Author: princetonmays

The American Legion Auxiliary 125 will be meeting 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, at the Legion Post, 1549 W. Peru St., Princeton. (Derek Barichello)
The American Legion Auxiliary 125 will be meeting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, at the Legion Post, 1549 W. Peru St., Princeton.
The group will be putting together Memorial Day bags for at-home, nursing home and retirement home veterans. The group is looking for donations of items for these bags. The auxiliary welcomes anyone interested in joining or donating items to attend or call for an application at 815-866-7964.
The Auxiliary will be hosting a bake sale Friday, May 16, with the Princeton Veterans 125 Lunch in the Park. Bakers who would like to help out the veterans, bring donations to Soldiers and Sailors Park by 10 a.m. on that day.
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Paws on Park Avenue will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 31 at Greenfield Retirement Home.
Greenfield Retirement Home will host a Paws on Park Avenue event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 31, in the retirement home parking lot at 508 Park Ave. E., Princeton.
The event features a craft and vendor show, garage sale, bake sale, and “strut your mutt parade.” A homemade barbeque meal also will be served. The parade begins at 10:30 a.m.
Registration is required for the parade and vendor show. To register, visit Greenfield Retirement Home or the home’s Facebook page.
For information, contact 815-872-2261 or activities@greenfieldhome.org.
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Illinois State Police are seeking information into a hit-and-run crash that killed an Ottawa man May 10 on Route 251 near Troy Grove. (Provided by Illinois State Police)
Illinois State Police are seeking information about a hit-and-run crash that killed an Ottawa man May 10 on Route 251 near Troy Grove.
On Thursday, Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 issued a request for the public’s assistance in the investigation surrounding the death of 25-year-old Jerome Johnson of Ottawa.
State police responded to reports of a fatal hit-and-run crash at 2:32 a.m. May 10 on Route 251, about a quarter-mile south of North 36th Road in Dimmick Township.
Johnson, police said, had been involved in an earlier traffic crash where his vehicle came to rest off the right side of the road. He was able to exit his vehicle, started walking on Route 251 and was struck by a passing motorist.
The motorist who struck Johnson failed to stop and continued traveling north, police said. Johnson died at the scene.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact ISP Investigations at 815-224-1171, ext. 139.
State police are seeking information about the May 10 hit-and-run crash that killed Jerome Johnson, 25, of Ottawa. The crash occurred on Route 251 near Troy Grove. (Photo provided by Illinois State Police)
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A large crowd filled Soldiers and Sailors Park for Sunday’s Princeton Community Band’s concert during a previous summer. (Kevin Hieronymus)
Bureau County is gearing up for a summer packed with excitement! From lively community festivals to outdoor adventures and farmers markets, there’s no shortage of ways to soak up the summer in Bureau County.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or planning a visit, get ready to fill your calendar with fun.
Saturdays, May-October
Princeton Farmers Market — Soldiers & Sailors Park, Princeton; find fresh produce, seasonal items and handmade items and local vendors; 8:30 a.m.-noon; Facebook
Wednesdays, June to August
Walnut Farmers Market — Liberty Square on Main Street, Walnut; featuring fresh produce and handmade items in the weekly market; 5-7 p.m.; Facebook
Mondays, June 9-Sept. 15
Ladd Farmers Market — War Memorial Park, 301 S. Main Ave., Ladd; featuring produce, local products and food trucks; 4-6 p.m.; bureaucounty-il.gov
Through August
Festival 56 summer theatre festival — Grace Performing Arts Center, 316 S. Main St., Princeton; this season “Cabarets” (June 20-Aug 3); “Hairspray” (June 27-July 5); “Carrie: The Musical” (July 11-20); “The Little Mermaid” (July 25-Aug.3); “The Polycule: A Comedy of Manners” (July 11-20) “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (July 6-30) will be presented in Soldiers & Sailors Park as a free show, see website for show times; festival56.com or 815-879-5656
The Grace Theater, home of Festival 56 in Princeton (Derek Barichello)
July 4
Fourth of July Celebration — Zearing Park; includes food, music and fireworks; bureaucounty-il.gov/events/princetons-4th-of-july-celebration
July 4-6
Walnut Days Celebration — Parade, inflatables, Little Miss Independence pageant, 5K run/walk, bags and softball tournaments, soap box derby, car and truck show, fireworks on July 6; walnutdays.com
July 6
Princeton Community Band Concert — Soldiers & Sailors Park, Princeton; bring chairs to enjoy concert; refreshments available to purchase; 6 p.m.; Facebook
July 10
Wyanet Summer Festival — Wyanet; live entertainment, craft and vendor show, rides and food; bureaucounty-il.gov
July 10-12
Bureau County 4-H Fair — Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 W. Peru St., Princeton; displays of 4-H projects and a livestock and horse show; web.extension.illinois.edu, bureaucounty-il.gov
July 12
Sheffield Tractor Pull — Psycho Silo Saloon, Route 6 and Route 40, Langley; 11 a.m.; Facebook
July 16
Music on Main — Liberty Square, Walnut; A Leg and a Thigh in outdoor performance; 6-9 p.m. Facebook
July 18
Down on Main Street Concert: Dave Matthews Tribute Band — Main Street, Princeton; featuring live music, food and a fun atmosphere; 6 p.m.; bureaucounty-il.gov
July 19
Big Truck Show — Route 89/Main Avenue, Ladd; Convoy Against Cancer Big Truck Show, proceeds to benefit American Cancer Society; prizes for vehicles; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 20
Princeton Community Band Concert — Soldiers & Sailors Park, Princeton; bring chairs to enjoy concert; refreshments available to purchase; 6 p.m.; Facebook
July 21
Buda Fun Day — Stewart Park, Buda; parade at 11 a.m., activities for families including food trucks, petting zoo, bags tournament and more; bureaucounty-il.gov
July 27
Princeton Community Band Concert — Soldiers & Sailors Park, Princeton; bring chairs to enjoy concert; refreshments available to purchase; 6 p.m.; Facebook
July 30
Music on Main — Liberty Square, Walnut; featuring Liberty Square Talent Show; 6-9 p.m. Facebook
July 31-Aug. 2
Pow Wow Days — Tiskilwa; features a parade, 5K run, beer garden, food stands and historical tours; powwowdays.com
Aug. 3
Charity Car Show — Sheffield, 300 block of Church Street; car show to support Sheffield Food Pantry; prizes, awards and attendees can bring a donation and enter a raffle; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; bureaucounty-il.gov
Aug. 5
Princeton National Night Out — Zearing Park, Princeton; Princeton Police Department hosts the community event; 5-8 p.m.; bureaucounty-il.gov
Aug. 8
Down on Main Street Concert: Billy Joel and Elton John Tribute — Main Street, Princeton; featuring live music, food and a fun atmosphere; 6 p.m.; bureaucounty-il.gov
Sept. 4
Down on Main Street Concert: Electric Avenue: The 80’s MTV Experience — Main Street, Princeton; featuring live music, food and a fun atmosphere; 6 p.m.; bureaucounty-il.gov
Sept. 4-7
Homestead Festival — Princeton; multi-day festival includes a parade, 5K run/walk, class reunions, car show, BBQ contest, music and food; homesteadfestival.com
Sept. 5
Music in the Park : Wise Guys— War Memorial Park, 301 S. Main Ave.; Ladd; bring blankets and lawn chairs; 6-9 p.m. villageofladd.com
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Princeton cheerleaders walk down Main Street during the Homestead Festival on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Princeton. (Mike Vaughn for Shaw Local News )
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A public meeting to explain the housing rehabilitation program will be at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, at Ottawa City Hall, 301 W. Madison St. (Derek Barichello)
Ottawa was awarded a $650,000 Community Development Block Grant to rehabilitate 10 local homes.
The grant will help homeowners improve the safety and livability of their properties.
A public meeting to explain the program will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, at Ottawa City Hall, 301 W. Madison St.
A representative from the North Central Illinois Council of Governments will be present to provide details, answer questions and distribute applications.
To apply, homeowners must own and live in a single-family, owner-occupied home within the designated project area, which includes downtown Ottawa and part of the west side near Poplar Street from Madison to Superior streets.
Also, homeowners must meet income guidelines for low-to-moderate income households in La Salle County.
Income guidelines are as follows:
Homeowners must provide the following documents:
Priority will be given to homes with the most significant health and safety risks, as well as to households with very low income, individuals with physical or mental disabilities, and residents age 62 or older.
Each eligible home may receive up to $60,000 in rehabilitation assistance.
For questions or to complete a survey, contact Connie Buchanan at 815-433-5830 or cbuchanan@ncicg.org, or Tami Koppen at 815-433-0161, ext. 240, or tkopppen@cityofottawa.org.
For more general information, including the project area map, visit Ottawa’s website at cityofottawa.org.
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Protesters flood rotary park at the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Princeton. (MaKade Rios for Shaw Media)
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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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