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Good morning, Princeton. Princeton feels like it’s standing in two seasons at once—spring sunshine on the sidewalks, Easter plans filling the calendar, and a town that keeps finding new reasons to gather.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🏠Princeton Homes For Sale
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
💼Princeton Businesses
🗓️Upcoming in Princeton
💭Remembering in Princeton
👷Job Openings
🍿At the Apollo

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• A Chipotle is under construction in Ottawa, a Jersey Mike’s opens this summer on Princeton’s North Main Street, and a Pancheros Mexican Grill is planned next door.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• The City of Princeton announced yard waste collection will begin April 1 and run through December 4. Residences east of Main Street will be collected Wednesdays, while west of Main will be collected Thursdays.

• Princeton’s proposed FY2027 budget pays down $2.3M in debt — bringing totals from $42M to $12M since 2019 — while funding a $1.8M firehouse expansion without borrowing.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• The Bureau County Republican reported Princeton graduate Grant Foes has been named head football coach at Kokomo High School in Indiana. Foes, 23, previously played for Princeton High School and has pursued coaching ambitions.

• The Chief Senachwine DAR chapter named Natalia Zamore of Hall Township their 2026 Good Citizen winner and recognized six other area seniors from Bureau Valley, Ohio, St. Bede, Princeton, DePue, and LaMoille. Essay contest winners were 7th grader Leena Grace Gutshall of Logan Junior High and 10th grader Maximus Gibson of Princeton Christian Academy, who won for the second straight year.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Princeton Public Library Used Book Sale Returns on March 25

• The Princeton Rotary Club distributed $10,000 in “Love Our Community” grants to 10 local nonprofits, with three receiving checks at the March meeting: Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network ($1,000 for suicide intervention training), Flags of Freedom (flag maintenance), and Club 56 (summer camp programming). ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer won the Republican primary for Bureau County Sheriff with 1,818 votes to Edward Jauch’s 746, and Bureau County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Wittig claimed the Democratic nomination with 975 votes over Joseph Flanagan’s 719 — setting up a Kammerer vs. Wittig general election in November to replace retiring Sheriff James Reed.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Princeton girls’ track athletes turned in remarkable performances at their latest meet, with standout achievements across several events.

• The Princeton City Council voted 4-1 to approve a Business Development District allowing up to a 1% additional sales tax to fund economic development, addressing empty storefronts and historic buildings in need of investment across the city’s commercial corridors.

📍Outside City Limits

• Dixon man faces attempted murder charge

• The “The Play That Goes Wrong,” a hilarious, global phenomenon created by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields is coming to Stage 212.

🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• This listing at 216 Bailey Court in Princeton features a well-maintained single-family home listed at $265,000, offering 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,668 square feet of living space, and a 0.35-acre lot. The property includes an open-concept living and dining area with bamboo flooring, a kitchen with stainless steel appliances and cherry soft-close cabinetry, and a finished lower level that adds flexibility for additional living or bedroom space. Outside, the home offers a large fenced backyard, a Trex deck, a concrete patio, and a unique amphitheater-style entertaining area, along with a two-car garage. Built in 1975, the home also includes practical updates and features such as 200-amp electrical service, vinyl siding and windows, and professionally cleaned furnace and ductwork in 2026.

• This listing at 715 S. Euclid Avenue in Princeton is a $237,000 single-family home offering 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,100 square feet, and a 0.38-acre lot. Built in 1836, the brick home blends historic character with practical updates, featuring original hardwood floors, exposed brick, high ceilings, a gas fireplace, a sun room, and a large bonus room upstairs. The property also includes a main-floor full bath and laundry room, an unfinished basement for storage, a spacious back deck, a fenced backyard with a playhouse or garden shed, and a detached one-car garage. Major systems including the roof, water heater, and HVAC have been replaced within the last six years, making the home both distinctive and move-in ready.

• This listing at 1022 N. Jacqualine Lane in Princeton is currently off market and identified as a single-family home built in 1982 on a 7,667-square-foot lot. Realtor.com shows an estimated value of about $152,000, with other valuation models on the page ranging from roughly $128,554 to $171,100. The property page does not currently provide bedroom, bathroom, or interior square footage details, suggesting the available public information is limited at this time. Based on the site’s neighborhood comparison section, the home sits among similarly sized residential properties in an established Princeton neighborhood.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

💨 Today: Breezy and very mild with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 73°F. South-southwest winds 10–20 mph keep conditions windy through the day. Wednesday night stays mostly cloudy and mild, with a low around 55°F and south winds 10–20 mph.

⛈️ Thursday: Warm but unsettled as partly cloudy skies give way to showers and possible storms later in the day. High temperatures climb to about 77°F with WSW winds shifting north at 10–20 mph. Thursday night turns cooler with showers early, then clearing skies and a low near 34°F.

🌤️ Friday: A much cooler day follows with sun and a few passing clouds. High temperatures drop to about 49°F with north winds 10–20 mph. Friday night is clear and chilly, with a low around 29°F and light WNW winds.

🌤️ Saturday: Breezy but pleasant with sunshine and mild conditions. High temperatures reach about 55°F with west-southwest winds 10–20 mph. Saturday night remains partly cloudy with a low around 37°F.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.89
Casey’s West/North: $4.19
Beck’s West/North: $4.19
Road Ranger, N Main St: $4.19
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $4.19

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Tailholt Trading Post is open at 925 N. Main Street in Princeton, inviting shoppers to stop in and browse antiques, furniture, and vintage home décor. The shop features items like a vintage vanity, wicker baskets, and retro lamps, and is open until 4 PM.

• Golden Rice Authentic Thai & Asian Cuisine will be open Wednesday through Saturday, March 25–28, from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Customers are encouraged to plan visits during those days for takeout or dining.

• Crazy Eight Homestead Farm Stand will be open Saturday, March 28 at 9 AM until sold out, offering farm-fresh eggs. The self-serve stand is located at 24797 1900 North Avenue near Malden, with eggs available earlier by message.

• Cafe Grace is serving fresh meals at 1009 N. Main Street in Princeton with updated weekly specials and extended weekend hours. The café is closed Tuesday, open Wednesday–Sunday, and features items like chicken sliders, turkey Rachel, and breakfast specials.

• Little Blue Dress in Princeton announced a new Easter dress drop featuring a variety of spring styles. The boutique is open seven days a week and encourages shoppers to stop in early for the best selection.

• Second Story Teen Center is hosting Bracelet Night on Wednesday, March 25 from 6–8 PM. Teens are invited to make bracelets or bring some to trade during the evening event.

• Bureau County Tourism shared upcoming April events including a Tiskilwa Historical Society presentation on April 20 and Festival 56 music performance on April 25. A kayak, walk, or bike event along the Hennepin Canal is also scheduled for April 26 in Sheffield.

• Rossy’s BBQ Joint announced a family-friendly Easter Egg Hunt on April 4 in Carbon Cliff. The event begins at noon with free entry and Rossy’s BBQ food truck on site.

• On the Homestead CrossFit congratulated four athletes advancing to quarterfinals, including Eric Thompson, Jeremy House, Michael Cerra, and Jennifer Cerra. Workouts are scheduled between March 26–30, with community members invited to come support participants.

• Princeton Youth Baseball and Softball League announced that T-Ball registration is now open. Families can register online, with registration closing April 15.

• Gateway Services, Inc. is seeking volunteers to help fill eggs for an upcoming fundraiser. Opportunities are available March 25–28, and interested participants are encouraged to contact the organization.

• Faith’s Fabulous Treats introduced a Boston raspberry milkshake, topped with a sundae and strawberry drizzle. The specialty dessert adds a new indulgent option for customers looking for a spring treat.

• Fresh Finds Princeton is hosting an in-store Golden Egg Hunt with prizes up to a $50 gift certificate. The shop is open 9–6 all week and is featuring Easter décor, gifts, toys, and spring merchandise.

• Bureau County Senior Center is organizing a bus trip to Drury Lane Theater to see Nunsense the musical. Tickets are $130 and include transportation and lunch, with reservations required at sign-up.

• Magi Baby Chest at St. Louis Parish announced a $2,000 donation from The Princeton Closet through its Lending a Hand program. The funds purchased diapers, wipes, and pull-ups to be distributed starting April 11.

• Myrtle’s Pies is now taking Easter orders with a March 31 deadline at 2 PM. Pickup for special orders is scheduled for Saturday, April 4 from 8 AM to noon.

• Bureau County Fairgrounds announced a Sports Card and Memorabilia Show on Saturday, May 23. The event will feature Pokémon cards, sports cards, comics, collectibles, and vendor booths.

• The Princeton Closet shared a rare vintage Bureau County plat book believed to be from 1956. The historical books were previously donated to the Bureau County Senior Center library for community use.

• Optimal Health encouraged customers to stop in for whole-food smoothies featuring options like Blueberry Thrill, Coco Loco, Kale Kick, and Pash’N Shoot. The shop highlighted fresh ingredients including fruits, greens, and flaxseed.

🗓️️UPCOMING IN PRINCETON

☕ Wednesday, March 25: High Tea Princeton Four Seasons at Four Seasons – A limited-seating high tea experience at 2:00 PM featuring treats and refreshments; tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance.

🚶 Thursday, March 26: Steps that Connect at Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce — A community walk from 12:00–1:00 PM designed to help people connect, recharge, and enjoy meaningful conversation; if the weather is poor, the group will meet indoors and complete steps through an online video program.

🎤 Friday, March 27: Silas Tockey Live @ Barrel Society at Barrel Society — A live music night beginning at 8:00 PM with cocktails, no cover, and an evening featuring Silas Tockey.

🎸 Saturday, March 28: Wild Card @ Hawg House! at Hawg House Saloon – Live music and an afternoon gathering from 3:00–7:00 PM featuring Wild Card.

🌱 Saturday, March 28: The Art and Science of Forest Gardening: Designing Your Perennial Ecosystem at Princeton High School — A three-week course beginning in the morning focused on designing and implementing a perennial forest garden using ecological principles, site analysis, and plant guilds.

🎯 Saturday, March 28: Princeton Gun Show at Bureau County Fairgrounds – A family-friendly gun show from 8:30 AM–4:00 PM (Sunday 8:30 AM–2:00 PM) offering buying, selling, and trading opportunities with all federal and state laws observed.

🐕 Saturday, March 28: UKC Precision Coursing MATCH at 1616 N Main St. — A low-pressure event from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM created to introduce dogs and handlers to precision coursing and give experienced teams extra practice before trialing; entry is $5 per dog per run.

🥚 Saturday, April 4: Easter Egg Hunt at Liberty Village of Princeton — A family-friendly evening event from 10:00–11:45 PM featuring an egg hunt, hot cocoa, and cookies, with age groups for 1–4, 5–8, and 9–11 years old.

🍷 Wednesday, April 15: Wine Tasting Wednesday at Coal Creek Brewing Company — A 6:00 PM red wine tasting featuring a curated flight of reds paired with a charcuterie board full of savory bites.

🌷 Saturday, April 18: Discover What’s New for 2026 at Hornbaker Gardens — An informational workshop at 10:00 AM highlighting new plants for the 2026 season, including perennial introductions, notable trees, and expert guidance for gardeners and landscapers.

🎨 Wednesday, April 22: “Pots & Prickles” Paint Party at Downtown Pub & Event Center — A 6:00 PM creative night where guests will paint “Pots & Prickles” on canvas, enjoy food and drinks, and can come early for dinner; spots are limited.

💭REMEMBERING PRINCETON

Don Saletzki: The City of Elms. Looking N. on Main. On the left, Ford building is now Monicals Pizza, John Deere dealer with tractor out front just beyond. Right hand side, the house is where you will find Central Bank today, very few of the buildings in the photo remain today.

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• Customer Relations Representative — Adam Hellman State Farm, Princeton: This Princeton opening is listed at $45,000 to $55,000 per year and centers on customer service, resolving policyholder questions, coordinating with team members, and supporting the agency’s day-to-day client relationships.

• Team Member — Casey’s, Princeton: This local Casey’s position is listed in Princeton at $15 to $19 per hour and involves guest service, stocking, register work, and food preparation, with both full-time and part-time availability noted in the posting.

• Farm Hand/Laborer — McCune Farms, Walnut: This Walnut-area job, which is within about 10 miles of Princeton, is listed at $18.75 to $25.00 per hour and includes general farm work, physical labor, and duties connected to

• Bureau County Assessor’s Office is hiring a temporary part-time Office Clerk in Princeton, Illinois at $17 per hour for a day shift schedule. Duties include general administrative and clerical support such as data entry, photocopying, and routine office procedures, with in-person attendance required.

• Casey’s is seeking full-time and part-time Team Members in Princeton, Illinois, offering $15–$19 per hour. Positions focus on customer service within restaurant, retail, and fuel operations, with benefits including flexible scheduling, tuition assistance, a 401(k) match, and health insurance options.

• RP Lumber is hiring a part-time Office Assistant/Sales Associate in Princeton, Illinois, with pay ranging from $15–$20 per hour. The role combines office administration, bookkeeping, and customer interaction in a retail lumber environment, supporting both in-person sales and electronic communications.

🍿AT THE APOLLO

🐰 Hoppers (PG) is the family-friendly feature now playing at the Apollo, built around a fun premise in which scientists discover how to “hop” human consciousness into robotic animals so people can communicate with animals as animals. It runs 105 minutes, and current showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 4:15 and 7:15 PM, Sunday at 1:15, 4:15, and 7:15 PM, and Tuesday through Thursday at 6:15 PM.

💎 Crime 101 (R) is a crime thriller centered on a jewel thief, an insurance broker, and a detective whose lives collide ahead of a major heist. It runs 139 minutes, with showtimes Friday and Saturday at 4:00 and 7:00 PM, Sunday at 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 PM, and Tuesday through Thursday at 6:00 PM.

🚀 Project Hail Mary has begun showing.

🍄 The Super Mario Galaxy Movie starts April 3, 2026.

👠 The Devil Wears Prada 2 is also on the theater’s radar, but the Apollo specifically says it is planned yet not confirmed.

🌌 The Mandalorian and Grogu is listed the same way — planned yet not confirmed.