Category: Uncategorized

New distribution center coming to Princeton  WSPYnews.com
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Looking for a place that’s not too close, not too far and just a little off the beaten path this summer in Illinois?
Worldatlas.com recently came out with a list of “12 Most Underrated Towns To Visit in Illinois In 2024.” featuring some of the state’s best places to experience the everything from the great outdoors to great shopping and history.
“Beyond the major metro areas, hidden in Illinois’ beautiful backcountry, are gorgeous small towns that rarely get a piece of the spotlight. From historic villages dating back centuries with conspicuous old-world architecture to riverine communities with unique, long-held traditions, these small towns in Illinois deserve more recognition from travelers,” Worldatlas writes. 
“Exploring these overlooked towns in 2024 promises visitors an authentic glimpse into a rarely-seen side of the Land of Lincoln. Whether you seek charming main streets, outdoor adventures, or a taste of small-town Midwest life, look beyond Chicago to discover Illinois’s many underexplored gems.”
Galena is an Illinois favorite. About three hours west of Chicago, this city just off the Mississippi River is famous for its rich history, 19th-century buildings, boutique shopping and restaurants. There’s world class golf, skiing and local vineyards. Visitors can see President Ulysses S. Grant’s childhood home and the historically preserved 1826 Dowling House.
Woodstock, a McHenry County city located about 35 miles northwest of Chicago, is perhaps best known by movie buffs and fans of the film “Groundhog Day,” which was filmed there. The town square is home to a historic opera theatre house, which was built in 1889. Throughout the year, Woodstock hosts festivals, and fairs, summer band concerts, and farmer’s markets and, of course, Groundhog Days. The Woodstock Square Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Alton is a Mississippi River city north of St. Louis, Missouri. It’s famous for its limestone bluffs along the river north of the city. It’s also known for being a site of the historic Lincoln-Douglas Debates, as well as being home to the world’s tallest man, Robert Wadlow. Attractions include the National Great Rivers Museum, Lovejoy State Memorial, Great Rivers Scenic Route, Fast Eddie’s Bon-Air, World’s Tallest Man Statue, Curiosity Museum, and Argosy Casino Alton.
Geneva is the county seat of Kane County. The town is home to more than 160 unique shops and restaurants, the Kane County Cougars baseball team, Geneva History Museum and the Fabyan Villa Museum and Japanese Garden. The Fox River Trail, accessible from downtown Geneva, connects to Island Park and Fabyan Forest Preserve, home of a five-story Dutch windmill. Geneva’s downtown has more than 100 historic buildings, including the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed P.D. Hoyt House. 
Located in Hancock County on the Mississippi River near Fort Madison, Iowa, Nauvoo is a Hebrew word meaning beautiful place. The town of about 1,000 residents is home to a lot of historical buildings and Nauvoo State Park, which offers hiking, cycling, camping, and a 13-acre manmade lake named Lake Horton. other attractions include the Rheinberger House Museum and Illinois’ oldest vineyard. It’s also home to the original headquarters for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Nauvoo Illinois Temple.
Located in the northern-central region of Illinois, Princeton is rich with historic architecture and natural scenic views. The town boasts two downtown retail districts that are both a step back in time offering a variety of specialty shops and businesses. Princeton is home to abolitionist Owen Lovejoy’s colonial-style Lovejoy Homestead, which served as his home and part of the Underground Railroad. Princeton also is known for covered bridges.
Located in DeKalb County, Sycamore boosts a quaint downtown and tons of outdoors. The city has 19 parks where visitors can hike, bike, picnic and just enjoy the scenery before hitting up the shops, restaurants and bars. Don’t miss the city’s Pumpkin Festival in the fall.
Edwardsville is home to the Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House, an evocative 1820 Federal home of a famous Illinois politician and plenty of other local history, as well as the 40-acre Watershed Nature Center. Children will enjoy the interactive exhibits and hands-on activities at the Edwardsville Children’s Museum.
Enjoy the cobblestone streets and eclectic shops of downtown Long Grove. Long Grove is home to quaint shops and plenty of history. It’s home to the Sock Monkey Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of handmade sock monkeys. Nearby Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve and Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Center provide hiking, biking and fishing.
Arthur, Illinois, is famous for having an Amish community — one of the state’s oldest. unity. The small town surrounded by farmland gives visitors a glimpse inside Amish life. Visit the Illinois Amish Heritage Center to explore the culture and traditions of Amish, and then visit Yoder’s Kitchen for a traditional, homemade Amish meal.
Cairo was named after Cairo, Egypt, and was known for many years as Little Egypt in southern Illinois. A river city located where the Ohio and Mississippi rivers meet, Cairo was prone to flooding, the most devastating of which took pace in 2011 when the entire city was evacuated. Today, Cairo is mostly abandoned. It’s historic district remains well-preserved along with several mansions, the grand Victorian-era Magnolia Manor House and the Cairo Custom House Museum. 
Vienna’s Town Square is sure to please antique fans. There are a number of shops carrying household goods and decorations. With only 1,500 residents, Vienna boasts plenty of room to stretch out and escape the crowds. It’s Tunnel Hill State Trail is a recreation hub for hikers, bikers, and joggers. And for birdwatchers, there’s Heron Pond at Little Black Slough Nature Preserve.
Here are a couple more small towns in Illinois that didn’t make Worldatlas’ list this time around but definitely are worth checking out this summer. 
Located in Winnebago County, Roscoe is a village of about 11,000 people and home to one of the region’s most popular tourism draws — Historic Auto Attractions, 13825 Metric Road. Historic Auto Attractions is more than 80,000 square feet of exhibits including one of the largest collections of John F. Kennedy memorabilia, presidential memorabilia and world leader’s limousines. The museum houses dozens of vehicles from films such as Batman, Ghostbusters and Back to the Future.
Casey is a small town located in Clark and Cumberland counties in southern Illinois. It’s home to a dozen Guinness Book of World Records for world’s largest items including the world’s largest mailbox, wind chime and rocking chair, knitting needles, crochet hook, pitchfork, golf tee, yardstick, wooden token, Dutch wooden shoes, mailbox, pencil and birdcage. The town of about 2,400 people also is home to more than 20 other giant things spread throughout town — perfect for coming and getting fun photos with family and friends.
Chris Green is a Rockford Register Star general assignment reporter. He can be reached at 815-987-1241, via email at cgreen@rrstar.com and X @chrisfgreen.

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A view of the Jersey Mike’s Subs building located at the intersection of Route 26 and Backbone Road on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in Princeton . (Scott Anderson)
Panchero’s Mexican Grill officially confirmed that it will be opening up a new location in Princeton as early as this summer.
The announcement was confirmed through a company press release detailing a new franchise agreement with Mex Midwest, a multi-unit restaurant group that will bring three Panchero’s locations to the Midwest, including two in northern Illinois.
According to the release, the first location under the partnership is planned for Princeton, with a second restaurant expected to open in Sterling this fall.
The restaurant will open at 1839 N. Main St., Unit 1, in the same commercial building as the incoming Jersey Mike’s Subs location. Princeton City Planner Michael Zearing said the restaurant would occupy the south side of the building.
With a similar style to Chipotle or Qdoba, Panchero’s offers tacos, burritos and quesadillas with a variety of customizable options for each.
Panchero’s has already established four locations in the state, including in Peoria, Rockford, Moline and Quincy.
Bill Freskos is a multimedia journalist based in the Illinois Valley. He covers hard news, local government, sports, business enterprise, and politics while contributing to Shaw Local Radio stations for Shaw Media across La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam counties.

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Here’s how Culver’s is raising money for Earth Day  WQAD
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Fireworks explode in the night sky after sunset over Lake Mendota on June 28, 2025 in Mendota. (Kyle Russell)
Illinois Valley communities are launching fireworks displays this summer, with shows running from late June through early August.
The season peaks around Independence Day, with eight towns lighting up the sky on or near July 4th.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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The Princeton Community Band performed at Soldiers and Sailors Park Sunday. (Kevin Hieronymus)
The Princeton Community Band will perform a patriotic concert Sunday, July 5 at 6 p.m. in Soldiers and Sailors Park, featuring vocal soloist Elizabeth Butler singing Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch Over Me.”
Directed by Ann Lusher, the band will perform “America the Beautiful,” “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” and other selections celebrating American music and military service.
Admission is free. The Lions Club will offer refreshments. Bring a lawn chair.
If rain forces a postponement, the concert will move to the Evangelical Covenant Church’s Community Life Center at 24 N. Main St.
The Princeton Community Band is a nonprofit organization. Donations are accepted.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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3-year-old shot and killed during hostage situation in Bureau County identified  wqad.com
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With temperatures climbing into the 90s, families flocked to pools and splash pads across the Illinois Valley this week to beat the summer heat.
Got a news tip? Email ntnewsroom@shawmedia.com
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network

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The Princeton Police Department responded to several incidents last week, including a vehicle vandalism complaint and the theft of an Apple Watch.
Officers responded to Nassau Street on May 1 after a resident reported that an unknown person had scratched the entire length of a vehicle sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. The criminal mischief case remains under investigation.
A person reported that an Apple Watch was stolen sometime between April 28 and May 2 in the Nassau Street area. Police described the incident as a “theft of mislaid property.” The investigation is ongoing.
On May 2 at about 11:18 p.m., officers stopped a driver on John Street after observing a vehicle traveling the wrong direction on a one-way street. Police said the driver was found to be driving while intoxicated. He was arrested, transported to police headquarters, charged with driving while intoxicated and several additional motor vehicle violations, and later released pending a court appearance.
Earlier that week, officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on Nassau Street at about 2:13 a.m. on May 1 for failure to maintain a lane. Police said the 46-year-old Lawrenceville woman had an active $750 warrant issued by Princeton Municipal Court. She was arrested, processed at police headquarters, posted bail, and was released.
Police also reported that a 28-year-old Spotswood man who is a Lyft driver allegedly involved in two luring incidents on the Princeton University campus, walked into police headquarters on April 30 and turned himself in on an active warrant issued through Princeton Municipal Court and the Princeton University Department of Public Safety. After being arrested and searched, Wynter was transferred to the Princeton University Department of Public Safety.
The previous week, a Princeton resident reported approximately $30,000 worth of jewelry stolen from a rental property on Hunt Drive while preparing to move into a permanent residence. The victim told police the theft occurred after a moving company packed and transported belongings. Because there were no signs of forced entry, the victim believes the suspects may have been employed by the moving company, according to police.
Police are also investigating a theft by deception case involving a fraudulent rent payment. A complainant reported that an unknown person compromised an email account associated with a property management company and provided false banking information for a rent payment totaling $8,110. The fraud was discovered after the intended recipient reported the payment had not been received.
On Prospect Avenue, residents reported that cash, a passport, and two checkbooks were stolen from a home after several moving and work crews had been inside the residence. The reported loss included $2,000 in cash and checkbooks containing about 50 checks each. No signs of forced entry were reported.
Police also investigated the reported theft of a Beretta 9mm handgun from a locked box inside a vehicle trunk. The owner told officers the vehicle had been serviced at a business on State Road during the time the firearm disappeared. Police said there were no signs of forced entry.
Police arrested a 34-year-old Princeton woman on April 21 on an outstanding warrant from Evesham Township Municipal Court following a motor vehicle stop on Spruce Street. Police said the woman posted $750 bail and was released.
Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.
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