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PRINCETON The name of a man killed Tuesday in a motorcycle vs. car accident has been released by the Coroner.
Scott Briddick, 60, of Princeton was pronounced dead at the scene after an accident occurring at approximately 2:30 p.m. on U.S. 6 just east of Princeton.
Bureau County Sheriff’s Department reported that a 19-year-old female from Princeton was driving an SUV that was involved in the crash that killed Briddick . The crash remains under investigation by the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police Traffic Accident Reconstructionist and Bureau County Coroner.

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(Gray News) – The Department of Veterans Affairs said it plans to remove abortion and related healthcare services from its coverage.
In a Monday release, the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) said it will reinstate the full exclusion on abortions and abortion counseling. This exclusion was in place since the medical benefits package was first established in 1999 and was not removed until September 2022.
The VA also said it is proposing to reinstate this exclusion for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), which was also removed in 2022.
The VA said the reason for the exclusion’s reinstatement is to make sure “only needed medical services” will be provided to “our nation’s heroes and their families.”
From the establishment of the medical benefits package in 1999, abortion services were not provided because they were not “needed” medical services under section 1710 of title 38 of the United States Code (U.S.C.). For the next two decades, the VA consistently interpreted abortion services as not “needed” medical services and so did not cover them.
This interpretation was changed in 2022 when the presiding VA secretary reversed it in response to the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which returned the decision for the provision of abortion services from the federal government back to the states.
The VA said it proposes to exclude abortion services from its medical care package as it was before the exclusion was lifted in 2022. It said its legal authority to undo the changes is “beyond doubt.”
The VA said it is open to comments regarding the proposal until Sept. 3.
Comments can be submitted through www.regulations.gov.

Copyright 2025 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Princeton Mayor Ray Mabry delivers the oath of office to City Clerk Peter Nelson during the Monday, May 1, 2023, City Council meeting. (Jayce Eustice)
Monday’s Princeton City Council meeting featured a new face at the front of the room, as Mayor Ray Mabry was sworn in to take the seat vacated by two-term Mayor Joel Quiram.
During the meeting, councilmen Jerry Neumann and Hector Gomez also were welcomed back for another term on the council.
Mabry spoke to those on the council and those in attendance about how grateful he was to receive the support he has and about what he looks forward to working toward as mayor.
As he spoke from the public comment podium, Mabry gifted a Norman Rockwell print entitled “Freedom of Speech” from 1943. Mabry said it had been located in his office and he wanted it to be on display for visitors to City Hall.
The print displays a town hall meeting with a disheveled working man standing to speak in front of a crowd of wealthier businessmen. Mabry hung the print in the meeting room of the City Council.
“I think it’s important to remember that everyone has a voice,” Mabry said. “We’ve always done this in our community, but I just think it’s nice. When people come to speak, they can get a little nervous and I think this just reminds us that we are all on one team working together as a community.”
Princeton Council Member Jerry Neumann delivers the oath of office to City Clerk Peter Nelson during the Monday, May 1, 2023, City Council meeting. (Jayce Eustice)
Mabry introduced a new section of City Council meetings that will be called “Positively Princeton.” He hopes this section will be used to highlight some of the positive things that are taking place around the city.
“We are going to be inviting businesses, individuals and service organizations to come and speak for a few minutes,” Mabry said. “It’s a way for us to learn about businesses and organizations and a way for them to tell us about them and what they are doing. It’s a way for us to say thank you.”
Mabry added he has been in contact with a number of business leaders about scheduling a meeting to visit and encourages members of the council to do the same moving forward.
As he wrapped up his opening speech, Mabry told the members of the council and city administrative team he looks forward to working alongside them.
“It’s a team effort,” Mabry said. “I just want to encourage the four council members as we work together, that we want to respect each other. We are going to have some differences, but we want to work together as a team and I look forward to working with each one of you. You all bring great talents to the table.”
Mabry said the mindset looking forward is “We not I” and that while working with the council, he feels members can keep Princeton moving in the right direction.
Princeton Council Member Hector Gomez delivers the oath of office to City Clerk Peter Nelson during the Monday, May 1, 2023, City Council meeting. (Jayce Eustice)
Covering local government, breaking news and whatever is thrown at me for the La Salle News Tribune

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MOLINE, Ill. (KWQC) – The Quad Cities Airport has renamed its road to “George Kirk Drive” to honor the leader and legacy he left behind.
Born in Dixon, Iowa, George Kirk was a World War II naval aviator. He flew 78 combat missions, earned multiple medals and had seven aerial victories, but above all, Kirk never left a man behind.
“And I think one of the reasons why he got this medal was because he and his wingman circled this guy for over an hour and a half and he was maybe 15 miles away from the island where the enemy was until the guy got picked up, that took courage,” his son Randy Kirk said, about one of his dad’s stories during his time in the navy.
In 1954, Kirk’s relationship with airplanes would continue, but a little differently than before, as the first manager of Moline Airport.
After almost 30 years at the job, the airport had considerable infrastructural growth, including the construction of a new terminal.
“It was the golden era of aviation, where commercial air service was really starting to take off, and he’s really credited with setting the foundation for what we have today as the Quad Cities when it comes to the Quad Cities International Airport,” Benjamin Leischner, Executive Director of the Quad Cities International Airport, said.
Leischner said when he learned it was Kirk’s 100th birthday, he decided to give him a call, but he ended up being the one surprised.
“He knew exactly who I was,” Leischner said. He knew what was happening at the airport and community.
Besides being a great example of service and dedication to the community, Kirk was also an example of a dad at home.
“It was fun to follow him in his footsteps as far as in the industry,” Randy said. “But it was a better goal to be a dad like he was.”
Randy learned how to fly by the time he got his driver’s license and ended up working at the airport as well.
Kirk died in 2023, at the age of 101, leaving behind a legacy of excellence that’s now marked with a George Kirk Drive sign, near the place he helped fly to success – the Quad Cities International Airport.
Items donated from the Kirk’s family will be part of a new terminal design in the future to continue to honor his service and impact in the community.

Copyright 2025 KWQC. All rights reserved.

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GENESEO, Illinois (KWQC) – Interstate 80 was at a standstill near Geneseo after a four-vehicle crash.
Illinois State Police said the crash happened on westbound I-80 at milepost 11 at about 3:03 p.m. Friday.
According to KWQC crews at the scene, a semitruck was on its side and ambulances were there.
Both westbound and eastbound lanes were briefly closed but are now reopen.
An IDOT map shows the standstill was where the interstate crosses East 950th Street, near mile marker 11.

Copyright 2025 KWQC. All rights reserved.

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Jim and TJ Scruggs presented the donation to Nick Vujanov, Scott Etheridge and Brian Carrington of the Princeton Fire Department. (Photo provided by Country Financial)
County Financial Representatives Jim and TJ Scruggs have made a $1,500 Operation Helping Heroes donation to the Princeton Fire Department for the purchase of a stretcher with a toolbox underneath for its UTV.
The UTV is used in case of an emergency at community events such as parades, festivals and football games.
Jim and TJ presented the donation to Nick Vujanov, Scott Etheridge and Brian Carrington of the Princeton Fire Department.
“We are so pleased to be able to help take care of those who help care for us and enrich our lives every day within our community; our first responders,” Jim said. “This donation is a small token of our appreciation that I hope will continue to positively impact our community.”
Country Financial has donated more than $4 million since 2020 to organizations and programs that support teachers, first responders, active-duty service members and veterans, supporting the company’s vision to enrich lives in the communities they serve.
The Operation Helping Heroes program was created in 2015 to support non-profit events and programs that benefit active-duty service members, veterans and their families. The program later expanded to include first responders and teachers.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois

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BUREAU CO., Ill. (KWQC) – The Bureau County Coroner says two people are dead after a crash Thursday night.
According to Bureau County Coroner Kurt Workman, around 8:42 p.m. Thursday the coroner’s office arrived to a crash on 2400 East Street north of US Highway 6.
The Bureau County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to KWQC Thursday night that the crash was a rollover.
Workman said 28-year-old Taylor Steele of Hennepin, Illinois died at the scene and 62-year-old Howard Buckles of Malden, Illinois, died at an area hospital.
According to Workman autopsies and a toxicology report will be done.
The crash remains under investigation, Workman said.
Copyright 2025 KWQC. All rights reserved.

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Princeton has a party fit for the whole family planned for the Fourth of July, including fireworks at dusk at Zearing Park. (Jayce Eustice)
Princeton has a party fit for the whole family planned for the Fourth of July.
The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Princeton Park District have partnered to provide entertainment Thursday at Zearing Park leading up to the fireworks at dusk.
The celebration will be on the south side of the park. The Bluewater Kings Band will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. Food will be available starting at 5 p.m. from Farmer Smoked BBQ, Maria’s and the Boy Scouts. There also will be cotton candy for sale, said Jenica Cole, the chamber’s executive director. The Princeton Park District will be serving alcoholic beverages. No outside alcohol will be permitted. Balloon twister Mr. Cinnamon will entertain children.
The rain date for the fireworks is Friday, July 5.
July 3: Peru
July 4: Hennepin, Henry
July 6: Langley, Mineral, Amboy
July 7: Walnut
Aug. 18: Spring Valley
Derek Barichello is the news editor for The Times in Ottawa and NewsTribune in La Salle, part of Shaw Local News Network, covering La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties. He covers local and breaking news in the areas of government, education, business and crime and courts, among others.

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MOLINE, Ill. (KWQC) – I-74 appeared to be reduced to one lane after an apparent crash.
As of 7:06 p.m., Iowa 511 cameras showed the area is cleared.
KWQC on scene could see traffic traveling east slowing down approaching the Avenue of the Cities exit.
Around 6:50 p.m., Iowa 511 cameras showed emergency crews assisting in cleaning up a crash and reducing traffic to one lane.

Copyright 2025 KWQC. All rights reserved.

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Wild Ginger Wine Bar and Bistro opens this week at 950 N. Main St., Princeton. (Derek Barichello)
Wild Ginger Wine Bar and Bistro opens this week at 950 N. Main St., Princeton.
Wild Ginger will be open for lunch beginning Wednesday, May 8. Lunch hours are 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch reservations are not accepted and carry out will be available.
Wild Ginger will be open for dinner beginning Wednesday, May 22.
Princeton native Dan Marquis is opening the restaurant that will offer “farm-to-table comfort food with a twist.” The restaurant will feature locally-sourced ingredients from Mill Road Farms in Sheffield.
“We have worked so hard and are very proud of Wild Ginger Bistro,” read a post Sunday on Wild Bistro’s Facebook page. “The excitement and support from the community has meant the world to us.”
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.

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