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Theresa Wittenauer
Princeton City Manager Theresa Wittenauer will remain in her position after the City Council unanimously approved to renew her contract with the city during its Oct. 2 regular meeting.
Wittenauer’s contract will run concurrently with Mayor Ray Mabry through the 2027 election.
“We’ve been very pleased with her services,” Mabry said. “We had a nice discussion with the council, commending her for her work. We are glad to renew this.”
Wittenauer was first hired to the position in November 2019 under the City Council and former Mayor Joel Quiram.
Wittenauer works closely with city department heads and elected officials to maintain the day-to-day operations of the city of Princeton.
Covering local government, breaking news and whatever is thrown at me for the La Salle News Tribune

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Syngenta Group’s Board of Directors has elected Princeton native Jeff Rowe as CEO of Syngenta Group, effective Jan. 1.
Syngenta Group’s Board of Directors has elected Princeton native Jeff Rowe as CEO of Syngenta Group, effective Jan. 1.
Rowe is currently the President of Syngenta Crop Protection, Syngenta Group’s largest business unit, and was previously President of Syngenta Seeds.
CEO of Syngenta Group, Erik Fyrwald, will continue as CEO until the end of the year when he will retire after seven and a half years with the company. Fyrwald will continue as Advisor to the Chairman of Syngenta Group and remain on the Board of Directors.
Rowe has nearly 30 years of experience in the agriculture sector and is a fifth generation farmer who has first-hand knowledge of the issues that are important to farmers.
“With the strong foundation established by (Fyrwald), (Rowe) is the right CEO to lead Syngenta Group,” Chairman of Syngenta Group Li Fanrong said. “The Board is pleased with the world-class, orderly and planned succession process and has found in (Rowe) a strong leader with the business acumen, operational skills and strategic vision needed to guide Syngenta Group in this critical industry.”
Syngenta Group is one of the world’s biggest agricultural technology companies with roots going back over 250 years and is supported by over 59,000 employees while operating in over 100 countries.
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Monterey Mushrooms has announced that it will close two of its mushroom growing locations by the end of January 2024, including the facilities in Princeton and Orlando, Florida. (BCR photo)
Monterey Mushrooms has confirmed that it will close two of its mushroom growing locations by the end of January 2024, including the facilities in Princeton and Orlando, Florida.
“Monterey Mushrooms, an industry leader with over 50 years in business, alongside other produce companies, have faced significant challenges in recent years: a global pandemic, weather impacts, inflation and changes in market behavior,” a company statement read.
Monterey Mushrooms has been in operation for nearly 47 years in the Princeton area and at one time employed between 525 and 550 individuals in the 250,000 square foot facility located on U.S. 6.
“We have operated these two facilities for decades and the decision to close was made after a long and careful review,” the statement read.
Over the coming months, work will be ongoing at the facilities to ensure a smooth closing as productions will be shifted to other farms within the company’s network.
“The company is committed to investing in its other seven mushroom growing locations,” the statement read. “A detailed plan is in place to ensure a smooth transition for the company’s teammates and customers.”
Monterey Mushrooms has confirmed that it will close two of its mushroom growing locations by the end of January 2024, including the facilities in Princeton and Orlando, Florida. (BCR photo)
Covering local government, breaking news and whatever is thrown at me for the La Salle News Tribune

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A view of the damage looking south at the Red Covered Bridge on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 in Princeton. Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and Bureau County law enforcement surveyed the damage bridge after it was struck by a semi-truck. (Scott Anderson)
Over 15 years covering news, sports and events in the Illinois Valley. Support my work with a digital subscription.

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The groundwork has been laid for the opening of a new dog park in Princeton in spring 2024 at Zearing Park. (Photo provided by Princeton Park District)
Soon Princeton’s four-legged friends will have a park of their own.
The Princeton Park District Dog Park is expected to open in spring 2024. The turf has been put down and the fence has been erected, the park district said.
“We need to let the sod get restabilized, regenerated, established and ready for use,” the park district said in a news release. “The turf must remain undisturbed to allow for healthy, initial growth process.”
Park Superintendent Nathan Cook and his team jumped right into the project the Monday after Homestead Festival. There were water lines to run and much ground work to coordinate and complete. Princeton City Manager Theresa Wittenauer assisted the park district in its effort.
“This is community working together,” said Tammy Lange, executive director of the park district.
Jeanne Hutchinson has been a lifelong lover of dogs. She believed the addition of a dog park would be a valuable asset for the community, Lange said. Hutchinson donated funds to the Princeton Park District to make this happen.
Lange said the park district was excited to receive Hutchinson’s call about a year ago and set up the meetings to discuss this possibility. After several meetings and discussions with Hutchinson through her daughter and son-in-law, Mike and Jan English, a one acre park with an area for small and large dogs inside of the large fenced area has come to fruition.
The location will be on the far, east side at Zearing Park, near the prairie grass. This area will be away from residences and will be able to be accessed using the east end of the gravel parking lot or walking onto the path from the Thompson Street access.
The Princeton Park District Foundation has donated two trees and two benches for inside the dog park area. Prairie Nursery & Landscape (Josh Schnaiter) also has committed to the donation of two trees.
“We are thankful and blessed to have this wonderful addition coming to our park,” Lange said. “The announcement of the name of the dog park will be revealed at a later date.”
The Princeton Park District Board gave its blessing to move forward at the February board meeting. Future plans will include the opportunity for community members and businesses to sponsor added amenities.
“We want to see how the park is used and enhance that use,” Lange said.
Information will be updated at Bureau County Metro Center Facebook page or at www.princetonparkdistrict.org.
The location of Princeton’s new dog park will be on the far, east side at Zearing Park, near the prairie grass. (BCR photo)
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Emerald Tablet Collective opened in October at 905 N. Main St. Its creative crew is committed to providing high-quality tattoos, piercings and oddities. The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a ceremonial ribbon cutting to celebrate their opening. (Photo provided by Jenica Cole)
Emerald Tablet Collective opened in October at 905 N. Main St., Princeton. Its creative crew is committed to providing high-quality tattoos, piercings and oddities.
The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to celebrate their opening.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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Tailholt Trading Post is an antique, collectibles and resale shop at 925 N. Main St., Princeton, with new inventory added daily. The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated their shop with a ribbon cutting. (Photo provided by Jenica Cole)
Tailholt Trading Post is an antique, collectibles and resale shop at 925 N. Main St., Princeton, with new inventory added daily. The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated their shop with a ribbon-cutting.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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Princeton’s Noah LaPorte and Byron’s Caden Considine scramble for a loose. ball in Wednesday’s sectional semifinals at Marengo. Princeton won 46-42 to advance to Friday’s championship against Rock Falls. (Mike Vaughn)
MARENGO – You can call them the Comeback Kids.
Princeton trailed by 12 points late in the third quarter before a defensive change sparked the Tigers with a 17-0 run, holding Byron scoreless for nearly eight minutes.
That run gave Princeton a 38-33 lead with 3:41 to play and the Tigers held on for a 46-42 victory over Byron in Wednesday’s Class 2A Marengo Sectional semifinals.
“We know our defense is our specialty. We know if we fight on defense we can come back and that’s exactly what we did,” Princeton senior Jordan Reinhardt said.
“We feed off our defense. We want to get some stops and the crowd picks up and we feed off that,” Princeton senior Noah LaPorte.
The win sends Princeton (21-12) back to the sectional finals for the third straight year, riding a 12-game win streak to face Rock Falls (24-8) on Friday. The Rockets beat Winnebago 42-40 on Ryken Howard’s game-winning shot with less than a second left on Tuesday.
The Tigers beat Rock Falls 60-52 on Jan. 4.
“Let’s try to get one, right? See what we can do,” Princeton coach Jason Smith said. “Rock Falls is tough. It’s going to be a battle. Got them once at their place. Coach [Zach] Sandrock does a great job and we’ll have our work cut out. I can assure you our boys will be ready to play.”
“It’s a blast getting there, but it’d be even more fun if we win,” Reinhardt said. “It’s kind of like football. We get to the quarterfinals every year, and we get knocked out.”
“It’s one thing getting to the final. We’ve got to get past it,” LaPorte said.
It was a change to its 1-3-1 zone that provided Princeton the spark it needed.
“We had to go to the 1-3-1 a little bit just to get them sped up a little bit and turn them over,” Smith said. “Went back to our matchup zone, and I think working both of them helped us out.”
Princeton got a pair of free throws each from Asa Gartin and LaPorte and a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Luke Smith, scoring the final seven points of the third quarter to close within 33-28.
Princeton’s Luke Smith makes a key 3-pointer late in Wednesday’s sectional semifinals at Marengo. Princeton won 46-42 to advance to Friday’s championship against Rock Falls. (Mike Vaughn)
The Tigers from Princeton were just getting started. Reinhardt and Gartin, who converted a three-point play, scored on putbacks to tie the game at 33. LaPorte hit a 3-pointer from the right corner and added two free throws, and suddenly it was 38-33 Princeton with 3:41 left.
Reinhardt drove and dished to LaPorte for a thunderous dunk to give PHS a 40-37 lead. Ben Hively tied it with a 3-pointer for Byron only to have Reinhardt answer with a scoring drive to put PHS back on top 42-40.
“I kind of like the ball in my hands at the end,” Reinhardt said. “The whole team wants me to have it. They all have confidence in me. I know I have to step up.”
“Jordan’s done it all year,” Smith said. “He’s a leader out there. He wants the ball in his hands. Creates shots for himself.
“And any time you get a dunk by Noah builds the fire a little.”
LaPorte is ready to oblige with a dunk at all times.
“That was electric. The whole crowd is waiting for it,” he said.
Jayden Fulkerson got loose on a runout pass from Smith to give PHS a 44-41 lead with 12 seconds left. Byron’s Cason Newton was fouled by LaPorte on a 3-point shot, sent to the line needing a trifecta for the tie. He missed the first, swished the second and intentionally missed the third but did not draw iron, turning the ball over to Princeton.
Princeton’s Jayden Fulkerson makes a key layup late in Wednesday’s sectional semifinals at Marengo. Princeton beat Byron 46-42 to advance to Friday’s championship against Rock Falls. (Mike Vaughn)
Reinhardt sank a pair from the charity stripe to put Princeton up for good at 46-42 and a date with Rock Falls on Friday.
“Lot of unsung heroes. Lot of grit and a lot of fight out of these guys. I can’t be more proud of them,” Smith said.
LaPorte led Princeton with 19 points and Reinhardt added 12.
Newton paced Byron with 12 points.
It didn’t start out good for Princeton. Byron scored the first seven points of the game with Princeton shut out until Smith hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key as Byron took a 12-3 lead at quarter’s end.
Byron took a 16-9 lead with 2:42 left in the second quarter on a pair of free throws by Kaden McGough. Princeton scored five straight with a back door basket by Reinhardt and a free throw and a basket in the post by LaPorte to make it 16-12.
Hively scored on a drive from the left wing to send Byron to an 18-14 lead at the half.
Byron stretched its lead to 12 at 31-19 on the strength of Newton’s 11 points and maintained that edge at 33-21 with 2:43 left in the third quarter on a layup and putback by Edmonson.
Princeton last won a sectional championship in 2009 at Chillicothe, defeating Peoria Manual 71-65. The Tigers have won sectional championships in 1954, 1955, 1992, 1994, 2003 and 2009.
Princeton’s Noah LaPorte shoots over Byron’s Kaden McGough (left) and Ben Hively in Wednesday’s sectional semifinals at Marengo. Princeton won 46-42 to advance to Friday’s championship against Rock Falls. (Mike Vaughn)
Kevin has been sports editor of the BCR since 1986 and is Sports Editor of Putnam County Record. 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

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Gayana Wanniarachchi, DPM, will assist patients in need of podiatry care at OSF Medical Group – Orthopedics, located at 530 Park Ave. E., Suite 101, and OSF Wound Care in Princeton. (Photo provided by OSF Health)
OSF HealthCare has added a new podiatrist to its staff in Princeton, Peru and the surrounding areas, according to an OSF news release.
Gayana Wanniarachchi, DPM, will assist patients in need of podiatry care at OSF Medical Group – Orthopedics, located at 530 Park Ave. E., Suite 101, and OSF Wound Care in Princeton.
She will also serve patients at 920 West St., Suite 221, in Peru.
Wanniarachchi will offer several general podiatry services, as well as specializing in advanced foot and ankle and wound care, according to the release.
She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and her medical degree from Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, according to the release.
New or existing patients can make an appointment with Wanniarachchi or a member of her care team by calling 815-431-5746.
Maribeth M. Wilson has been a reporter with Shaw Media for two years, one of those as news editor at the Morris Herald-News. She became a part of the NewsTribune staff in 2023.

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An exterior view of Casey’s General Store near the Bureau County Fairgrounds on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025 in Princeton. A winning $50,000 Powerball ticket was sold at this location. (Scott Anderson)
A $50,000 Powerball-winning ticket was sold at the Casey’s in Princeton, but the lucky winner has not yet come forward.
The Illinois Lottery lists the store as the location of the winning ticket, but the winner may remain anonymous.
Candi Bomleny, the store’s manager, confirmed that no one has claimed the prize so far.
Bomleny said that store employees do not receive a bonus for selling winning tickets, but about 1% of lottery profits go to the store’s overall sales.
The $50,000 prize is one of the mid-level payouts offered by Powerball. Winners can claim their prizes through the Illinois Lottery’s website.
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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