🅿️Princeton NOW: Early Voting, a Red Covered Bridge Update, and The Moose

TOGETHER WITH

Happiest of mornings to you, Princeton. I made two mistakes in the last issue: 1) The Easter Egg Hunt at Bureau Township Community Church is March 30th, not this Saturday. 2) I messed up the link for Christ Community Church’s Facebook page. Try here instead. Thank you for your encouraging notes and patience. It is a joy to serve you.

Let’s get to it.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE

💡What You Should Know
☀️Princeton Weather
💼Princeton Businesses
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
👷‍♂️Princeton Job Opportunities
🫎At the Moose

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday, Kay Wallace, Jennifer Searl, and Justin Smith! 🎈

• Early voting sites are open at the following locations this week and next week, Monday-Friday at the Princeton Moose Lodge, from 8am to 4pm.

• Bureau County Clerk Matt Eggers will conduct a Public Test of voting tabulators at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6 at the Bureau County Courthouse in Princeton. This test will confirm the results of Logic and Accuracy Testing on the tabulators to be used on Election Day. Representatives of the major political parties, the press, and the public are invited to attend and witness the results.

• Starved Rock Media: “It'll be years, not months before Princeton's Red Covered Bridge is back open…The Illinois Department of Transportation says repairs will require several steps starting with a bridge condition report by structural engineers.”

• Here’s a drone video of the Red Covered Bridge just posted by WQAD.

• A semi fire slowed interstate traffic west of Princeton on Monday afternoon.

• Noah Laporte was selected unanimous First Team Trac-East All-Conference for boys varsity basketball. Korte Lawson and Daniel Sousa were selected Second Team.

• The Princeton Police Department is now accepting applications for the position of Police Officer, whether you're a new recruit or lateral transfer. Pick up your application at 605 Elm Place or email [email protected]. Application deadline for new recruits is April 19, 2024 at noon. Test Date: April 27th at 9am.

• The City of Princeton is looking to hire an individual who will fill the role as the next Planning and Zoning Administrator. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by Friday, March 15, 2024. The city is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please see this post for more information.

• Also from the City: “It's that time of year! Spring has sprung, which means the City of Princeton has their 2024-2025 Non-Highway Vehicle Stickers available for purchase. Remember your initial registration will expire 04.30.2024. When you come in to renew, we will need an updated Application for Annual Permit Non-Highway Vehicle, a valid DL and current insurance for the machine before you can purchase the sticker. Applications can be downloaded from the City's website, or you can come into City Hall and fill one out at that time. Renewal Cost (sticker only) - $50.00. If you have a qualifying non-highway vehicle, but it isn't yet registered with the city, now is your chance to get a couple of extra months with your new initial registration. All new registrations will include a sticker that is valid through April 30, 2025. Please make an appointment for vehicle inspection by contacting the Princeton Fire Department at 815-875-1861. New Registration Cost (Plate & Sticker) - $100.”

⛅️PRINCETON WEATHER

Today: The day will be mostly sunny with a high near 54°F. The night will turn mostly cloudy with a low around 35°F.

Thursday: Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 55°F during the day. There's a 50% chance of rain in the evening, with mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 42°F at night.

Friday: Rain is likely, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 53°F. The chance of precipitation is 60%. The night will continue to have a 50% chance of rain, with lows around 36°F.

Saturday: There's a 40% chance of rain with partly sunny conditions during the day and a high near 48°F. The evening will see a 30% chance of rain with partly cloudy conditions and a low around 30°F at night.

click here for road conditions.
click here for an I-80 traffic camera. 

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES

• Are you a carpenter, contractor or a handyman that does small jobs? Please fill out this form so I can help you get the word out.

• Eat, Shop, & Be Lucky: March 8th, 9th, & 10th; 60 Chamber member retailers and restaurants participating. Lucky cards will be available at the Chamber of Commerce, as well as participating businesses.

• Rachel Rene has some new lightweight sweatshirt arrivals.

• Little Blue Dress also has some lightweight sweater tops.

• Optimal Health now carries Boswellia Serrata, also known as Frankincense, which treats inflammation and pain.

• Maggi Shaffer Tattoos has some open slots for 3/11, 3/13, or 3/15.

• The Prairie Arts Center will host a Children’s Basket Weaving Class on Tuesday, March 12th.

• Hop on into Fresh Finds to find the golden egg. Find the golden egg hidden in their store any day in March and you can win a store gift certificate for up to $50.

• Cafe Grace specials:

  • Wednesday: Chicken Little Sliders

  • Thursday: Garlic Cheese Curd Burger

  • Friday: Blueberry Walnut Salad

  • Saturday: Chicken Club

  • Sunday: Steak & Cheese Skillet with Onions & Salsa

• Flowers by Julia is selling this beautiful Storybook Rose Bouquet.

• Once Upon a Craft is having a live sale on March 14th at 7pm.

• Simply Nutrition is now up for sale. They will remain open, but are looking for new owners to take over. This property will be leased through a landlord, but everything inside will be yours. There is currently no asking price, so any offers would be considered.

• Grandma Rosies Sweet Treats serves and delivers chicken strips, hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and more. Call 815-872-1200.

• Mavolan’s is selling Mommy and Me Easter dresses, girls size 2T-6x.

• The CrossFit Open starts this Friday. The theme is NEON. First heat goes at 5pm.

• Shop at Wild Honey Boutique this Fri-Sunday and every purchase gets you into a drawing to win a Wild Honey gift card and the new shamrock shake candle from @starvedrockcandleworks.

• The Boek-el-Zoo is now selling t-shirts. 

• Downtown Pub now serves Bavarian Pretzels. It is also hosting a Leprechaun Gnome Paint Night Wednesday, March 6th at 6pm. Fee is $35 for a 16×20 canvas.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.51
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.56
Casey’s West/North: $3.56
Beck’s West/North: $3.56
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.56
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.59

Diesel

Beck’s West/North: $3.89
Road Ranger, N Main St.: $3.95
Casey’s West/North: $3.89
Sullivan’s: $3.95
Amoco, N Main St: $3.99

👷‍♂️PRINCETON JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Carpenters | Terry’s Remodeling | $18-30/hr. | 815-875-2200

• Warehouse Specialist | Ace Hardware | Full and Part-time, $19-21.50/hr.

• Receptionist | Aperion Care | Full and Part-time

• Medal Engraver | A & M Products | Full-time, $17.50/hr

• Lawn Care Specialist | Taylor’s Way | Full-time, $18/hr

• First Shift Warehouse Associate | Advance Services | Full-time

🫎AT THE MOOSE LODGE

• Black Light Bingo: March 9th

• Blue Jay Way Concert: March 16th. Go see Wayne Hancock Live in Concert.

• St. Patrick’s Day Buffet: Serving corned beef and Cabbage or Ham. Buffet Style. All the Fixings you can eat, plus dessert for $17.

• Easter Egg Hunt: March 23rd at 11:00am. All kids welcome.

• Problem Child: March 30th from 6-11pm.