Author: princetonmays

Festival 56 returns with free outdoor productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Photo provided by Festival 56
Small town meets big drama at Princeton’s Festival 56, a renowned celebration of the performing arts that brings together rising acting talent from across the country. This weekend, you can catch the skilled ensemble of performers staging productions “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (through July 30).
Festival 56 professional theater is opened “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Sunday, July 6 at Soldiers and Sailors Park in Princeton. A total of eight performances of the play are offered free to the public through Wednesday, July 30. (Photo provided by Tracy Makransky)
Shakespeare in the Park: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
July 23, 27 and 30
Soldiers & Sailors Park, Princeton
Festival 56’s Shakespeare in the Park series has long been known for pushing the boundaries of community theater. In 2013, it staged a large war reenactment in the streets of Princeton to kick off the production of “Romeo and Juliet.” This year, they return to another of the Bard’s classic texts for a run of free performances under the stars.
Festival 56’s Shakespeare in the Park, held in Soldiers & Sailors Park at the end of Princeton’s bustling downtown, starts at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday and Sunday, through July 30. Featuring the original text and colorful costumes, this family-friendly performance is open to guests of all ages. Guests are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs and blankets.
The production is sponsored by Heartland Bank and Trust Co., Shaw Media and partially funded by grants from the Sun Foundation and The Princeton Closet.
Festival 56 professional theater’s summer 2025 season announces a series of Cabarets beginning Saturday, June 21st and continuing through Sunday, August 3rd. They are held at The Grace Theater, 316 S. Main St. in Princeton. (Photo Provided By Festival 56)
Festival 56 Presents: “Cabarets”
Aug. 2-3
Grace Theater, 316 S. Main St., Princeton
This year’s roster of Festival 56 performances also includes a variety of Cabaret shows. Each special performance will feature Festival 56 company members performing songs from a variety of genres. Early evening shows are family-friendly, while the 10 p.m. performances will feature a family-appropriate first act.
Schedule of performances:
Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased online at Festival 56’s website, by calling 815-879-5656, or at the Grace Theater box office from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
To learn about other upcoming shows in the 2025 summer season, visit Festival56.com and follow Festival 56 on Facebook.

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PRINCETON, Ill. — The Red Covered Bridge in Princeton is now closer to getting repaired after nearly two years of being out of commission. 
The bridge, built in 1864, was hit by a semi-truck back in late 2023 leaving significant damage to its roof. But now, the Illinois Department of Transportation has wrapped up the planning stages of restoring the local landmark. 
Paul Wappel said it will take IDOT some time to fully complete the renovations, as they want to keep the historic character of the bridge. 
“It’s listed on the national historic register of historic places, so it takes more coordination with the state historic preservation to ensure the aspects of the bridge are not changed during the repairs,” Wappel said. 
IDOT is now working to estimate the costs of the project. Executive Director for the Bureau County History Center Lex Poppens said it will cost over $1,000,000. 
“One hopes they will build in some structural component that will prevent anything like this from happening in the future,” Poppens said. 
Poppens grew up playing at the bridge and said the local significance should be restored.   
“To restore it in a way that gives it another hundred-year life is appropriate, and I think important to the people of the county,” Poppens said. “It’s not for us, it’s for future generations.” 
Poppens said a public meeting will be held in Princeton on Sunday, Aug. 10 to discuss the logistics of fixing the bridge. 
The Red Covered Bridge joined the National Register of Historic Places back in 1975. 
Illinois has only nine covered bridges recorded statewide, with two of them being in Princeton. The oldest of the two is the Red Covered Bridge, which is now 161 years old. 
The 149-foot-long span cost $3,148.57 to construct and was once part of the Peoria-Galena Trail, crossing over Big Bureau Creek.

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The Streator Jammin’ at the Clock concert series began Friday, June 7, 2024, at Heritage Park with Shindig, a 60s and 70s band. (Tom Sistak for Shaw Media)
Shindig opened the 2024 Jammin’ at the Clock summer concert series in Streator’s Heritage Park.
The 60s and 70s band set up on the 100 block of North Monroe Street and had a handful of people dancing, while others watched from their lawn chairs to kick off the ninth season of the concert series. The performances are 6 to 8 p.m. each Friday through Aug. 30 at Heritage Park.
Here is the remainer of the 2024 concert lineup:
June 14: Sinovi
June 21: Eddie Korosa and the boys and girls from Illinois, polka
June 28: Country Roots, country music
July 5: Nutzy Mac, rock
July 12: Bagshot Row, oldies/British Invasion
July 19: Turas, Irish
July 26: Mariachi Tecalitan y Nora
Aug. 2: River Road Trio, country
Aug. 9: Atomic Dog Brass Band, New Orleans brass band
Aug. 16: Smith Brothers
Aug. 23: Quentin Flag
Aug. 30: Cadillac Groove
A large crowd attended the first of the Jammin’ at the Clock concert series Friday, June 7, 2024, at Heritage Park in Streator. (Tom Sistak for Shaw Media)
There was dancing in the street Friday, June 7, 2024, during the first of the Jammin’ at the Clock concert series in Streator (Tom Sistak for Shaw Media)
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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Pat Schou (Photo provided Mikayla Wilhelm)
The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network is inviting the public to join from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, in celebrating the retirement of former Executive Director Pat Schou at the group’s main office in Princeton.
For questions and to RSVP, contact Lori Frick at lfrick@icahn.org or 815-875-2999. Light refreshments will be served.
Schou has dedicated almost 50 years to rural health care in both clinical and administrative positions.
Schou served in multiple leadership roles at Perry Memorial Hospital (now OSF St. Clare) from 1976 to 1999, ending her career at PMH as vice president/director of nursing.
Her tenure involved serving on numerous boards and committees, including but not limited to the Illinois Rural Health Association and National Rural Health Association. She continues to serve as the chair for the Bureau County Health Department Board.
Located in Princeton, ICAHN is a network of 60 small, rural hospitals dedicated to strengthening the operations of its member hospitals through collaboration. The organization comprises Illinois hospitals that have earned critical access hospital designation by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and is recognized nationally for its work with rural health care, administering several state, federal and private health care programs.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Workers with Republic Services and Teamsters Local 179 picket in front of the south entrance to Republic Services on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Ottawa. The strike involves 25 employees at Republic Services at the Otawa facility. The action will disrupt waste collections for tens of thousands of residents throughout LaSalle County. Republic Teamsters are demanding a contract with improved wages, better benefits, and stronger labor protections. The Illinois strike comes after 450 Republic Teamsters in Boston went on strike on Tuesday. Hundreds of additional Teamsters across the country are having similar contract disputes with Republic. (Scott Anderson)
Republic Services teamsters in Ottawa remain on strike three weeks after walking off the job, with no deal in place after a bargaining session Wednesday.
The dispute, part of a larger national movement against Republic, continues to disrupt trash collection for thousands of La Salle County residents. After the initial walkout, Republic Services confirmed that it’s operating about 75% of its collection routes using staff from outside the area.
After speaking with Republic on Wednesday morning, Peru Mayor Ken Kolowski confirmed that residents can expect recycling service to resume Monday, July 28.
“All I know is that I was informed by Republic [that] recycling will start next week, and I’ll be told if the strike is over,” Kolowski said.
The union, which began negotiations in June, is pushing for wages, benefits and protections in line with contracts at Republic’s Joliet and Pontiac locations.
Teamsters Local 179 of Joliet President Chris Richter reported some ground was gained during negotiations Wednesday.
“We did make some progress today, and I was happy with that, but pickets will remain where they’re at,” Richter said.
Richter said some major sticking points remain, especially with health care benefits.
“We thought we were making significant progress,” Richter said. “But health care is still a major component we haven’t been able to work through.”
Negotiations on Wednesday started at 9 a.m. and ended about 5 p.m., despite the union’s willingness to continue.
“I told them I’d stay there till midnight,” Richter said. “We were ready to go all night if that’s what it took. But they said that was as far as they were willing to go today.”
Richter said Republic Services told the union it would reach out with future bargaining dates.
Republic provided a statement to Shaw Local News Network on Thursday afternoon.
“Yesterday, we met with the union and made several strong proposals related to compensation and other terms that matter to our employees, but the union rejected them all,” according to the statement. “While we remain committed to reaching a deal that makes sense for our employees, customers and community, and welcome our team back to work, the Teamsters seem more focused on advancing their own agenda at the expense of employee paychecks and the well-being of the communities we serve.”
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Coolest Car Contest
Many cars have been entered, and now, it’s time for you to vote for your favorite! Vote each day Now through June 22. The car with the most votes will be named the “Coolest” and win a $50 Visa card!
CLICK HERE to vote now
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Bureau County Housing Authority and the Illinois Housing Development Authority is alerting households of an online scam pretending to be IHDA or a similar housing entity (Scott Anderson)
The Bureau County Housing Authority and the Illinois Housing Development Authority is alerting households of an online scam pretending to be IHDA or a similar housing entity
The scam is presented as a flyer posted on Facebook announcing the opening of a waitlist for specific properties as part of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The scam encourages residents to provide their information through a fraudulent link or to visit the IHDA office in person. This is not an IHDA program. IHDA has not created an advertisement for Section 8 housing, and it does not endorse any such solicitation.
A false Facebook page has also been created imitating IHDA. If individuals use Facebook for housing information, verify you are interacting with the agency’s official page by identifying the blue checkmark next to the IHDA name. Individuals who are unsure may access IHDA’s Facebook page by visiting www.ihda.org and clicking on the Facebook icon on the website homepage to be connected.
IHDA is asking those who are seeking public housing to be on the lookout for any suspicious websites or social media posts and to report any unusual interactions to the proper authorities. If individuals paid a fee or gave personal information to one of these fraudulent sites, file a police report and also file reports with the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and the Federal Trade Commission.
Those seeking assistance through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program are asked to remember the following information:
Contact your local public housing authority to see if they are accepting applications for Section 8 housing, or how to apply for a waiting list.
Housing authorities do not charge fees to join a waiting list.
Never give your Social Security Number, credit card number or other personal information out on a website you find through an online search.
Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency to see what local assistance may be available.
Search for an affordable housing unit near you though the ILHousingSearch.org website.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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(File photo) Michael Ralph stands guard on the edge of the American Base Camp on Sunday, July 14, 2024, during the Ottawa Military Show in rural Ottawa. This year’s show returns July 12 with battle reenactments, military vehicle displays and rides, a vendor market, food and a convoy through Ottawa. (Kyle Russell for Shaw Media)
The 6th annual Ottawa Military Show is set for Saturday and Sunday at 3277 E. 18th Road, just outside Ottawa.
The show will feature World War II battle reenactments, military vehicle displays and rides, a vendor market, food and a convoy through Ottawa.
Saturday’s hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with reenacted battles scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and a military convoy set to depart at 12:30 p.m.
Sunday’s activities run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and include a 9 a.m. church service and a final battle at 11 a.m.
A flame from a muzzle blast leaves the gun of American reenactor Carson Graves while in a battle Sunday, July 14, 2024, during the Ottawa Military Show in rural Ottawa. All firearms used blanks to simulate the sights and sounds of an authentic battle during World War II. (Kyle Russell for Shaw Media)
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own military vehicles and participate in the convoy. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
Reenactors and vendors can call 563-495-5297, while vehicle owners and general visitors can call 815-228-5898 for more information.
More details also are available on the event’s Facebook page.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Harvest Baptist Church will host its annual Vacation Bible School later this month, with the theme of “Wonder Junction – Marvel at Jesus, Live for His Glory.” (Erin Henze)
Harvest Baptist Church will host its annual vacation Bible school later this month, with the theme of “Wonder Junction – Marvel at Jesus, Live for His Glory.”
Classes will be from 5 to 8 p.m. each evening from July 29 through Aug. 1 at the church, 420 E. Stevenson Road in Ottawa.
The school will include Bible stories, singing, skits, games, crafts, a light meal and prizes. The program is open to children ages 5 to 12. Admission is free.
Children are encouraged to bring pennies each day for the “penny march,” with proceeds supporting a missionary.
Registration is required by July 21. Families can sign up online at harvestbaptistchurchottawa.com or by calling Pastor Paul at 815-579-9510. The church is located just east of Walmart.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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PRINCETON, Ill. —  A man was found dead in Princeton on Friday, July 11, and investigators say an autopsy showed no signs of foul play.
Police originally responded at 11:42 a.m. to the 800 block of W. Peru St., after receiving a report of a deceased person. Officers located the remains of a man inside the location. Due to the condition of the body, police were unable to make an identification at that time. 
An autopsy was performed Monday, July 14, at the McLean County Coroner’s Office in Bloomington. Authorities said the results showed no evidence of foul play.
The Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigations Unit and the Bureau County Coroner’s Office were notified.
The man’s identity is being withheld pending notification of relatives.
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