pine. There will be a guided hike with arborist Dennis Taylor. Walk around the grounds and gain insights into the local flora with Taylor.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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