Category: Uncategorized

Postal carriers in Princeton will collect nonperishable food items Saturday, May 10, from residents’ porches or curbs for the Bureau County Food Pantry. (Derek Barichello)
Princeton residents have a challenge before them.
Postal carriers will collect nonperishable food items Saturday, May 10, from residents’ porches or curbs for the Bureau County Food Pantry.
Before the pandemic, Princeton was among the most generous communities, donating more than 30,000 pounds of food. Post-pandemic, collections have been about 10,000 pounds, organizers said.
Sullivans Foods donates grocery bags that will be delivered to homes this week. Residents can use those bags to fill with nonperishable food items.
“The need exists all the time, 1 in 5 individuals in our communities are suffering from food insecurity,” said Vanessa Hoffeditz.
Last year, the food pantry served more than 5,000 individuals in Princeton and its surrounding communities. Senior citizens are among the fastest growing clients, Hoffeditz said.
Nonperishable food items must be set out by 7 a.m. The Princeton Post Office will be looking for volunteers beginning at 8 a.m. to help with collection. Wyanet Carpets and Etreme Rentals donates use of its vehicles for collection.
“I can’t say enough about what postal carriers do,” Hoffeditz said.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

The Princeton Plan Commission (members double as Design Review Commission) approved Tuesday, July 8, 2025, plans presented by JCS Ag Services, LLC, and by Michlig Ag Solutions, Inc. (Tom Collins)
Two agribusinesses got the final votes needed to set up shop in Princeton.
On Tuesday, the Princeton Plan Commission – from which members double as Design Review Commission members – approved plans presented by JCS Ag Services LLC and Michlig Ag Solutions Inc.
Together, the two businesses will purchase four lots in Princeton’s Tech Park.
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the dual petitions, but with conditions that proposed gravel roads be paved or replaced with concrete within two years.
JCS Ag Services owner Sam Lowers, a Wyanet resident, proposes a pole frame building (80 feet wide, 104 feet long) with an office 30 feet in length facing Backbone Road. A secondary containment area will house six vertical liquid fertilizer tanks holding 30,000 gallons each. The business sells herbicides, seeds and fertilizers, among other products.
Ag businesses come to Princeton Sam Lowers (left) and John King present their plans for dual agribusinesses to the Princeton Plan Commission. (Tom Collins)
“We believe that the farmers in the 30-mile radius of Princeton, Illinois, will benefit from our business due to our ability to provide competitive pricing on their inputs while providing them top-tier service that they deserve,” Lowers wrote in the petition.
Aesthetically, the design includes a monument-style sign nestled in a mulch bed with greenery, plus a flagpole, trees and landscaping around the office.
“I’m excited to start a business to support the community and our local farmers,” Lowers after the unanimous vote.
As for Michilig Ag, President John King proposed a manufacturing facility for “specialized seed fluency.”
“Specialized seed fluency products are experiencing significant momentum,” King wrote in his petition. “Although standard talc and graphite formations continue to hold the majority of market share, they are seeing limited innovation and minimal growth.
“In contrast, the market for biological- and nutrient-enhanced seed fluency products is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 20% to 25% over the next five years.”
King proposes a pole frame building (60 feet wide, 120 feet long) with an office 40 feet in length facing the road.
King expressed his gratitude at having the commission’s support.
“I grew up in Bureau County, and it’s good to bring the Michilig name back to Princeton and Bureau County,” King said. “We’re looking forward to building the business here in Bureau County.”
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

The Down on Main Summer Street Concerts series kicks off Friday in downtown Princeton. (Mike Vaughn for Shaw Media)
The Down on Main Summer Street Concerts series kicks off Friday in downtown Princeton.
Barracuda, a Heart tribute band, will perform beginning at 6 p.m. on South Main Street between Peru and Marion streets. Food and other activities will begin at 5 p.m.
City Manager Theresa Wittenauer said Monday the Down on Main series will have a number of guest vocalists perform “The Star Spangled Banner” throughout the series.
In addition to live performances, the concert series will feature local food and drink vendors. Attendees are asked to leave their dogs at home, because of safety precautions.
Admission is free because of the support of sponsors: Princeton Chevrolet GMC, Gardner Denver, Princeton and Utica Pioneer Production Plants, Corteva Research and Pioneer Seed Dealers: Andrew Pierson, Rob Colby and Will Linker, Yepsen Insurance Agency, Starved Rock Media, Ace Retail Support Team, Allegion, Conxxus, Advanced Asphalt, Compeer Financial, Marquis Inc, Central Bank, OSF Saint Clare Medical Center, First State Bank, Michlig Energy, Lorita Hellman – State Farm Agent. Community Sponsors are Jackie Davis, Beck Oil Company, Corn Belt Energy, Downtown Liquidation, May May Angel & Harris, Midland States Bank, Prairie State Tractor, Darrell Fox, Gwyn & Anthony Giaquinto, Jan Milles, Monica Robbins, Colleen Sissel and Tom Lange, Dan and Cynthia Tracy
For more information about the Down on Main Street Summer Concert Series, go to princetontourism.org or contact toursim@princeton-il.com.
July 12: Mike and Joe, cover band
Aug. 9: Dillon Carmichael, country artist
Sept. 5: World Turning Band, Fleetwood Mac tribute
October 5: Mae Estes at Oktoberfest Celebration at Rotary Park
Shaw Local News Network provides local news throughout northern Illinois
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

(Front, from left) Eric T. Mrowicki, Senior Steward; Jeffrey L. Glade, Senior Deacon; Raymond W. Miller, Sr., Junior Warden; Steven J. Brown, Worshipful Master; Eric M. Lynch, Senior Warden; Alexander J. Zarka, Chaplain; Scott E. Heyob, Junior Deacon; Jacob Erickson, Junior Stewart. Back: Larry E. Lawson, Secretary; Gary E. Olson, Tyler; Lucas E. Matson, Treasurer; Richard Spahn, Installing Officer and Area Deputy Grand Master for the Northern Area. Missing was Richard Brown, Marshal. (Photo provided by Jeffrey Glade)
Steven J. Brown of Ladd assumed the top job of Worshipful Master, as St. John’s Lodge No. 13 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Peru held its 184th annual installation of officers during an open ceremony on Saturday at the Peru Masonic Center.
Brown, who was installed by Area Deputy Grand Master for the Northern Area, Richard Spahn of DeKalb, takes over from Benny L. Nooks of Princeton, who served the previous two one-year terms as Master. Nooks leaves some big shoes to fill, as St. John’s earned two statewide awards for membership growth and a 2024 Silver Grand Master’s Award of Excellence honor during his tenure. The lodge also awarded $4,000 in scholarships to local students over those two years.
Elected to serve St. John’s Lodge for the upcoming 2025 year, along with Brown, are Eric M. Lynch of Peru as Senior Warden; Raymond W. Miller, Sr. of La Salle as Junior Warden; Lucas W. Matson of Ottawa as Treasurer; and Larry E. Lawson of Princeton as Secretary.
Officers appointed by Brown for the 2025 year are: Jeffrey L. Glade of Mendota, Senior Deacon; Scott E. Heyob of La Salle, Junior Deacon; Eric T. Mrowicki of Oglesby, Senior Steward; Jacob Erickson of La Salle, Junior Steward; Alexander J. Zarka of La Salle, Chaplain; Richard Brown of Peru, Marshal; and Gary E. Olson of Peru, Tyler.
St. John’s Lodge No. 13 is one of the oldest continuously operating organizations in La Salle County, established on Oct. 4, 1842, and meeting in the same location on Fourth Street in Peru since 1896. For more information on Masons in Illinois, or to consider applying for membership, check out www.ilmason.org.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

The River Bend Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry will be in Bureau County on Thursday, Dec. 5. (Photo submitted by the Hall Twp. Food Pantry)
The River Bend Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry will be in Bureau County on Thursday, Dec. 5.
The mobile pantry will begin distribution at 10 a.m. at the fairgrounds, 811 W. Peru St., Princeton. Registration is from 9:15 to 10 a.m.
Those using the pantry should arrive 30 minutes before distribution. The distribution will be indoors and may take up to two hours. Laundry baskets are great for using the food pantry.
The food pantry is coming to Princeton in partnership with the Bureau County Food Pantry, Old Wheels Club and First Lutheran Church. For information, visit riverbendfoodbank.org.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

Emergency lights
The La Salle County Coroner’s Office has released the identity of the body found in a field near Grand Ridge.
Francesca A. Zeman, 46, of Grand Ridge died of heat stroke, according to preliminary findings released Friday by the coroner’s office.
Authorities had conducted a missing person search and located the body on East 18th Road, approximately a quarter mile south of North 19th Road, next to the roadway.
The location had previously been described as rural Streator.
Further forensic and toxicology testing is pending the final outcome. No foul play is suspected at this time. This incident is under further investigation and review by the La Salle County Coroner’s Office, La Salle County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Forensic Services Unit.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

Workers with Republic Services and Teamsters Local 179 picket in front of a semi along the south entrance to Republic Services on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Ottawa. (Scott Anderson)
Thousands of La Salle County residents had their trash collection disrupted Wednesday, after Teamsters at Republic Services in Ottawa launched a strike as part of a broader dispute with the company.
The walkout by 25 members of Teamsters Local 179 is one of a series of actions that could expand to involve more than 3,500 workers nationwide.
On Tuesday morning, 450 Republic Services workers in Boston went on strike, causing disruptions across the Boston area, according to a news release.
“This all started in Boston and it’s now growing across the country,” Teamsters Communications Coordinator Matt McQuaid said. “Teamsters everywhere now are coming together to address ongoing issues with Republic Services.”
The union is demanding improved wages, benefits and labor protections.
Chris Richter, President of Teamsters Local 179 of Joliet, said workers in Ottawa are pushing for a contract that matches terms already in place at Republic’s facilities in Joliet and Pontiac.
“Those two contracts are very close in wages and working conditions – what we like to call an area standard,” Richter said. “Republic has taken the position that they do not want to give us the same language or even remotely similar wages.”
Negotiations began in mid-June, but Richter said talks have stalled recently.
“We feel that they’ve been negotiating in bad faith,” he said. “They’ve taken upwards of five hours just to come back with counterproposals.”
There are no future scheduled meetings.
While some Republic garbage trucks were seen on the streets Wednesday, Richter said residents and businesses in La Salle County should still expect service disruptions, especially for recycling and yard waste pickup.
“They had maybe 10 or 12 trucks out today, but they’re filling them with supervisors who hold CDLs,” Richter said. “They’ve already told some customers not to expect yard waste or recycling to be picked up.”
Richter said the issues in Ottawa reflect a larger pattern nationally.
“This is not unique to just Ottawa,” he said. “Republic is making billions of dollars, and yet they don’t want to show up with the money or the proper language to protect the jobs of these hardworking men and women.”
According to the company’s most recent earnings report, Republic Services made more than $2 billion in profit last year and returned over $1 billion to shareholders, while also reporting strong revenue growth across its business in general.
In response to the strike, Republic Services issued a statement about the union’s decision to strike:
“It is disappointing that the union called a work stoppage rather than continue negotiating in good faith toward a fair and competitive contract that benefits our employees and our customers. A work stoppage does not benefit our employees or the communities we serve.
“We planned for the possibility of a work stoppage and have taken several steps to continue providing service, including securing Republic Services employees from other areas, prioritizing routes and optimizing routing efficiency. We are currently operating 75% of our collection routes and have been communicating service changes to impacted customers. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.
“We provide our employees with competitive wages, a robust health and wellness package and a generous time-off and holiday plan. Our current offer would increase wages, add a paid holiday and maintain current health and time-off benefits with no reductions.
“We are committed to continuing discussions with the union and remain hopeful that an agreement will be reached soon.”
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

Princeton High School named its Top 10 students for the 2024-2025 school year. The students are (front, from left) Grace Eggers, Kamryn Patterson, Ellie Harp (Salutatorian), Ella Kinnamon, (second row) Chase Sims, Maximus Wilborn, Gavin Pinter (valedictorian), (back) Ian Morris (Valedictorian), Timothy Lewis and Micah Hult. (Photo provided by Elena Hilmes)
Princeton High School named its Top 10 students for the 2024-2025 school year.
The students are Grace Eggers, Kamryn Patterson, Ellie Harp (salutatorian), Ella Kinnamon, Chase Sims, Maximus Wilborn, Gavin Pinter (valedictorian), Ian Morris (valedictorian), Timothy Lewis and Micah Hult.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

The intersection of Illinois Route 18 and East 15th Road just west of Streator city limits, where a fatal crash in 2024 and a history of accidents have prompted renewed calls for safety improvements. (Bill Freskos)
The Streator City Council is asking the Illinois Department of Transportation to add safety measures at the intersection of Illinois Route 18 and East 15th Road after a fatal crash and multiple accidents in recent years.
The intersection is located just west of Streator city limits, has long been considered dangerous by both city officials and residents.
A fatal crash occurred there in August last year and city officials say there have been multiple accidents at the site over the years.
Jordan Russow, a resident who started a petition and installed a roadside memorial following the death of her significant other at the intersection, spoke to council members about the dangers she’s personally witnessed at the site.
“I’ve seen a lot of very near misses, a lot of close calls,” Russow said. “People speed through that intersection, they blow through stop signs, they try to do burnouts through the stop signs.”
According to Russow’s independent research, she found 23 crashes recorded at the intersection from 2014 to 2023, resulting in 30 injuries and one on-scene fatality.
She added that those figures do not yet include 2024 or the rollover accident that already occurred earlier this year.
“All I’m asking is just for support in raising awareness and alertness of drivers out there, trying to make it safer for everybody,” Russow said.
Council member David Reed commended Russow for bringing the issue forward.
“I understand it’s not easy for young people to get the state’s attention on these types of matters, and I think the city requesting this could go a long way,” Reed said.
The resolution, approved unanimously, directs the city to send a formal request to IDOT to evaluate the intersection and take action to improve public safety.
According to city documents, a certified copy of the resolution will be forwarded to the Illinois Secretary of Transportation, the Region 2 Engineer and the Local Roads Engineer for District 3.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source

Amanda R. Wood (Photo provided by La Salle County Jail)
A Streator woman is expected to appear for a detention hearing Wednesday after being picked up on multiple charges led by aggravated arson and home invasion.
Amanda R. Wood, 54, is additionally charged with aggravated assault, criminal damage to property and violation of pretrial release conditions, Streator police said in a report issued Tuesday afternoon.
Details still are emerging and formal charges were not yet on file at La Salle County Circuit Court as of Tuesday evening, but Streator police indicated she was charged following an incident late Monday at Bronson and Jackson streets.
A man told police he was home alone when he heard noises coming from the back door of his residence, which had been locked but was found open, Streator Police Chief John Franklin said.
The man said a woman entered the home uninvited, refused to leave when confronted, and began destroying property while threatening the man, Franklin said.
He told police he fled to a bedroom, locked the door, and called for help as the woman allegedly set a fire in the home and attempted to break into his bedroom with a shovel, continuing to make threats.
Officers conducted a search and took Wood into custody shortly afterward.
Wood previously had been arrested at the same location on a domestic battery charge and was released under pretrial conditions, which was violated during Monday’s incident, Franklin said.
Court records indicate Wood was released from custody April 30 and again on May 14, this time with an ankle monitor, while awaiting trial on a charge of misdemeanor domestic violence.
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network
Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network

source