Stay Awhile
The Utica Knights of Columbus dontated $2,500 to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 in Peru.
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Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
The Grace Theater, home of Festival 56 in Princeton. (Derek Barichello)
Festival 56 will host two off-season events in April at the Grace Theater in Princeton.
“Living, Breathing Things,” a play by Joshua Brewer, will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, April 17, and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18. The story follows a Chicago woman and an intruder who form an unexpected connection over the course of a day. The show contains adult language and content.
The production is directed by Laura Brigham and features actors Sam Nowak and Ella McKane-Wright.
A second event, “Intimate Songs,” will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 25. The concert will feature Trio Cantabile performing chamber music, including works by Johannes Brahms, along with pieces for violin and piano.
Tickets are $25 for each event. A $35 combo ticket is also available in partnership with the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra, which includes admission to the April concert and the orchestra’s May 2 performance at Illinois Valley Community College.
Both events will be held at the Grace Theater, 316 S. Main St. Tickets and more information are available at Festival 56’s website or by calling 815-879-5656.
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.
The Princeton Christian Academy eighth grade class took first place at the Bureau Valley Elementary Conference art contest at DePue for their hand sewn pizza, with each student creating his own piece from material and buttons and trims. Pictured are ( from left to right) Abby Harris, Trustin Crew, Isla Bayer, Steven Sharkey, Elyse Anderson, Connor Quaka, Michael Glass, Kellen Wall, Amelia Baker, Leah House, Presleigh Morrissey, and PCA art instructor Lane House. (Photo contributed)
Individual honors for Princeton Christian Academy at the Bureau Valley Elementary Conference Art Contest went to Isabella van den Berg, first place in pencil portrait, and Julian Mucha, second place. Elise House and Annalise Baker received second and first places respectively for their 3-D Miscellaneous projects, and Annalise also received second place for her collage. In the 2-D section for colored pencil, Isla Bayer received third place, Leah House received first, Karlie Schultz received Honorable Mention, and Alice Scruggs received second place. Art teacher Lane House is also pictured. (Photo contributed)
The Princeton Christian Academy eighth grade class took first place at the Bureau Valley Elementary Conference Art Contest at DePue for their hand sewn pizza, with each student creating his own piece from material and buttons and trims. Pictured are ( from left to right) Abby Harris, Trustin Crew, Isla Bayer, Steven Sharkey, Elyse Anderson, Connor Quaka, Michael Glass, Kellen Wall, Amelia Baker, Leah House, Presleigh Morrissey, and PCA art instructor Lane House. (Photo contributed)
Princeton Christian Academy junior high competed at the Bureau Valley Elementary Conference art contest held at DePue Gym and received top honors. Best in Show honor and a first-place ribbon went to PCA 7th grader Lexi Knipper (above) for her 3-D Assemblage. Second place in this category went to her classmate Karlie Schultz. (Photo contributed)
Kevin has been sports editor of the BCR since 1986, covering Bureau County and 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. He is one of 4 sportswriters from his tiny hometown Atlanta, IL
One person in custody in connection to Princeton shooting Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW)
source
Two people died Thursday night following a traffic crash north of U.S. Highway 6 near Princeton.
Taylor Steele, 28, of Hennepin was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Bureau County Coroner’s Office. Howard Buckles, 62, of Malden died after being transported to OSF HealthCare Saint Clare Medical Center in Princeton.
The pair were involved in a crash in the 2400 block of E Street, just north of U.S. Highway 6, with the coroner’s office responding to the scene at 8:42 p.m.
Autopsies and state-required toxicology reports remain pending on the pair. The coroner’s office and the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to investigate.
A view of the Jersey Mike’s Subs and Panchero’s building located at the intersection of Route 26 and Backbone Road on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in Princeton. (Scott Anderson)
A Panchero’s Mexican Grill appears to be planning a location in Princeton, according to city officials.
City Planner Michael Zearing said the city recently issued sign permits for the restaurant, indicating the restaurant still intends to open, though a timeline hasn’t officially been announced yet.
“Our understanding is that they are planning to locate here still,” Zearing said. “We have issued sign permits for them, but other than that we don’t have any documentation for the interior outfit, so I can’t give a timeline.”
The restaurant is expected to open at 1839 N. Main St., Unit 1, in the same commercial building as the incoming Jersey Mike’s Subs location. Zearing said the restaurant would occupy Unit 1, the south side of the building.
Zearing also said construction on the building continues to progress, with a late spring opening still anticipated for Jersey Mikes.
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. The franchise’s corporate office did not respond to a call for confirmation and comment from Shaw Local News Network on Wednesday morning.
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.
The Princeton-Illinois chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held its annual luncheon on Friday, March 6, to honor area high school Good Citizens and American History Essay contest winners. (Photo provided by Chief Senachwine Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution)
The Princeton-Illinois chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held its annual luncheon on Friday, March 6, to honor area high school Good Citizens and American History Essay contest winners.
Seven high school seniors were recognized for demonstrating dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.
The 2026 Good Citizen winners are:
The DAR Good Citizen program recognizes high school seniors who help renew and strengthen democracy through qualities valued by the Patriots of the American Revolution.
Two students won the American History Essay contest, which promotes understanding of American history by highlighting significant people, places, dates and events.
For grades 5-8, students were invited to write an essay imagining lunch with a signer of the Declaration of Independence. They were asked to choose which signer they would meet and explain that person’s contribution to American freedom.
Seventh grader Leena Grace Gutshall of Logan Junior High School won the chapter competition.
For grades 9-12, students chose any Patriot who served in the cause of freedom and wrote about their contributions.
Tenth grader Maximus Gibson of Princeton Christian Academy won the chapter competition for the second consecutive year.
Richard Wells, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, was a special guest at the luncheon.
The Daughters of the American Revolution provides opportunities to contribute to the community, honor Patriots, preserve American history, promote education, and build leadership skills.
Any woman 18 and older may join by documenting her lineage to a man or woman who aided the cause of American Independence through military, civil or patriotic service.
To find a local chapter, visit dar.org/membership.
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A single-family home in La Salle that sold for $380,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County in the past week.
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Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
This community-focused event encourages students to start their day in an active and healthy way by walking, biking, or rolling to school.
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Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2026 Shaw Local News Network
Lydia Johnson, a senior at Princeton High School, has been named a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, Principal Andy Berlinski announced. (Tom Sistak)
Lydia Johnson, a senior at Princeton High School, has been named a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, Principal Andy Berlinski announced.
Johnson is among approximately 34,000 students nationwide recognized for exceptional academic promise. Although Commended Students do not advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, they rank among the top 50,000 entrants who took the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
A letter of commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will be presented to Johnson by Berlinski.
A spokesperson for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation said the recognition highlights students’ outstanding potential and the important role schools play in their development.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois