🐿️Vehicle Thieves, Judo Classes, and Acorning

In partnership with

SPONSORED BY

Good Saturday morning, Princeton. I had a great week of trout fishing with a terrific group of guys from our church at Lake Taneycomo in Branson, Missouri. Trout are funny fish. We use these little colored balls for bait — some days yellow does well, some days pink. Sometimes they hit worms like crazy, other times they’re all about shrimp. My week started out hot, but I didn’t do so well as the week went on. My dad, however, is officially crowned “Trout King,” and we were unworthy to fish in his presence.

I did however, start a new trend called “Acorning,” where you place a handful of acorns in a person’s bed. When they pull back the covers, voila, you’ve been Acorned. Feel free to use it on your next trip away from home — it’s a real hoot.

—Justin Bullington

📬IN THIS ISSUE
💡What You Should Know
✅From the Boek-EL-Zoo
🏈Local Football Scores
☀️Princeton Weather
⛽️Princeton Gas Prices
🏆Princeton Person of the Week
💼Princeton Businesses
🔗Top Links This Week
📍Outside City Limits
👷Princeton Job Opportunities
🤠Seniors to San Antonio
🔭A Look Ahead
🧸Letter from Lori

💡WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

• Happy Birthday Kay Huber! 🥳

• Princeton Police Department: “In the early morning hours of September 17th, the Princeton Police Department responded to several calls of unlocked vehicles being broken into by unknown offenders. During this same timeframe a vehicle was stolen from a residence on East Peru Street. We are currently investigating these incidents and believe them to be related. Our findings to this point indicate a stolen Hyundai Santa Fe from Peoria travelled to Princeton, was seen in the area of some of the vehicle break-ins and was subsequently seen on cameras following the vehicle which was stolen in Princeton back to Peoria. Later in the day on the 17th, both vehicles were recovered in Peoria by the Peoria Police Department. During the attempts to stop the vehicle the occupants fled. If you have any information regarding these incidents please contact Detective Chris Erickson at the Princeton Police Department.”

• Princeton And Peoria Police Departments Searching For Accused Thieves

• BCR: A fire rendered a rural Princeton house uninhabitable on Tuesday, with officials deeming the incident accidental. On another note, Princeton city officials are pursuing a grant to extend sidewalks north of Interstate 80 to address areas without walkways, referred to as “missing links” by the mayor.

• Princeton Tigers Football (4-0) defeated Kewanee last night 44-15. Casey Etheridge had four touchdowns. They will play at Monmouth-Roseville Friday.

• The Princeton Tigresses volleyball team faced Ottawa, where the freshmen secured a win with scores of 25-11 and 25-14. The sophomores put up a strong fight but lost with scores of 25-22, 17-25, and 15-17, while the varsity team also fell short, losing 17-25, 25-18, and 15-25. Next, the freshmen will head to their first tournament this weekend in Ottawa, and all teams will return to action on Tuesday as they take on Erie-Prophetstown at Erie High School.

• Come to Rotary Park from 8 AM to 12 PM for the Open Garage car cruise-in events today. Enjoy a wide range of vehicles, including trucks, classics, and electric vehicles, with coffee, snacks, and vendors available. This family-friendly event is open to everyone, showcasing unique transportation options. The event is located at 101 Bicentennial Dr.

• Election: The Democrat Headquarters is located at 934 North Main Street, open Fridays 4-6pm and Saturday 11am-3pm. The Republican Headquarters has opened at 777 South Main, operating from 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday, and 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday.

🏠PRINCETON HOME FOR SALE

Ranch style home at 830 Bruce Lane, Princeton, IL 61356, Bureau County. Located in Greencroft, a desirable subdivision on the west side of Princeton.

A spacious single story home built in 1981. This home offers 1878 +/- sq. ft. which includes an eat-in kitchen, dining room w/gas fireplace, living room, family room and 3 bedrooms (1 currently a laundry room). There is a partial basement, 19' x 22' garage and a new driveway in 2020. All appliances will be included.

The home has vinyl siding, asphalt shingle roof, gas forced air heat and central air conditioning. Lot size is 76.75 x 159.37 x 142.65 x 153.73 (.4 acres). The backyard opens up to 7 acres of open meadow owned by the city.

Tax ID # is #16-17-452-020, 2023 taxes paid in 2024 were $3,685.38.

Asking price - $220,000. This property is being sold as is.

For further information please contact Rick Rediger 815-866-4486.

🐇FROM THE BOEK-EL-ZOO

Some Things You May Not Know

The ZOO recently launched limited edition animal trading cards, with only 100 of each available. Educational tours are offered through the Boek-el-ZOO Outreach Program, and the store hosts interactive birthday parties. Guests can interact with animals, though they should avoid picking them up for safety reasons. The ZOO also offers services like nail and wing trimming, pet boarding, and discounts for children who present reports when buying pets. The store supports local businesses, carries handcrafted items, and offers used products to make pet care more affordable. Weekly experiences at the Laila Marie Learning Center provide educational activities for kids, who can also participate in a "Find a Frog" game for prizes. Customers are treated like family, and the ZOO is committed to educating itself and its patrons about proper pet care.

🏈LOCAL FOOTBALL SCORES

• Sherrard 20 - Hall 14

• Rockridge 41 - Erie-Prophetstown 0

• Sterling-Newman 54 - Orion 21

• Farmington 54 - Bureau Valley 6

• St. Joseph 42 - Illinois Valley Central 21

• Lena-Winslow 50 - Dakota 0

• Monmouth-Roseville 49 - Mendota 10

• Seneca 36 - St. Bede 12

• Sycamore 25 - Rochelle 19

• Mercer County 36 - Riverdale 7

America’s Most Loved Food Delivery Service

Hungryroot is a grocery and recipe delivery service that led millions of Americans to say goodbye meal kits, hello Hungryroot! Whether you're looking to eat healthier, stuck in a food rut, sick of grocery shopping, or looking to spice up mealtime, Hungryroot has got you covered.

Nutritious groceries + tasty recipes = the easiest way to eat healthy! Not only will you save hours planning, shopping, and cooking, Hungryroot customizes every delivery based on your food preferences, dietary restrictions, and health needs – putting your health goals on autopilot.

Take the quiz and pick one free item for life. Plus get 30% off your 1st delivery today!

☀️PRINCETON WEATHER

🌦️Today: Partly cloudy skies with scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. The high will reach 87°F with southern winds at 5 to 10 mph. Overnight, expect rain showers transitioning to thundershowers with a low of 64°F and a 90% chance of rain. Winds will shift to the southwest at 5 to 10 mph, with humidity increasing to 80%.

🌧️Sunday: Cloudy skies with periods of rain and a high of 72°F. Winds will come from the east-northeast at 5 to 10 mph, with an 80% chance of rain and approximately a quarter inch of rainfall expected. Rain showers will continue into the night with scattered thunderstorms and a low of 55°F. Winds will be from the north-northeast at 5 to 10 mph, with a 60% chance of rain.

🌧️Monday: Showers are expected in the morning, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon with a high of 72°F. Winds will blow from the east-southeast at 5 to 10 mph, with a 30% chance of rain. The night will bring early showers, clearing up with a low of 52°F and a 40% chance of rain. Winds will come from the north-northwest at 5 to 10 mph, and humidity will rise to 76%.

Breaking the Dry Spell: Shifts in Midwest Weather Patterns Offer Hope for Rain

The recent weather patterns in the Midwest have showcased a rare deviation from the usual frequency of precipitation. Typically, precipitation occurs every 3-4 days in this region, facilitated by the westerlies which help move systems along. However, a persistent atmospheric block has shifted this pattern, leading to a dry spell.

In the last two weeks, rain has been sparse, with significant dry areas especially central to the region, as illustrated by the 14-day precipitation map. Despite these conditions, some recent subtle changes in atmospheric dynamics are beginning to improve prospects for rainfall.

A disturbance has already brought some showers and storms, particularly to parts of the northeast. A second disturbance, expected later in the week, promises a slower movement but better access to moisture, which may lead to more widespread and sustained precipitation.

Looking ahead, temperature models predict continued warm conditions, with very warm temperatures persisting through the weekend and a potential cooling as new disturbances bring more clouds and rain. These evolving conditions suggest a possible shift toward more typical fall weather as October approaches.

Adapted from TSwails.com 

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.39
Sullivan’s Foods: $3.45
Casey’s West/North: $3.49
Beck’s West/North: $3.49
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.49
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.49

🏆PRINCETON PERSON OF THE WEEK

Did someone go the extra mile? Did a Princeton Person bless you or someone else you know? Nominate them, give me the details, and they may be chosen as the Princeton NOW Person of the Week.

Nominate your Princeton Person of the Week by emailing your nomination to [email protected].

🔒PRINCETON NOW PREMIUM

• Princeton NOW Premium subscribers receive:

  🚫Ad free

  ❤️Local Obituaries

  🚔Arrests

  🏡Property Transfers

  🔍Health Department Food Inspections

  💍Marriages

  🏛️Board and City Council Meeting Summaries

  ⏫Upgrade your newsletter today and join 187 others.

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Connections Studio is hosting a Fall Open House today from 10 AM to 12 PM. The event celebrates National Dance Day and supports a great cause, with a $5 minimum donation per class benefiting the Second Story Teen Center. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• A judo class is being offered at 413 Street, on Thursdays. The class for ages 4-12 runs from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. and costs $40 per month, while the class for ages 13 and up runs from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. and costs $55 per month. Master Bob Schirmer, a sixth-degree black belt, teaches self-defense techniques in this martial art.

• Wild Ginger Bistro and Wine Bar is updating its hours for the fall season. They will no longer serve lunch in the restaurant but are launching a new fall lunch menu for takeout and delivery. Dinner hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM, offering a cozy dining experience as the cooler months approach.

• Sisler's Ice Cream is featuring fall-themed sundaes, including Pumpkin Pie with pumpkin ice cream, caramel, graham crunch, and whipped cream. Another option is the Apple Pie sundae with caramel apple ice cream, caramel, cinnamon waffle cone pieces, and whipped cream. Sundaes are priced at $4.50 for a single and $5.25 for a double, with an additional dollar for a waffle bowl.

• A Pajama Premiere for "The Wild Robot" will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Apollo, with free mini popcorn for attendees in pajamas.

• Rachel Rene is releasing their Pumpkin Spice soap, now available for purchase. The shop will be open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will close next week to prepare for their Make & Take Bar. Pumpkin Spice will be one of the scents available for customization at the bar.

• Hornbaker Gardens is holding a big end-of-season sale with discounts of 75% off perennials, 30% off grasses, and 50-75% off trees and shrubs. Select daylilies and pottery are also marked down 50%. The sale begins Friday, September 20, at 8 a.m., and runs until October 10 or while supplies last.

• Optimal Health received 150 cases of new food earlier than expected to assist with grocery shopping. They are working to unpack the boxes and organize the items for customers. Patience is appreciated while they handle the influx.

• Corner Chair Market finished working on a new primitive storage shelf. The piece is sturdy and features barn board, shiplap, metal, and iron. The store invites visitors to come in and check out the newly completed furniture.

• Mattie's on Main is inviting customers to stop by and check out their new finds, with more blow molds to be added soon. They are showcasing a variety of unique vintage items and decor. More products will be available in the coming days.

• Four Seasons is offering a sale on their "Life is Good" fall apparel, with sizes ranging from small to XXXL. Customers can save 26% on their purchase using the code SEPTEMBER, valid until September 22, 2024. The collection includes 100% cotton pieces perfect for the fall season, with options for Halloween-themed designs.

✉️NEW SUBSCRIBER?

You have access to all previous newsletters: click here to read them.

👉Please, please, please make sure to add the Princeton NOW newsletter email address as a “contact,” “VIP,” or “Whitelist” in your email service. This will prevent it from going to spam or bouncing.

🔗TOP LINKS THIS WEEK

• The Tree Planting Beautification Program offers residents a reimbursement of up to $150, covering 50% of the cost of planting a tree this Fall, provided that the tree is purchased in Bureau County and the application is approved prior to planting. Applications can be obtained either online or at City Hall, and participants can also explore the City's Legacy Tree Donation Program for further tree planting initiatives.

• Get ready for Tiger Music merch from Princeton Music Boosters. Soft-style T-shirts, V-neck options, hoodies, and hats are available, with an order form posted on the group’s Facebook page.

• A home located at 505 N East St is for sale at $130,000. This four-bedroom, one-bathroom property offers 1,888 square feet of living space and features a two-car garage.

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• Kennel Attendant | Friends of Strays | Part-Time | $14 an hour

• Housekeeper | Liberty Village of Princeton | Part-Time | Pay not provided

• Crew Member or Delivery Driver | Jimmy John’s | Full-Time/Part-Time | $14-$23 an hour

• Lawn Care Specialist | Taylor’s Way | Full-Time | $18-$21 an hour

• Maintenance | Prime Quarter Steak House | Part-Time | $14 an hour

• Groundskeeper | Princeton High School | Full-Time | $15-$17 an hour

• In-Home Caregiver | In-Home Care Connection | Part-Time | $17-$19 an hour

• Laborer | Corteva Agriscience | Contract | $18.25 an hour

• Administrative & Property Management Assistant | Brush Creek Investments and studioK Architecture | Part-Time | $15-$17 an hour

• DSP | Gateway Services, Inc. | Full-Time | Pay not provided

• Journeyman Lineman | Corn Belt Energy Corporation | Full-Time | $53.29 an hour

• Assistant Manager | Culver’s | Full-Time | $17-$20 an hour

• Preschool Teacher | Zearing Child Enrichment Center | Full-Time | $14.50-$15.00 an hour

⛪️Part-time positions open at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church:

• Director of Music Ministry

• Director of Youth & Family Ministry

• Media Outreach Technician

For more details, visit www.StMatthewsPrinceton.org or send resumes to [email protected].

📍OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

• Search warrant executed in connection to human remains found near decommissioned Cherry Mine, deputies say

• SV Attempted Murder Defendant Wants Judge To Preside Over His Trial Instead Of Jury

• The LaSalle County Coroner’s Office shared that she had been found by a farmer wrapped in a curtain near Mission Township in Illinois in his field with no shoes or belongings.

• A map created by FEMA showing likely nuclear targets in America. While you'd expect that the Chicago and St. Louis area would be a first-strike location, there are dozens in the middle of rural areas in Illinois.

• A craft and vendor market will be held today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Old Buda School. Over 30 vendors will be offering items such as jewelry, candles, books, pumpkins, handmade signs, and quilts, with food provided by Buda Fire at the concession stand.

• There will be a town-wide garage sale in Sheffield today and tomorrow.

🤠SENIOR CENTER TO TRAVEL TO SAN ANTONIO

The Bureau County Senior Center is excited to announce a charter bus trip to San Antonio, Texas, from March 8 to March 16, 2025. This 9-day, 8-night adventure offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the vibrant city of San Antonio and its many attractions. Participants will enjoy motorcoach transportation and comfortable accommodations for four consecutive nights in the San Antonio area. The itinerary includes guided tours of the Alamo, the River Walk District, and other historical sites, along with a visit to the LBJ Ranch and the Witte Museum. Travelers will also experience a scenic cruise on the River Walk and have time to explore the city at their leisure. The trip is priced at $1,155 per person, based on double occupancy, with a $75 deposit required at the time of sign-up. Additional fees apply for single occupancy. For more information or to reserve a spot, interested individuals are encouraged to contact Sam or Denise at the Senior Center.

🔭A LOOK AHEAD

"Spooky Kitty" Paint Night (Wednesday, September 25th): Get ready for Halloween at this fun "Spooky Kitty" paint night at Downtown Pub & Event Center. All materials and guided instruction are provided to help you complete your masterpiece. Join the event starting at 6 PM and enjoy food and drinks while you paint. The location is 432 S Main St.

Leslie Goddard Presents Eleanor Roosevelt (Saturday, October 5th): Award-winning actress Leslie Goddard brings Eleanor Roosevelt to life in this engaging performance at 1 PM. Learn about Roosevelt's journey from a shy orphan to a powerful advocate for human rights. This event, held at 24 Park Ave E, is free and open to the public.

Simply Patsy at Festival 56 (Saturday, October 12th): The Pearl Handle Band joins Mary Pfeifer for a lively tribute to Patsy Cline, with two shows at 2 PM and 7 PM. Enjoy the story of Cline's trials and successes with the band backing Mary’s excellent vocals. Tickets are $25, and the event is located at Grace Theater, 316 S Main St.

Shadows of the Blue and Gray (Saturday, October 12th): Step back in time at this Civil War reenactment event held at City County Park from 9 AM to 4 PM. Enjoy battle reenactments, artisans, music, food, and storytelling, preserving history in a fun and engaging way. This is a family-friendly event perfect for history enthusiasts.

6th Annual Halloween Parade (Saturday, October 12th): Join the Bureau County Fair’s Halloween Parade, featuring spooky floats and family fun. Starting at 5 PM, this free parade promises a festive atmosphere. Spectators are welcome to enjoy the sights at the Bureau County Fairgrounds.

The Killer Riffs at Hawg House Saloon (Saturday, October 19th): Enjoy music and drinks at Hawg House Saloon with The Killer Riffs starting at 3 PM. Experience a lively atmosphere with great music and drinks to keep you entertained throughout the day. The event takes place at 18066 US Highway 6.

🐿️LETTER FROM LORI

It's GONE! I lost it!

This has been a terrible year of loss for me. I’ve lost things I’ve had for decades. I’ve lost things I’ve clung to tightly. I’ve lost things near and dear to my heart. I’ve lost things that were foundational in my life. I’ve lost things I built on my own. I’ve lost things I never thought I would. I’ve lost my temper. I’ve lost my mind. I’ve lost my patience. I’ve lost nearly everything.

One thing I haven’t lost is my faith. I hold on to that more tightly than a teenager with a cell phone full of inappropriate conversations with her friends.

In my time of loss, I’ve also found so much. Like a child searching for a lost toy, or an elderly person searching for their lost car keys, as we dig and overturn things, scrambling in a panic, we also discover things we never thought we would. Maybe it’s not always great, like finding stale popcorn under the couch, but sometimes it’s a treasure. Sometimes, when we jam our hands into the dirty crevices between the driver's seat and the console, we find a $20 bill that’s been hiding there since the wind blew it in during a particularly grand ride through the country. At the time, we didn’t even notice THAT loss, but its discovery is a victory.

Some of the things we lose, we will never recover. Some of those things are meant to stay gone; they’re meant to be part of our past.

Other things, we need to regain—somehow. We can’t move forward or drive our cars without our keys, so we continue to search until we find them, or we replace them with another set, so our car can be more useful than just stable housing for the neighborhood cats.

Like a child with a lost toy, we cry, kick, and scream, certain that the loss will somehow end our existence or our will to live. But as time passes, we learn to navigate without it. We learn to adapt and find another path to our goal, without the crutch of holding on to that tattered bunny with its button eye hanging by a thread.

We may always grieve the loss, but we may also forget about it altogether. In the end, we might even see the blessing of no longer having that booger-encrusted lump of gray material stuck to us. Losing that bunny might force us to grow up a bit and face our demons on our own.

In the midst of the loss, it’s hard to calculate the gain, but hindsight can be clearer than ever—if we choose to look hard and think even harder.

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

Want to advertise? Email: [email protected].