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The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Sept. 8 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Beetz Me. (Photo provided by Ashley Oliver)
The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting Sept. 8 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Beetz Me.
Beetz Me offers a variety of services including professional gift wrapping, wine bar experiences, sip and paint classes, gifts, decor and more.
For information on Beetz Me, visit 952 N. Main St. or call 815-879-7777.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Beth Findley Smith (R-Somonauk) resigned Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in a letter to Chairman Don Jensen (R-Deer Park). (Photo provided by Beth Findley Smith)
A member of the La Salle County Board has resigned after moving out of her district, and she will participate in one final board meeting Jan. 9.
Beth Findley Smith, R-Somonauk, resigned Friday in a letter to Chairman Don Jensen, R-Deer Park.
“Serving the people of District 4 has been both a privilege and an honor,” Findley Smith wrote. “During my time on the board, I have deeply valued the opportunity to advocate for property rights, lower taxes and infrastructure improvements – issues that I believe to be vital to the well-being of our county.
“I have greatly enjoyed my role as a public servant and am proud of the work we have accomplished together. While I am stepping away from this position, I hope to continue serving my fellow citizens in the future in different capacities.”
Findley Smith recently stood for reelection and defeated newcomer Christine Valenta 1,363-768 in the Nov. 5 election.
Jensen said he has 60 days to replace Findley Smith. Although he hasn’t yet started the process, he will proceed to have it done as soon as possible.
“I would like to thank Beth for her service to the county and her constituents during her tenure here,” he said.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Princeton’s Casey Etheridge runs behind blocks from teammates Anthony Vujanov and Common Green in Saturday’s game in Chicago. The Tigers won 34-16. (Mike Vaughn)
Montini faces Princeton in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Class 3A IHSA football playoffs. Friday Night Drive editor Kevin Hieronymus will have live updates, scores and news from the game.
Montini vs. Princeton kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bryant Field
Montini-Princeton preview
About the Broncos: Montini held on for a 14-13 win over No. 1 Byron when senior linebacker Jaxon Lane stopped the Tigers short of the goal line going for a game-winning 2-point conversion. That win avenged a 26-20 loss to Byron in the 2023 semifinals and snapped the Tigers’ 24-game winning streak. Jeremiah Peterson rushed for 110 yards on 17 carries and both touchdowns for Montini, and sophomore quarterback Izzy Abrams ran for 50 yards while completing 10-of-13 passes for 56 yards. … Montini has a playoff tradition as rich as any program in the state with 34 appearances, 73 playoff wins, 18 quarterfinal berths, six state championships and three runner-up finishes. The Broncos are 12-5 in quarterfinal play, 2-0 against Bureau County teams, including a 48-34 win over Hall in 1993.
About the Tigers: Quarterfinal weekends are becoming common occurrences for Princeton Tiger football, which makes its fifth straight appearance. However, the Tigers have lost their last three quarterfinals, including last year’s defeat to Montini. Princeton has geared up for a rematch with the Broncos since that defeat. … Casey Etheridge rushed for 217 yards and three touchdowns with a receiving TD in last week’s 34-16 win over Chicago King on the South Side of Chicago. Noah LaPorte also scored on a TD reception from QB Will Lott. The Tigers’ defense also stepped up with timely plays, including sacks by linebackers Common Green and Arthur Burden and DL Cade Odell. … The Tigers are 3-3 at home in quarterfinal play with wins over Alleman in 1989 (27-14), Rochester in 2002 (48-21) and Paxton-Buckley-Loda in 2019 (38-12) and losses to IC Catholic in 2015 (37-12) and 2022 (27-20) and Montini in 2023 (27-9). In 2021, the Tigers lost to IC Catholic (31-17) on the road. … Playoff history: Appearances – 15. Consecutive – 6; Record – 22-14. Farthest advancement – 3A runner-up (1989).
Next: The winner will face Saturday’s winner of No. 2 Wilmington (11-0) at No. 3 Du-Pec (10-1) quarterfinal in next week’s semifinals. Princeton would travel to either Wilmington or Du-Pec and Montini would host in either matchup.
Friday Night Drive pick: Montini
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Kristin Mangrich (Photo provided)
Kristin Mangrich of Streator Woodland Elementary School was one of six school administrators recently recognized by the Corn Belt Region of the Illinois Principals Association.
She was named as the Elementary Principal of the Year. Mangrich, the former Kristin Bickett, is a Malden native.
Criteria for Principal of the Year winners include: demonstrating a positive impact on education and advocacy for children; ensuring the school climate is positive and reflects high staff and student morale; demonstrating creativity and imagination in bringing about positive change; and, involving the community in the life of the school and using community resources for students.
Region winners are chosen from the 21 regional areas of the Illinois Principals Association. From these elite administrators, a state winner is chosen by a committee composed of IPA past presidents.
The Corn Belt region of the Illinois Principals Association includes school administrators throughout Livingston, McClean, Ford and Iroquois counties. The Illinois Principals Association is a leadership organization which serves educational leaders throughout the state of Illinois and whose mission is to develop, support and advocate for innovative educational leaders.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Culver’s, 3001 Fairfield Lane, Ottawa, is closed this week. (Derek Barichello – dbarichello@shawmedia.com)
Culver’s, 3001 Fairfield Lane, Ottawa, is closed this week.
According to its website, the store is undergoing a remodel and will be closed Monday through Thursday. It is expected to reopen Friday.
The Ottawa location opened in 2010.
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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Flames filled the interior of Princeton High School, which was destroyed a century ago on Dec. 15, 1924. (Photo provided by C.E. Crichfield)
‘The date was Dec. 15, 1924. The time was about 8:15 p.m. The place was the Charles and Edna Crownover home in the 400 block of East Crown Street, just south of the 1867 Princeton High School building.
Fourteen-year-old Ralph Crownover, a PHS freshman, had just ridden his bicycle home from attending Christmas play rehearsal at the Congregational Church.
Crownover parked his bike in the family’s barn, entered the house through the back door, grabbed an apple in the kitchen, walked into the hallway that faced the front of the house, and then, according to Edna, saw something absolutely terrifying.
“I heard him exclaim, ‘Mama, the high school is on fire. There is smoke coming out of the window!’” Mrs. Crownover told a newspaper reporter later.
Ralph’s mother sprang into action.
“I did not stop to look but rushed to the telephone and called central. During the momentary delay that occurred in putting through the call, the flames broke out, and when I got the operator, I told her the high school was burning, urging haste as it appeared to be a bad fire,” Edna said.
It wasn’t just a bad fire. It was a disastrous fire. Visible for miles around, the flames, of unknown origin, roared out of the school’s library and spread throughout the school. They burned through the roof, blazing to the high heavens and destroying the venerable 57-year-old three-story brick structure within less than four hours.
This was despite the best efforts of Princeton Fire Department firefighters who, under the direction of Chief Arthur Nelson, deployed fire hoses from three neighboring hydrants but were hampered in their heroic efforts by low water pressure.
Early on, some firefighters smashed a window and sprayed water into the blazing library room. Others battered down the door to the main hallway and, armed with a fire hose, pushed their way inside to try to douse the flames.
As the Bureau County Republican described it, “A brief but desperate battle was fought, but in the end the firemen were forced to retreat before the stifling smoke and flames that belched forth to meet them.”
As word spread, several thousand onlookers gathered to watch in horror as the historic landmark, home of Illinois’ first township high school, burned down. Everyone soon realized the battle was hopeless. A photo taken by C.E. Crichfield shows flames throughout the structure as brick walls stood in stark silhouette to the inferno inside.
Principal Owen V. Shaffer, 31, was only in his first year on the job, and what a literal trial by fire he faced! Shaffer arrived on the scene about 45 minutes after the alarm was sounded. Knowing the value of the school’s irreplaceable records, he decided to try to enter his office on the second floor to save them.
The Republican described his vain attempt:
“A ladder was raised against the window on the south side of the wing in which the office was located, and Mr. Shaffer climbed up and tried to force an entrance. When he raised the sash, a furious cloud of black smoke rolled out of the opening, and at the same time flames broke through the roof above him.”
Firefighters holding the ladder saw the danger and ordered Shaffer to climb back down quickly.
“A short time later, the floor of the office crashed into the basement and a portion of the roof fell in,” the Republican stated.
After spraying water on the inferno for an hour, firefighters withdrew and concentrated their efforts on protecting nearby buildings from igniting. A brisk breeze from the southeast blew live sparks and burning embers downwind at least a mile, the BCR reported. Small fires had to be extinguished at 32 S. Euclid Ave., 218 N. Church St. and 504 N. Main St.
Everything was thought to be burned up in the building.
“Not so much as a lead pencil was saved. All the valuable books, records, paintings, statuary and equipment of every sort were consumed by the blaze,” the BCR stated.
Two pianos were destroyed, as were personal musical instruments owned by students, including a xylophone, violin, cornet and trombone.
The situation could not have been more shocking and depressing.
Yet, Principal Shaffer did not let the disaster intimidate him. Instead, knowing that 305 high school students and their families depended on him to keep high school education alive in Princeton, he immediately formulated plans to resume classes after the first of the year.
In those days, there was only a county superintendent of schools, not school superintendents in every school district, so the mantle of leadership during this trying time rested squarely on Shaffer’s shoulders, and he rose to the occasion.
”We are going to try to reorganize and have things in running shape by the close of the regular Christmas vacation,” Shaffer announced two days after the fire. “We are going ahead with our program of school activities as though nothing had ever happened. We hope to be ready in temporary quarters by Jan. 5.”
Meeting in an emergency session the day after the fire, the school board fielded numerous offers of help. The board accepted offers by Princeton City Hall, the post office, First Christian Church and Swedish Mission Church to host temporary classrooms. The Apollo Theater was utilized for at least two all-school assemblies, organized by Shaffer, to acquaint students and faculty with the temporary setup plans.
An inventory was taken of which textbooks were needed and how many. Some students had taken books home with them to study before the fire struck, so those volumes were spared from the flames. Hundreds of tablet arm desks were ordered. A local contractor was hired to build partitions to create separate classroom areas.
Amazingly, on Jan. 5, 1925 – exactly three weeks after Princeton High School burned to the ground – high school classes resumed in Princeton in their new temporary homes. Student editors of the 1925 Tiger yearbook playfully christened the new setup “Princeton College” because pupils had to walk among separate buildings, mostly along Main Street, to attend classes.
On Jan. 15, a bit of good news appeared on the Republican’s front page. A story reported the school’s safe had just been dug out of the ruins. Principal Shaffer arrived on the scene, unlocked the heavy steel door, and inside the safe, he found all the school’s student records. They were practically intact and still legible.
“The finding of the records … will save a great deal of trouble and confusion in making out the credits of the individual students for graduation and college entrance requirements,” the BCR reported.
A new school building was desperately needed, and the PHS board of education acted quickly to start the process. By late January, the board had hired the architectural firm of Royer, Danely and Smith of Urbana to design plans for the new high school. The firm had recently designed high schools in Urbana, Sandwich, Cairo and Freeport.
Plans were being formulated to hold a bond referendum in the April election to finance construction. This would supplement the expected $72,200 fire insurance payout.
Fast forward to September 1926, and the brand new $400,000 Princeton High School was complete and in operation. It was dedicated two months later.
What became of Ralph Crownover, the freshman who first spotted the fire, and Owen V. Shaffer, the principal who led the high school through its worst crisis?
Crownover graduated from PHS in June 1928, worked as an electrician and electrical contractor in the 1930s, served as an Army corporal in the South Pacific during World War II, moved to Florida, and lived to be 95.
Shaffer, a respected educator and community leader, served 27 more years as PHS principal. Unfortunately, an illness took his life in 1952. He was 58. Among the children he and his wife, Ina, reared was prolific artist and sculptor O.V. “Verne” Shaffer.
Dec. 15, 1924, was a dark day for Princeton High School, but the leadership of Principal Shaffer, supported by the school board and community, helped to restore hope and build a bright future.
Note to readers: Sources for this story are the archives of the Bureau County Republican and Bureau County Tribune, Princeton Tiger yearbooks, Princeton Public Library archives, “A History of Princeton” by George O. Smith, and several other online sources.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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The following property transfers were recently recorded at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office: (BCR file)
The following property transfers were recently recorded at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office:
Charles Philhower to Eileen and Ronald Behrends, warranty deed, part of Lot 115 and part of Lot 116 in Tiskilwa, $20,000.
Tim McComber (AIF), Betty McComber, Michael McComber, Ricky McComber and Timothy McComber to Michelle and Trent Munson, warranty deed, Lots 3 and 4 in Block 5 in Tiskilwa, $140,000.
Tim McComber (AIF) and Betty McComber to Michelle and Trent Munson, warranty deed, part of Lot 22 in West Addition in Tiskilwa, $15,000.
Mary Cox, Julie Magana, Eugene Weberski (decd), Josephine Weberski (decd) and Eugene Weberski to Jacob Booth and Hope Goetz, warranty deed, Lot 17 in Block 21 and part of Lot 16 in Block 21 in Spring Valley Coal Co. First Addition in Dalzell, $165,000.
Angela and Donald Thompson to Jeramiah Gaydos, warranty deed, Lot 17 in Manor Court SD First Addition in Princeton, $225,000.
Gary Todd to Brian Brown, warranty deed, Lot 23 in Homeway Addition in Walnut, $42,500.
David Hedlin to Chad and Melissa Jesse, warranty deed, part of Section 14 in Arispie Township, $399,960.
Bobbi and Joseph Russellburg to Alexandra and Logan Sparks, joint tenancy deed, Lots 45, 46 and 47 in First Addition Lake Arispie Subdivision, $315,000.
JICTB Inc. to Mehdi Merji, warranty deed, Lot 6 in Block 7 in Cherry, $38,000.
Rebecca Guither to Matthew Brescia, warranty deed, Lot A in Innsbruck 2 Condominium in Princeton, $170,000.
Allen and Barbara Ericsson to Daniel Langford LLC, Allen Ericsson and Daniel Langford LLC, part of Section 17 in Manlius Township, $56,500.
Princeton Hospitality LLC to Shy Property Management LLC, warranty deed, part of Lot 3 and part of Lot 4 in Claude Bailey Commercial Park (PT SW 4-16-9) in Princeton, $4,750,000.
Laura Burr, Scott Harrison and Karen Pohar to Brennen Yuvan, warranty deed, Lots 54 and 55 in Henderson and Trimble’s Addition in Bureau Valley Junction, $70,000.
Robert Ohda (AIF) and Nancy Ohda to Michael Shoffner, warranty deed, part of Lot 15 in Walnut, $112,500.
Steven Gerdes (decd), Julia Gerdes (ex) and SHG Farms LLC to Julia and Larry Gerdes, warranty deed, part of Lot 3 in South Addition in Walnut, $20,000.
Deanna Rakoz and Douglas Tuntland to Jamie and Jayson Tuntland, joint tenancy deed, part of Lot 7 in Block 3, part of Lot 9 in Block 3 and Lot 8 in Block 3 in Factory Addition in La Moille, $120,000.
Marjorie Anderson, Randy Anderson and Cindy Smith to Katarzyna Piatek Mucha and Maciej Mucha, warranty deed, part of Section 21 in Princeton Township, $265,000.
Janis Doty to Angela and Terry Summers, warranty deed, parts of Section 11 in Dover Township, $545,000.
Truman 2016 SC6 Title Trust, Truman Capital Advisors LP (AIF) and U S Bank National Association (tr) to Kyle Kinnamon, warranty deed, part of Section 29 and part of Section 28 in Dover Township, $206,000.
Samantha Knudsen, Laramie Storm and Sierra Storm to Douglas Smith Jr. and Ashley Smith, warranty deed, Lots 3 and 4 in Princeton (Subdivision E/2 of Lot 109), $225,000.
Michael Murray to Amanda and Joseph Waller, warranty deed, Lot 100 in Tiskilwa, $182,500.
Eugenio and Ofelia Garcia to Alexis Castellanos Reyes, warranty deed, Lot 7 in Block 8 and part of Lot 8 in Block 8 in Devlin’s First Addition in Spring Valley, $90,000.
James Barto (tr), Jill Barto (tr), James Barto Trust and Jill Barto Trust to Jacob Code, trustees’ deed, parts of Section 6 in Milo Township, $1,264,028.
James Barto (tr), Jill Barto (tr), James Barto Trust and Jill Barto Trust to Blue Lombardville IV LLC, trustees’ deed, parts of Section 31 in Indiantown Township, $2,409,176.
James Barto (tr), Jill Barto (tr), James Barto Trust and Jill Barto Trust to Carl and Margaret Mangold, trustees’ deed, part of Section 5 in Milo Township, $1,066,059.
James Barto (tr), Jill Barto (tr), James Barto Trust and Jill Barto Trust to Beau Jensen Farms LLC, trustees’ deed, Sections 31 and 32 in Indiantown Township, $1,265,297.
Don and Sandy Elmore to Brenda and Christopher Carr, joint tenancy deed, Lots 6-10 in Block 16 in Dover, $21,000.
Stephanie Powell to Angelica Marlett, warranty deed, Lot 15 in Block 33 in Ladd, $112,000.
Katherine Orsini to Jarely Vargas Benitez and Bernarda Benitez Sanchez, warranty deed, Lot 12 in Sunset Farms Subdivision in Spring Valley, $370,000.
James Barto Revocable Living Trust, Jill Barto Revocable Living Trust, James Barto (tr), Jill Barto (tr), James Barto Trust and Jill Barto Trust to Rumbold and Kuhn Incorporated, trustees’ deed, parts of Section 36 in Macon Township, $2,868,529.
Kenneth Barkley to Adrienne and Kyle Barkley, joint tenancy deed, Lot 11 in Block 3 in Brown’s Addition in Wyanet, $77,615.
Laura Hopps (adm) and Brandon Hopps (decd) to Austin Walker, administrator’s deed, part of Section 24 in LaMoille Township, $130,100.
Jouquenia and Tyrone Johnson to SA House Rentals LLC, warranty deed, Lot 6, Lot 7, Lot 8, Lot 9, Lot 11, Lot 2 and Lot 4 in Anderson Subdivision (SE and SW 5-16-9) in Princeton, $360,000.
Linda Treadway to Austin Voice and Alyssa White, warranty deed, part of Lot 1 in Block 7 and part of Lot 4 in Block 7 in Tiskilwa, $90,000.
Rebecca Swanson to Andrew and Nicole Creekpaum, warranty deed, Lot 2 in Block 1 in Homeway Second Addition in Walnut, $90,000.
Xochitl Mendez to Audrey Buchanan and Devyn Strazalka, warranty deed, part of Lot 31 and part of Lot 32 in Canedy’s Addition in Princeton, $189,000.
J Rayne LLC to Moraine Valley Property Rentals LLC, warranty deed, part of Lot 112 in Princeton, $60,000.
Dixie and Noel Nichols to Peach Investments LLC, warranty deed, part of Section 2 in Princeton Township, $236,350.
Barbara Elwell (decd), Walter Elwell and Diane Smith (POA) to Aubrey and Zachary Hicks, warranty deed, part of Section 21 in Princeton Township, $230,000.
Betsy Sobin to Jose De Jesus Pinones and Jessica Long, warranty deed, Lot 14 in Block 6 in Dalzell’s First Addition in Spring Valley, $155,000.
Charles and Laura Dubberstine to Gina Blair, warranty deed, Lot 5 in Block 3 in Johnson Subdivision in Spring Valley, $180,000.
Scott Anderson to Steven Herron II and Amanda Herron, warranty deed, part of Section 35 in Milo Township, $29,000.
Mary and Robert Haun to Angela and Donald Thompson, joint tenancy deed, part of Section 17 in Indiantown Township, $200,000.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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Fresh Prints recently opened at 112 W. Main St. in downtown Ottawa. (Stephanie Jaquins for Shaw Local)
Fresh Prints recently opened at 112 W. Main St. in downtown Ottawa.
The custom apparel shop creates items for a business, event or personal use.
“We’re here to bring your ideas to life with care, attention to detail and outstanding customer service,” read a post on Fresh Prints’ social media.
The store also has a selection of items from Laurilea’s Unique Junk Boutique, which closed in August and was located at the same location.
Fresh Prints holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. To place an order or for more information, call 815-830-1121 or email freshprints815@gmail.com.
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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Sixty-eight members of the La Salle-Peru High School Class of 2024 were inducted into the L-P Honor Society. (Photo provided by Matt Baker)
Sixty-eight members of the La Salle–Peru High School Class of 2024 were inducted into the L-P Honor Society.
To be eligible for honor recognition a student must have a grade-point average of 3.5 or better, have participated in at least two L-P sports and/or activities in both their junior and senior years, and possess the qualities of scholarship, service to school and community, leadership and character.
Those entered into the L-P Honor Society for 2024 are: Christine Aashita, Kaylee Abens, Seth Adams, Anthony Ambler, Aiden Anderson, Alex Anderson, Isabelle Andrews, Beatriz Arce, Kailey Archer, Isabella Argubright, Faith Arkins, Landon Arthur, Ayden Barajas, Abigail Beard, Andrew Bollis, Brendan Boudreau, Elisheva Bruins, Nicholas Butler, Devyn Castelli, Sarah Daugherty, Anya De La Luz Mozo, Addie Duttlinger, Hailey Dzik, Tanner Egbert, Coral Garcia, Galyleah Garcia, Jasmine Garman, Nolan Glynn, Clara Guglielmetti, Makenzie Hamilton, Nathaniel Hansen, Aidan Harmon, Carl Hicks, Samantha Hicks, Bridgit Hoskins, Jack Jereb, Elisabeth Kamke, Emily Kmetz, Lauren Kolczaski, Colin Krug, Ava Lambert, Adam Lane, Jacob Maier, Nora Maier, Will McLaughlin, Will Mertes, Grace Miller, Gabrielle Mosley, Neil Olivero, Sophia Pantoja, Natalie Perra, Konel Poisson, Eleanor Radtke, Ella Raef, Vance Redlich, Kaylie Reese, Kevin Rynke, Jaxon Schneider, Danica Scoma, Adrian Silva, Katherine Sowers, Brock Terzick, Caitlin Traub, Addison Urbanski, Nolan VanDuzer, Zoey VonDrehle, Olivia Weber and Zachary Znaniecki.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

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