🌪️The Sweet Sixteen, Tornado Season, and The First Electric Car

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Good morning, Princeton. The Princeton Sealing Wax Company, established in 1907 in Princeton, crafts premium sealing wax for traditional letter sealing and modern manufacturing uses, like optical lenses and jewelry. This long-standing business, with a small staff, blends tradition with innovation. It adds a unique industrial heritage to the city, showcasing a niche craft still thriving today. Learn more from this video here.

Onward.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🎩A Night to Remember
🗓️Upcoming Events
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
👷‍♂️Princeton Job Opportunities
💼Princeton Businesses
📍Outside City Limits
🏠Princeton Homes for Sale
💭Remember When…
🏀March Madness

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday, Jalen Dressler! 🎈 

• BCR: Bureau Valley and Princeton are just 16 miles apart and yet they will both host Class 2A boys basketball regionals. Here’s a look at those two sites plus all the other area regionals.

• Voting is underway for NewsTribune Athlete of the Week. Nominees include Princeton’s Keighley Davis and Casey Etheridge.

• OSF St. Clare Opens Scholarships for Bureau County's Future Healthcare Professionals

• Bottom Road, located between the nearest intersections east and west of Route 180, will be closed starting March 15th due to the Route 180 project. The closure is expected to last until December 1st, and commuters are advised to plan alternate routes and stay updated through local channels.

• The River Bend Food Bank Mobile Pantry will be at the Bureau County Fairgrounds on February 27. Registration is from 9:15 AM to 10 AM, with food distribution beginning at 10 AM at 811 W. Peru St. in Princeton.

• Princeton Youth Baseball and Softball League is hosting their first in-person sign-up today from 5:00-7:30 PM at the Prouty Building. Online registration remains open at pybsl.org through February 28th.

• A Freestyle/Greco Wrestling Camp will run from March 17 to May 23 at Princeton High School, meeting on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. The cost is $200 for the season, and participants must have a USA Wrestling card. For more details, contact Steve Amy at 815-915-6519.

• The Bureau County Metro Center is now accepting registrations for its Youth Flag Football League, which begins on April 26 at Zearing Park. Open to children in kindergarten through fifth grade, the league emphasizes teamwork, sportsmanship, and communication, with games held on Saturdays and practices at least once per week. Fees are $50 for Metro Center members, $55 for residents, and $60 for non-residents. Registration is available online, in person at the Metro Center, or by calling 815-872-0840. The registration deadline is April 4 at 11:59 PM, and volunteer coaches are needed. For more details, contact Brett Renner at 815-876-0721.

• A memorial golf outing for Dave Camp will take place on Saturday, June 14, at Chapel Hill Golf Course and Events Center, with check-in at 9 a.m. and tee-off at 10 a.m. The cost is $70 per golfer, with $25 dinner tickets available for non-golfers, and a 36-team limit requiring payment by May 3 to secure a spot. Hole sponsorships are available for $100, general sponsorships for $50, and proceeds will support the Princeton Jr. Bowlers and American Legion 125 Baseball Team; for more details, contact Rod Baker at 815-878-0788.

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🎩A NIGHT TO REMEMBER PROM

“A Night to Remember” Prom will take place on Saturday, April 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at the Bureau County Metro Center, 837 Park Ave. W. in Princeton. This special event is for high school-aged individuals and older with special needs, where each attendee will receive a crown as a reminder that in Gods eyes, we are all Kings and Queens.

Corsages and boutonnieres will be provided, and attire includes dresses or dress pants for the ladies and a shirt and tie for the gentlemen. The evening begins with a Red Carpet Event at 5:30 PM, with attendees encouraged to arrive by 5:15. Refreshments such as cupcakes, cookies, ice cream, and punch will be served, and a photo booth will be available for pictures.

Those needing a caregiver must bring their own. This free event is sponsored by First Lutheran Church in Princeton. RSVPs should be sent to Dianne Van Drew by March 24, via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 815-677-2263.

🗓️UPCOMING EVENTS

🕯️Logan Jr. High’s Pannebaker Gym will host a Live Wax Museum on Thursday, February 27, from 5 to 6 p.m.

🐐Boek-el-ZOO is hosting a family-friendly event featuring baby goats from Coneflower Farm on Saturday from 12-3 PM at 419 S. Main, Princeton. Activities include meeting the goats, finding a frog for a prize, and receiving a free scoop coupon for kids under 10.

🏷️The Huge Winter Garage Sale is set for Saturday, March 8th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bureau County Fairgrounds. Space rental options include a 10 x 10 space with 3 tables for $35, a 10 x 16 space with 4 tables for $60, a 10 x 24 space with 5 tables for $90, or outdoor spaces for $25 without tables. For more details or to reserve a spot, contact Kathy Bauer at (815) 303-2905 or via email at [email protected].

🥞Bureau County Fair is hosting a pancake and sausage breakfast on Sunday, March 2, from 8 AM to noon. The cost is 10 dollars per person. The event will be held at 811 W Peru St.

👕A Princeton swap meet will take place on Sunday, May 4, from 8 AM to 2 PM at 811 W Peru St. Admission is 10 dollars, and vendors can reserve spots for 50 dollars. The event is organized by Walnecks Motorcycle Swap Meets.

💃The Blue and Gray Ball will take place on March 22 at the Bureau County Fairgrounds, featuring an evening of Victorian-era dancing led by instructors. Attendees are encouraged to dress up and enjoy snacks and a silent auction. Tickets cost $25 per person or $40 per couple, with proceeds supporting Shadows of the Blue & Gray.

🎨The Prairie Arts Council presents a gallery exhibit featuring local artist Austin Burrows, showcasing Creatures That Live in My Head on March 7, 2025, from 1-3 PM at 24 Park Ave E. An opening reception will be held that evening from 6-8 PM, with the gallery open Saturdays and Sundays through March 30.

🐣Liberty Village of Princeton is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 10 AM. The event will be held at 140 N. 6th Street and is open to the public.

⛳️The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce announced that the 2025 Chamber Classic will take place on Friday, June 6, at Chapel Hill Golf Course. The event benefits the Chambers Building Improvement Grant Program, and sponsorship opportunities are available.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌨️Today: Overcast with periods of rain showers. High near 52°F with southwest winds at 10 to 20 mph and a 50% chance of rain. Overnight, clouds decrease with partly cloudy skies and a low of 33°F. Winds turn northwest at 5 to 10 mph.

🌥️Thursday: Intervals of clouds and sunshine with a high of 49°F. Winds from the west-northwest at 15 to 25 mph. Overnight, skies remain partly to mostly cloudy with a low of 31°F and west-northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph.

🌤️Friday: Partly to mostly sunny with a high of 63°F. Winds from the west-southwest at 10 to 15 mph. Overnight, skies turn mainly cloudy with a low of 34°F and west-southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph.

From KWQC:

Another quick shot of rain is expected for the Wednesday morning commute, followed by sunshine and temperatures climbing into the 50s by 10 AM before cooling back to the 40s in the afternoon. Highs will remain in the 40s on Thursday before another quick jump into the 50s on Friday as the next storm system moves into the area.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.29
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.26
Casey’s West/North: $3.39
Beck’s West/North: $3.39
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.39
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.39

👷‍♂️PRINCETON JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• A part-time House Cleaning position at Chapel Hill Golf Course and Event Center pays $15 per hour and involves cleaning residential and commercial areas. Responsibilities include dusting, vacuuming, mopping, sanitizing surfaces, and ensuring bathrooms and kitchens are hygienic. Previous cleaning experience is preferred but not required, with a focus on customer service skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and in a team. The role offers an opportunity to create welcoming spaces while enjoying a fast-paced environment.

• The City of Princeton Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is seeking applications for a lateral-hire list for qualified Police Officers. Please see the attached document for the application packet. The City of Princeton is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Hornbaker Gardens seeks friendly individuals for retail positions in the Garden Center, offering pay of $15-$20 per hour. Gardening knowledge is helpful but not required, with both part-time and full-time seasonal roles available from April to October. Candidates must have good work ethics, strong customer service skills, and be physically capable of lifting, bending, and standing for long periods. Benefits include an employee discount, a flexible schedule, and paid time off.

• A full-time Preschool Teacher position at Zearing Child Enrichment Center pays $18-$19.50 per hour, offering benefits like health insurance, 401(k), and paid time off. Candidates should have experience working with children ages 3 to 5 and may qualify through early childhood education coursework or related programs. Responsibilities include using tools like Teaching Strategies Assessments, Ages and Stages Screenings, and Creative Curriculum. The role emphasizes preparing students for kindergarten success in a play-based learning environment, with opportunities for educational support and scholarships.

• Pilgrim Park Camp and Conference Center is hiring temporary summer camp staff for the 2024 season from July 1 to August 1. The job includes lifeguarding, supervising canoe and paddleboat activities, facilitating the challenge course, and instructing youth at the archery range. Additional responsibilities include light landscaping, kitchen assistance, housekeeping, and maintenance work. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, with pay ranging from $16.49 to $19.57 per hour and an option for room and board.

🪑DANDELION WISHES REFURBISHED FURNITURE

Michelle DeVoss has these two pieces available at her home shop in Sheffield. The first is a fun coffee/game table with an octopus design ($150). The top has been coated in acrylic for durability. She also has a Lane cedar chest ($180) which showcases three horses on the front and an original herringbone inlay on the top. This is a spacious chest at 18.5 inches deep, 21 inches tall, and 47 inches wide. Michelle can be reached by email at [email protected] or You can reach Michelle on her Facebook page.

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Aspen, a sweet and energetic 6- to 7-month-old pit bull mix, was found as a stray and is now available for adoption. She is playful, smart, and learning quickly but needs training on potty habits and play nipping. For more information, call 815-875-1150.

• A sale for prom, pageant, and special occasion formal wear will take place at First United Methodist Church on March 8 from 10 AM to 2 PM and March 9 from 12 PM to 4 PM. Over 500 dresses in sizes 0-22 will be available for $50 or less, with cash and PayPal accepted. Individual and group appointments can be scheduled by phone or private message.

• Two Angels is hosting Easter Bunny Mini Sessions on April 12 at Downtown Pub in Princeton. The 15-minute photography sessions provide a fun setting for children to meet the Easter Bunny, with bookings available online at https://book.usesession.com/s/U4cqjjTZYH.

• Little Blue Dress showcases its latest arrivals, featuring stylish denim overalls, cozy cardigans, and chic accessories. Stop in to refresh your wardrobe with new pieces perfect for the season.

• Wild Ginger Bistro and Wine Bar is celebrating Mardi Gras all weekend with brunch and dinner, offering beads, masks, and festive dishes like shrimp & grits, jambalaya, and King Cake. Guests can make reservations online or by calling 815-872-3976.

• Corner Chair Market highlights its hall tree and hook racks, perfect for organizing jackets, bags, and accessories. Visit the shop to find unique home decor and storage solutions.

• Wild Honey Boutique invites shoppers to explore its fresh spring arrivals, offering trendy outfits and stylish essentials. The boutique is open today from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, with more selections available online.

• Scooter’s Coffee introduces its Spring Menu, featuring colorful and refreshing drinks. Customers are loving the seasonal flavors, making it a must-try for coffee lovers.

• Four Seasons in Princeton is offering 24% off entire purchases with the code GREEN until March 2.

• Ice Cream is offering a limited-time Maple Nut sundae, featuring maple ice cream layered with caramel sauce and chopped pecans, available while supplies last.

• Boek-el-ZOO has received new exotic animals from Scott Smith’s All Animal Expo. While many were special orders, some will be available for purchase starting at noon today.

• Optimal Health is offering a variety of Valentines treats, including allergy-friendly options, for school parties and celebrations. The selection includes chocolates, snacks, and cupcakes that are free from common allergens.

• Simply Nutrition is offering protein-packed treats like Chocolate Oreo Protein Balls and Caramel Cookie Dough Bites. Customers can stop by to grab these sweet and nutritious options before they sell out.

• Hoffmans Patterns of the Past invites customers to refresh their spring table with Just Flowers by Mikasa. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM.

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📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

• OSF OnCall Cardio Check aboard the King Care-A-Van will be at Mason Memorial Public Library in Buda on March 3 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. Services include health screenings for blood pressure, pulse oxygen, blood glucose, and cholesterol, along with healthcare navigation, MyChart assistance, community resource connections, and Medicaid Innovation Collaboration program enrollment. No appointment is needed, and both fasting and non-fasting patients can be tested. The event will take place at 104 W. Main St., Buda, IL.

• Starbucks is cutting some ‘less popular’ drinks from its menu.

• Multi-Million Dollar High-Speed Internet Project Coming To Spring Valley

• L-P Board Candidate Who Passed Away Feb. 13 Must Remain on April 1 Ballot

• Park board OKs two bids for splash pad work

• Ladd home is habitable after Saturday night attic fire

• Police on lookout for preteen robbers, youngest suspect about 6

• Veteran stage performer selected to lead IVCC's spring musical

🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• 1402 S Euclid Ave is a stunning Victorian home filled with history and charm, hitting the market for the first time in 33 years. The inviting front porch opens to an elegant entryway featuring natural light, original oak woodwork, and a custom staircase. The main floor boasts a formal dining room, family room, and a modernized kitchen with handmade hickory cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. Upstairs, you’ll find generously sized bedrooms, a unique Coca-Cola sundae gathering space, and a cozy family room with a gas fireplace. This property also includes an expansive unfinished attic and a heated garage, making it an exceptional find for anyone seeking character and functionality.

• The beautiful 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home at 1006 W Central Ave, Princeton, offers an array of standout features. From its stunning original woodwork and spacious layout, including a living room, dining room, den, and mudroom, to the large kitchen equipped with Amish cabinetry and a breakfast nook, this home embodies classic elegance and modern comfort. The primary suite is tucked away for privacy, featuring a walk-in closet, glass shower, and double vanity, while the second floor houses three additional bedrooms and a full bath. The property also boasts a 26’ x 26’ garage, a large front porch, a back deck, and a patio for outdoor dining. With updated systems like a 2018 boiler and a central air system, this home provides comfort and convenience for any family.

💭REMEMBER WHEN…

🏀CRAFTING THE PERFECT 2025 MARCH MADNESS BRACKET

March Madness 2025 is almost here, and with it comes the timeless challenge of filling out the perfect NCAA Tournament bracket. Predicting all 63 games correctly is a near-impossible dream—nobody’s done it yet—but with a smart strategy, you can boost your odds of outsmarting your pool and basking in bragging rights. Here’s how to approach your bracket like a pro.

First, start with the favorites. Top seeds don’t always win it all, but they rarely flop early. Historically, No. 1 seeds advance to the second round over 95% of the time, so lean on them in the opening rounds. Look at teams with strong regular-season records, especially those dominating their conferences. Defending champs like UConn or perennial contenders like Duke often have the depth and coaching to survive the initial chaos. Don’t overthink it—chalk picks are your foundation.

Next, embrace the upset sweet spot. The tournament thrives on surprises, and the 5-12 and 6-11 matchups are prime upset territory. Dig into recent performance: Has the lower seed been on a hot streak in their conference tournament? Do they play stifling defense or have a fast-paced style that could fluster a sluggish favorite? Mid-majors from leagues like the WCC or Mountain West often punch above their weight, so sprinkle a few bold picks here to separate your bracket from the pack.

For the later rounds, focus on balance. Elite Eight and Final Four teams typically boast top-tier coaching, experience in tight games, and a knack for avoiding turnovers. Look at squads that have faced tough schedules—non-conference gauntlets or rivalry showdowns—and emerged battle-hardened. Avoid overloading your bracket with long shots; Cinderella stories rarely cut down the nets.

Finally, trust your gut on the champion. Pick a team that feels unstoppable, whether it’s a juggernaut with a suffocating defense or a high-octane offense that can outscore anyone. Check their path—tough regions might knock out a favorite early—but don’t overanalyze. The beauty of March Madness is its unpredictability, so leave room for instinct.

No bracket will ever be perfect, but blending data with daring can get you close. Fill it out, submit it before the first tip-off on March 18, and enjoy the ride. Good luck—Indianapolis awaits!

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