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Good morning, Princeton. Princeton continues a busy early spring stretch with strong student achievements, community fundraisers, and major local events on the horizon. From rising gas prices and shifting weather to new business activity and upcoming festivals, momentum across the community remains steady as March unfolds.

—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

Good news! I have someone lined up to continue the newsletter after my retirement in May. This individual will do a far better job than I have — a faithful person, and well-known to the community. More news to come! Thank you to all who have reached out with kind words.

• 2 people hurt in Bureau County crash

• Princeton High School announced its Spring Choral Concert has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. The performance will feature the Treble Choir, Junior Varsity Choir, and Concert Choir.

• Princeton High School Presents The Addams Family Musical on March 27 and 29, 2026

• Logan Booster Club congratulated Logan Junior High wrestler Hawk Amy for winning the 2026 IESA State Championship at 126 pounds. The organization praised his dedication and celebrated the accomplishment as a point of pride for the Logan community.

• BCR: City officials say Panchero’s Mexican Grill appears to be planning to open a new location in Princeton.

• Illinois Valley PADS will host a screening of the documentary No Address at 12:30 p.m. on March 21 at the Apollo Theatre. The event aims to raise awareness about homelessness and highlight the challenges faced by people without stable housing.

• The Rotary Club of Princeton announced its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Soldiers and Sailors Park. Children ages 0–10 are invited to participate, and photos with the Easter Bunny will be available.

• A Flags of Freedom Drawdown fundraiser will take place Saturday, April 18 at the Princeton Moose Lodge. The event includes a spaghetti dinner buffet, prize drawings, and limited ticket sales with cash prizes.

• Friends of the Princeton Public Library will host their Spring Book Sale from March 26–28 in the library’s Friends Sale Room. The event will offer a wide selection of books for purchase while raising funds to support library programs and services.

• The Rotary Club of Princeton will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. at Soldiers and Sailors Park. Children ages 0–10 are invited to participate, with photos with the Easter Bunny available from 10–11 a.m.

📍Outside City Limits

• LPHS Science teacher in the running for America's Favorite Teacher

• March blizzard closes area schools, businesses

• 11 Old-School Illinois Restaurants That Still Do It Right In 2026

• BV High School Interact Club will host an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 29 on the BVHS front lawn. The event includes separate start times for ages 2–5 and ages 6–10.

  The Tiskilwa Community Association will host an Easter Egg Hunt on April 4 at 11 a.m. at Tiskilwa East Park. The event is open to children from Pre-K through third grade.

• Pie Palooza Brings Community Together with Pie Contest and Auction for Miss Gold Pageant Fundraiser on March 14

• Leland Man Arrested for Alleged Assault and Disarming of Leland Police Officer

• The Walnut Chamber of Commerce announced its Townwide Garage Sales will take place May 1 and May 2. Residents and visitors are encouraged to participate and shop throughout the community.

• The Tiskilwa Community Association announced the headline bands for Pow Wow Days 2026. Flatland Ridge will perform Friday, July 31, and Hairbanger’s Ball will perform Saturday, August 1.

🏠PRINCETON HOMES FOR SALE

• This 3-bedroom, 2-bath brick home is listed at $237,000 and offers approximately 2,100 square feet on a 0.38-acre lot. Built in 1836, the residence features original hardwood floors, exposed brick, abundant natural light, a sun room, and a large bonus room, blending historic character with functional living space. Recent updates include the roof, water heater, and HVAC, all reportedly replaced within the past six years. The property also includes a spacious fenced backyard, deck, patio, unfinished basement, and detached one-car garage with additional storage.

• A 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath two-story home at 1048 Lora Avenue is listed for $275,000, offering 1,632 square feet of living space on a 9,148-square-foot lot in the desirable Birdhaven subdivision. The home features a fully updated kitchen completed in 2023 with quartz countertops, white shaker cabinets, and stainless steel appliances, along with updated primary bedroom and bath improvements completed in 2019. Additional updates include a new roof in 2021, refreshed landscaping, a composite deck overlooking open farmland, and a partially finished basement with a recreation room and bonus space that could serve as a fourth bedroom or office. Built in 1968, the property also includes a two-car garage and blends modern updates with a peaceful neighborhood setting.

• A 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home at 708 E Thompson Street is listed for $395,000 and offers 2,792 square feet of living space in a convenient location near Zearing Park. The property includes a fenced backyard and a large 26-by-34 barn/workshop built in 2007 with two overhead doors, accessible through the attached two-car garage. Recent updates include a new furnace and new carpeting installed in 2025, along with a wood-burning fireplace in the lower-level family room. The home also features a spacious layout with a finished basement area for recreation and includes a home warranty for the new owner.

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

❄️ Today: Increasing clouds through the day with cold conditions continuing. High temperatures reach about 26°F with west winds around 10 mph. Snow becomes likely overnight with a low near 21°F and SSE winds 5–10 mph.

🌤️ Wednesday: Blowing snow early in the morning gradually gives way to partial sunshine later in the day. Temperatures moderate to a high near 44°F with southwest winds 10–15 mph. The night stays mostly cloudy with a low around 32°F and south winds 5–10 mph.

⛅ Thursday: Mainly cloudy skies but noticeably milder conditions develop. Afternoon highs reach about 56°F with south-southwest winds 10–15 mph. Thursday night remains mostly cloudy with temperatures settling around 36°F and light SSW winds.

☀️ Friday: A much warmer day arrives with sunshine and a few passing clouds. High temperatures climb to around 70°F with west winds 10–15 mph. The evening turns partly cloudy with a low near 41°F and light WNW winds.

🌤️ Saturday: Pleasant early-spring weather continues with sunshine and a few clouds. High temperatures reach about 69°F with WNW winds 10–15 mph. Saturday night stays partly cloudy and mild with a low around 45°F.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.49
Casey’s West/North: $3.59
Beck’s West/North: $3.59
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.59
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.59

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Paisano’s Ristorante will host a Princeton Youth Soccer League fundraiser on Thursday, March 19 from 4–9 p.m. During the event, $4 from every pizza sold will be donated to support youth soccer programs, equipment, and field improvements.

• Corner Chair Market is offering an “Eggs + Carrots” craft class on Tuesday, March 24 from 6–8 p.m. The $35 class includes all supplies for the Easter-themed project along with a light snack.

• The Princeton Closet shared the story of restoring a vintage Erector Set motor from the late 1940s or early 1950s. After repairing the wiring and getting the motor working again, the complete set is now available in the store’s vintage section for $50.

• Monical’s Pizza of Princeton is promoting a special offering a 14-inch thin crust one-topping pizza for $16.50. The deal is available through March 22 for dine-in, carry-out, or delivery.

• Boek-el-ZOO is encouraging families to share fun animal facts with children while they are home from school. The organization is also seeking youth or teachers interested in hosting educational presentations or craft activities during its Saturday programs.

• The Bureau County Senior Center announced a St. Patrick’s Day party on March 17. The celebration will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the center.

• The Bureau County Fair announced that Sawyer Brown and Lonestar will co-headline the fair on Thursday, August 27. Tickets went on sale March 7, and the fair will run August 26–30.

• Barrel Society shared details about upcoming events including trivia night, whiskey talks, and a special bourbon release from Dancing Goat Distillery. The week also features a St. Paddy’s Day charity 5K, food specials, and live music.

• Sisler’s Ice Cream announced that Shamrock Shakes are back for March. The shop is also featuring its monthly flavor “Pot of Gold,” made with cookie dough ice cream, Reese’s cups, and caramel swirl.

• 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.

🗓️️UPCOMING IN PRINCETON

🌿 Tuesday, March 17: The Art and Science of Forest Gardening: Designing Your Perennial Ecosystem at Princeton High School – A three-week course beginning at 6:00 PM focused on designing resilient, food-producing forest gardens through core permaculture principles, site analysis, and plant guild development.

🎶 Sunday, March 22: Sunday Acoustic Session with Paige Afton at Coal Creek Brewing Company – Live acoustic music from 2:00–5:00 PM featuring a mix of 90s favorites, modern hits, and original songs performed by Paige Afton.

☕ 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.

🎯 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: Wild Card @ Hawg House! at Hawg House Saloon – Live music and an afternoon gathering from 3:00–7:00 PM featuring Wild Card.

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💝ASIST SKILLS TRAINING

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) will be held March 23–24, 2026 from 8:00 AM–4:30 PM at ICAHN, 1945 Van’s Way in Princeton. The two-day, evidence-based training equips participants to recognize suicide risk, engage in supportive life-saving conversations, and connect individuals to appropriate resources.

Led by certified LivingWorks ASIST trainers Michelle Hansen, MSN, RN, CRHCP (Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network) and Stefanie Morris, ES (Community Health Educator, Choose to B.U. LLC), the course is designed for healthcare professionals, first responders, educators, social service providers, community leaders, and anyone who wants to be prepared to help someone in crisis.

Cost is $25 per individual, with support from The Princeton Closet and the Princeton Junior Woman’s Club helping reduce the fee. No prior mental health training is required.

🦅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 is now open
🔗 Learn more about tuition and admissions at mypca.info

💭REMEMBERING PRINCETON

Don Saletzki: North end park, Princeton spelled out in colored rock, berm is facing Main St. You may remember in 1976 a fountain was built in this area that turned out to be a favorite spot for kids to soap.

👷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

• The Devil Wears Prada 2: The Apollo Theater in Princeton lists The Devil Wears Prada 2 as coming soon and notes that the film is planned yet not confirmed.

• The Mandalorian and Grogu: The theater also lists The Mandalorian and Grogu as an upcoming title, with the same note that it is planned yet not confirmed.

• Project Hail Mary: Project Hail Mary is currently scheduled to begin showing at the Apollo Theater on March 20, 2026.

• The Super Mario Galaxy Movie: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is listed as starting at the Apollo Theater on April 3, 2026.