Author: princetonmays

Princeton resident Geraldine Woodlief speaks during public comment at the Princeton City Council meeting on Monday, March 16, 2026. (Bill Freskos)
After months of discussion and public input, the Princeton City Council officially approved its business development district following a public hearing on Monday night.
The district will allow Princeton to impose an additional sales tax, up to 1%, with the revenue dedicated to economic development efforts.
The council voted 4-1 in favor of the district, with Councilman Jerry Neuman the only one to vote against it.
A business development district serves a role similar to a tax increment financing district by providing funding for business and redevelopment projects. It relies on sales tax revenue rather than property taxes.
“The point of this business development district is to address some of the signs we’ve seen lately as far as economics go,” Planning & Zoning Administrator Michael Zearing said. “We have empty storefronts, historic buildings at risk and areas that need investment.”
The council, which previously voted 3-2 in favor of the district at its last meeting, was generally in agreement that the city isn’t necessarily headed in the right direction in attracting new businesses while retaining its existing businesses and that the district could help turn things around.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Michael Zearing addresses the Princeton City Council Monday, March 16, during a public hearing on the newly approved Business Development District. (Bill Freskos)
While the council felt good about moving forward, most of the public hearing involved locals who questioned whether the district was really helping or if the public needed to be better informed.
Princeton resident Geraldine Woodlief said she took steps to gather feedback from local business owners ahead of the meeting.
“I took two days and got signatures from our dear friends here at Princeton, business owners, and guess what? Everybody said forget it,” Woodlief said.
She also questioned how widely information about the proposal had reached the public, noting the relatively small turnout at the hearing.
Other residents raised concerns about transparency on how the district’s funds would be used and the potential negative impact of additional sales taxes on consumers and small businesses. Many emphasized the need for clear communication and accountability as the district moves forward.
Princeton resident Lynn Holtz supported the district, arguing it’s a necessary tool as the city adapts to an evolving economy.
“This is one component of economic development, not the end-all, but a crucial piece,” Holtz said. “We cannot continue to do business the way we always have because it’s simply not working.”
Princeton resident Lynn Holtz speaks during the public hearing about Princeton’s new Business Development District on Monday, March 16, 2026. (Bill Freskos)
Holtz also noted that a large chunk of sales at many local businesses comes from visitors to Princeton, and the district would help capture more of that.
“This is not just about supporting businesses in Princeton. It’s also about capturing spending from visitors and keeping those dollars in our community to help local businesses,” Holtz said.
Princeton Mayor Ray Mabry shared examples from other Illinois mayors who have used business development districts, emphasizing how the tool helped their cities achieve economic development goals.
The district covers most of Princeton’s primary commercial areas, extending from the Interstate 80 corridor through the city’s north business district and into the downtown area.
As for next steps, Zearing said the city will align priorities and establish a budget before developing a strategic action plan. However, he said most of the priorities were already set based on feedback from the city’s public meeting in January.
Bill Freskos is a multimedia journalist based in the Illinois Valley. He covers hard news, local government, sports, business enterprise, and politics while contributing to Shaw Local Radio stations for Shaw Media across La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam counties.

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The Princeton Police Pension Board will host a meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, at the Princeton Police Department, 615 Elm Place. (Shaw Local File Photo)
The Princeton Police Pension Board will host a meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, at the Princeton Police Department, 615 Elm Place.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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The Princeton-Illinois chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicating a Declaration of Independence 250th anniversary marker (Photo provided by Nancy Gartner )
The Princeton-Illinois chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently dedicated a granite marker in recognition of the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary on Saturday, July 4, at Princeton City Hall, 2 S. Main St., Princeton.
The marker will serve as a reminder of the price our ancestors paid to gain independence from Great Britain. The chapter also participated in the city’s 4th of July celebration parade. The Princeton-Illinois chapter’s parade float was dedicated to the chapter’s ancestors, including John Morton and Betsy Ross.
For more information, visit dar.org/membership.

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From left to right: Cathy Foes, Steve Bouslog, Jeff Hunt, Lynn Olds, Pat Schou, Jaimie Pinter and Tracy Wright of the Princeton Rotary Club at the annual installation of officers. (Photo Provided By Princeton Rotary Club)
The Princeton Rotary Club held its annual installation of officers for the upcoming year during its weekly meeting, according to a news release from the club.
Outgoing president Steve Bouslog administered the oath of office to incoming president Pat Schou at the meeting.
After the installation, Schou thanked Bouslog for his leadership and presented him with a plaque.
Incoming president Pat Schou (left) presents outgoing president Steve Bouslog (right) with a plaque in recognition of his year of service with the Princeton Rotary Club. (Photo Provided By Princeton Rotary Club)
The club installed its new officer slate, including Cathy Foes as president-elect, Lynn Olds as vice president and Jaimie Pinter as director, according to the release.
Jeff Hunt continues as treasurer and Tracy Wright continues as secretary.
Ashley Oliver and J.D. Orwig continue their director terms for one and two years, respectively.
Schou shared, according to the release, that her goals for the year are to focus on community service, participate in the international polio walk, get involved with youth exchange, develop a new strategic plan after the completion of membership surveys and get to know each other.
To learn more, visit www.princetonrotaryclub.com.

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The Princeton Community Band will perform Sunday at 6 p.m. in Soldiers and Sailors Park, featuring vocal soloist Victoria Yepsen singing the Irish ballad “I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls.” (MaKade Rios for Shaw Local)
The Princeton Community Band will perform Sunday at 6 p.m. in Soldiers and Sailors Park, featuring vocal soloist Victoria Yepsen singing the Irish ballad “I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls.”
The band, directed by Ann Lusher, will perform “St. Louis Blues March,” “In Joy and Jubilance,” “Kentucky 1800,” Leroy Anderson’s “Syncopated Clock,” “Cielito Lindo,” and “Seventy-Six Trombones March.”
The concert is free. Donations are accepted. Lawn chairs are suggested, and refreshments will be available from the Lions Club.
In case of rain, the concert will move to the Evangelical Covenant Church’s Community Life Center Building at 24 N. Main St.
The Princeton Community Band is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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Kids swim in Alexander Park pool on Friday, June 20, 2025 in Princeton. (Scott Anderson)
The Bureau County Metro Center announced that the opening of Alexander Pool in Princeton will be delayed due to a “major mechanical failure” with their filtration pump and motor.
According to the Metro Center, because the replacement equipment is built-to-order, it could be a while until the pool opens up.
With that, the Bureau County Metro Center will have extended open swim times at other pools while Alexander gets fixed up.
“We sincerely apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience,” the pool said. “We are doing everything we can to expedite the process and will post regular updates and a revised opening date right here and on our website.”
For the temporary additional Metro Center swim schedules, visit Princeton Park District’s website or call 815-872-0840.
Bill Freskos is a multimedia journalist based in the Illinois Valley. He covers hard news, local government, sports, business enterprise, and politics while contributing to Shaw Local Radio stations for Shaw Media across La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam counties.

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The Princeton volleyball team wore special shirts in memory of Mendota player Jeniah Francis when the two teams meet in summer league at Sterling High School on Wednesday, July 15. Francis was tragically killed in a July 3 auto accident. (Photo provided by Bella Clevenger)
The Mendota Spikers may have been on the opposite side of the net when they played Princeton in the Sterling summer volleyball league this week, but they found they were not alone.
The Tigresses arrived wearing purple shirts in support of the Mendota team, school and community in the midst of their tragic loss of sophomore teammate Jeniah Francis, killed in a July 3 auto accident.
Most importantly, the Princeton girls brought much love.
Each member of the Princeton team, including players and coaches, wore shirts in Mendota purple, displaying a Trojans logo on the front shaped in a heart on top of the Tigers’ logo. On the back side, there was Jeniah’s No. 4 outlined in a Trojans logo with the inscription: “LLJ” (Love Like Jeniah) with a purple heart and a dove.
Mendota senior hitter Harlow Foltnewicz and sophomore setter Eva Beetz said Princeton’s support really meant a lot to them and all of their teammates.
“The team and I want to thank Princeton for their love and support they showed us. Wearing those shirts to honor Jeniah means so much to her family, friends, teammates and everyone who loved her,” Foltnewicz said. “Their kindness has reminded us that we aren’t going through this alone. As we continue this season we will carry Jeniah’s memory with us every step of the way remembering the love, joy and light she brought to so many people.”
“What Princeton did for us meant more than I can put into words,” Beetz said. “Losing Jeniah has been incredibly hard on everyone. She was my teammate, my friend, and my outside hitter, and I enjoyed being on the court with her so. Seeing Princeton wear the purple LLJ shirts and honor her meant so much to all of us.
“It was really special to see another town come together and show so much love and support for someone who meant so much to us. We will never forget the love and support Princeton showed Jeniah and our team.”
Princeton senior Bella Clevenger (left) and junior Jocelyn Strouss (right) presented Mendota coach Demi Salazar with a special shirt in memory of Mendota player Jeniah Francis, who was killed in a July 3 auto accident when the teams met in summer league at Sterling High School on Wednesday, July 15. (Photo provided by Emma Clevenger)
Princeton senior Bella Clevenger and junior Jocelyn Strouss presented Mendota coach Demi Salazar with a matching shirt of his own.
“It felt good to be able to show our support toward the Mendota volleyball team and community,” Clevenger said. “Even if most of us may not of known her personally, it is still an upsetting subject for everyone. And I could tell it hit Demi hard and I was happy that me and Jocelyn were able to give him his shirt that matched all of ours.
“Even though we will compete against Mendota multiple times throughout the season we will always be thinking about them.”
First-year Princeton head coach Libby Boyles, who has played club ball for Salazar, said it was important for her team to show their support for Mendota.
“We wanted to show our support for the Mendota community through an unthinkable situation,” Boyles said. “It goes to show that playing sports and making those connections is such a privilege that we all are guilty of taking for granted often because we get caught up in the moment.
“You’ve heard me say ‘volleyball family’ many times before. This was our way of honoring a beautiful life taken too soon and supporting our volleyball family, even if they are across the net from us.”
Salazar, who knows many of the Princeton girls from club, said Mendota definitely felt the love.
“It was awesome. You can’t hardly talk sometimes when they do stuff like that,” Salazar said. “We always said that these are the things that make club and families a cool thing.”
Clevenger was pleased to help lift Salazar’s spirits.
“Demi is a great person. He has changed my perspectives for volleyball as well as soccer growing up,” she said. “He’s a supportive human and never loses faith in me or any girls I’ve played with on his team. I feel it’s hard not to be nice and respectful to Demi because of how much of a great person he is. He’s loved by many, including myself and Jocelyn.”
Bureau Valley was also one of many local volleyball teams to show their support with a flower arrangement for Jeniah’s funeral services.
The Princeton volleyball team wore special shirts in memory of Mendota player Jeniah Francis when the two teams meet in summer league at Sterling High School on Wednesday, July 15. The back side of the shirts carried the script “LLJ,” standing for “Love Like Jeniah.” Francis was tragically killed in a July 3 auto accident. (Photo provided by Bella Clevenger)
Kevin has been sports editor of the BCR since 1986, covering Bureau County/IL Valley Sports. 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. Fun fact: he is one of 4 sportswriters from his tiny hometown Atlanta, IL

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Princeton coach Steve Amy (center) welcomes back two Tiger medalists in Kane Dauber (left), who placed fifth at 132 pounds as a freshman, and Casey Etheridge, who placed fourth at 165 pounds. A third Tiger, senior Augustus Swanson, medaled in 2024. (John Morris for Shaw Local News )
Coach: Steve Amy (18th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Boys – Eli Berlin, sr,, 190; Kane Dauber, so., 138; Casey Etheridge, sr., 165; Augustus Swanson, sr., 120. Girls – Izzy Gibson, sr.
Key newcomers: Chase Castner, jr. 144; Eli Ozburn, fr., 132
Worth noting: Etheridge (48-6), the reigning BCR Wrestler of the Year, and Dauber (50-5), are both returning state medalists, placing fourth and fifth, respectively. Swanson is a three-time state qualifier and medalist in 2024. They all have their sights set on a return trip to Champaign with Berlin (9-11), a 2024 sectional qualifier who was hurt for much of last season, prime to join them. “Any time you return three state placers it is going to be very exciting,” Amy said. … Also returning for the Tigers are sophomores Brady Peach (106), Jacob Paull (113, 16-18), a sectional qualifier, Isaac Hufnagel (113), Allister Swanson (120), Brayden Bickett (132, 24-20 last year), Corbin Brown (132, 19-19) and Joel Odell (144), juniors Daelen Brzezinski (175), Jaydon Cooke (126, 15-7) and Landon Kendall (175) and senior Rhett Pearson (215). Castner joins the program for the first time. … “Like every year our goal is to win the regional and give ourselves a shot at getting to team state. We have quite a few individuals that either have the expectations of competing at the state tournament or being on the top of the state podium at the end of the season,” Amy said. “We just have to keep getting better every day. We have a very young and talented group with a lot of experience. We have a young group that have all been wrestling for quite awhile so it will be interesting to see how they progress throughout the season.” … On the girls side, Gibson (15-6) is a returning sectional qualifier, having been injured until the end of December last year. She qualified for state as a sophomore. Other returning wrestlers are juniors Rylee Backes (105/6-8), Abby Harris (115/6-6) and Jadeyn Klingenberg (130/12-6) with freshman Avalena Wunderlich (190) joining the program.
Princeton’s Casey Etheridge wraps up his opponent during the IHSA Class 1A state tournament last season in Champaign. He placed fourth, named as the BCR Wrestler of the Year. (John Morris)
Coach: Sam Allen (9th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Max Moreno, so., 132; Mike Benge, so., 126; Jameson Daley, so., 106; William Sramek, sr., 215; Weston Heersink, sr.
Worth noting: The Bruins have a young roster of 20 wrestlers with just six upperclassmen. Benge and Moreno both won 30 or more matches last season and were sectional qualifiers. Benge was a regional champion as a freshman. “I have a few future studs in Moreno and Benge,” Allen said. “I’m hoping to see a few sophomores from last season step up and have a good go this year as well.” Allen also is looking for good things from Sramek (19-1 in 2024-25) and Heersink. “I have two seniors who have a good chance at turning some heads with Sramek and Heersink,” Allen said. “Vast improvements were made in the offseason with weight training and wrestling like we’ve never seen before at St. Bede.” Allen said the future is bright for a group with six freshmen, eight sophomores and three juniors. “No matter how it turns out record-wise, I think these young Bruins have a lot to look forward to in the coming years,” he said.
Coach: Jerry Kriewald (13th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Boys – Keaton Finley, 144; Shane Scribner, 175; Alex Tucker, 190; Justyn Doden, 215. Girls – Annamae Smith, 110; Abigail Lindus, 115; Ella Irwin, 170.
Top newcomers: Alex Cooper, 132; Austin Dolder, 138; Chase Mecagni, 150; Dylan Conlin, 157; Jonathyn Jervis, 165; Hunter Buettner, 285. Girls – Zandra Lindus, 105; Bailey Terzick, 190.
Worth noting: Kriewald, who helped start the wrestling program at Putnam County, returns for his second stint leading the Panthers. He’s spent the last four years as an assistant coach at the University of Dubuque, his alma mater. The co-op coach for Hall is Brandon Dijong, who returns for his second season, while PC also has volunteer assistant Jesus Sanchez, who is an All-American from the University of Dubuque. For the PC boys, Tucker is a returning sectional qualifier and team captain. Irwin leads the girls as a two-time sectional qualifier and team captain. Lindus also is a returning sectional qualifier. “I’m just getting to know everyone and it’s very enjoyable,” Kriewald said. “There are a lot of different skill levels, but they’re all coming together as a team. I’m excited to see how everyone progresses.”
Kevin has been sports editor of the BCR since 1986, covering Bureau County/IL Valley Sports. 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. Fun fact: he is one of 4 sportswriters from his tiny hometown Atlanta, IL

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Fire devastates Princeton home; local bar collecting donations  wevv.com
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The Illinois Valley Senior League baseball team opens the Central Region Tournament at 11:30 a.m. Saturday against Illinois.
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Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network

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