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Good Saturday morning, Princeton friends. Lock-ins are…crazy. I’m currently in the middle of one and let me tell ya’, they’re not for the faint of heart. The smell of body odor, the wild eyes of sugar-filled blood streams. I’m not even sure this is making sense as a sleep-deprived 36 year-old man losing his hair at a rapid rate. I did the rest of t his newsletter before the lock-in so it could be coherent.

Pray for me.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
🏠Princeton Homes For Sale
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
💼Princeton Businesses
🗓️Upcoming in Princeton
👷‍♂️Job Opportunities
🪨Letter From Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Huge congratulations to the 8th Grade Logan Lions volleyball team on their first-place finish in the SRC tournament and their overall SRC Championship season, as they now prepare for Regionals!

• The Lady Eagles of Princeton Christian Academy won the third-place game in the BVEC Conference Tournament, celebrating a strong and exciting season for the team.

• Crews are responding to a large fire northeast of Princeton in rural Bureau County on Wednesday afternoon. 

• After the first quarter of Tuesday's IHSA Class 2A St. Bede Regional Semifinal between the No. 3-seeded Princeton and No. 6 St. Bede girls basketball teams, it was still anyone's ball game with a tie score.

📍Outside City Limits

• Matchbox Twenty to Headline Illinois State Fair Grandstand in August 2026

• Two lives were claimed in a crash Saturday in northeast La Salle County.

• Sixty-six-year-old Kent Koehler on Tuesday agreed to a plea deal. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison for dealing cocaine.

• Field fires broke out Wednesday along Route 71 near Serena and along May Road in Peru and timber burning near

• A late night pursuit in La Salle led to a laundry list of charges.

🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• The commercial property at 330–338 Backbone Road in Princeton is available for lease at $17.40 per square foot per year. The approximately 5,500-square-foot building, constructed in 1990, is currently configured for office use and includes central air, 101- to 200-amp electrical service, and flexible interior walls that can be reconfigured to meet tenant needs. About 1,900 square feet is presently vacant, featuring a reception area, utility room, kitchenette, conference room, and multiple smaller office or exam rooms, with additional space potentially becoming available in the coming months. Zoned COMMR and located in Bureau County within the Hollowayville/Princeton MLS area, the property offers adaptable space suitable for a variety of professional or commercial uses.

• NEW 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.

• The single-family home at 2003 Maple Acres Drive in Princeton is listed at $30,000 and features one bedroom and one full bath. Situated on a corner lot, the move-in-ready property offers a spacious living room with new windows, a recently updated interior with new carpet and paint, and a kitchen with ample cabinet space and decorative glass details. Additional updates include a new furnace and air conditioning system with warranty, and all appliances are included. The home is being sold as-is, requires park approval for applicants, and lot rent covers garbage, water, and sewer services.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌤️ Today: partly cloudy with a high near 54 and a low around 32, with a light breeze from the WNW around 10–15 mph and about a 20% chance of precipitation during the day.

🌤️ Sunday: It will start with some morning clouds but should turn mostly sunny in the afternoon, with a high near 55 and a low around 35, west-northwest winds around 5–10 mph, and little to no chance of precipitation.

🌤️ Monday: mostly cloudy early and become partly cloudy later, with a high near 58 and a low around 36, and stronger south-southwest winds around 10–20 mph with dry conditions expected.

🌥️ Tuesday: cloudy early and then partly cloudy in the afternoon, with a high near 60 and a low around 38, breezy south winds around 10–20 mph, and precipitation chances staying near zero through most of the day.

🌥️ Wednesday: It will feature a mix of sun and clouds with a high near 60 and a low around 34, westerly winds around 10–20 mph, and a small chance of light precipitation around 20% as clouds increase later in the day.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $2.86
Sullivan’s Foods: $2.89
Casey’s West/North: $2.89
Beck’s West/North: $2.94
Road Ranger, N Main St: $2.89
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $2.89

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Apollo POP is testing a new one-time hot Cheetos snack offering and is inviting customers to try them and vote on whether they should become a permanent menu item.

• Restaurant Weekend is scheduled for March 5–8, featuring curated courses and special menu items from participating local restaurants. Menus and participating locations can be viewed online through Princeton Tourism.

• Neighborhood Ace Hardware will host a one-day Big Bag Event on Saturday, February 21, offering 20% off anything that fits in the bag.

• The Princeton Public Schools Foundation Trivia Night is this Saturday, with doors opening at 5:00pm and trivia beginning at 6:00pm. Food and beverages will be available, along with 50/50 tickets and trivia add-ons.

• Tossed & Found Resale + Consignment is running a 50% off entire store sale during a three-day moving event: Thursday 10–5, Friday 10–5, and Saturday 10–4, located behind Sullivans at 225 Backbone Rd E #5.

• Optimal Health highlighted their real food smoothies and organic coffee options in a recent post.

• Four Seasons in Princeton is promoting clearance savings on select apparel items, including a discounted Umgee pullover top.

• Corner Chair Market shared new seasonal craft items, including Easter-themed décor and handmade book art.

• Chapel Hill Golf Course and Event Center is currently seeking seasonal part-time bartenders and is accepting calls or messages for more information.

• Friends of Strays, Inc. in Princeton shared a major update that nearly all cats from the previous management have been rehomed, with only 16 remaining. The organization also noted it will be closed for adoptions this week while rooms are reorganized, including creating a new intake room and assessing floor repairs.

• Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education is hosting an Autism Awareness for First Responders presentation on Monday, February 23 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at The Gathering Place in Wyanet, focusing on identifying autism, communication needs, sensory triggers, and real-life response scenarios.

• Wild Honey Boutique is highlighting Little Word Project bracelets as gift options and noted that shoppers can visit in-store until 5:30 p.m. or shop online at any time.

• Festival 56 is promoting its 2026 Summer season subscriptions, featuring productions including Ring of Fire, The Comedy of Errors, You Can’t Take It With You, The Bridges of Madison County, and Anastasia, with subscription packages available online.

• 99.3 WAJK is directing engaged couples and those planning weddings to the Ultimate Starved Rock Wedding Expo resource, which includes vendor podcasts, FAQs, and planning guidance available online for free.

• The Bureau, Putnam & Marshall County Health Department shared an Illinois Department of Public Health media advisory regarding a recall of specific moringa powder capsules linked to drug-resistant salmonella cases, advising consumers not to use affected products and to monitor for symptoms.

• Tailholt Trading Post announced it is open until 4 p.m. and is showcasing several recent inventory additions at its North Main Street location.

• A portable planetarium event is scheduled for March 6 at 5:30 p.m., aimed at children in grades K–8, with registration required due to limited space and parking at the library before walking to the Seed House.

• The Princeton Closet shared an educational post about the history and evolution of PEZ dispensers, highlighting their origins as peppermint lozenges in Austria and their later popularity as collectible character dispensers.

• True Leaves Bookshop announced it will begin closing at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays starting February 18 to allow participation in a writing class at the Metro Center, and invited the public to attend.

• Optimal Health announced that Raw Energy Nut Mix is back in stock, highlighting the product’s return to shelves for customers looking for healthy snack options.

• Four Seasons – Princeton is featuring a Zenana teal colored top marked down from $34.99 to a $9 clearance price, advertising a significant savings for shoppers.

• Finders Keepers Resale Store shared appreciation for a strong day of donations, including several handmade and unique jewelry pieces now available in-store.

• Hornbaker Gardens is showcasing specialty red hosta varieties, including ‘Sip of Wine,’ ‘First Blush,’ and ‘Bloodline,’ and encouraging customers to visit and see the unique foliage in person.

• Apollo Theater Princeton released updated showtimes valid February 20 through February 26 for GOAT (PG) and Wuthering Heights (R), with Monday closures and open-captioned final Sunday screenings.

• Princeton Christian Academy outlined its admissions process, noting that tours can be scheduled anytime, enrollment opens March 4 with a $200 registration fee per new student, screenings occur in May–June, and acceptance decisions are typically made within 24–48 hours after screening.

• Freedom House is urgently requesting donations of dish soap for its shelter and is encouraging community members to give or share the request to support those they serve.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• The Princeton Closet is offering a scholarship opportunity for high school seniors in Bureau County. Applications must be submitted by April 1, 2026, at midnight, with eligibility details available via the QR code provided in the post.

• The Princeton Youth Soccer League is seeking volunteers to support its growing program, including referees with training provided and coaches of all experience levels. Volunteers are asked to be dependable, care about kids, value teamwork and sportsmanship, and have an interest in giving back to the community, with opportunities to support local youth and help children develop skills and confidence.

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🗓️️UPCOMING IN PRINCETON

👣 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.

🦅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

👷‍♂️LOCAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Vitale Construction is hiring a part-time Secretary in Princeton, Illinois, offering $22.03–$25.00 per hour. The role focuses on providing administrative support, managing front desk operations, handling phone inquiries, scheduling appointments, and performing data entry and document organization. Ideal candidates are highly organized, professional, strong communicators, and comfortable using office management tools, with QuickBooks experience being a plus.

• Bureau County’s Assessor’s (Zoning) Office is seeking a temporary, part-time Office Clerk in Princeton, Illinois, paying $17 per hour. The position involves in-person administrative and clerical duties such as data entry, photocopying, document handling, and operating office equipment during a standard day shift of up to seven hours when work is available. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED, at least two years of clerical or administrative experience, proficiency in Microsoft Word, and pass a background check.

• Walmart is hiring a part-time Checkout Team Associate in Princeton, Illinois, with hourly pay ranging from $15 to $28 based on experience, scheduling, and potential premiums. The role includes evening, mid-shift, and closing shifts, with opportunities for additional incentive pay depending on circumstances such as season or workload. Benefits include options such as parental leave, military leave, and a 401(k).

🪨LETTER FROM LORI

I used to LOVE going to concerts. I’ve seen everything from Skillet to Sawyer Brown to AC/DC to Van Halen to Kenny Rogers to the Beach Boys to Huey Lewis and the News…the list is endless, and I loved almost every genre of music. In the early days, my #1 goal was to be FRONT ROW! I wanted to be right at the stage, in the midst of all the excitement. I wanted those guys to drip sweat on me as they crooned their tunes. I wanted to try to reach out and touch them as they passed by me on the stage. Up close and personal!!!

As I got a little older, I realized that when you were that close, sometimes you got stepped on or shoved. I had a friend who had a heavy guy land on her head during a crowd-surfing incident. I lost my desire to crane my neck upward, resulting in pain the next day. For a while, I sought floor seats, but just a little further back so I had a better view.

THEN I got to the age where I preferred lower-bowl seats. On the floor, so many enthusiastic people would stand for the ENTIRE concert. If you weren’t standing too, you couldn’t see a thing. I wanted to sit part of the time. My back didn’t like being on my feet for hours. Maybe I was getting lazy. I still loved the music, but maybe not at eardrum-popping levels. The lower-bowl seats were a little more budget-conscious too. By the time I reached that age, I was a single mom, and that kind of money was hard to prioritize when you had kids who needed football cleats and lunch money.

In the final stages of my concert-going career, I became much more selective about what I wanted to see. It was harder to entice me and convince me to give up a large portion of my day to travel two hours and sit in the heat to watch some guys scream into a microphone. Some of those events didn’t even start until after 7 p.m. That was dangerously close to my bedtime, and I’d need to prepare for a couple of days to make sure I had all the right comfort materials to recover the next day. Gone were the days of the 4 p.m. phone call: “HEY! I’ve got tickets to go see (insert band name here) tonight. I’ll pick you up in 20 minutes!!! WWWEEEEEE HHHHAAAAWWWWW!!!!”

Now, I’m approaching 58 years old, and I really see absolutely no reason to take a chunk of time out of my life and budget to go and experience a “cattle at the slaughterhouse” event when I could sit BY MYSELF in my home with a cool drink and some popcorn that didn’t cost me $25, pull up YouTube on my Roku, and watch the same performer for FREE—and go to bed before the crack of midnight with my trusty house horse snoozing by my side.

WOW—how our priorities change. What once was soooo important has now become one of the last things on my list of things I want to do. So, when you hear me say, “Back in the day…,” realize that I’ve been there and done that, and I choose not to keep doing it. I’ve grown. I’ve matured. I’ve re-prioritized. Now this old geezer is heading to the stove to make some popcorn the old-fashioned way—with lots of butter and salt—cozy up to my brindle pony, and probably fall asleep while watching Angus Young bop across the stage on my big screen.

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

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