Bureau County

The city of Princeton honored Pete Nelson for his more than 20 years of service to the city as a city clerk, planning and zoning administrator and human resources manager.

The following cases were considered by the Bureau County Grand Jury on Feb. 18, 2025.

Music festivals, a model train fair and farm toy show, a Taylor Swift tribute and bridal expo are among the highlights of activities in the Illinois Valley this weekend.

The Arukah Institute of Healing, Inc. has been awarded $3.6 million as part of Gov. JB Pritzker’s $200 million statewide initiative to expand innovative healthcare services for underserved populations.

The River Bend Food Bank will bring its mobile food pantry 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, to the Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 W. Peru St., Princeton.

Charlie Ellerbrock, a sports and sometimes news reporter for Shaw Local Media who passed away unexpectedly at his Ottawa home late last week, will be remembered for his skill, his passion and his friendly heart.

With the forecast calling for wind chills as low as -18 degrees at 6 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago, schools in Bureau County are adapting their schedules for Tuesday, Feb. 18.

The Princeton Theater Group is pleased to announce the return of The Manhattan Dolls to the Grace Theater for two special performances at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22.

University of Illinois Extension serving Bureau, La Salle, Marshall and Putnam counties is offering two Anhydrous Ammonia Certified Grower Trainings on March 13.

The Bureau County Animal Control Office is seeking more information about the shooting death of two dogs.

The Model Train Fair and Farm Toy Show to be held at Bureau County Fairgrounds has been postponed to Saturday, Feb. 22, because of the weather forecast. 

Schools in and around La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties have announced closures and e-learning days ahead of a predicted snowstorm Wednesday.

Businesses, organizations and events in and around La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties have announced closures and cancellations ahead of a predicted snowstorm Wednesday.

It is important to know your community’s parking rules to help plows get around and to save yourself from getting towed, snowed in or a parking ticket.

A fundraiser through the Bureau County Farm Bureau is offering 10 prepackaged meals, created and prepared by Custom Catering and BBQ. All you need to do is thaw and reheat.

The Bureau County Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee will take part in the annual District 4 YL Curling outing at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28.

The La Salle County Soil & Water Conservation District along with the Bureau County Soil & Water Conservation District will be co-hosting a pond clinic from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Peru City Hall, 1901 Fourth St.

The following property transfers were recorded Jan. 16-31, 2025, at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office.

Jon Scholtes, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties, will attend Habitat on the Hill, Habitat for Humanity’s annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C.

If your child will be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, and will be attending kindergarten in the Princeton Elementary school system for the 2025-2026 school year, come to Douglas Elementary at 220 E. La Salle St. and register your child.

The semi-annual Model Train Fair and Farm Toy Show will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, at Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 W. Peru St., Princeton.

Chase away the winter chills with a bowl of soup.

The nationwide spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, also known as avian or bird flu, has many in Illinois concerned about livestock, pets, wildlife, food safety and public health.

The following marriage licenses were recorded Jan. 12 through Feb. 5 at the Bureau County Courthouse.

Walneck’s Motorcycle Swap Meet is scheduled 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 W. Peru St., Princeton.

The following property transfers were recorded Jan. 1-15, 2025, at the Bureau County Recorder of Deeds’ office.

A Bureau County Board committee tabled consideration of an intergovernmental agreement to accept jail inmate transfers from Cook County to fine tune some stipulations ahead of a full County Board vote.

John Scholtes talks about how you can get involved as a volunteer along with how to apply as a family in need, listen to the interview here

The following cases were considered by the Bureau County Grand Jury on Jan. 17.

Streator has named lifelong Streator resident Dean Chalkey as its new community development director. Chalkey will focus on revitalizing the city's economic development and supporting capital improvement projects.

State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is inviting local leaders, students and community members to an Open House event 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, to celebrate her new district office at 628 Columbus St. (Suite 408) in Ottawa.

State Sen. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, and State Rep. Brad Fritts, R-Dixon, have been appointed to several key legislative committee roles.

Starved Rock Country Community Foundation has a new home.

The American Association of Retired Persons Foundation will offer free tax services in Princeton through their Tax-Aide program beginning in February.

Lydia Hardy of Bureau County 4-H has been selected for the 2025 Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team.

Starved Rock State Park will receive $33.8 million in state funding for a wastewater treatment plant and trail improvements.

If Bureau County residents will accept inmate transfers from Cook County, Sheriff Jim Reed thinks he can put two more deputies on patrol.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, through its Community Services Block Grant, has made funds available to Tri-County Opportunities Council for at least 12 scholarships of up to $1,250 each for income-eligible students.

Take a tour of the inside of the Bureau County Jail. The Bureau County Board soon will vote to house inmates from Cook County. The proposal would generate revenue for the county.

The village of DePue is uncertain about the status of a $23 million grant previously approved by the federal government to build a new wastewater treatment plant that would halt raw sewage from backing up into the basements of homes during floods.

He had a sharp nose and he helped locate bodies. Murder victim Deb Dewey was undoubtedly his most important discovery.

University of Illinois Extension will host a program series this winter all about sustainable agriculture.

The Princeton City Council weighed in Jan. 20 on a Bureau County Board item to house inmates from Cook County, with each council member saying they opposed the idea.

DePue and Spring Valley firefighters responded to their second structure fire in a 24-hour span Monday afternoon in DePue.

A DePue residential fire was contained to a shed Sunday.

The Voluntary Action Center of La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam counties has a new home at the former Peru Pizza House, 1702 Fourth St. in Peru, the nonprofit said in a Friday news release.

The American Association of Retired Persons Foundation offers tax services in Princeton through its Tax-Aide program beginning in February.

The Illinois Valley Quilts of Valor group will host its National Sewing Day for Quilts of Valor from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Princeton Moose Lodge, 1339 N. Euclid St.

Explore the beloved treat of chocolate. Many chocolates are considered indulgent, but some can offer health benefits when consumed mindfully.

Bureau County History Center Executive Director Lex Poppens announced on Monday the history center’s decision to move forward and complete the cosmetic restoration of the Sash Stalter Matson Building.