Category: Uncategorized

Pat Schou (Photo provided Mikayla Wilhelm)
The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network is inviting the public to join from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, in celebrating the retirement of former Executive Director Pat Schou at the group’s main office in Princeton.
For questions and to RSVP, contact Lori Frick at lfrick@icahn.org or 815-875-2999. Light refreshments will be served.
Schou has dedicated almost 50 years to rural health care in both clinical and administrative positions.
Schou served in multiple leadership roles at Perry Memorial Hospital (now OSF St. Clare) from 1976 to 1999, ending her career at PMH as vice president/director of nursing.
Her tenure involved serving on numerous boards and committees, including but not limited to the Illinois Rural Health Association and National Rural Health Association. She continues to serve as the chair for the Bureau County Health Department Board.
Located in Princeton, ICAHN is a network of 60 small, rural hospitals dedicated to strengthening the operations of its member hospitals through collaboration. The organization comprises Illinois hospitals that have earned critical access hospital designation by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and is recognized nationally for its work with rural health care, administering several state, federal and private health care programs.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

source

The Bureau County Courthouse is at 700 S. Main Street in Princeton. (BCR file)
The following property transfers were recently recorded at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office in the Bureau County Courthouse:
April 1, 2026
Michael and Ruth Baum to Victor De Renzo, warranty deed, part of Lot 15 in Block 16 in Devlin’s Addition in Spring Valley, $225,000.
Jimie Fortson to Tori and Tucker Schoff, warranty deed, parts of Section 21 in Princeton Township, $50,000.
April 6, 2026
James Nickelsen II and James Nickelsen to Bailey and Drake Bruhns, warranty deed, part of Section 13 in Wyanet Township, $225,000.
Denny Tate to Janelle and Joseph McCarter, warranty deed, Lot 9 in Block 12 and part of Lot 10 in Block 12 in North Addition in Princeton, $77,500.
Colleen and Jeff Hocking to Salvador Aguiniga and Yolanda Ferrer, warranty deed, part of Lot 3 in Block 56 and Lot 4 in Block 56 in Spring Valley, $70,000.
Catherine and Todd Buckman to Justin Buckman and Riley Johnson, joint tenancy deed, Lot 127 and part of Lot 128 in Buda, $100,000.
April 10, 2026
Leslie Strouss III, Les Strouss and Leslie Strouss to Knowlton Wamhoff, warranty deed, Lots 138, 139, 140 and 141, part of Lot 137 and part of Lot 126 in Malden, $102,500.
Adams Family LLC and Maureen Conner to Jeffrey and Kathryn Adams, part of Section 18 in Greenville Township, $100,000.
April 15, 2026
David Jeppson (decd), Ann Jeppson, Ruby Jeppson, Amy Prusator (AIF) and Amy Prusator to Janelle and Joseph McCarter, warranty deed, parts of Section 5 in Berlin Township, $425,000.

source

Downtown La Salle came alive with live music, barbecue, food vendors and fireworks during Rock the Block and the 12th annual BBQ-n-Blues festival on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18-19, 2026. The two-day event featured performances, a barbecue rib cook-off and local food and beverage vendors along First Street.
Got a news tip? Email ntnewsroom@shawmedia.com
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network

source

The Msgr. George A. Dzuryo Knights of Columbus in Streator has raised $1,400 to be donated to the Streator Food Pantry and St. Vincent de Paul through their annual golf scramble.
Got a news tip? Email ntnewsroom@shawmedia.com
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network

source

Shared Video
Shared Video
Shared Video
Shared Video
Shared Video
Shared Video

source

The Bureau County Courthouse is at 700 S. Main Street in Princeton. (BCR file)
The following property transfers were recently recorded at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office in the Bureau County Courthouse:
April 1, 2026
Michael and Ruth Baum to Victor De Renzo, warranty deed, part of Lot 15 in Block 16 in Devlin’s Addition in Spring Valley, $225,000.
Jimie Fortson to Tori and Tucker Schoff, warranty deed, parts of Section 21 in Princeton Township, $50,000.
April 6, 2026
James Nickelsen II and James Nickelsen to Bailey and Drake Bruhns, warranty deed, part of Section 13 in Wyanet Township, $225,000.
Denny Tate to Janelle and Joseph McCarter, warranty deed, Lot 9 in Block 12 and part of Lot 10 in Block 12 in North Addition in Princeton, $77,500.
Colleen and Jeff Hocking to Salvador Aguiniga and Yolanda Ferrer, warranty deed, part of Lot 3 in Block 56 and Lot 4 in Block 56 in Spring Valley, $70,000.
Catherine and Todd Buckman to Justin Buckman and Riley Johnson, joint tenancy deed, Lot 127 and part of Lot 128 in Buda, $100,000.
April 10, 2026
Leslie Strouss III, Les Strouss and Leslie Strouss to Knowlton Wamhoff, warranty deed, Lots 138, 139, 140 and 141, part of Lot 137 and part of Lot 126 in Malden, $102,500.
Adams Family LLC and Maureen Conner to Jeffrey and Kathryn Adams, part of Section 18 in Greenville Township, $100,000.
April 15, 2026
David Jeppson (decd), Ann Jeppson, Ruby Jeppson, Amy Prusator (AIF) and Amy Prusator to Janelle and Joseph McCarter, warranty deed, parts of Section 5 in Berlin Township, $425,000.

source

Princeton High School will present Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins, the Broadway Musical” at 7 p.m. Friday, April 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21. (Photo provided by Joan Simpson)
Princeton High School will present Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins, the Broadway Musical” at 7 p.m. Friday, April 19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21.
Tickets can be ordered via an online form on the Princeton High School website at www.phs-il.org, or by calling 815-875-3308. All tickets are $10 with reserved seating. PHS student tickets are free.
One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical. Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins” delighted Broadway audiences for more than 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.”
The PHS production features Brennan Roden as Mary Poppins, Phillip Goodale as Bert, Bianka Nickelsen as Jane Banks, Onne Adams as Michael Banks, Mark Kirkpatrick as George Banks and Jordan VandeVenter as Winifred Banks. Our supporting cast includes PHS students Cameran Adkisson, Mia Sluis, Meghan Smith, Kimmie Imsland, Addison Compton, Wesley Shofner, Anna Boughton, Tricia Kloepping, Elin Workman and Kit Lawrence. This year we are featuring Abi Freeman and Jeremiah Bauer from Princeton Christian Academy and Millie Arteaga, Sayge Compton, Lily Simpson, Levi VandeVenter, Logan Walters, and Piper Wempe from Logan Junior High School, and Main Street Dance Academy dancers Patsy Bystry, Leila Acker, Madison Shaw, Libby Sierens and Emma Dye.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

source

Wreck Along Interstate 80 In Princeton Involves Injuries  starvedrock.media
source

Princeton coach Steve Amy (center) welcomes back two Tiger medalists in Kane Dauber (left), who placed fifth at 132 pounds as a freshman, and Casey Etheridge, who placed fourth at 165 pounds. A third Tiger, senior Augustus Swanson, medaled in 2024. (John Morris for Shaw Local News )
Coach: Steve Amy (18th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Boys – Eli Berlin, sr,, 190; Kane Dauber, so., 138; Casey Etheridge, sr., 165; Augustus Swanson, sr., 120. Girls – Izzy Gibson, sr.
Key newcomers: Chase Castner, jr. 144; Eli Ozburn, fr., 132
Worth noting: Etheridge (48-6), the reigning BCR Wrestler of the Year, and Dauber (50-5), are both returning state medalists, placing fourth and fifth, respectively. Swanson is a three-time state qualifier and medalist in 2024. They all have their sights set on a return trip to Champaign with Berlin (9-11), a 2024 sectional qualifier who was hurt for much of last season, prime to join them. “Any time you return three state placers it is going to be very exciting,” Amy said. … Also returning for the Tigers are sophomores Brady Peach (106), Jacob Paull (113, 16-18), a sectional qualifier, Isaac Hufnagel (113), Allister Swanson (120), Brayden Bickett (132, 24-20 last year), Corbin Brown (132, 19-19) and Joel Odell (144), juniors Daelen Brzezinski (175), Jaydon Cooke (126, 15-7) and Landon Kendall (175) and senior Rhett Pearson (215). Castner joins the program for the first time. … “Like every year our goal is to win the regional and give ourselves a shot at getting to team state. We have quite a few individuals that either have the expectations of competing at the state tournament or being on the top of the state podium at the end of the season,” Amy said. “We just have to keep getting better every day. We have a very young and talented group with a lot of experience. We have a young group that have all been wrestling for quite awhile so it will be interesting to see how they progress throughout the season.” … On the girls side, Gibson (15-6) is a returning sectional qualifier, having been injured until the end of December last year. She qualified for state as a sophomore. Other returning wrestlers are juniors Rylee Backes (105/6-8), Abby Harris (115/6-6) and Jadeyn Klingenberg (130/12-6) with freshman Avalena Wunderlich (190) joining the program.
Princeton’s Casey Etheridge wraps up his opponent during the IHSA Class 1A state tournament last season in Champaign. He placed fourth, named as the BCR Wrestler of the Year. (John Morris)
Coach: Sam Allen (9th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Max Moreno, so., 132; Mike Benge, so., 126; Jameson Daley, so., 106; William Sramek, sr., 215; Weston Heersink, sr.
Worth noting: The Bruins have a young roster of 20 wrestlers with just six upperclassmen. Benge and Moreno both won 30 or more matches last season and were sectional qualifiers. Benge was a regional champion as a freshman. “I have a few future studs in Moreno and Benge,” Allen said. “I’m hoping to see a few sophomores from last season step up and have a good go this year as well.” Allen also is looking for good things from Sramek (19-1 in 2024-25) and Heersink. “I have two seniors who have a good chance at turning some heads with Sramek and Heersink,” Allen said. “Vast improvements were made in the offseason with weight training and wrestling like we’ve never seen before at St. Bede.” Allen said the future is bright for a group with six freshmen, eight sophomores and three juniors. “No matter how it turns out record-wise, I think these young Bruins have a lot to look forward to in the coming years,” he said.
Coach: Jerry Kriewald (13th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Boys – Keaton Finley, 144; Shane Scribner, 175; Alex Tucker, 190; Justyn Doden, 215. Girls – Annamae Smith, 110; Abigail Lindus, 115; Ella Irwin, 170.
Top newcomers: Alex Cooper, 132; Austin Dolder, 138; Chase Mecagni, 150; Dylan Conlin, 157; Jonathyn Jervis, 165; Hunter Buettner, 285. Girls – Zandra Lindus, 105; Bailey Terzick, 190.
Worth noting: Kriewald, who helped start the wrestling program at Putnam County, returns for his second stint leading the Panthers. He’s spent the last four years as an assistant coach at the University of Dubuque, his alma mater. The co-op coach for Hall is Brandon Dijong, who returns for his second season, while PC also has volunteer assistant Jesus Sanchez, who is an All-American from the University of Dubuque. For the PC boys, Tucker is a returning sectional qualifier and team captain. Irwin leads the girls as a two-time sectional qualifier and team captain. Lindus also is a returning sectional qualifier. “I’m just getting to know everyone and it’s very enjoyable,” Kriewald said. “There are a lot of different skill levels, but they’re all coming together as a team. I’m excited to see how everyone progresses.”
Kevin has provided award-winning coverage for the BCR since 1986, covering Bureau County/IL Valley Sports. Was previously sports editor of the St. Louis Daily News and a regular contributor for the St. Louis Cardinals Magazine. He is a member of the IBCA and Illinois Valley Hall of Fames.

source

Princeton resident Geraldine Woodlief speaks during public comment at the Princeton City Council meeting on Monday, March 16, 2026. (Bill Freskos)
After months of discussion and public input, the Princeton City Council officially approved its business development district following a public hearing on Monday night.
The district will allow Princeton to impose an additional sales tax, up to 1%, with the revenue dedicated to economic development efforts.
The council voted 4-1 in favor of the district, with Councilman Jerry Neuman the only one to vote against it.
A business development district serves a role similar to a tax increment financing district by providing funding for business and redevelopment projects. It relies on sales tax revenue rather than property taxes.
“The point of this business development district is to address some of the signs we’ve seen lately as far as economics go,” Planning & Zoning Administrator Michael Zearing said. “We have empty storefronts, historic buildings at risk and areas that need investment.”
The council, which previously voted 3-2 in favor of the district at its last meeting, was generally in agreement that the city isn’t necessarily headed in the right direction in attracting new businesses while retaining its existing businesses and that the district could help turn things around.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Michael Zearing addresses the Princeton City Council Monday, March 16, during a public hearing on the newly approved Business Development District. (Bill Freskos)
While the council felt good about moving forward, most of the public hearing involved locals who questioned whether the district was really helping or if the public needed to be better informed.
Princeton resident Geraldine Woodlief said she took steps to gather feedback from local business owners ahead of the meeting.
“I took two days and got signatures from our dear friends here at Princeton, business owners, and guess what? Everybody said forget it,” Woodlief said.
She also questioned how widely information about the proposal had reached the public, noting the relatively small turnout at the hearing.
Other residents raised concerns about transparency on how the district’s funds would be used and the potential negative impact of additional sales taxes on consumers and small businesses. Many emphasized the need for clear communication and accountability as the district moves forward.
Princeton resident Lynn Holtz supported the district, arguing it’s a necessary tool as the city adapts to an evolving economy.
“This is one component of economic development, not the end-all, but a crucial piece,” Holtz said. “We cannot continue to do business the way we always have because it’s simply not working.”
Princeton resident Lynn Holtz speaks during the public hearing about Princeton’s new Business Development District on Monday, March 16, 2026. (Bill Freskos)
Holtz also noted that a large chunk of sales at many local businesses comes from visitors to Princeton, and the district would help capture more of that.
“This is not just about supporting businesses in Princeton. It’s also about capturing spending from visitors and keeping those dollars in our community to help local businesses,” Holtz said.
Princeton Mayor Ray Mabry shared examples from other Illinois mayors who have used business development districts, emphasizing how the tool helped their cities achieve economic development goals.
The district covers most of Princeton’s primary commercial areas, extending from the Interstate 80 corridor through the city’s north business district and into the downtown area.
As for next steps, Zearing said the city will align priorities and establish a budget before developing a strategic action plan. However, he said most of the priorities were already set based on feedback from the city’s public meeting in January.
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.

source