🅿️Garbage Trucks, Fireworks, and Historic Homes

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Good morning, Princeton. I’ve got a garbage truck/can update. Dreams do come true.

Let’s roll.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
💼Princeton Businesses
👷Princeton Job Opportunities
📋Things To Do This Week
📍Outside City Limits

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday Shaun Bullington, Jordan Kunkel, Jensen Pinter, and Jordan Wetsel!🎂

• According to Theresa Wittenauer, new Princeton garbage cans will be issued the week of April 29th. Old garbage cans no longer will be allowed for pickup. Call 815-875-2631 for more information. According to the BCR, May 6th will be the new garbage truck’s first route.

• Insider Monkey ranks Princeton as the #1 place to retire in Illinois: The best spot on our list of best places to retire in Illinois is the Bureau County city of Princeton. With a cost of living that is 26.9% lower than the national average and a low median house price of $160,500, Princeton presents itself as a financially secure retirement option for senior citizens without thousands in savings.

• Kudos to Logan Track & Field's 7th and 8th grade girls and boys teams for their outstanding performance! They sprinted their way to victory with first-place finishes against PCA, Malden, Lostant/Tonica, and Depue. They claimed a total of 32 first-place spots in individual running events, field events, and team relays.

• Bureau County EMA invites you to responsibly dispose of your old electronics at our recycling event on Saturday, April 27th, from 9 AM to noon, or until capacity is reached. Don't miss this opportunity at the Bureau County Highway Department, 595 Elm Place.

• Step Back in Time with Princeton's Historic Home Tour. Join the group on May 4th for a journey through Princeton's architectural heritage, courtesy of the Historic Preservation Commission. This exclusive tour offers a glimpse into six of Princeton's most storied and beautifully preserved homes. Purchase tickets here.

• Starved Rock Media: “OSF's new HealthCare Cancer Institute in Peoria says it's welcomed its first proton-beam-radiation-therapy patient, Princeton resident Tim Scott.”

• Princeton Tourism announced the 2024 Lineup for the Down on Main Summer Street Concert Series:

  • June 7th: Barracuda-America’s Heart Tribute

  • July 12th: Mike and Joe

  • August 9th: Dillon Carmichael

  • September 5th: World Turning Band

  • October 5th: Mae Estes

• BCR: “The Princeton City Council agreed Monday to give the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce $33,000 in its 2024-2025 budget, including $8,000 for the Independence Day fireworks.”

• The Bureau County Historical Society and History Center is bustling with activities as they gear up for a June reopening of the Sash Stalter Matson Building. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers, including the Princeton Veterans Group and Flags of Freedom, preparations are well underway, with recent renovations to the main floor's west wall. You can support their efforts by participating in upcoming events:

  • April 8: Attend a free screening of a 1958 film about the Titanic at the Princeton Public Library.

  • April 20: Enjoy the epic romance and disaster film "Titanic" from 1997 at the Apollo Theater, with tickets including popcorn and a beverage.

  • May 11: Join a session with Titanic Historian Peter Cook to learn about the Titanic disaster and the connection to Princeton resident Nellie Becker.

  • Enter a raffle to win the exquisite Heart of Bureau County necklace, valued at $1,995, donated by Gary and Diane Bruce.

  • Consider becoming a member or donating to the Society, with memberships starting at $25 for seniors, $35 for individuals, and $55 for families. Find more information and secure your tickets at www.bureauhistory.org.

⛅️PRINCETON WEATHER

Today: Snowy and windy conditions are on the horizon, with temperatures remaining steady in the mid-30s. Wind speeds from the west-northwest could reach 20 to 30 mph, and snow accumulation could total 1 to 3 inches. There's a 90% chance of snow, with occasional gusts possibly exceeding 40 mph. In the evening, it'll remain windy with occasional snow showers and a low of 33°F. The chance of snow decreases to 50%.

Thursday: The morning will see scattered snow showers, shifting to partly to mostly cloudy skies in the afternoon. The high is expected to be around 44°F, with winds from the north-northwest at 10 to 20 mph. The chance of snow is 30%. Partly cloudy conditions are expected in the evening with a low of 32°F and north winds at 10 to 15 mph.

Friday: Partly cloudy skies are anticipated, with a high near 48°F. North winds will blow at 10 to 15 mph. Evening conditions will remain partly cloudy, with a low around 27°F and north-northeast winds at 5 to 10 mph.Saturday,

Saturday: It'll be mostly sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. Expect a high of 53°F with east-northeast winds at 5 to 10 mph. The evening should have mostly clear skies with a low of 34°F and east winds at the same speed.This forecast includes a mix of snowy conditions, clearing skies, and gradually rising temperatures as the week progresses.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.69
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.76
Casey’s West/North: $3.79
Beck’s West/North: $3.79
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.79
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.79

Diesel

Beck’s West/North: $3.99
Road Ranger, N Main St.: $3.85
Casey’s West/North: $3.99
Amoco, N Main St: $3.99
Sullivan’s: $3.89
Road Ranger: $4.05

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Princeton NOW+ subscribers now receive City Council meeting summaries — along with local obituaries, arrests, and property transfers, ad free. Upgrade today and join 104 others.

• After a pipe burst in January, Meadows On Main announced with excitement their official reopening on April 23rd. The team is diligently preparing to welcome guests once again. Keep an eye out for more details on what to expect from their unique collection of home decor, which promises to enhance the beauty and comfort of your living spaces.

• Paisano’s Ristorante will be dishing out their delicious taco pizza and giant-sized pretzels this month.

• Cafe Grace presents a week of culinary delights with daily specials: starting with Barbacoa Tacos today, a Garlic Parmesan Bacon Cheeseburger tomorrow, Smothered Tenderloin Friday, and a Smash Burger Saturday. Weekend treats include Country Fried Steak Omelet, Triple Berry Pancakes, and Breakfast Nachos.

• Optimal Health is offering a delicious array of lunch options, including a classic Cobb Salad, a hearty Chicken and Rice Bowl, and a flavorful Egg Roll Bowl.

• Grandma Rosie's Sweet Treats now serves a savory Philly sandwich packed with juicy meat and melted cheese and a new Pizza Grilled Cheese for a twist on classic comfort food. Call 8158721200 to place your order for delivery.

• Today, Farmer Smoked BBQ will be set up at 1155 East Peru Street Princeton (Bonucci Farms) 11-1pm. Serving Brisket, Pulled Pork, Chopped Chicken Sandwiches, Farm Tacos, Loaded Nachos, Loaded Potatoes, Mac-n-cheese topped with your favorite meat, sides will be Creamy Cole Slaw, Smoked Baked Beans, Loaded Baked Potato Salad, or Chips.

• Princeton Dental Care, Dr. Monzon's Office, is doing a giveaway for a Prime Quarter Steakhouse giftcard. Schedule a hygiene appointment to be eligible to be entered to win.

• Immerse yourself in the adorable and intriguing world of Boek-el-ZOO's diverse family of critters. Dive into the week with an exclusive 20% discount on all these featured animals when you pay online before 5 PM Thursday.

• Sweet Haven Cakes is now booking for Mother’s Day. Get your orders in soon.

• Bean Buzz is now serving sweet and delightful boba drinks! Enjoy new flavors like passion fruit, strawberry, and yogurt with more varieties coming later this week.

• Sisler's Ice Cream is introducing their April specials, starting with their Shake & Float of the month. Dive into a delicious PB & J Milkshake, a blend of peanut butter and raspberry ripple with raspberry drizzle and whipped cream, or indulge in a classic Shirley Temple Float with vanilla ice cream, grenadine, lemon-lime soda, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.

• Get Ready for the Ultimate Throwdown: Adult Dodgeball Tournament. Mark your calendars for April 27th because the Bureau County Metro Center is hosting an adrenaline-packed Adult Dodgeball Tournament. Gather your team of five and register by April 11th for an evening of high-energy competition. With matches starting at 6pm, the tournament promises intense double-elimination gameplay, a cash bar, and free pizza to fuel your throws. Entry is $75 per team. Don't miss out—sign up now and show off your dodging prowess! Visit Princeton Park District website or call for registration.

• Four Seasons unveiled the latest from their new vendor, 22 Tote. This fresh line includes stylish handbags and wallets that combine functionality with a designer look at wallet-friendly prices. Choose from an array of colors like Fuchsia, Blue, Black, and Ivory for handbags, or Turquoise, Black, Red, Pewter, and Hot Pink for wallets. Take advantage of their SPRING promo code for a 25% discount before it expires on 3/31/2024. Check out their selection at FourSeasonsDirect.com.

• Chapel Hill Golf Course and Event Center is inviting you to their Informational League Meeting on April 22nd at 6 pm. It's the last chance to sign up for the Men's or Women's League with a fee of $10 per person, and no exceptions will be made after this date.

• Poppy found herself a stray so Friends of Strays scooped her right up. She is 6 months old, loves attention and to play. Being a puppy she still needs training, but she is a smart girl and will learn fast. Poppy is about 33 pounds and is a mix. A cute one at that! Stop in to meet Poppy.

• Enjoy $50 OFF any pressure washing or house washing jobs with Combined Cleaning until April 31st.

👷PRINCETON JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Illinois Valley Credit Union is on the lookout for a dedicated Teller/Member Service Representative in Princeton. The role promises a full-time opportunity complete with a suite of benefits, including 401(k), dental, health, vision insurance, and paid time off. Candidates should bring enthusiasm for providing outstanding service and a readiness to handle a range of responsibilities, including loan payments and account transactions. High school diploma or equivalent preferred. This is a great chance for those seeking a stable career in financial services with a supportive team. Apply in person.

• Gateway Services, Inc. is currently seeking dedicated individuals to join their team as Bureau & Putnam Area Rural Transit (BPART) drivers in Princeton, IL. This full-time role is vital to ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of passengers, with operational hours spanning Monday to Saturday, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., including some holidays. Candidates interested in making a difference in the community through this role can obtain applications at www.gateway-services.org or by visiting the office at 535 Elm Place, Princeton. Gateway Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Zearing Child Enrichment Center: hiring full-time child care teachers for children aged birth to 12 years old, with specific openings for a 2-year-old teacher and preschool teachers. The position offers $14.25 to $18.00 per hour, benefits including a 401(k), health insurance, and tuition reimbursement, and a Monday to Friday day shift schedule. Applicants should have CPR certification, teaching experience, and at least a high school diploma or GED.

• Empire Acoustical Systems is now hiring general laborers. Call 815-261-0072, or stop by 1111 Ace Road for more information. For over 30 years, Empire Acoustical Systems have designed, engineered, manufactured and installed acoustical barriers, noise walls, soundproofing panels, and acoustic solutions to meet the unique design challenges of each individual project.

• KS Lawn & Snow is hiring motivated individuals as grass begins to grow. Drivers license is preferred. Pay is $15-20 an hour. Call 815-878-6126.

• The position for a Bakery Clerk at Sullivan's Foods offers part-time work and includes benefits like 401(k) with matching, various insurances, employee stock ownership plan, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement.

• Scooter's Coffee: hiring for the position of Beverage Server / Crew Member / Team Member in a full-time or part-time capacity, offering $13.00-$14.12 an hour. The job involves greeting customers, managing cash, serving orders following recipes and aesthetic standards, maintaining store cleanliness, and operating store equipment. Immediate hire is indicated, with no degree requirement mentioned.

📋THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

• The Covered Bridge Quilters Guild invites all quilting enthusiasts to their upcoming meeting on Thursday, April 4th at 6:30 PM. This month's session, featuring a "1 Yard Pillowcases" program by Judy Bence, will be held at the New Hope Church of the Nazarene at 30 N. Sixth St. in Princeton, IL. Guests are more than welcome with a $5.00 fee, which can be put towards a guild membership if they join on the night. Seeking fresh faces and members, the guild offers an annual membership for $24.00. An open sew day will also be available at the church starting at 10:00 AM on Thursday. Bring any projects you'd like to work on and partake in the creative gathering. For further details, please reach out to Mary Serafini at 815-339-2171 or Cindy Smith at 573-603-4234.

• April 4, 5:30 pm the Princeton Public Library Gardening Group meets. All levels of gardener are welcome.

• The Prairie Arts Council is featuring the work of artist Jay Reed in an exhibition titled "The Omnipotent Outdoors" at the Prairie Arts Center Gallery throughout April. Don't miss the artist reception on Friday, April 5th from 5-7 PM to meet Jay Reed and enjoy refreshments. The gallery is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-3 PM with free admission. For more information, visit jayreedart.com.

• At The Apollo Theater this weekend, don't miss "CABRINI," a film inspired by true events, and the epic clash of titans in "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire." Visit apolloprinceton.com to grab your tickets.

• The Killer Riffs will be rocking at The Hawg House Saloon this Saturday, beginning at 3pm.

📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

• The Opening Day of Psycho Silo Season 2024 is on May 4th, kicking off at 11 AM with live music starting at noon featuring WILD CARD and RODEO DRIVE. Celebrate their 10th season, enjoy the live music, and don't forget to collect your free limited edition koozie while supplies last. It’s a day to mark on your calendar for some outdoor fun with friends at 8811 US Highway 6.

• Ohio High School students will present “Bonnie and Claire” by Bo Wilson at 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 6.

Wyanet

• The Wyanet Firemen's Brunch is being held at the Wyanet Fire Department on Sunday, April 21st, from 7 A.M. to NOON. They'll serve pancakes, sausage, eggs, biscuits & gravy. The event is based on a free-will donation with proceeds going towards equipment. There will also be raffles.

Sheffield

• Parlor Coffee & Cream Co. is rolling out their April menu with a promise of new favorites for everyone! Get ready to indulge in the Hazelnut Brittle Latte, a creamy blend of caramel and hazelnut, or bask in the warmth of the Sunny Days Latte, with hints of coconut and banana. Craving something cold? Their Berries & Blooms Cold Brew or Campfire Cold Brew offer unique twists on iced coffee. For a crunch in your sip, the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Frap is a must-try. If you're looking for something different, the Lavender Fields Lotus, Key Lime Pie Lotus, and Cotton Candy Lotus bring a splash of color and innovation to your cup.

Walnut

• Walnut Days Celebration is thrilled to announce the Miss Independence Pageant! Young ladies can showcase their poise and personality in three age categories: Little Miss (5-9 years), Jr. Miss (10-14 years), and Miss Independence (15-18 years). With a $25 entry fee covering t-shirt costs, it's an event of elegance and community spirit. The pageant finale is set for June 29th—don't miss out, sign up by May 8th.

• The Walnut Open disc golf tournament is Sunday, April 28th. Sign up on discgolfscene.com.

Buda

• April is Library Month, and Mason Memorial Library is giving away two, 30oz Stanley mugs—one for an adult and one for a child. Come in and enter the drawing. Names will be drawn on the 30th.