Editor’s note: This is the first in a series focusing on the events in and around Bureau County in 2012.

Jan. 3: More than 20 fire departments assist the Peru Fire Department in battling a blaze at the former Westclox site, including fire departments from Spring Valley, Ladd, Cherry, Princeton, Dalzell, Arlington and LaMoille, as well as numerous LaSalle County departments. Also assisting were police departments from Spring Valley, Princeton, LaSalle County, the Illinois State Police and sheriff’s departments from LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties. Less than three hours after the fire was discovered, police arrested a 17-year-old LaSalle male and a 15-year-old Peru male.

Jan. 5: Three Princeton businesses are evacuated after police receive a bomb threat. Police Chief Tom Root says the first hang-up call came at 6:20 p.m. at Culver’s and another call came one minute later with the caller saying a bomb was going off in six minutes at the Burger King and McDonald’s restaurants. Police evacuate the businesses as well as the nearby Roma’s restaurant.