SPONSORED BY

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

• Princeton Wrestling announced several TRAC All-Conference selections from the team. Honorees include Augustus Swanson, Kane Dauber, Casey Etheridge, and Eli Berlin as first-team selections, with Corbin Brown receiving honorable mention.

• Princeton Girls Basketball congratulated Keighley Davis for being named to the IBCA All-State Team. The team praised her accomplishments and recognized her impact on the program.

• Princeton High School’s Scholastic Bowl team finished ninth overall at the NAQT State Tournament, competing against top academic teams from across Illinois.

• The historic Knox Hotel near the art district offers visitors a chance to experience a restored piece of local history dating back to 1854. Originally opened to serve travelers arriving by rail, the hotel has been preserved to showcase its historic charm and architecture.

• 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.

• Princeton Youth Soccer League is organizing a community field day on March 14 at Zearing Park to prepare fields for the spring season. Volunteers are invited to help, with coffee, donuts, and a raffle provided.

• 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 Homestead Festival is promoting its Bureau County Homestead Festival 50/50 raffle. Tickets are available until noon on St. Patrick’s Day, with proceeds supporting Homestead Weekend activities.

• Tiger Town Tanglers congratulated several athletes who qualified for the 2026 IKWF State tournament. The organization recognized multiple wrestlers across different divisions for earning state qualification.

• 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.

• Central Bank Illinois announced a $10,000 donation to the newly established Princeton Foundation to support community initiatives and local development efforts. The contribution is intended to help the foundation grow its resources and expand its ability to support projects that benefit the community.

• 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.

📍Outside City Limits

• This Little-Known Illinois State Park Has A Canyon That Rivals The Southwest

• 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

• A 23-acre country property at 13126 1675 East Street is listed for $640,000, offering privacy, wildlife, and extensive outdoor space ideal for rural living. The home includes a main-level master suite, additional guest bathroom, and a finished basement with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, providing flexible space for guests or multigenerational living. The property features a full-length back porch, radiant floor heat in the basement, and a kitchenette that allows for a separate living area or entertaining space. Additional amenities include both an attached three-car garage and a detached three-car garage with radiant heat, along with acreage suitable for farming, livestock, or hunting.

• 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: Partly cloudy skies early with afternoon showers and thunderstorms developing, bringing a high around 67°F. ESE winds 10–20 mph draw in warmer, moist air and push rain chances to about 60%. During the evening, scattered thunderstorms continue with rain likely overnight, possibly strong at times, with temperatures falling to about 41°F and NNW winds 10–15 mph.

🌧️ Wednesday: Morning showers give way to mostly cloudy skies through the afternoon as cooler air settles in. Temperatures reach only about 47°F with NNW winds 15–25 mph, making the day feel brisk and unsettled. Skies turn partly cloudy overnight with a low near 29°F and continued WNW winds 10–20 mph.

⛅ Thursday: Intervals of clouds and sunshine return with a calmer pattern developing. High temperatures climb to around 50°F while WNW winds shift to SSW at 10–20 mph during the day. The night remains partly cloudy with a low near 37°F and SSW winds 10–15 mph.

☁️ Friday: Mostly cloudy skies dominate with cooler conditions settling in. Afternoon highs reach about 51°F with WSW winds 10–20 mph. The evening stays cloudy and quiet with temperatures dipping to about 34°F under NW winds 10–15 mph.

🌥️ Saturday: Mostly cloudy conditions continue with a cooler, steady pattern across the region. High temperatures reach about 54°F with NNW winds around 10–15 mph. The night remains mostly cloudy with temperatures falling into the mid-30s as light north winds continue.

⛽️PRINCETON GAS PRICES

Regular

Amoco, 720 N Main St: $3.49
Casey’s West/North: $3.59
Beck’s West/North: $3.29
Road Ranger, N Main St: $3.24
Shell, 2225 N Main St: $3.29

💼PRINCETON BUSINESSES #SHOPLOCAL

• Boek-el-ZOO announced a Sunday through Wednesday sale featuring animals and supplies available online. Customers who purchase items during the sale will receive a coupon for 50% off one future purchase, excluding live animals.

• Wild Honey Boutique invited shoppers to visit the store over the weekend. The boutique is open Friday 10–5:30, Saturday 10–5, and Sunday 12–4.

• Cafe Grace announced it will serve corned beef and cabbage on Tuesday, March 17 during lunch and dinner hours. The café also promoted its Easter Buffet scheduled for April 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Z Tour Bike Ride announced that registration is open for the 2026 ride scheduled for July 18. Early registration is $35 through March 15, and riders can choose from five different routes.

• The Princeton Closet shared a variety of donated china and collectibles now available in the store. Items include melamine saucers, hand-painted Japanese dishes, engraved bowls, and vintage porcelain sets.

• Flowers by Julia is highlighting a selection of candles in various colors and sizes. The shop encourages customers to add candles to candlestick displays that are trending again in home décor.

• Friends of Strays in Princeton is hiring a part-time Vet Tech Assistant. Applicants should have at least one year of experience working with cats and dogs in a veterinary office or shelter environment.

• Fresh Finds Princeton is featuring new bag charms that include small reusable bags inside. The charms can also hold small items like chapstick, coins, or mints.

• 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.

• Johnsons Carpet Shoppe is promoting a selection of green carpet options. The post highlights several shades available for customers interested in new flooring.

• Faith’s Fabulous Treats announced it is hiring for its Princeton and Lacon locations. Applicants must be reliable, flexible, and dependable, and can apply during normal business hours.

• Niel & Shorty’s BBQ Company promoted its special menu for Princeton Restaurant Weekend. Featured items include a brisket sandwich with mac and cheese for lunch and a salmon and rib combo for dinner.

• The Bureau County Farm Bureau promoted a prepackaged meal fundraiser prepared by Custom BBQ of Lanark. The meal bundle includes ten individual meals and supports the Bureau County Farm Bureau Foundation.

• The Studio Boutique announced a new arrival featuring a striped top in a lighter color variation similar to a popular pink version. Customers can shop the item in store Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. or online anytime.

• Monical’s Pizza of Princeton is promoting its Hot Honey Drizzle topping. The sweet and spicy addition is described as a flavorful option to enhance pizza.

• 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.

• Little Blue Dress in Princeton is highlighting new clothing arrivals and encouraging shoppers to visit the store. The boutique promotes a variety of wardrobe pieces and notes it is open seven days a week.

• 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

🛍️ Saturday, March 14: Huge Winter Garage Sale at Bureau County Fairgrounds – A large indoor garage sale from 8:00 AM–2:00 PM with free admission; attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food donation for a local pantry. Vendor spaces (10x10 with three tables) are available for $35.

🌿 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.

✉️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.

💝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 opens March 4th
🔗 Learn more about tuition and admissions at mypca.info

💭REMEMBERING PRINCETON

Don Saletzki: Our original Pizza Hut, location is the current northern part of the parking lot. In the photo, you will notice the solarium that has been added to the original building. Before Pizza Hut was built this was the location of the red and white grocery store, when it was torn down, they utilized the concrete floor that had been the grocery store. Many may remember the parking lot having the old store tile still stuck on it. I always felt that the four parking spots out front with a premium place to park, you can get a table and gaze out at your car. I should mention, center fireplace was great.

👷PRINCETON JOB OPENINGS

• 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

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2 (PG)

The sequel to the powerful true story behind MercyMe’s hit song continues to explore themes of forgiveness, redemption, and faith. As new trials arise, the story shows how God can transform broken relationships and painful pasts into testimonies of grace.

GOAT (PG)

A determined young athlete dreams of becoming the greatest in his sport but must face intense pressure, setbacks, and self-doubt along the way. Through discipline and perseverance, he discovers that true greatness requires character as much as talent.

HOPPERS (PG)

A lively animated adventure about an unlikely hero who finds himself caught in a wild journey with a group of quirky companions. Along the way, courage, friendship, and quick thinking prove that even the smallest hero can make a big difference.Like it? Tell your friends!