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Princeton coach Ryan Pearson celebrates a 57-20 win over Mercer County at Bryant Field with his son, Roman, last season. The Tigers will open the 2025 season at Sterling Newman on Friday, Aug. 29. (Mike Vaughn)
Princeton has made five straight Class 3A quarterfinal appearances, six in the past seven years along with six Three Rivers Mississippi championships.
The Tigers, 10-2 (4-1) in 2024, will look to get past the quarterfinals hurdle and get back on top of the conference in 2025.
Here’s an early-look at their 2025 season, which will find the Tigers playing at home five times with four road trips.
Friday, Aug. 29 at Newman – The season kicks off with the excitement with the crossover matchup between the Comets from the Three Rivers Rock and the Tigers from the Three Rivers Mississippi. The Tigers beat the Comets 28-14 in last year’s opener at home. Newman was undefeated division champs, finishing 8-3 overall with a loss in the second round of the 2A playoffs.
Friday, Sept. 5 vs. Rockridge – The Tigers face the Rockets in another Three Rivers crossover for their home debut. The Tigers won 27-18 at Rockridge last year. The Rockets went 8-3 last year, bowing out in the second round of the 2A playoffs.
Friday, Sept. 12 at Sherrard – Week 3 sends Princeton to Sherrard to kick off conference play. Princeton won the battle of the Tigers at home last year in a 60-0 blowout. Sherrard, which finished 2-7 (2-3) in 2024, is under the direction of new head coach Dan McGuirre.
Friday, Sept. 19 vs. Kewanee – The longtime rivals will meet at Bryant Field for Week 4. The Tigers boiled over Kewanee 44-15 a year ago. The Boilermakers finished 5-5 overall, 3-2 in the Three Rivers Mississippi, falling in the first round of the 4A playoffs.
Friday, Sept. 26 vs. Monmouth-Roseville – Princeton remembers the Titans very well, having lost 31-3 at Monmouth last year to unseat the Tigers as Three River Mississippi champions. This Week 5 contest will serve as Princeton’s 2025 homecoming game. Mon-Rose finished 8-2, falling in the first round of the 3A playoffs.
Friday, Oct. 3 at Hall – The Red Devils await the Tigers for a Week 6 showdown at Nesti Stadium in Spring Valley. The Tigers beat their Bureau County rivals 41-0 at home last year. Hall, which went 2-7 (1-4) in 2024, brings back alum Nick Sterling as its new head coach.
Friday, Oct. 10 vs. Mendota – Princeton will entertain a longtime rival with a new coach when the Trojans visit Bryant Field for Week 7. Former St. Bede coach Jim Eustice takes over the Trojans helm coming off a 0-9 campaign, including a 57-14 loss to the Tigers.
Friday, Oct. 17 at Mercer County – Princeton makes its first trip to Aledo in a Three Rivers Conference crossover. The Tigers won last year’s first meeting 57-20 at home. The Golden Eagles finished 4-5 last year in the midst of a late-season coaching change.
Friday, Oct. 24 vs. Erie-Prophetstown – It will be senior night for the Three Rivers crossover to close out the regular season at Bryant Field. The Tigers beat the Panthers 61-14 last year at Prophetstown. E-P finished 5-5, bowing out in 2A first-round playoff play.
Six captains have been selected for the 2025 football season. They are (front row, left) Common Green, Rhett Pearson and Casey Etheridge; and (back row) Ryan Jagers, Shawn Hartman and Gavin Lanham. (Photo provided)
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Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce logo (Photo provided by Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce)
The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce has opened the voting period for its Board of Directors Election.
Voting opened on March 1 for Chamber Members and will take place online through Friday, March 31. The election features six candidates running for four open seats.
The candidates up for election include Andy Austin, Tracy Grimmer, Lynn Olds, Pam Pratt-Marsh, Lex Poppens and Dave Yepsen.
Votes can be placed by visiting https://princetonchamber-il.com/board-elections/.
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(Left to right); Sue and Michael Stutzke (Photo provided by Tracy Wright )
The Princeton Rotary Club recently honored Michael Stutzke as Rotarian of the Year at its annual auction Saturday, Nov. 11. The award is given to a Rotarian who exhibits service above self and promotes Rotary through their involvement and action.
“(Stutzke) has made significant contributions to Rotary and the community in the form of leadership and in the advancement of ideas and service,” a news release read. “Through his Rotary service, he has made the community a better place to live and work.”
Stutzke worked as an educator and athletic director for 22 years. He is also a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and civic leader.
Stutzke also created the Princeton Rotary Club ShrimpFest.
“(Stutzke) has a vision for the Princeton club,” a news release read. “He had an idea that, for our area of the country, seemed a little far-fetched, unusual, and downright strange. When you live in the heart of the Midwest, most local community celebrations have rib-eyes, pork chops or corn on the menu.”
The festival’s proceeds have been used to benefit Princeton High Schools students through scholarships as he believes every student should be afforded the opportunity to achieve a college or vocational degree.
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Kids cool off at the Thornton Park splash pad on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 in Ottawa. The city announced on Tuesday that all three splash pads are open for the summer. (Scott Anderson)
All three splash pads in Ottawa are now officially open for the season, the city announced Tuesday.
Peck Park, Thornton Park and Fox River Park splash pads are open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the summer.
The city thanked residents for their patience while repairs were made to the Fox River Park splash pad.
“We’re excited to welcome families back to enjoy all of our splash pad locations,” Commissioner Marla Pearson said in a news release.
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Princeton officer Erik Sorenson watches as K9 officer Gus poses in front of the Princeton Police Department sign. (Derek Barichello)
The Princeton Police Pension Board will hold a meeting at 1 p.m. Monday at the Princeton Police Department.
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The following cases were considered by the Bureau County Grand Jury on June 16. (Scott Anderson)
The following cases were considered by the Bureau County Grand Jury on June 16.
Isaias N. Delao, 44, of Bureau, was indicted for a Class 4 Felony offense, Driving While License Revoked (subsequent offense). He is accused of driving a motor vehicle at a time when his driving privileges were revoked and has a previous conviction for driving while his license was revoked. An officer from the Spring Valley Police Department testified before the Grand Jury. Delao is out on pretrial release.
Rodney J. Stone, 61, of Buda, was indicted for a Class 4 Felony offense, aggravated assault. He is accused of discharging a firearm near another person, placing that person in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery. A lieutenant from the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office Department testified before the Grand Jury. Stone is currently on pre-trial release.
Zachary D. Thompson, 33, of Bureau, was indicted for a Class 4 Felony offense, driving while license revoked. He is accused of driving a motor vehicle at a time when his driving privileges were revoked and has three previous convictions for driving while his license was revoked. An officer from the Ladd Police Department testified before the Grand Jury. Thompson is currently on pre-trial release.
Malaki I. Poff, 19, of Princeton, was indicted for the following, a Class X Felony offense of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine), a Class 2 Felony offense of unlawful possession with intent to deliver cannabis, a Class 1 Felony offense of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine), two counts of the Class 3 Felony offenses of unlawful possession of firearm with firearm owners identification and a Class 3 Felony offense of defacing identification marks on a firearm. An agent from the Trident Drug Task Force testified before the Grand Jury. Poff is in the custody of the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department after pretrial release was denied.
Brandon D. Bergstrom, 42, of Princeton, was indicted for a Class 4 Felony offense of unlawful possession of a controlled substance (heroin). He was in possession of less than 15 grams of a substance containing heroin. An officer from the Princeton Police Department testified before the Grand Jury. Bergstrom is currently on pretrial release.
There was one suppressed case.
These indictments are only accusations against the defendants. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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The Bureau, Putnam & Marshall County Health Department has confirmed that mosquitoes collected in Princeton have tested positive for West Nile Virus.
Mosquitoes collected in Granville on June 27 have tested positive for West Nile virus, the Putnam County Health Department announced. The mosquitoes were tested at the Health Department in Princeton.
Health officials are urging residents to take extra precautions against mosquito bites, particularly during outdoor activities in the summer months.
“We are urging the public to use precautions against mosquito bites while attending outdoor events,” said Hector Gomez, administrator of the Bureau, Putnam and Marshall County Health Department. “Common symptoms include fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches. However, severe illness—including meningitis or even death—can occur in rare cases.”
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected house mosquito.
Most people infected with the virus do not experience any symptoms. About 1 in 5 infected individuals, however, may develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, according to the release. Most people recover fully, though fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or longer.
About 1 in 150 cases result in serious illness affecting the central nervous system, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), according to the news release. People over age 50 and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe outcomes.
To reduce mosquito populations around homes, residents are encouraged to:
To protect yourself outdoors:
Residents should also ensure that door and window screens are tightly fitted and in good repair to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois
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Princeton High School (Derek Barichello)
Princeton High School District 500 will hold registration for the 2025-26 school year from July 24 through Aug. 12. Parents should log into their student’s Teacherease account to complete online registration, which includes updating student information, viewing schedules and submitting forms and fees.
Families are encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application, recently mailed home, to determine eligibility for fee waivers.
Freshman orientation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Students should enter through Door 3 (flag pole entrance). Sophomores, juniors and seniors may attend orientation that same day between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., entering through the main entrance (Door 1).
All students will have ID and yearbook photos taken, receive Chromebooks, planners, and can return required forms and pay registration fees.
Students new to the district or without internet access should call 815-875-3308 to schedule an appointment. Registration forms are available online at www.phs-il.org under the “2025-2026” tab.
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Entry No. 1 is Vyla Jo Nyman, 11 month old daughter of Tyler and Perla Nyman of Princeton. (Photo provided by Gail Jagers)
Entries still are being accepted for the 2024 Princeton Junior Woman’s Club Baby Contest.
So far, the contest has five entries.
Entrants must be Bureau County residents younger than 24 months of age as of Sept. 6. Contest entries must be emailed to princetonjuniors@gmail.com by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
To enter, email a high resolution, snapshot sized color photograph of the child. Refrain from entering photos that have been cropped or altered. Also, no professional photographs will be accepted. The email must also include the following: child’s name, sex, birthdate, current age, parents’ name, parents’ address and two valid contact phone numbers.
In person voting will begin at noon Friday, Aug. 9, and continue until noon Friday, Sept. 6. The voting canisters will be displayed at Midland States Bank (Aug. 9-16), First State Bank (Aug. 16-23), Central Bank (Aug. 23-30) and Heartland Bank – South Branch (Aug. 30-Sept. 6). The canisters will be moved around noon on Fridays. Each child will have a canister with his/her corresponding photograph in which votes can be placed.
The Princeton Junior Woman’s Club Baby Contest will be accepting Venmo to collect votes. To vote through Venmo, send your chosen transaction amount to @P-Juniors-71. Voters must include the baby’s name in the “What’s it for?” line. Venmo votes will only be accepted from noon on Friday, Aug. 9th to noon on Thursday, Sept. 5.
One dollar equals 100 votes. All votes will be tallied and winners will be notified Sept. 6 and introduced during that evening’s Homestead Festival announcements.
Prizes will be given to the boy and girl winners, as well as the boy and girl runners up. All winners and their parents will have a spot in the Homestead Festival parade on Saturday.
The Princeton Junior Woman’s Club donates all the proceeds from this contest back to communities and organizations within Bureau County through various projects carried out by their club.
Entry No. 2 is Everett Eckberg, 12 month old son of Derrick and Kaelynn Eckberg of Princeton. (Photo provided by Gail Jagers)
Entry No. 3 is Brexton Carrington, 15 month old son of Brian and Jen Carrington of Princeton. (Photo provided by Gail Jagers)
Entry No. 4 is Stella Haun-Gardner, 20 month old daughter of Sandra Haun of Princeton and Matthew Gardner of Tiskilwa. (Photo provided by Gail Jagers)
Entry No. 5 is Tucker James Sell, 7 month old son of of Ashley Kozuba and Tyler Sell of Princeton. (Photo provided by Gail Jagers)
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Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer of Princeton (center, standing) has announced his candidacy for Bureau County Sheriff. Pictured with Kammerer are (seated, from left) daughter Katie and wife Betsy (holding Lou the Aussie), daughter Maddy (holding Hazel) and (rear, from left) sons Lucas, Tom and Evan. (Photo provided by Beth Welbers)
Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer of Princeton announced his intention to run for Bureau County sheriff.
“I am a police officer, not a politician” says Kammerer, who seeks the Republican nomination. “I want those who are casting their vote for this office to have a chance to interview me and know who they are voting for.
“Until this election is over, I am still the chief of police for the City of Princeton. Any campaigning efforts for this office will be conducted in the evening hours or on weekends.”
Kammerer is supported in this decision by his wife of 35 years, Betsy, who owns and operates Miss Betsy’s Donut Shop in Princeton, and their four children. The Kammerer family has been active in the community since moving seven years ago to Princeton from Oswego, where Tom retired as commander of the Naperville Police Department.
“Law enforcement is something that you do with your community, not to it,” said Kammerer, a member of the boards of Second Story and the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team and a former member of the Freedom House board.
He participates in other groups including Rotary, Dementia Friendly Princeton, OSF St. Clare Community Council, Illinois Valley Chiefs of Police, Homestead Steering Committee, Princeton Homelessness Coalition, Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB), and Community Emergency Services and Support Act (CESSA) regional committee.
He is also employed part-time at the Arukah Institute of Healing where he led the development of two grant-funded, community programs: Vigilant, a peer support resource for first responders, and the Living Room, a walk-in behavioral health crisis and resource hub. Both provide unprecedented access and proper care to meet longstanding community needs.
He holds a Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University and a Masters in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University/University of Virginia. Further training includes being a class supervisor at the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy, basic training at the Illinois State Police Training Academy, 10 weeks of executive leadership training at the FBI National Training Academy at Quantico, Medical/Legal Death Investigation at St. Louis University, Supervision of Police Personnel at Northwestern University, three weeks of executive leadership training at the Senior Management Institute for Policing at Boston University, and thousands more hours of additional training spanning his career.
For community, Kammerer is passionate about furthering recovery-oriented education and employment, helping people getting back on their feet through training, finding, and maintaining employment. Kammerer’s department were also forerunners in working with Arukah’s mobile crisis/988 team, which helped residents quickly access substance use or mental health support in crisis after a 911 call. “This partnership has changed our ability to get folks immediately to the care that can treat the source, rather than putting a bandaid on the situation.”
Many of the programs established at the Princeton Police Department, such as Dementia Friendly Princeton, Autism Safety Project and various mental health and substance use efforts, are scalable and can be expanded in the entire county.
“I believe that every person in our community has value and dignity, and that part of our job at the county will be to listen and help them find their way. We will do this by working closely with the good efforts of our community partners. Collaborative effort is how the county can help ensure Bureau residents are safe, productive and enjoy a high quality of life,” says Kammerer.
“Our deputies will be trained in Crisis Intervention Training,” he said, “so they can properly deescalate and facilitate resource connection across Bureau’s 869 square miles which will reduce repeat calls for service.”
“Should I be elected, I will appoint John Simonton to be my Chief Deputy. John has extensive experience in policing, including two terms as the Lee County Sheriff. He currently teaches at the Sauk Valley Community College Police Academy and has unending enthusiasm for mentoring and teaching. Between us, we have nearly 70 years of experience, much of it in leadership. Our intention will be to grow the next generation of leaders at the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department.”
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