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Good morning, Princeton. Princeton is gearing up for a packed week with Festival 56’s Ava Easter, youth baseball registration, expanded local business promotions, and strong real estate activity across town. From fire risk alerts and shifting February weather to major job openings and spring events on the horizon, there’s no shortage of movement in and around Princeton.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

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

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Ava Easter Headlines Festival 56 Sound Stage Series at Grace Theater February 21

• GriefShare Support Group Offers Comfort and Guidance in Princeton Starting March 2

• Z Tour Bike Ride is encouraging teams of four or more to register for this year’s event at ztour.org. Group leaders can earn $25 in Princeton Chamber Bucks or toward Z Tour merchandise when registering at least four riders.

• Bureau County Historical Society and History Center announced that its magazine, The Chronicle, is now available for $5 at True Leaves Bookshop and Becks locations in Princeton, as well as Zigs Station in Tiskilwa.

• Princeton Tourism is promoting a Shop & Stay opportunity at the newly renovated Comfort Inn, located near Interstate 80. The hotel offers free WiFi, hot breakfast, a fitness center, and pet-friendly rooms, providing a convenient base for visitors to Princeton.

• Elevated Fire Risk Expected This Week Due to Mild Temperatures and Drought

📍Outside City Limits

• Investigations wrapped up recently involving a Sterling woman and two others charged in connection with a burglary ring involving utility vehicles and tools stolen across county lines.

🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• This 3-bedroom, 1-bath single-family home is listed at $149,999 and offers 1,172 square feet of living space on a 1.39-acre lot. Built in 1958, the property includes a two-car garage, a full unfinished basement, and approximately 700 square feet of workshop space with power, along with multiple sheds and a corn crib. Recent updates include fresh paint, updated flooring, copper plumbing, 200-amp electrical service, 6-inch gutters, and a bathroom featuring heated floors and a two-head shower with bench seating. Located just outside Princeton city limits, the home provides a large yard with room to expand and presents strong potential for buyers seeking functionality and value.

• LINK: This 3-bedroom, 1-bath single-family farmhouse offers 1,440 square feet of living space on a 2-acre lot and was originally built in 1908. The property includes two sheds, a corn crib, multiple apple trees, a newer 2+ car garage with concrete floors, and a brand-new gravel driveway. Interior highlights include fresh flooring in several rooms, newly painted spaces, a functional mudroom with laundry, and an enclosed front porch, along with a 16’ x 12’ rear deck. Priced at $219,800, the home combines rural charm with recent updates and ample outdoor space.

• This 2-bedroom, 1-bath single-family home is listed at $25,000 and offers 1,330 square feet of living space on a 6,098-square-foot lot. Built in 1881, the property features a flexible layout and is being sold as-is, making it a strong candidate for renovation or investment. Priced at $19 per square foot, it presents a value-add opportunity for investors, flippers, or buyers seeking a full remodel project. With its central Princeton location and aggressive pricing, the property offers significant upside potential for the right buyer.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌧️Tuesday — Low 49°. Mostly cloudy and windy, with a 30% chance of showers developing later; winds SSW 10–20 mph. Tuesday night: low around 49° with a few showers possible and breezy SE 10–20 mph.

🌬️ Wednesday — High 66° / Low 38°. Windy day with a sun/cloud mix and no meaningful precip showing (0%); winds W 10–20 mph. Wednesday night: partly cloudy, low near 38°, winds WNW 10–15 mph.

🌧️Thursday — High 61° / Low 33°. Showers possible (listed around 40%), with gusty winds W/NNW 10–20 mph. Thursday night: occasional rain showers, low near 33°, winds NNW 10–20 mph.

🌥️Friday — High 41° / Low 25°. Colder with mainly cloudy skies and an A.M. wintry mix noted; precip shown at 0% on the summary line, winds WNW/NW 10–20 mph. Friday night: low near 25°, partly cloudy, winds NNE 5–10 mph.

🌨️Saturday — High 39° / Low 20°. Rain/snow showers possible (30%), breezy and cold; winds NW 10–15 mph. Saturday night: low near 20° with rain/snow showers possible, winds NW 5–10 mph.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $2.89
Sullivan’s Foods: $2.92
Casey’s West/North: $2.92
Beck’s West/North: $2.92
Road Ranger, N Main St: $2.92
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $2.92

Peru Gas 👀

Caseys, Shooting Park Rd.: $2.55

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• 127 Photos specializes in documentary and family lifestyle photography, focusing on authentic, unposed moments rather than staged perfection. Based in Princeton, the studio serves Central Illinois with a personalized approach that prioritizes meaningful outcomes over rigid, one-size-fits-all packages. Each session is designed to capture honest, lasting memories that reflect the genuine heartbeat of the day.

• Bureau County Senior Center is hosting a “Meet Your Future Sheriff” event on Tuesday, February 17 at 5:30 p.m., giving residents the opportunity to hear from and ask questions of the candidates running for Bureau County Sheriff. Featured candidates include Joe Flanagan (Democratic) and Tom Kammerer (Republican).

• Princeton Youth Baseball & Softball League is holding in-person registration on Saturday, February 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Prouty Building, with online registration available at pybsl.org. Programs range from Tee Ball through Senior League, with registration closing March 1, 2026, and a family maximum fee of $160.

• Dairy Queen (Treat) in Princeton announced a recent store improvement to the back area completed by Revive Concrete Coating. The location also confirmed that Blizzard season begins March 2.

• Neighborhood Ace Hardware is preparing for spring with seed potatoes, onion sets, and new flower bulbs now in stock. Customers are invited to shop early for seasonal gardening supplies.

• 2nd Hand Ranch & Rescue is seeking volunteers beginning in April, with opportunities on Saturdays starting at 10 a.m. Help is needed for spring cleanup, animal care, gardening and planting, mulching, yard preparation for open house events, crafting items for sale, and painting furniture for the shop. Interested individuals can learn more at 2ndhandranch.com/volunteer.html.

• Boek-el-ZOO is hosting a limited online sale February 16–17, offering 20% off online purchases, 25% off when the post is shared, and 30% off when shared and tagged with 10 friends. Payment options include Cash App and PayPal, with pickup beginning Wednesday at noon. Featured items include fish varieties such as Red Devils and Large Tiger, along with small animals.

• Shane’s Shine Shop introduced “Foosh,” a fun social media mascot described as a Golden Doodle who “approves” shop work and will appear in contests and promotions throughout the year. The business invites customers to schedule detailing services by phone, email, or online, with new hours listed as Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.–3 p.m.

• Rossy’s BBQ Joint is hiring servers, bartenders, kitchen cooks, and delivery drivers. Applicants are encouraged to stop in and apply in person.

• Geiger Lawn & Snow is now accepting new lawn care clients for the 2026 season, encouraging property owners to schedule services as warmer weather approaches. The company can be reached by phone or text at 815-866-1222.

• Tossed & Found Resale + Consignment is offering 50% off the entire store with no exclusions ahead of a relocation. Sale hours are February 19 from 10–5, February 20 from 10–5, and February 21 from 10–4 at 225 Backbone Road East, Suite 5, behind Sullivan’s in Princeton.

• Johnsons Carpet Shoppe announced the installation of a new storefront sign created and installed by Sheetwise Printing in Spring Valley. The business expressed appreciation for the quality of work and satisfaction with the updated signage.

• Princeton Wrestling will host a State Wrestling Send Off on Wednesday, February 18 at 3:15 p.m., departing from the high school and heading north on Main Street to I-80. Community members are encouraged to show support.

• Four Seasons – Princeton has launched its annual clearance blowout, offering an extra 60% off red-line clearance items when purchasing two or more pieces. The promotion runs in-store only for one week and excludes prior purchases, expiring February 28, 2026.

• Optimal Health has expanded its Zum product line to include plant-based body soap, hand and body lotion, and a lip balm trio in peppermint, tea tree lavender, and vanilla. Customers are encouraged to stop in and explore the new additions.

• Z Tour Bike Ride is encouraging teams of four or more to register for this year’s event at ztour.org. Group leaders can earn $25 in Princeton Chamber Bucks or toward Z Tour merchandise when registering at least four riders.

🗓️️UPCOMING IN PRINCETON

🍦 Thursday, February 19: 2026 BV FFA Culver’s Share Night at Culver’s – Support Bureau Valley FFA from 5:00–8:00 PM by enjoying a meal with family and friends.

🎶 Saturday, February 21: Craig Gerdes (Solo) at Hawg House Saloon – Craig Gerdes brings hard-hitting outlaw country to the stage at 12:00 PM.

🦚🎨 Saturday, February 21: Peacock Pottery Class at The Knack – Paint a bowl, mug, or plate using the peacock technique from 3:30–5:00 PM (BYOB).

🎤 Saturday, February 21: Festival 56 Sound Stage Presents Ava Easter at Festival 56 – Ava Easter performs live at 5:00 PM with tickets available for this rescheduled show.

👣 Thursday, February 26: Steps that Connect at Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce – A monthly community walk and connection time from 10:00–11:00 AM, rain or shine.

🎸 Saturday, February 28: Darrell Data Live at Coal Creek Brewing Company – Darrell Data performs a wide mix of classics and favorites from 12:00–3:00 PM.

🎶🍺 Saturday, February 28: The Bart Attacks ALIVE at Barrel Society – The Bart Attacks return with their psychedelic jam sound at 5:00 PM.

🥞🥓 Sunday, March 1: Pancake & Sausage Breakfast at Bureau County Fairgrounds – Enjoy pancakes and sausage from 8:00 AM–12:00 PM for $10 per person.

🎭 Friday, March 6: Comedy & Inspiration Night at The Rock – A family-friendly evening of comedy and inspiration begins at 7:00 PM hosted by Walnut Community Bible Church.

🍷 Saturday, March 7: Cheers for Change! at The Barn at Hornbaker Gardens – An evening of tastings, food, and a silent auction from 5:00–8:00 PM benefiting United Way.

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🦅CHRISTIAN EDUCATION THAT WORKS FOR FAMILIES

At Princeton Christian Academy, we believe Christ-centered education should be both strong and sustainable for families.

If you’ve ever wondered whether private Christian education is financially possible for your family — it may be more accessible than you think.

We offer:

✔️ Reduced tuition for additional children
✔️ Flexible monthly payment plans
✔️ Financial aid
✔️ Small class sizes & personalized attention

Our goal isn’t just education. It’s discipleship, academic excellence, and preparing students to stand firm in Christ.

📍 Located right here in Princeton
📅 Enrollment opens March 4th
🔗 Learn more about tuition and admissions at mypca.info

💭REMEMBERING PRINCETON

Don Saletzki: PHS track 1963, you will see some members have physical education shirts, others, track shirts. This photo jogged my memory of our Physical education shirts from the 70s. Do you remember them being fairly heavy as they were double reversible? outside was blue, inside white, we reverse them as we chose teams. The blue side had silkscreen white lettering, Princeton physical education with an area to write your name in with a sharpie.

🍿PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• Ace Hardware Corporation is hiring a full-time CDL A Driver for its Princeton, Illinois distribution center, offering average annual earnings of approximately $102,000, a $12,500 sign-on bonus, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, and paid time off. The role focuses on direct-to-store deliveries, emphasizing safety, operational excellence, and strong customer service as part of Ace’s values-driven culture.

• Walmart is hiring a full-time Fashion Team Associate in Princeton, Illinois, offering $15–$28 per hour with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, and paid time off. Additional hourly premiums ranging from $0.35 to $3.00 may apply based on schedule, facility, season, or specific duties, with mid-shift and closing opportunities available.

• Wendy’s is hiring a Restaurant Manager in Princeton, Illinois, offering $25,000–$35,000 per year for full-time or part-time employment, with benefits including medical, life insurance, retirement, and paid time off. The role involves supervising daily operations, ensuring compliance with brand and food safety standards, mentoring team members, managing scheduling and performance, and driving efficiency and profitability.

🍿AT THE APOLLO

GOAT (PG)

A heartfelt sports drama about a young athlete striving to prove he belongs among the greats. As pressure mounts on and off the field, he must learn that true greatness is defined not just by talent, but by character, resilience, and teamwork.

WUTHERING HEIGHTS (R)

A sweeping adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, this intense romantic drama explores the turbulent bond between Heathcliff and Catherine on the windswept Yorkshire moors. Dark, passionate, and emotionally charged, the film examines love, revenge, and the destructive power of obsession.