SPONSORED BY

Happy Saturday morning, Princeton. From 90s temps to 90s wisdom, this issue has it all. A canceled football game, community input surveys, hot weather alerts, new job openings, fresh fall finds downtown, and a must-read message from Lori at Book-el-ZOO. Plus, find out who won the Underground Railroad 5K and which local properties just changed hands.

Let’s get it going.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🏛️City of Princeton
👶Zearing Child Enrichment
🚜Farm Equipment
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
💼Princeton Businesses
👷Princeton Job Openings
🐧Letter From Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday, Lora Warren!🎂

• Sherrard forfeited its Week 3 high school football game with Princeton last night due to a lack of numbers, citing injury and illness in the program.

• Elijah House wins 2025 Underground Railroad 5K

• The Princeton Fire Department is holding an open house on October 11, 2025, 9am–12pm. Events include live firefighter demos, a kids’ obstacle course, and free food/drinks.

• OSF HealthCare welcomes Adam Kress, DO

• St Matthews Lutheran Church Hosts Annual Saintly Spaghetti Supper to Benefit Kids Camp on September 20

• The Princeton Public Library will host a free Beginner’s Chess Workshop on September 24 from 5:30–7:30 PM, led by Erik Czerwin, who will teach participants the basics of chess, including how the pieces move, scoring, and turn tracking. All ages are welcome, though children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

• The City of Princeton will host an Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, October 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Bureau County Highway Department; the city’s link provides the list of accepted items.

  📍Outside City Limits

• An Ohio murderer avoided a sentence of natural life Friday; but Matthew J. Pairadee has only a distant shot of getting out of prison alive.

• State police release drone video of fatal LaSalle shooting

• BC Board Approves Solar Projects

• 15 Fruit Trees You Should Avoid Planting In Illinois

• The annual "BBQ-n-Blues" is happening Friday in downtown La Salle. Stop by First Street to watch amateur cooks prepare barbecue for a panel of celebrity judges.

🏛️FROM THE CITY OF PRINCETON

Community Input Needed – Help Shape Princeton’s Future!

The City of Princeton and the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce are teaming up in a powerful partnership to take our community to the next level—and we need YOUR voice to help guide the way forward. Whether you’re a resident, business owner, employee, or visitor, your feedback is crucial in shaping the direction of our community.

Behind the scenes, the City and Chamber have been working closely together on key economic development initiatives and long-term planning. But to truly make a lasting impact, we need to hear directly from you—the people who make Princeton such a special place to live, work, and visit.

Tell us what’s working and what’s not. What are Princeton’s greatest strengths? Where do we have room to grow? What would make life here better for residents, businesses, and visitors alike? What support do you need? What opportunities are we missing? Where do we shine?

This is your chance to be heard.

Please take a few minutes to complete the appropriate survey(s)- they are short (just 5 -10 minutes) and your honest feedback will help us know exactly where to focus our time, resources, and attention. If more than one survey applies to you, we kindly ask you to complete both.

Click the link or scan the QR code to begin. Surveys are available via the City of Princeton and Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook pages, through Chamber e-blasts, and on postcards distributed around town. Please share this with your friends, neighbors, fellow business owners, co-workers, and even visitors - the more voices we hear, the better!

If you have any questions or would like to provide additional input, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Jenica Cole at the Chamber or Michael Zearing at City Hall.

Thank you for your time, your honesty, and your continued support in helping Princeton grow stronger, together!

Business Owner Survey: https://forms.gle/cEbLQ5PhnGE2dnDd9

Residents of the 61356 Survey: https://forms.gle/vAznBMmXggpQArhW7

Visitor & Surrounding Communities Survey: https://forms.gle/DkkQqfqqEahpoHdx9

👶ZEARING CHILD ENRICHMENT CENTER

CHILDCARE – Immediate Openings

We have immediate openings for a variety of our Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Programs.

Our School-Age program is currently FULL with no openings at this time.

Enrichment Activities

From drawing and writing to pretend play, we provide a diverse range of activities to foster creativity and social skills to set children up for life readiness.

Preschool Programs

Fun and educational hands-on activities to prepare young children for success in Kindergarten. A focus on emotional regulation.

Infant to Two’s Care

Gentle care and attention for our youngest students, ensuring they feel secure and loved. Start as young as 6 weeks old.

Apply Today!

📞 Contact Us: 815-875-2335

🌐 Visit Our Website: www.zcec.org

📍 Our Location: 633 Masonic Drive, Princeton, IL 61356

🚜STATE POLICE ON FARM EQUIPMENT

With summer nearly in the rear view mirror for us now, our attention now shifts to the Fall months and the Illinois State Police have issued a warning to both drivers and farmers about agricultural equipment on roadways.

As harvest season begins, the Illinois State Police are reminding everyone that there are new dangers that go along with this time of year when it comes to driving in parts of the state where agriculture is vital. Illinois troopers have issued a warning to both drivers and farmers about how perilous the Fall months can be. Along with the typical advisories to slow down when near farm equipment and being cautious when passing, there’s one rule that many forget and it’s this one:

“It is illegal to pass in a no passing lane or within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, or bridge. Improper passing, including around farm equipment, can be deadly.”

This is the scenario when some of the most tragic accidents happen in Illinois. Impatience with farm machinery can lead to bad decisions sometimes with serious or fatal consequences. They also remind drivers that not all farm equipment has turn signals. For older tractors, drivers need to be watchful for farmer hand signals when they’re preparing to change direction.

The responsibility of safe driving during harvest season doesn’t lie solely with drivers. Illinois State Police remind farmers that they need to avoid driving farm equipment during the rush hour of early mornings and late afternoons when possible and to not drive on roadways when weather has reduced visibility or when it’s dark. That’s not always possible when a farmer has crops to get in from a field, but police want everyone to do their part to make this harvest season as safe as possible in Illinois.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️ Today: Hot and partly cloudy with an isolated afternoon storm possible (~20%). High near 95°F with a SSW breeze 5–10 mph and High UV—it’ll feel a bit hotter. Humidity runs near 60%; sunrise 6:36 AM, sunset 7:09 PM. Evening turns partly cloudy and warm, low around 69°F with light ESE winds.

🌤️ Sunday: Plenty of sun with a few fair-weather clouds; dry and hot, high around 93°F. Light S wind 5–10 mph, High UV, and daytime humidity near 55%. Sunrise 6:37 AM, sunset 7:08 PM. Partly cloudy overnight with a low near 68°F and a gentle SSW breeze.

🌤️ Monday: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, still summery with highs close to 90°F. SE winds 5–10 mph and High UV—shade and water recommended for outdoor plans. Humidity hovers near 55% with no meaningful rain signal. Night brings a few clouds, low around 66°F on a light SSE wind; sunrise 6:38 AM, sunset 7:06 PM.

🌤️ Tuesday: Warm sunshine and a few clouds, high near 92°F. A modest SSW breeze around 8 mph, High UV, and lower daytime humidity (~53%) keep it toasty. Sunrise 6:39 AM, sunset 7:04 PM. Partly cloudy and mild at night, low near 65°F with an ESE wind near 7 mph.

🌤️ Wednesday: Partly cloudy and hot with highs around 90°F; no significant rain expected. Light S wind 5–10 mph and High UV with afternoon humidity near 60%. Sunrise 6:40 AM, sunset 7:02 PM. The evening stays partly cloudy and warm, dipping to the mid-60s with a gentle ESE breeze.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.23
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.26
Casey’s West/North: $3.29
Beck’s West/North: $3.29
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.15
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.29

Peru Gas 👀

Sapp Bros.: $2.99

🔒PRINCETON NOW PREMIUM

• Princeton NOW Premium subscribers receive:

  🚫Ad free

  ❤️Local Obituaries

  🚔Arrests

  🏡Property Transfers

  🔍Health Department Food Inspections

  💍Marriages

  🏛️Board and City Council Meeting Summaries

  ⏫Upgrade your newsletter today and join 191 others.

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Hoffman’s Patterns of the Past has new handcrafted Polish pottery in stock, including a snowman treat jar and holiday tree votive candle holder. These pieces are hand-painted and full of heirloom-worthy charm, perfect for early gift shopping.

• Rachel Rene is offering custom soaps for special events. Full bars can be personalized with color, scent, and label—perfect for weddings, showers, or gifts.

• Rossy’s BBQ Joint has dropped prices on several favorites and released an updated menu. Customers can now enjoy new options and value-friendly combos on smoked meats, burgers, and loaded potatoes.

• Wild Honey Boutique encourages weekend shoppers to stop in on Saturday from 10–5 or Sunday from 12–4. From accessories to floral tops, there’s something new waiting.

• Café Grace is offering catering for events of all sizes, from weddings and retirements to surprise parties and funerals. They’ve served events with up to 375 guests and can be reached at [email protected] or 815-872-4000 (ask for Marci).

• Four Seasons – Princeton shares new fall clothing arrivals and invites shoppers to visit Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm.

• The Bureau County Historical Society is presenting “The H.W. Immke Exhibit” at the Newell-Bryant Museum. Open Fridays and Saturdays, 12–4:30pm, with a $7 suggested donation.

• Fresh Finds Princeton’s Fall Open House is September 12–13, offering 20% off storewide and a free gift with $50 purchase.

• Faith’s Fabulous Treats is hiring in Princeton and Lacon. Open Monday–Saturday 11am–9pm, Sunday 11am–8pm.

Upcoming:

• 12th Annual Artisan Market — Spend a beautiful fall day at the 12th Annual Artisan Market at Hornbaker Gardens on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Enjoy 30+ fine artists, food trucks, home-baked goods, live music, beer and wine, local produce, artisan popsicles, and more — free admission.

• Shine Shop Supplies will host the 3rd Annual Open Garage car meet on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 8–11 a.m. at Rotary Park in Princeton; expect more vehicles, additional vendors, and possibly food.

✉️NEW SUBSCRIBER?

You have access to all previous newsletters: click here to read them.

👉Please, please, please make sure to add the Princeton NOW newsletter email address as a “contact,” “VIP,” or “Whitelist” in your email service. This will prevent it from going to spam or bouncing.

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• Walmart in Princeton is hiring a full-time Apparel Team Supervisor with a competitive hourly wage ranging from $20 to $33, plus potential performance-based incentives and premium pay. The role includes supervising the salesfloor, helping customers, organizing merchandise, and ensuring displays remain in order. Benefits include health, vision, and dental insurance, 401(k), paid parental and family leave, PTO/PPTO, disability coverage, and more. Applicants can apply directly through the company site via Indeed.

• Casey’s General Store is hiring full-time and part-time Team Members at $15.00–$19.75 per hour, offering flexible shifts including mornings, evenings, overnights, and weekends. Responsibilities include stocking, cleaning, operating the register, and preparing food, with no prior experience required and cross-training provided. Benefits include tuition assistance, health insurance, 401(k) with a 6% match, DailyPay access, holiday pay, food and drink discounts, and a customizable career path. Team Members are encouraged to demonstrate a positive attitude, reliability, and teamwork in a fast-paced retail environment.

• OSF HealthCare in Princeton, IL is hiring a full-time Medical Office Assistant for Prompt Care at a rate of $17.60 per hour, with eligibility for a sign-on bonus of $1,500–$2,000 depending on experience. The position involves both clinical and front office duties, including patient care support and administrative tasks aligned with medical assistant training. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, six months of experience with computers and Microsoft Office, and six months of clinical experience in a healthcare facility. OSF offers a comprehensive benefits package focused on compensation, recognition, well-being, and career growth.

🌼DANDELION WISHES REFURBISHED FURNITURE

Michelle DeVoss has this hand-painted jewelry cabinet available at her home shop in Princeton for $135. Standing 40” tall by 15” wide and 8” deep, it’s a one-of-a-kind statement piece. 

Be sure to follow “Dandelion Wishes Refurbished Furniture” on Facebook for upcoming projects! Michelle can be reached through Facebook Messenger or by email at [email protected]. 

🐧LETTER FROM LORI

Last week, I was called ugly by someone who phoned the store. He didn’t understand the concept of caller ID, so I quickly identified him as one of the men who had stolen from me a few weeks earlier.

Now I realize that at my advancing age, I will never don an evening gown, strap on a pair of 4” heels (we all know I love my flippy flops!), strut across a stage, and accept a sash declaring me the fairest in all the land. BUT—at 58—I have something far better than physical beauty: I have character!

Oh, I’ve been called a character (and that’s not an inaccurate description), but I genuinely try my darndest to be sweet, kind, and loveable.

Okay, I fail at times. Once in a while, the ugly part of my character pokes its head out like Jack Nicholson in The Shining—“HERE’S LORI!” But it doesn’t stick around long, and I slam that door shut much faster than I did in my youth.

“Ugly” is such a subjective idea. I’ve seen millionaire models with strict diets and beauty regimens that make them visually appealing. They’re in the spotlight, soaking up the flashing lights on the runway. They appear successful—but do we actually see the beauty of their lives?

If you haven’t seen it, find the movie Shallow Hal. It stars Jack Black, who is transformed into a man capable of seeing only the inner beauty of others. He falls madly in love with Gwyneth Paltrow. To the rest of the world, she appears grossly overweight and lacking in traditional physical beauty, but Jack Black can’t understand the negative reactions others have toward her. Personally, I believe this should be required viewing for teenagers.

So, back to being called ugly. Was I hurt or insulted? Not one bit. You know why? Because someone else—especially someone of questionable character—does not have the power to define my worth as “eye candy.” I know I’m more like eye porridge—all gray and mushy—but I’m packed with nutrition, not toxic dyes and sugar.

So I’m okay with being “ugly” by societal standards. I know my heart is good, my intentions are pure, and when I walk the Heavenly Runway, I’m going to get a golden sash and a tiara (because crowns are heavy and they mush my hair). I’ll line up with my fellow contestants, smile and wave like a Madagascar penguin, then exit the stage and get a hug from the Ultimate Judge.

Lori owns the Book-el-ZOO in Princeton. It’s not just a pet shop — it’s an experience!

Want to advertise? Email: [email protected].