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Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
The Princeton Elementary School District is accepting applications for two open board member positions. (Shaw Local News Network)
The Princeton Elementary School District is accepting applications for two open board member positions.
Interested applicants can pick up information about the positions at the district office, 506 E. Dover Road. The deadline to submit applications is May 16.
Application packets will highlight the legal qualifications for board members, the term of office, formal application process and board policy relative to the vacated positions.
These particular vacated positions will have new members appointed to fulfill two-year terms, which extend to April 2027.
The Board will have a special meeting for the purpose of interviewing candidates some time in early June, with the intent to appoint/approve candidates at the June 23 regular meeting.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
First responders were dispatched at about 1 p.m. Monday to Interstate 80 near Plank Road in Peru for a crash. So far, the injuries are believed to be minor, officials said. (Felix Sarver)
First responders were dispatched at about 12:50 p.m. Monday to Interstate 80 near Plank Road in Peru for a crash. Illinois State Police confirmed the injuries are minor.
According to a preliminary crash report from state police, a vehicle was stopped at the yield sign entering Interstate 80. To avoid striking the vehicle, unit 1 drove around it and entered west bound traffic. In doing so, the vehicle traveled into the path of Unit 2, causing a collision. The driver of Unit 1 reported minor injuries on scene. The second driver was uninjured.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Princeton Tigers logo
Six area boys and girls track & field teams are set to run in Monday’s Princeton Ferris Family Invitational at Bryant Field.
The field includes the traditional cast of former NCIC rivals of Princeton in Hall, Mendota, Kewanee and Rock Falls, along with IVC.
The meet will start at 4:30 p.m.
The Princeton Invite dates back to 1953 for the boys and 1989 for the girls. It has run annually with the exceptions of rainouts in 1957 and 1979 and and a two-year pause due to COVID in 2020 and 2021.
The meet had a side trip to Rock Falls in 1997 while the all-weather track at PHS was being built and renamed as the Ferris Family Invitational since 1998, named for a generous track beneficiary.
The Princeton boys have won the meet 27 times, including two ties, but not since 2017. Rock Falls is next in line with 11 titles, including the last five. Mendota has won six times and Kewanee has five titles while Hall has never won the Princeton Invite.
The Princeton girls won their inaugural meet in 1989 as well as the last meet in 2024, with 15 titles in between for a total of 17. Hall and Kewanee stand next with five titles each, all since 2008.
The oldest meet records for both the boys and girls meet dates back to the throwers 100m run – Hall’s Kent Kasik (11.7) in 1969 and Carla Muntz (13.9) in 1997.
Jim Howard’s record in 1970 in the shot put of 56-5 1/2 is the oldest of the traditional events. Kent Purvis of PHS has held the mile (3200m) record since 1971 at 4:25.2.
Two meet record holders went on to make their name in the professional ranks in other sports.
Kailey Klein, also known for her basketball and volleyball talents at Hall, set the PIT discus record in 2006 at 128-9. She became the all-time leading basketball scorer at Cleveland State University and played professionally overseas.
Lindsey Stalzer of Kewanee, who played professional volleyball, owns PIT records in the long jump in 2001 (17-10 1/2) and 100HH in 2002 (14.9).
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
The Princeton City Council adapted its agenda for Tuesday’s special meeting to include public comment prior to its discussion of the further employment of City Manager Theresa Wittenauer. (Shaw Local News Network)
The Princeton City Council adapted its agenda for Tuesday’s special meeting to include public comment prior to its discussion of the further employment of City Manager Theresa Wittenauer.
[ Princeton council plans to meet April 15 to consider city manager’s future ]
The public comment portion of the meeting will come before the City Council goes into closed session, which is allowed by state statute to discuss personnel.
Wittenauer has been Princeton’s city manager since December 2019. Wittenauer’s contract runs concurrently with Mabry’s term through the 2027 election.
Mayor Ray Mabry called the special meeting he said to discuss her performance. The council may take a vote on her future, according to the agenda.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 2 S. Main St.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
An ADM worker loads a barge container with grain on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, on the Illinois River at Spring Valley. (Scott Anderson)
Farmers and grocery shop owners in La Salle County are bracing for the impact the U.S. faces of a potential trade war from recently imposed federal tariffs.
On Feb. 1, the Trump administration announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with a 10% tariff on imports from China.
Hours after the announcement, Canada and Mexico ordered retaliatory tariffs on a variety of American goods, including many products shipped to U.S. farms.
Agriculture is one of La Salle County’s largest industries.
According to David Isermann, president of the La Salle County Farm Bureau, local farmers rely heavily on exports for their income, particularly grain, corn, soybeans and cattle, to markets across the globe.
More than 20% of U.S. farm income comes from exports, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. In 2024, the U.S. exported more than $30 billion in agricultural products to Mexico, $29 billion to Canada and $26 billion to China.
While some of the tariffs on Canada and Mexico have been temporarily suspended, Isermann expressed concern about what might happen on local farms if the situation escalates.
Without a resolution, he said trade disruptions could increase production costs and reduce export opportunities.
“Canada and Mexico are our top two trading partners for most agricultural goods,” Isermann said. “If these tariffs were reinstated, it could hurt us both ways.”
Rick Pretzsch, economics professor at Illinois Valley Community College, said the 25% tariffs specifically targeting Canada and Mexico are a surprising situation, given the two countries history and importance as trade partners.
“This is a unique situation, specifically with the tariffs on our neighbors,” Pretzsch said. “Trump did impose tariffs in his first term, but Canada and Mexico were mostly exempt.”
Mexico is a key market for U.S. corn, while Canada is a vital source of potash, a fertilizer essential for farming, according to Isserman.
Isermann said the uncertainty surrounding the continuation of the tariffs has created a sense of unease among local farmers.
“We haven’t really seen the immediate impact of these new tariffs yet,” he said. “Right now, we’re in a period of wait and see but it’s definitely a nervous time, and we’re still hopeful things can stabilize.”
Isermann said the Illinois Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation sent a statement to the Trump administration expressing their concerns.
He noted agriculture is often the first industry to be impacted negatively by retaliatory tariffs and trade wars, and both organizations were communicating these concerns to policymakers, including Illinois U.S. senators and house of representatives.
Pretzsch supported Isermann’s comments that agriculture is often hit hardest in trade wars.
“Agriculture is one of our major exports, so any time there’s a trade war, it’s affected. When other countries retaliate with tariffs like we could see now, agricultural products are usually the target,” Pretzsch said.
Mark Witek, owner and partner at Witek Wealth Management in La Salle, said while the tariffs could create some short-term market volatility, businesses and investors are cautious, waiting to see the final details of the tariff policy before making decisions.
“Until we know exactly what the tariffs will be, it’s hard to tell exactly what the effects will be,” Witek said.
Witek noted even without tariffs, local businesses tied to agriculture are already facing challenges with the market for fertilizers trending down.
“Fertilizer stocks are trading at all-time lows, and with high operational costs already squeezing farmers, it’s creating a tough situation,” Witek said. “A lot of that may already be priced into fertilizer stocks, but it’s still a challenging environment.”
Despite these concerns, Witek emphasized tariffs can at times be used as an economic tool to create leverage in markets, so it’s important that industries don’t overreact until everything is final.
“Sometimes tariffs are used as a negotiation tool, and certain issues are worked out before they actually take place,” he said.
Pretzsch said the potential goal behind the Trump administration’s tariff strategy.
“I believe the ultimate goal is to bring production back to the U.S.,” he said. “However, even if that goal is achieved, it won’t happen overnight — it will take time. And even then, it will likely drive up the prices of those products, even if they’re being produced here.
“The advantage of trading with Canada and Mexico is that, for one, the Canadian dollar is weaker than the U.S. dollar, making those products cheaper for us. Similarly, labor costs in Mexico are much lower, which also helps keep prices down.”
Both Pretzsch and Witek said until there is more clarity from policymakers, businesses are likely to remain in a holding pattern.
“A lot of businesses seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach, as any speculation at this early stage isn’t productive,” Witek said.
Colin Kuehl, political science professor at Northern Illinois University, said what’s good for politics can sometimes clash with business.
“Uncertainty is bad for business. This constant back and forth of ‘What’s he going to do?’ which I think it part of Trump’s political brand … in some ways can make him an affective politician, but it’s bad for business,” Kuehl said. ”It’s hard to make longterm business decisions when you don’t know your cost in a few months on a key supply you’re importing.”
Kuehl said it’s likely that increased tariffs, which he likened to a “regressive tax,” will have the biggest impact on the poorest people.
“The reason we’re buying these goods from China, Mexico and Canada is because they can produce them the most cheaply, the most efficiently. If we put this tax on them, they’re going to be more expensive,” Kuehl said. “A lot of companies around here rely on those imported goods like imported steel and aluminum to produce what they make, whether thats automobiles or beer or anything like that. So that makes it harder for them to compete and could have potential consequences on jobs.”
Local business owners like Tom McDonell, owner of Polancic’s Meats and Tenderloins in Ottawa, is taking a wait-and-see approach. He said agriculture is the backbone in the food industry, with rising produce prices already affecting his business.
“Anything that hurts agriculture or grocery stores is going to impact us,” McDonell said. “Inflation was already a problem for food, so I don’t think anybody wants to see the situation get worse.”
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, inflation rose 3% in January from the year before, primarily driven by higher grocery and gas prices.
McDonell specifically noted egg prices are currently “through the roof” and essential for many meat products made at his shop. That issue also is tied into the effect and response to the avian flu.
Much like local farmers, McDonell is waiting to see how the situation evolves before raising prices significantly or making any major future plans.
“I don’t want to raise prices too much because people are already struggling to spend money on food as it is,” he said.
With the tariffs being temporarily suspended, McDonell shares Witek’s hope that they are part of negotiations that could lead to a favorable market outcome.
“I’m hoping it’s more of a bluff and things stabilize at some point,” McDonell said. “For now, we might just have to weather the storm and hope for the best.”
The tariffs against Canada and Mexico are set to remain paused until March 4. Retaliatory tariffs and other measures also are on hold through that date.
As the deadline approaches, La Salle County farmers and business owners face continued uncertainty, awaiting clarity on how trade negotiations will turn out.
— Shaw Local News Network editor Kelsey Rettke contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
(Shaw Local News Network)
An 82-year-old Buda man died Saturday after a crash involving a vehicle and a tractor towing a farm implement west of Buda, according to the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash occurred on 1250 North Avenue, just west of West Street.
Sheriff James Reed said deputies responded to the crash about 3:16 p.m. May 10.
According to the sheriff’s office, the man was driving an SUV west on 1250 North Avenue when it approached an eastbound John Deere tractor driven by a 64-year-old Sheffield man.
While the SUV missed the tractor itself, it struck the farm implement being towed.
The driver of the SUV had to be extricated from the vehicle by the Buda and Sheffield fire departments.
He was taken by Stark County Ambulance to OSF Saint Clare Hospital, where he later was pronounced dead by the Bureau County Coroner.
Responding agencies included the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office, Buda Fire Department, Sheffield Fire Department, Sheffield Rescue, Stark County Ambulance and OSF Life Flight.
The crash remains under investigation by the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau County Coroner’s Office.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Volunteers plant 100 trees Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Oakwood Cemetery in Princeton during an event coordinated by the Princeton Tree Board. (Mike Vaughn for Shaw Local)
The Princeton Tree Board led a successful effort to plant 100 trees Saturday at Oakwood Cemetery.
Employee team members from Taylor’s Way and Hornbaker Gardens participated in the event coined “Plantathon 1.0″ by organizers. Volunteers watered trees and provided mulch for them.
“There was a big turnout there, including volunteers from the public,” said Princeton Mayor Ray Mabry.
City Employee Eric Ellberg participated with his wife and four sons, Mabry said.
“It’s a combined effort to get 100 trees planted at Oakwood Cemetery, which is a great service,” Mabry said. “We appreciate those trees.”
Mabry commended the tree board consisting of Dennis and Brian Taylor, David Hornbaker, Kelly Autrey-Webber, Lex Poppens and Andy Dye.
In a related matter, Mabry read a proclamation recognizing Arbor Day as Friday, April 25, in Princeton. The proclamation encouraged support of tree planting programs and urged citizens to plant their own trees to improve urban forestry.
Volunteers gather for a group photo Saturday, April 19, 2025, during an event to plant 100 trees at Oakwood Cemetery in Princeton. (Mike Vaughn for Shaw Local)
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Human labor trafficking uncovered at Princeton residence Star Local Media
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The Illinois State Police is requesting the public’s help investigating a Monday crash that resulted in the death of a Joliet woman. (Felix Sarver)
The Illinois State Police is requesting the public’s help investigating a Monday crash that resulted in the death of a Joliet woman.
State deputies responded to the crash at 6:45 p.m. Monday on Interstate 80 eastbound at mile marker 86 near Ottawa. All lanes of traffic were closed until 11:28 p.m.
The Kia Sedona minivan driven by a 30-year-old Joliet man struck the rear of the semi-trailer causing the minivan to leave the roadway and overturn, police said. Six minivan occupants were taken to the hospital with injuries; including a 30-year-old male occupant and five passengers, ages range from 1 to 14 years old.
“One adult died and at least one child sustained injuries as a result of the crash,” police said.
Anyone driving in the area at the time of the crash, anyone who witnessed the crash, or anyone who may have dash camera footage of the incident of the involved vehicles before the crash are asked to contact ISP Zone 1 special agents at 224-277-4945.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network