Author: princetonmays

A semi tractor trailer caught fire Sunday, March 23, 2025, near the Route 89 Ladd and Spring Valley exit on Interstate 80. (Dani Holland)
A semi tractor trailer caught fire Sunday near the Route 89 Ladd and Spring Valley exit on Interstate 80.
Firefighters responded to the fire on the westbound lane shortly after 6 p.m.
A big boom was followed by smaller ones. The tractor and trailer were total losses.
No further information was provided at the scene.
— Shaw Local Radio program director Dani Holland contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Toby Landrus (Photo provided by Bureau County Sheriff's Office)
The jury trial for a Wyanet man charged with six counts of possessing child sexual abuse has been scheduled for July.
Toby Landrus, 51, was in Bureau County court Monday for a pretrial hearing. He’s charged with possessing child sexual abuse material on his cellphone, according to court records.
The first two counts are Class X felonies, involving Landrus allegedly videotaping a child younger than 18, and the remaining counts are Class 1 felonies accusing Landrus of photographing a child younger than 18. The most severe charges have a potential sentencing range of six to 30 years.
Landrus was arrested by the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 22. He was granted pretrial release on the condition that he wear an electronic ankle monitor.
Landrus’ pretrial hearing is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at the Bureau County Courthouse, 700 S. Main St., Princeton.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Illinois State Police troopers spent the pre-dawn hours Saturday picking up nails – possibly strewn intentionally – from the turnarounds on Interstate 80 in La Salle and Bureau counties. (Felix Sarver)
Illinois State Police troopers spent the pre-dawn hours Saturday picking up nails – possibly strewn intentionally – from the turnarounds on Interstate 80 in La Salle and Bureau counties.
The agency said in a Saturday police report that troopers were dispatched about 4:30 a.m. to I-80 at milepost 93, near the Marseilles exit, following a report of nails having been deposited in various emergency vehicle median turn arounds.
“Troopers are currently clearing the emergency vehicle turn arounds on the interstate from milepost 52 (west of Route 26 in Princeton) to 93 in Bureau and La Salle counties,” the agency reported. “There have not been reports of nails in the roadway at this time. There is no additional information available to share at this time.”
Following that report, state police issued an appeal for the public’s help in identifying persons of interest. The agency said nails, specifically “a large amount of roofing nails” contained in plastic Easter eggs, were discovered around 1:30 a.m. Saturday in the emergency crossovers between Geneseo and Atkinson.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Special Agent Nicholas Rubino at 309-752-4915 ext. 4931.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Music Suite 408 flute ensembles, under the direction of Natalie Lindig, Becky Weiler and Sue Gillio will present the 32nd annual Spring Flute Fling at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, at the Zion United Church of Christ, Peru.
Got a news tip? Email ntnewsroom@shawmedia.com
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Daniel Crowe is sworn in as a full-time firefighter and EMT of the Princeton Fire Department by City Manager Theresa Wittenauer on Monday, May 20, 2024, at the Princeton Fire Department. (Derek Barichello)
Daniel Crowe has always known he wanted a job that keeps him on his toes. Being a full-time firefighter and EMT at the Princeton Fire Department will do just that.
Crowe was sworn in Monday by City Manager Theresa Wittenauer to become a full-time member of the Princeton Fire Department.
“I also think it is awesome to give back to the community,” said Crowe, who was born and raised in Princeton.
After attending the Princeton Fire Academy, Crowe worked as a part-time firefighter since joining in the fall of 2022. He took the firefighters’ test in February and made the list of top candidates. Crowe said he’ll continue his training on the job, attending paramedic school and engineering classes with the goal of becoming a paramedic.
Fire Chief Scott Etheridge said he and his colleagues could tell Crowe was interested to see what the job was all about.
“You will learn everyday,” Etheridge said. “Take advantage of those educational opportunities.”
Etheridge also advised Crowe to remember Monday’s swearing in, especially the excitement of the day 10 to 15 years down the road.
“Treat every shift like it is your first,” Etheridge said. “This is the greatest job in the world.”
New full-time Princeton firefighter and EMT Daniel Crowe is congratulated by Fire Chief Scott Etheridge following his oath as his parents Mary Beth and Dr. Kurt applaud Monday, May 20, 2024, at the Princeton Fire Department. (Derek Barichello)
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Peru Police officer Bill Sommer poses for a photo on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at the City of Peru Safety Complex. (Scott Anderson)
La Salle County authorities have named the La Salle man killed when his electric bicycle was struck by a vehicle Friday on May Road in Peru.
Eric L. Mora-Nieto, 33, of La Salle was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:09 a.m. April 11 at 1202 May Road, Peru, just east of the Four Star Family Restaurant, the La Salle County Coroner’s Office said in a news release issued Monday.
The coroner’s office said Mora-Nieto was riding an electric bike on the roadway when he was struck from behind by a motor vehicle. A forensic investigative autopsy was conducted Saturday with preliminary results indicating he died of fatal injuries as a result of the crash.
The incident is under further investigation by the La Salle County Coroner’s Office, the Peru Police Department and the Illinois State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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File photo: The Michigan MOMsemble from when it presented ‘I saw mommy freaking out about Christmas’ featuring Festival 56′s very own Laura Brigham. (Photo provided by Brian Harper)
Day Jones interviews Laura Brigham and Sarah Smith of the Michigan MOMsemble. They have performances of their show “Buckle Up” this Friday (5/2) and Saturday (5/3) at Festival 56 in Princeton.
Like what you hear? Be sure to check out the Q Hit Music Shaw Local Radio website here.
Listen to this interview on Spotify here.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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FILE – “I Voted” stickers rest on a ballot machine at a voting site in Ottawa. (Scott Anderson)
Voters in La Salle and Bureau counties this election determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.
Tuesday marked the last day mail-in ballots had to arrive at county clerk’s offices and still be counted. Provisional ballots also had to be addressed by that time.
Totals for all counties will be made official next week after they are canvassed.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The following property transfers were recorded Feb. 18 through Feb. 28 at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office. (BCR file)
The following property transfers were recorded Feb. 18 through Feb. 28 at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office:
Allyssa and Christopher Burk to Benjamin Potts, warranty deed, part of Lot 23 in Bass Second Addition in Malden, $143,000.
Gemma Lehn, Jim Lehn, Dean Soldati and Mary Soldati to Ladd Elevator Company, warranty deed, part of Section 3 in Hall Township, $149,490.
Mackenzie Rollo to Heather Nord, warranty deed, part of Lot 18 in Gibon’s Addition in Wyanet, $108,000.
Kathryn Telfer (tr) and Robert Telfer Trust to Amie and Milton Neiman, trustees’ deed, Lot 6 in Liberty Village in Princeton, $330,000.
Robert Westphal to Dennis Parochetti, warranty deed, part of Section 29 in Hall Township and part of Section 20 in Hall Township, $400,000.
Eric Lawson to Mary and Quentin Zittle, warranty deed, part of Lot 5 in Block 1 in Homeway Second Addition in Walnut, $37,000.
Jo and Susan Thompson to Gabriel Thompson, warranty deed, part of Section 9 in Princeton Township, $110,000.
Erin Gorman Shore, Brooke Gorman and Matthew Shore to Paula Morrow and Kent Rosenkotter, warranty deed, Lot 211 in Greencroft Section 2 in Princeton, $215,000.
Donald King, Dee Ann McCune (AIF), Dee Ann McCune and Harry McCune to Bartlett Grain Company LP, warranty deed, parts of Section 3 in Concord Township and parts of Section 10 in Concord Township, $4,192,560.
Ronald Piper to Kill Fish Enterprises LLC, warranty deed, Lot 16 in Block 2 and part of Lot 17 in Block 2 in Manlius, $50,000.
Cody Hrabak to Kimberly and Reid Hrabak, warranty deed, part of Section 30 in Bureau Township, $430,894.79.
Arnis and Julie Stubis to Tommy Dietz, warranty deed, parts of Section 8 in Walnut Township, $62,000.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company to Adam and Matthew Sondgeroth, warranty deed, parts of Section 23 in Clarion Township, $217,800.
Michael Weygand to Juan Carlos Raya, warranty deed, Lot 16 in Block 5 and part of Lot 17 in Block 5 in Riva’s First Addition in Dalzell, $108,000.
Barbara Hansen (decd) and Karin Hansen (ex) to Karin Hansen, executor deed, part of Lot 97 in Princeton, $55,000.
Arthur Hartzell (decd), Donna Pourchot and Andrew Russell (adm) to Janelle and Joseph McCarter, administrator’s deed, Lot 3 in Malden, $45,000.
Michelle Mosier to Kay Taylor, warranty deed, Lot 5 in Philbrook and Pomeroy Subdivision in Princeton, $84,000.
Gerald Wright (tr), Mary Wright (tr), Gerald Wright Trust and Mary Wright Trust to Donald King, Dee Ann McCune and Harry McCune, trustees’ deed, parts of Section 5 in Manlius Township and parts of Section 6 in Manlius Township, $666,794.70.
Lois Swanson to Donald King, Dee Ann McCune and Harry McCune, warranty deed, parts of Section 5 in Manlius Township and parts of Section 6 in Manlius Township, $1,353,795.30.
Jennifer Flemming (adm), Michael Piper (adm) and Edwin Piper (decd) to Laura Bird and Joel Dickinson, administrator’s deed, part of Section 12 in Dover Township and part of Section 1 in Dover Township, $80,000.
James and Virginia Lovejoy to Janelle and Joseph McCarter, warranty deed, Lots 9, 10 and 11 in Elliott’s Addition of Lot 117 in Princeton, $50,000.
Andrew Russell (adm) and Robert Stanton (decd) to Donna Stanton, administrator’s deed, parts of Section 31 in Hall Township, $200,000.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The following property transfers were recorded June 1-15, 2024, at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office. (BCR file)
The following property transfers were recorded June 1-15, 2024, at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office:

June 3
Lise Owens to Douglas Moore, warranty deed, part of Section 29 in Dover Township, $385,000.
Halcyon Faber (decd), Ellen Stouffer (ex) and William Stouffer (ex) to Anne and Arnold Faber, executor deed, parts of Section 9 in Princeton Township, $641,000.
Halcyon Faber (decd), Ellen Stouffer (ex) and William Stouffer (ex) to Leonora and Mark Geuther, executor deed, parts of Section 13 in LaMoille Township, $188,700.
Kip and Trudy Sleaford to Charles and Teresa Buysse, warranty deed, parts of Section 24 in Mineral Township, $456,000.
Rebecca Green to Eric Jackson, warranty deed, part of Lot 2 and part of Lot 3 in Block 8 in Wyanet, $115,000.
Joseph McCarter to Madison Clowers and Gage Glazebrook, joint tenancy deed, Lot 9 in Block 2 in Backstrand’s Addition in Princeton, $135,000.

June 5
Oscar Rodriguez and Kylie Whightsil to Luciana Ortaga, warranty deed, Lot 13 in Block 129 in Greenwood’s Addition in Spring Valley, $103,000.
Shawn and Steve Lewis to April Buchanan and Adam Odell, warranty deed, part of Lot 1 in Stoner’s Second Addition in Princeton, $82,000.
Betty Stout and Vicky Thiel (POA) to Lennie Strong, warranty deed, parts of Section 32 in Wheatland Township, $15,000.
Mary and Steven Heward to Kristine and Roger DeBrock, joint tenancy deed, Lot 4 in Block 4 in Manlius, $20,000.

June 6
Ruth Schupp (decd) and Gary Schupp to Hayden Hughes, warranty deed, part of Section 26 in Milo Township, $140,000.

June 7
Mark Warren to Ceer LLC, warranty deed, part of Lot 4 and part of Lot 5 in Block 4 in Bodley and Wilson Addition in Princeton, $72,500.
Janet and Reid Hart to Enrique Berryhill, warranty deed, Lots 1 and 2 in Block 1 in Brookies’ First Addition in Seatonville, Lots 1 and 2 in Block 6 in Brookies’ First Addition in Seatonville and Lot 14 in Block 1 in Brookies’ First Addition in Seatonville, $90,000.
Barbara Swalve Everett and Richard Everett to Stacy Jarigese, warranty deed, part of Lot 11 and part of Lot 13 in Miles Subdivision in Princeton, $100,000.

June 10
Susan Orlandi to Mary Bartoli, warranty deed, Lot 13 in Block 3 in Johnson Subdivision in Spring Valley, $140,000.
Matthew Melland and Heather Mitchener to Susan Orlandi, warranty deed, part of Section 22 in Hall Township, $379,500.
Janice and Justin Walters to Linda Dodge, warranty deed, Lot 18 in Hallam’s Addition in Princeton, $180,000.

June 11
Rebecca Bowers to Aaron Wetzell, warranty deed, part of Section 26 in Fairfield Township, $175,000.

June 12
David and Karen Bejster to Taliani Developments LLC, warranty deed, Lot 11 in Block 86 in O’Beirne’s Second Addition in Spring Valley, $54,000.
Barbara Sawitoski Estate and Joseph Sawitoski (ex) to Eric Droysen and Kimberly Panatera Droysen, executor deed, part of Section 16 and parts of Section 21 in Dover Township, $400,000.
Adam and Katrina Graff to Beverly Powers, warranty deed, Lot 13 in Block 10 and part of Lot 12 in Block 10 in Union Addition in Princeton, $170,000.

June 13
Hometown National Bank (tr) and Raymond Kunkel Living Trust to Maribel Luna, trustees’ deed, Lot 5 in Block 54 in Spring Valley, $8,000.
Todd Marselle to Jacqueline Neahring, warranty deed, Lot 21 in L.J. Conner’s Addition in Princeton. $145,000.

June 14, 2024
Alora Zigler to Jessica Dempsey and William Osborne, warranty deed, Lot 18 in Spring Creek Addition in Ladd, $300,000.
Gerald and Patricia Favero to John and Sarah French, warranty deed, Lot 10 in O’Beirne’s Third Addition in Spring Valley, $50,000.
John Johnson to Erin and Robert Boseo, warranty deed, Lot 150 in Elston’s Addition in Princeton, $217,000.
Donald Gibson to Malden Ministorage LLC, warranty deed, part of Lot 1 and part of Lot 2 in Railroad Subdivision (Lots 1-19) in Malden, $75,000.
Kenneth Brooks (adm) and Marilyn Brooks (decd) to Johanna and Robert Wagner, administrator’s deed, Lot 114 in Greencroft Sec 1 in Princeton, $179,500.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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