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Good morning, Princeton friends. Every year, Americans light about 273 million pounds of fireworks on July 4th, creating dazzling displays that can reach temperatures of over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hotter than a volcano’s lava. The first Independence Day fireworks show was in 1777, just a year after the Declaration of Independence was signed. Today, the U.S. spends over $1 billion annually on fireworks. Fireworks injuries send more than 10,000 people to the emergency room each year, with sparklers alone causing about a quarter of those injuries.

‘Merica.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🏠Princeton Homes for Sale
🚧Red Covered Bridge Update
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🗓️Upcoming in Princeton
💼Princeton Businesses
🏀3 on 3 Basketball
🏡Property Transfers
🪶Tiskilwa Pow Wow Days

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday, Zach Shuetz! 🎂

• Boggio’s Orchard and Produce is opening for the season on July 3rd, just in time for Independence Day. Their corn trucks will be in Princeton on Main Street by State Farm and in Peru at The Flower Bar on Route 6. Shoppers are encouraged to stock up on sweet corn for holiday festivities. Hours for the 4th of July weekend are Thursday 8–5, Friday 9–12, Saturday 8–5, and Sunday 9–2.

• Princeton’s Fourth of July celebration will take place at Zearing Park on Friday, July 4, 2025, with vendors beginning at 3 p.m. and entertainment from 6 to 9 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dusk, with food, music, and fun for all ages.

• The Down on Main Summer Street Concert Series continues in July with The Dave Matthews Tribute Band on July 18th, followed by Face 2 Face: The Elton John & Billy Joel Tribute Show on August 8th. Additional performances include Electric Avenue on September 4th and the Heidelberg German Band on October 18th.

• Princeton library hosting book sale

• The Princeton Fire Department is accepting applications for its 2025 Fire Academy, which runs September through January. Classes are held Monday and Wednesday evenings with two Saturday sessions each month; tuition is $100.

• KWQC: Repairs to damaged covered bridge to be about $1M, take more than a year

📍Outside City Limits

• The Buda Community Club will host a concert by award-winning country entertainer Steve Hargis on July 19, 2025, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. as part of Buda Fun Days. Additional details are available on their Facebook page.

• Bureau County Man Found Guilty Of Murder

• Walnut Days Celebration Includes 5K Run/Walk for ALS on July 5

• Jubilee Bible Camp is hosting multiple sessions in June and July for various age groups. More information is available at jubileecamp.org.

• Veterans and Gold Star Families Gain Free Lifetime Access to National Parks and Federal Sites

• Strike aims to disrupt garbage pickup in LaSalle County

• A Vacation Bible School is coming to Wyanet Community Bible Church at 215 S Locust Street! Join us July 16–18 from 10–11:30 a.m. for Wonder Junction by Answers in Genesis, with a free meal following for kids and families. Sunday School for all ages is at 9 a.m., followed by our worship service at 10. Register online at Answers in Genesis – Wyanet Community Bible Church or contact Pastor Kevin at [email protected]—walk-in registration is also welcome!

🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• A charming single-family home at 112 E Peru St is listed for $189,900, offering 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, and 1,557 sq ft of living space. The property features hardwood floors, new carpet, stainless-steel appliances, and a formal dining room, with significant updates completed in 2023. Set on a 0.32-acre fenced lot, it includes a large backyard and a two-car garage added in 2013. The home blends historic character from its 1856 build with modern amenities and is just a short walk to City County Park. With an estimated monthly payment of $1,199, this move-in-ready property is larger and more impressive than expected.

• A cozy 2-bed, 1-bath home at 901 N Knox St in Princeton is listed at $84,500. This 688 sq ft home features an expansive enclosed front porch, newer windows, wood laminate flooring, and central A/C. Recent updates include electrical work, water heater, gutters, and a radon mitigation system. The full basement and 1-car garage with loft provide additional usable space and storage. Located on a spacious corner lot, it offers a large yard and quiet setting with a low estimated mortgage of $422/month.

• Located just a block from Princeton’s art district, this charming 2-story home at 26 Elm Pl is listed at $169,900. With 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 1,891 sq ft, it features original oak flooring and staircase, a vintage tin ceiling in the dining room, and abundant natural light. The L-shaped dining area offers flexible space for a coffee bar, office, or plant nook. The home includes a fenced yard, screened-in porch, updated furnace, plumbing, A/C, sump pump, and hot water heater—all replaced since 2020. A spacious layout and recent improvements make this corner-lot home a standout at just $848/month estimated mortgage.

🚧A RED COVERED BRIDGE UPDATE: FROM IDOT

Big Bureau Creek’s current runs strong under Princeton’s Red Covered Bridge. The surrounding trees march through the passage of the seasons, turning from green to orange and red before going barren. The craftsmanship used to build the bridge’s wooden decking, siding and roof back in 1863 remain evident to this day.  

Just two things are missing: Traffic and people.  

The bridge, an Illinois landmark, has been closed for more than a year. Heavy barricades keep anyone taking a scenic drive on Bureau County Road 1950 E. Although there is access just up to the bridge’s entrance, the temporary bracing that has held up its roof from the elements has not made for an iconic background seen in photos throughout the generations. 

But this is not the end of the Red Covered Bridge’s story. 

IDOT’s District 3, where the bridge is located, has worked behind the scenes to prepare for the structure’s rehabilitation following a vehicle strike that left it severely damaged. 

The district has begun the first phase of engineering, also called Phase I, which will define the scope of work and a preliminary cost estimate.   

The process in reaching this point began immediately after a semi driver damaged sections of the of the bridge’s façade and roof in late 2023 while attempting to enter through the north end. IDOT responded quickly by inspecting the structure and working to ensure the roof was temporarily supported until a permanent fix could be made, preventing additional, costly damage. 

Other action by IDOT included: 

• In 2024, a structural engineering firm completed a thorough inspection and evaluation. The inspection reviewed the entire structure for typical aging over time and included initial concepts of potential repair techniques. The consultant’s findings have been documented in a Bridge Condition Report, which was reviewed and approved by IDOT this past January. 

• In April, IDOT received concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Office that IDOT’s preliminary repair plans will not adversely affect the historic nature of the bridge, a necessary step due to the historic nature of the bridge. 

The district is prepared to begin Phase II engineering as soon as Phase I design approval is received from the Region 2 engineer. Phase II includes the preparation of a detailed cost estimate and expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete and will result in advertising a repair contract to bidders. Approximately $1 million is identified to pay for the needed repairs in IDOT’s most recent multiyear program.

Community appreciates IDOT’s efforts for the bridge

Located a half mile west of Illinois 26 and a mile north of Princeton, the Red Covered Bridge draws tourists from around the globe. Before it was hit, the bridge serves as a picturesque backdrop for countless proms and weddings. It also has one distinction over the other covered bridges in Illinois: It is the only state-owned covered bridge open to traffic, having accommodated an average of 275 vehicles a day.  

The bridge survived a number of threats, both intentional and unintentional, including arson, erosion and high winds. It also has survived several strikes by large trucks. 

Although Princeton has a second covered bridge (the newer Captain Swift Covered Bridge owned by Bureau County spans Big Bureau Creek west of the city), Princeton City Manager Theresa Wittenauer said the Red Covered Bridge gets a lot of attention. 

“Princeton has always been passionate about our covered bridges, and we get a lot of inquiries about the status of the rebuild of this one — and how to prevent this type of accident in the future,” she said. 

Wittenauer said the city is thrilled to hear about IDOT’s recent plans moving forward, as well as funding being allocated for the rehabilitation of the historic Red Covered Bridge. 

“This project represents not only a vital investment in local infrastructure but also a meaningful commitment to preserving a cherished piece of our community’s heritage,” she said. “The Red Covered Bridge is a beloved landmark and a key attraction that draws visitors to our area, supporting local tourism and businesses.  We deeply appreciate IDOT’s support in helping safeguard this iconic structure for generations to come."

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️Sunshine and clouds mixed throughout the day, with the possibility of an isolated afternoon storm. The high will be around 91°F, with winds from the south at 5 to 10 mph. Skies will stay mostly clear at night, with lows near 71°F and continued light winds out of the south at 5 to 10 mph. Humidity will rise from about 58% during the day to 73% at night.

🌤 Friday: Expect intervals of clouds and sunshine, with hot conditions. The high will reach 93°F, with south-southwest winds at 5 to 10 mph. In the evening, clouds will increase, and scattered thunderstorms are expected overnight. The low will be around 74°F, with southeast winds at 5 to 10 mph. Rain chance is 50%, and humidity will rise from 61% to 78%.

⛅ Saturday: Partly cloudy skies during the day, with a stray shower or thunderstorm possible. The high will be near 92°F, with south-southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph. Scattered showers and thunderstorms could develop at night, with a low around 73°F and winds from the west at 5 to 10 mph. The chance of rain is 40% during the day and 20% at night. Humidity will range from 65% to 81%.

🌩 Sunday: Mostly cloudy skies with some sunshine peeking through and a few storms possible. High near 87°F, with west-northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph. A few evening thunderstorms may linger before clearing overnight. The low will drop to 64°F, with southeast winds at 5 to 10 mph. Rain chances stand at 30% for the day and 40% for the night. Humidity will rise from 64% to 80%.

⛅ Monday: Some sun in the morning will give way to increasing clouds in the afternoon. The high will be near 84°F, with north winds at 5 to 10 mph. Scattered thunderstorms are expected in the evening, with variable clouds and showers continuing overnight. The low will be around 63°F, with southeast winds at 5 to 10 mph. Rain chance is 20% during the day and 40% at night. Humidity will increase from 65% to 79%.

🌤Tuesday: Partly cloudy conditions during the day with a high near 84°F. Winds will be from the southwest at 5 to 10 mph. The night will start mostly clear, but a few showers may develop later. The low will be near 68°F, with light and variable winds. Rain chance is 30%, and humidity will rise from 63% during the day to 77% overnight.

🌦Wednesday: Partly cloudy skies during the day with a high near 88°F. Winds will be from the south-southwest at 5 to 10 mph. By night, thunderstorms are likely to develop after partly cloudy early conditions. The low will be around 68°F, with south winds at 5 to 10 mph. Rain chance increases to 60% overnight. Humidity will rise from 64% to 78%.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.11
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.12
Casey’s West/North: $3.19
Beck’s West/North: $3.19
Road Ranger, N Main St: $2.97
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.19

🗓️UPCOMING IN PRINCETON

👟 Arukah Freedom 5k Color Run – Celebrate July 4th at Soldiers & Sailors Park with a patriotic color run. Friday, July 4 at 8 AM. $35 per person or $120 for groups of 4. Register at runsignup.com.

🌿 Bob Solberg Hosta Event – A day with hosta expert Bob Solberg at Hornbaker Gardens. Includes a presentation, meet & greet, and more. Sunday, July 20, 9 AM–2 PM. Free admission. Register at shop.hornbakergardens.com.

🍦 National Ice Cream Day at Sisler’s Ice Cream – Celebrate with sweet treats, specials, and a giveaway drawing. Sunday, July 20, 2–8 PM at 421 S Main Street.

🤼 Micro Wrestling at The Hawg House – A 21+ night of suplexes and body slams under 5 feet tall. Friday, August 1, 8–10 PM at Hawg House Saloon.

🚶 Walk a Mile for Freedom House – A downtown walk to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Saturday, August 2 at 9 AM. Includes teams, prizes, and activities.

🥪 Snackle Box Class – Learn to prepare wholesome snack boxes for car trips, school, and more. Monday, August 4, 3–4:30 PM at Bureau County Farm Bureau. Free class; reservations by July 28 at 815-440-8737.

🚲 Monthly Community Bike Ride – Join an easy community ride around Princeton. Tuesday, August 5, 6–7 PM at Darrius Miller Park.

🎸 The Wise Guys at the Princeton Inn – Party with live music by The Wise Guys. Saturday, August 16 at 6 PM at the Princeton Inn.

🎤 Trace Adkins with Brushville – Country music at the Bureau County Fair. Thursday, August 21 at 7:30 PM. Tickets at bureacountyfair.com.

🐶 UKC/SRS Dock Jumping Season Shutdown – Dock jumping competitions for dogs with UKC/SRS registration. September 13–14 at 1616 N Main Street. Details and registration at ukcdogs.com.

🛍️ 12th Annual Artisan Market – Over 30 artists, food trucks, live music, beer & wine at Hornbaker Gardens. Saturday, September 20, 10 AM–4 PM. Free admission.

🏍️ Princeton Swap Meet – Find unique items and motorcycle parts at this popular swap meet. Sunday, November 9, 8 AM–2 PM at 811 W Peru St. $10 admission; vending $50.

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💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Paisano’s Ristorante is now offering rolled ice cream, available from 4 to 10 p.m. for dine-in or counter orders. Flavors include Oreo and strawberry, with a smoother texture that melts in your mouth.

• Rachel Rene is promoting their Lavender Honey Body Polish Sugar Scrub, blending fresh lavender scent with wild honey notes for smooth, glowing skin. The product is available in-store during business hours or online for easy purchase.

• True Leaves Bookshop is offering 30% off coffee and tea during their Bookish Coffee & Tea Sale, running today through Saturday. Shoppers can enjoy savings on a variety of specialty items while supplies last.

• Neighborhood Ace Hardware will be open on the Fourth of July from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Customers are welcome to stop in for any holiday needs during these extended hours.

• Hornbaker Gardens highlighted their blooming Coreopsis (tickseed) varieties, known for being sun-loving, drought- and deer-resistant, and pollinator-friendly. Shoppers can visit their benches to select from vibrant options or browse live inventory online.

• Sisler’s Ice Cream will offer the special “Chelsea’s Cheesecake” flavor this Saturday as part of their Chelsea Gives Back fundraiser. They will donate $1 per scoop of any flavor sold from 4 to 8 p.m. to support the cause.

• Finders Keepers has a new selection of charming, gently-used furniture, including cozy beds and unique statement pieces. Stop in soon to browse affordable home items before they’re gone.

• Scooter’s Coffee is launching a lineup of new summer treats including CHIPS AHOY! and NUTTER BUTTER® blenders, Red Bull infusions, sliders, and sparkling floats. These fun new flavors are sure to sweeten your summer.

• Taylor’s Way offers pest control services designed for long-term prevention using safe, proven methods. Their expert team provides family- and pet-safe solutions to keep your home free from ants, spiders, and more.

• Boek-el-ZOO has added a variety of new animals, including axolotls, veiled chameleons, crocodile geckos, and more, with a special on dehydrated treats.

• Golden Rice is showcasing a variety of sushi and Asian dishes including shrimp and crab roll with tempura for $13.99, vegetable rolls for $8.99, and salmon teriyaki for $16.99, among other colorful and fresh options.

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🏀3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

The Homestead Festival 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Alexander Park, 500 S. Anderson Street. Games will begin at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Online registration is open now, and teams that register before August 21 will receive a free t-shirt. After August 21, teams can still register, but no t-shirt will be provided. The cost is $80 per team, and space is limited to 30 teams total, so early registration is encouraged. First place team medals will be awarded in boys and girls divisions for grades 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 (entering grade as of August 2025). All proceeds benefit the Illinois Valley Rimrockers Organization. Register here. More details can also be found here. Event fees will be refunded if the tournament is cancelled.

🪶TISKILWA POW WOW DAYS

Thursday, July 31 — Family Night

Tiskilwa Pow Wow Days kicks off on Thursday, July 31 with Family Fun Night from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Families can enjoy face painting, a petting zoo, games, and other activities during the evening. Free bouncy houses will be open from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm for kids to enjoy. Touch A Truck will take place during the same time, allowing children to explore local fire trucks, EMS vehicles, and farm equipment. DJ Chuck Hopper will provide music for a kids’ dance from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Friday, August 1

Friday, August 1 features historical exhibits at the Historical Society’s Museum on Main and the Gallery on Galena, both open from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The Tiskilwa Community Association Beer Garden opens at 5:00 pm and runs until midnight. Bouncy houses will be available from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm for $10 armbands. The TCA Kids Pedal Tractor Pull for ages 4 to 12 starts at 6:00 pm. An ice cream eating contest for both kids and adults will be held at 7:00 pm. The TCA Draw Down takes place at 7:00 pm, with tickets available by calling 815-646-4121. The night wraps up with BRUSHVILLE in concert at the Beer Garden from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Saturday, August 2

Saturday, August 2 begins with a 5K race, with registration at 7:00 am and race time at 8:00 am. The Historical Society’s Museum on Main will be open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The parade on Main Street starts at 11:00 am with the theme “Turn Back Time.” A community church lunch will be served from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Tiskilwa Community Church. Bouncy houses and waterslides will be open from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm for $10 or $20 armbands, depending on duration. The bean bag tournament will begin around 11:30 am. The Historical Society’s Gallery on Galena is open from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Tiskilwa Fire Department will host kids’ water fights from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Kelly and Sarah Finch will perform at 4:00 pm with an acoustic set in the Beer Garden. The Tiskilwa High School Alumni Banquet will be held at Indian Valley Inn, with happy hour at 5:00 pm and dinner at 6:00 pm. Bouncy houses reopen from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The day closes with HAIRBANGER’S BALL in the Beer Garden from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Sunday, August 3

Tiskilwa Pow Wow Days concludes on Sunday, August 3 with a Community Outdoor Church Service at the West Park Shelter at 10:30 am.

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