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Michael Wittig (Photo provided by Erica Rabe)
Michael Wittig, a Bureau County patrol officer, will run for Bureau County sheriff with the goals of leading with integrity and serving with honor, he said.
“As a veteran, I understand the value of duty, discipline and sacrifice,” Wittig said. “I have dedicated my entire professional life to serving others, and will bring that same commitment to leading the sheriff’s office.”
He is aiming to gain the Democratic nomination in the 2026 election. Jim Reed currently is the county’s sheriff, serving his third term.
Wittig began his service in the United States Army as a company clerk, a TOW missile gunner and a squad leader, his news release said. During his military career, Wittig served in Alaska, Kentucky, and as part of Task Force Falcon during peace-keeping operations in Kosovo.
“My time in the military taught me the importance of teamwork and accountability first and foremost, but also respect for those you serve,” Wittig said. “These principles will guide me as the department and I move forward into a challenging 21st century with the utmost in professionalism and deep connections to the community we serve.”
Wittig and his family live in Princeton, where he was born and raised after graduating from Princeton High School. He began his career in public service in 1997 when he joined the U.S Army before moving into law enforcement in 2003 in Bartonville. As a police officer, he has worked as a patrol officer and an investigator, as well as qualifying for various specialties within the law enforcement community such as being a field training officer and a range master, both of which focus on teaching officers.
In his personal life, he was a volunteer youth coach, a member of the Princeton Moose Lodge, the American Legion and Shooting Park Road Baptist Church.
If he were to be elected sheriff, Wittig said he is committed to ensuring public safety while building a deeper trust and a more collaboration with all members of the community.
If elected, he said his first priorities include; promoting community-oriented policing practices, which is a style of policing he has believed in and practiced as long as he’s been in law enforcement, enhancing transparency within the department so the community knows and understands what their sheriff’s office is doing and improving the law enforcement training deputies receive to make the department more agile and thoughtful in responding to the myriad of different types of calls for service.
“I am committed to keeping our streets safe and ensuring that our deputies have the training and resources they need to protect and serve,” Wittig said. “Together, the sheriff’s office and the community can build a safer, stronger community for everyone.”
Wittig said his campaign motto will be “Leading with Integrity, Serving with Honor.”
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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North Central Area Transit is adding an additional route to improve access. Beginning July 1, NCAT will be providing service between Streator and the La Salle–Peru area daily, which includes trips to Utica, Oglesby, Mendota and Spring Valley. (Shaw file Photo)
North Central Area Transit is adding an additional route to improve access. Beginning July 1, NCAT will be providing service between Streator and the La Salle–Peru area daily, which includes trips to Utica, Oglesby, Mendota and Spring Valley.
NCAT only provides service between Streator and the L-P area Tuesdays and Thursdays. Expanding to five days a week will help serve Illinois Valley Community College students, individuals needing to see medical or dental specialists, and perhaps even open opportunities for employment.
“We’re happy to help people get where they need or want to go,” NCAT Transit Director Kim Zimmerman said, “no matter where they are going.”
Since NCAT will be running one bus between the two locations, it asks that riders be patient, as they may have to arrive earlier or be picked up later than requested.
“We try to be as convenient as possible,” Zimmerman said, “but we can’t be in two places at once. We are going to pick up as many people as we can going in the same direction around the same time. We appreciate our riders’ flexibility and patience.”
Call 833-433-6228 to schedule a ride. All rides must be scheduled by 10 a.m. two business days in advance. However, because of limited capacity, NCAT may not be able to accommodate all requests. NCAT provides transportation from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Office hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Ottawa City Council gave approval for the Trinity Rose Montessori School to conduct classes in the education building adjacent to the Trinity Lutheran Church at 717 Chambers St. beginning this September. The school will open under the guidance of Association Montessori Internationale and Executive Director Suzannah Walter. (Photo provided by Fran Brolley)
The Ottawa City Council gave approval Tuesday for the Trinity Rose Montessori School to conduct classes in the education building adjacent to the Trinity Lutheran Church at 717 Chambers St. beginning in September.
Teacher Suzannah Walter, who is head of the school, said the class will be for children ages 3 to 6, and they will be taught in one classroom, as per the Montessori method of education. She has begun giving tours to parents and children and already has started accepting applications.
Walter – a native of Grand Ridge who has 30 years of teaching experience, much of it in Joliet and at one of the biggest schools in the country, located in the Chicago area – is a firm believer in the Montessori way of teaching through self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play among children of different ages.
“I drove from Grand Ridge to Joliet every day for 11 years, taking my boys there for school from preschool all the way through eighth grade, so my heart is truly in it,” said Walter, who will be teaching with Ottawa native and church member Casey McGrath. “I am a believer. … It’s just a delightful way to teach children, and we can’t wait to get started.
“Some people have heard of Montessori, and others know very little about it, so I love educating the parents about it a little as well.”
Also on Tuesday, Mayor Robb Hasty read into the record a proclamation declaring March 29, 2025, as Margaret Seeman Day in the city. Seeman will be celebrating her 105th birthday that day.
In other action, the council:
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Princeton City Council is planning to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, to discuss further employment of City Manager Theresa Wittenauer. (Derek Barichello)
The Princeton City Council is planning to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, to discuss further employment of City Manager Theresa Wittenauer.
The council’s agenda said it will meet in closed session, which is allowed by state statute to discuss personnel, and then it will conduct a public discussion among council members and vote.
Princeton Mayor Ray Mabry said he is asking the city’s legal counsel if public comment can be added to the agenda. Council member Jerry Neumann said he would like the council to hear public comment prior to going into closed session.
Mabry said the special meeting was called by him to discuss Wittenauer’s performance and possible termination.
“I’ve been mayor two years and it felt like the appropriate time to discuss her performance,” Mabry said. “No decisions have been made. We had to put it on the agenda the way it is about voting, because that way if we decide to take action, it is in there. We can come out of closed session and take action.”
Neumann said he was taken by surprise at the mayor calling for the special meeting and said he’ll be advocating for Wittenauer to retain her position.
“There’s been no indication of a problem of any kind,” Neumann said of the city manager.
Neumann commended Wittenauer for her work to reduce the city’s debt from $42 million to $13 million and her personnel decisions.
“She is a phenomenal city manager,” Neumann said. “She’s doing an exceptional job, and has done so many things for this city and community. She’s been better than any other city manager I’ve work with and I’ve been on City Council for 10 years and have worked with three. She is by far the best one we’ve ever had.”
Neumann also was concerned about the timing of the meeting. Don Saletzky is set to take a spot on the City Council in May after receiving the most votes in the April 1 election, taking Martin Makransky’s seat. A new council will be in place within a month.
Neumann said he wants to make sure his colleagues hear the positive impact Wittenauer has made, including any comments from the public.
“I want to be sure whoever attends this meeting has an opportunity to speak if they wish,” Neumann said. “I’m going to insist the public has an opportunity to speak before executive session, before we make any decision.”
Mabry said his perspective on how the city runs has changed since he became mayor, and he will share those observations with his colleagues during Tuesday’s session.
“As a mayor and council, this is nothing we take lightly,” Mabry said. “We take this very seriously. And as a mayor, I’m just one vote, there are four additional votes. I’m going to rely on the council for direction and advice.”
City council members Hector Gomez, Michael McCall and Makransky also were contacted by Shaw Local News Network and said they were not going to comment on personnel matters prior to Tuesday’s meeting.
Makransky said it’s going to be an interesting meeting, also noting he is approaching it with an open mind.
“I’ve never been a part of anything like that,” the council member said.
Former Princeton mayor Joel Quiram posted Sunday on Facebook about the meeting, alerting residents and supporting Wittenauer.
“Theresa has been invaluable in her role as our city manager,” Quiram said. “From continuing to lower our debt, to the remaking of our depot parking lot, to our ever-evolving street program, and her involvement in saving our hospital from closing and all the behind the scenes day to day activity involved with properly managing a city our size, not to mention her ever present positive and gregarious personality, Theresa is our city’s greatest asset.”
Quiram shared contact information for the City Council and encouraged residents to voice their concerns.
“If you care about the direction Princeton takes, between good and bad, and you prefer good, please take a moment to contact council members, either by phone or email, and express your feelings,” Quiram said.
Neumann said he was uncertain of what direction Princeton would go if it fired Wittenauer.
“She’s the hub of everything we do,” he said.
Wittenauer has been Princeton’s city manager since December 2019. Wittenauer’s contract runs concurrently with Mabry’s term through the 2027 election.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at City Hall, 2 S. Main St.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Princeton Junior Women’s Club president and Princeton High School business and technology teacher, Julie Kuhne, and club co-treasurer Gail Jagers present a check to Princeton High School Principal Andy Berlinski for the 2024-2025 school year EXTRA program. (Photo provided by Julie Kuhne )
Princeton Junior Woman’s Club was looking for a new project in the community.
The focus was on a group that was typically overlooked. Through multiple discussions and looking at existing community programs, the EXTRA program was born in spring of 2022. The purpose of this program is to give something a little extra to Princeton High School students who receive free or reduced lunches. On average 40% to 45% of the student population is part of the free and reduced lunch program. While students receive meals from the school, it is one of the basic lunch options. It does not allow them to get a second serving or anything additional that is offered in the cafeteria.
The recipients of this program are selected at random by Principal Andy Berlinski in coordination with Shawn Lewis, cafeteria manager, and are anonymous to PJWC. Students receive $10 that is added to their lunch account to cover their EXTRA food.
PJWC recently held a bake sale at lunch in the park to raise funds for this program as well as Safety Town. During the 2023-2024 school year, the marketing class created and sold a variety of products from ornaments in December to water bottles, keychains and stickers in the spring. The proceeds that were generated from these sales were donated to PJWC towards the EXTRA program.
In addition, after a successful Homestead Baby Contest, Princeton Junior Woman’s Club donated $2,000, the most to date to the EXTRA program for the 2024-2025 school year. This will assist 200 students throughout the year.
“We would love to ensure that all of the students are able to receive a little something EXTRA throughout the course of the school year and have a goal of making the amount given $20 per student,” the PJWC said in a news release.
If you would like to contribute to this program you may do so by mailing a check to PJWC, PO Box 541, Princeton, IL 61356, or via Venmo, @P-Juniors-71, be sure to designate the EXTRA program on your donations. PJWC is looking for new members and can be reached at princetonjuniors@gmail.com. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the Prouty Building, 435 S. Main St. Its Oct. 9 meeting will feature a program on Cyber Security. All are welcome to attend.
Pictured are members of the Princeton High School marketing class with Principal Andy Berlinski who elected to donate money to the EXTRA program. (From left) Mr. Berlinski, Izaiah Smallwood, Paige Fox and Olivia Fox pose for a photo. (Photo provided by Julie Kuhne )
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Authorities executed a search warrant Tuesday into the body discovered at the decommissioned Cherry Mine on June 8, Bureau County Sheriff James Reed said Tuesday in a news release. (Scott Anderson)
Authorities executed a search warrant Tuesday into the body discovered at the decommissioned Cherry Mine on June 8, Bureau County Sheriff James Reed said Tuesday in a news release.
The Bureau County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois Valley Special Response Team executed the warrant in the 300 block of North Steele Street in Cherry, Reed said.
Reed said the warrant was regarding the homicide of the unidentified male whose skeletal remains were found at the Cherry Mine. Tuesday’s news release was the first mention of homicide by authorities since the discovery.
Reed previously told Shaw Local News Network that an autopsy was conducted on the remains June 11. Deputies were dispatched to the mine at 3:54 p.m. June 8 for the discovery.
Reed said the case remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Cooper Street Snacks, a family-owned company that makes cookies and granola bakes, has acquired Harvest Valley Bakery, Inc., 348 Civic Road, La Salle, a manufacturer of private label cookies, brownies, bars and bites for distribution in retail, vending and institutional markets. (Joe Keller)
Cooper Street Snacks, a family-owned company that makes cookies and granola bakes, has acquired Harvest Valley Bakery, Inc., 348 Civic Road, La Salle, a manufacturer of private label cookies, brownies, bars and bites for distribution in retail, vending and institutional markets.
Harvest Valley also specializes in custom formulations and manufacturing.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Following completion of the acquisition, Harvest Valley Bakery will be rebranded as Cooper Street Bakery.
“The acquisition aligns with Cooper Street’s vision to strengthen its operational foundation and increase production efficiency,” Cooper Street Snacks said in a news release. “The newly acquired Cooper Street Bakery will operate independently from the Cooper Street Snacks brand but will play a crucial role in supporting the company’s expanding product lines.”
Founded in 2011, Cooper Street Snacks said the addition of Harvest Valley Bakery gives it access to advanced baking technologies and processes.
Harvest Valley Bakery had been at the La Salle location since 1992.
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.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday and returned the following indictments.
A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday and returned the following indictments:
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations Zone 1 was requested by the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer involved death.
A deputy from the the sheriff’s office was in pursuit of a Chevrolet pickup at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday on Route 71 in La Salle County on Route 71 after fleeing from a traffic stop. The pickup struck the side of a guard rail before striking several trees in the ditch near Norway. The driver of the pickup died at the scene, state police said.
ISP is leading the open and ongoing investigation. No additional information is available at this time.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Princeton City Manager Theresa Wittenauer addressed some frequently asked questions Monday about the new garbage totes being delivered starting Monday, April 29. (Olivia Doak)
Princeton City Manager Theresa Wittenauer addressed some frequently asked questions Monday about the new garbage totes being delivered starting Monday, April 29.
She said residents seeking the smaller 65-gallon garbage totes must request them by emailing totes@princeton-il.com or by calling City Hall at 815-875-2631, option 2.
When totes are delivered, there will be a note on the cans with instructions. Among the instructions is to place the tote in the same location they are delivered. Wittenauer said this is key because the new garbage truck arm will need space to operate.
Wittenauer also said residents will need to place their garbage at their designated location by 5 a.m. on their collection day beginning May 6 when the new trucks go into action. Garbage collection days will not change, however, the time of day may be affected, the city manager said. Yard waste will be collected the same and stickers will be necessary for larger items, or extra bags beyond the totes.
Residents are invited to dispose their old cans at the city’s drop-off site. Cans first will be offered to other residents who want them.
Wittenauer said city staff is trying its best to keep up with resident questions and requests, and established the email address to handle the volume of inquiries.
Princeton hired Michael Zearing to be its zoning/planning administrator (Derek Barichello)
Wittenauer said the city hired Michael Zearing to be its zoning/planning administrator. Zearing has a background in architecture and urban design, working for Studio K Architecture. He is a Princeton High School and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduate. Zearing also is a member of the Princeton Historic Preservation Commission, Princeton Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission and the Princeton Rotary Club.
The Princeton City Council approved a special use permit for Second Story Teen Center to build a new facility at 125 N. Main St., within the downtown business district. The teen center worked with the city’s Plan Commission to get the design of the new building to a look that is appropriate for the downtown, receiving its recommendation.
The council also approved a special use permit from the city of Princeton and Altorfer Inc. to install a one-megawatt solar array on a 6.5 acre parcel at 1859 Peggy Lane. This item also received the Plan Commission’s recommendation.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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