PRINCETON — At approximately 5:30 p.m., the Princeton Police Department, assisted by the Bureau County Sheriff's Department and Illinois State Police, apprehended Jarod E. Williams, 30, of Princeton and Jillian Kavinsky, 29, of Manlius.

PRINCETON — Princeton Police responded to a call of a male subject with a knife at 2 p.m. Thursday.

PRINCETON — The city of Princeton is continuing its efforts to help customers save money on their energy bills.

MANLIUS — Students at Bureau Valley North and South will no longer be treated differently when they forget their lunch tickets.

MANLIUS — The investigation into a personnel matter within the Bureau Valley School District is now completed and closed.

Julia Cain, owner of Flowers by Julia in Princeton, puts finishing touches on the Christmas tree located at the Prouty Community Building on South Main Street in Princeton. The tree is decorated in time for this weekend’s Princeton Open House in downtown Princeton. The weekend event will kick-off the holiday shopping season with Main Street music, horse drawn carriage rides and other activities for the entire family.

PRINCETON — Tim Welsh of Princeton recently received his Nov. 29 birthday gift and his Christmas gift a few weeks early. His gift wasn’t wrapped in a box but came adorned in a Marine’s dress uniform.

SHEFFIELD — Sheffield Trustee Adrianne Ries informed the board at Monday’s village board meeting that Sheffield does meet the guidelines required to apply for grant monies through the North Central Illinois Council of Governments.

PRINCETON — The Bureau County Highway Department will hold a public hearing concerning the proposed replacement of the bridge carrying County Highway 8 (Wyanet-Walnut Road) over the Iowa Interstate Railroad and the Hennepin Canal, located on the southwest edge of the village of Wyanet.

PRINCETON — A suburban state senator is seeking to represent the Republican party in next fall’s election for governor.

Liberty Village residents Mary Johnson (from left) and Belva Taft show Bretta Klein and 7-year-old Terrianne Oestel just a few of the craft items, candies and baked goods available at Friday morning’s special holiday sale at Liberty Village. Activity director Bernice Schuetz (not pictured) said the great majority of Friday’s items were made by the residents. All proceeds will go back into programs and events for the residents, Schuetz said.

SPRING VALLEY — Project Success of Eastern Bureau County is in need of toys to benefit the more than 500 children whose parents will participate in “Santa’s Workshop” to be held from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 5.

PRINCETON — The city of Princeton Street Department has announced the schedule for garbage and recycling pickup for the Thanksgiving holiday.

WYANET — The Wyanet Police Department is looking for help with a canned good and unwrapped gift drive.

Tony Tranka of Amboy made a test run of his “Back-to-the-Future” inspired powered skateboard built by Tony and his brother on Nov. 2. Tony says the skateboard uses air pressure and water to propel it. He also says he has not yet opened it up to its full potential.

Nov. 20 — Walter Durley Boyle estate, real estate, 10 a.m., Putnam County Courthouse, Tumbleson Auction Co., auctioneers.

PRINCETON — The Princeton Skate Park will be closed until spring due to vandalism.

CHERRY — The gray sky reflected the mood of the hundreds and hundreds of those who came to Cherry Saturday.

Area food pantries are stocking up for the holidays, and more supplies are always needed.

A surveying company truck with Colorado license plates is destroyed by fire Sunday afternoon about one-half mile north of Arlington, near the intersection of Route 89 and County Road 2280. Fire Chief Dan Hunter said the Arlington Fire Department received the call about 12:15 p.m. Sunday and stayed at the fire scene for about 45 minutes. The totaled pick-up truck was towed to Waite’s Service and Towing in Cherry, Hunter said.

TISKILWA — Once again, the Christmas spirit is coming early to Tiskilwa.

PRINCETON — Princeton National Bancorp Inc. and Citizens First National Bank announced the retirement of President, CEO and Director Tony J. Sorcic effective Feb. 1, 2010.

PRINCETON — The Bureau County Board met in an emergency meeting for about 45 minutes Friday evening to discuss ongoing problems with a local wind farm road agreement.

Princeton residents Lorraine Sarrels (left) and Lyn Roberts browse through boxes of books at Saturday’s Friends of Strays’ book sale in Princeton. Proceeds from the weekend sale went to help fund the services of the no-kill animal shelter, located on North Main Street in Princeton.

SHEFFIELD — The Sheffield Public Library will hold a fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Sheffield Community Center. Monika Sudakov from the Chestnut Street Inn will be demonstrating the creation of seasonal dishes. Participants will get to sample the dishes when they are done. Please RSVP by calling the library at (815) 454-2628 or (309) 847-5009. The cost for tickets for the evening is $15 per person. All proceeds will benefit the library.

Area men check out the small tools sold at Saturday’s winter garage sale at the Bureau County Fairgrounds in Princeton. Sixty-five vendors participated in the sale, with more than 200 tables inside three exhibit halls and outdoors.

“I’m a descendant of coal miners from this part of the state, and my grandmother is from Spring Valley. I taught history, and I’ve been here before for research.”

Bob Morrow photographed an inquisitive squirrel who lives with his many brothers, sisters and friends in a huge pin oak just outside the front door of the Princeton home of Bob and his wife Paula.

LADD — The Ladd Village Board Finance Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, in the village hall to work on the tax levy.

PRINCETON — Take a magical trip to the wondrous world of Winterhaven as the Prairie Arts Center Children’s Community Theater presents it’s Christmas musical, "A Winterhaven Christmas."

OHIO — More than 150 Ohio residents turned out Thursday night to hear some facts about the possibility of closing Ohio High School.

Area schools have received their report cards, and the results showed how are students are doing in math, reading, science and writing.

SPRING VALLEY — Three weeks after a sewer backup left a Ladd Road homeowner’s basement flooded with raw sewage, city crews and the residents affected by the backup are working on solutions to the problem.

Scott Piper is followed by hundreds of seagulls as he chisel plows east of Princeton. There was one seagull in the field when he started chiseling in the morning. By 3 p.m. the field was white with the birds chasing bugs as the tractor opened up the ground.

PRINCETON/WYANET — Bureau County is moving toward a multi-million dollar bridge replacement project on the edge of Wyanet.

PRINCETON — Though winter is still officially six weeks away, now’s the time to get prepared, according to local officials.

CHERRY — As anyone who has gone to school knows, sometimes it can be difficult for students to connect with their lessons. This isn’t a problem Cherry Elementary students currently face.

PRINCETON — The Bureau County Chapter of the American Red Cross is joining the national organization in its annual Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

SPRING VALLEY — Project Success of Eastern Bureau County is in need of toys to benefit about 400 children who’s parents will participate in “Santa’s Workshop” from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 5.

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ financial woes made national news this week when a respected think tank named it one of the top 10 states in financial crisis, according to state Sen. Dale Risinger, R-Peoria.

It’s that time of year again: patients across the country are renewing their insurance and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. According to many health experts, now is a critical time for patients to examine their medications to be sure they continue to get what the doctor ordered.

PRINCETON — The Bureau County Board agrees it’s too soon to put an advisory referendum before voters about building a new correctional facility.

Area schools have received their report cards, and the results showed how are students are doing in math, reading, science and writing.

PRINCETON — The Bureau County Health Department is offering another H1N1 flu clinic for all high priority groups.

Clark Larson of Princeton (front) stands with other veterans in honoring all military during Wednesday morning’s Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Park in Princeton. An estimated 50 people attended the ceremony. Guest speaker was American Legion District 16 Commander Sam Rice of Toulon. Emcee was David Ohlson of Princeton. Among the veterans groups participating in Wednesday’s ceremony were the Princeton American Legion Post 125, AMVETS Post 180 and Princeton VFW Post 4323, as well as the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 125 and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

“Mr. Banana Man” Erik Muller twirls DePue Elementary School teacher’s aide Marie Jones around the gymnasium during a Tuesday morning assembly at the school. Muller, chief operating officer for The FruitGuys Co. of California, and FruitGuys salesman Aaron Smith presented the healthy eating and exercise assembly and challenged students to make responsible choices.

PRINCETON — With Christmas just seven weeks away, children aren’t the only ones looking for the arrival of Santa.

PRINCETON — A Bureau County grand jury considered the following cases on Nov. 9 at the Bureau County Courthouse:

LADD — A Morris restaurant is going to set up shop this Friday in downtown Ladd.

PRINCETON — The Princeton Chamber of Commerce is doing its best to get people to spend their shopping dollars locally, and not just at Christmas time.

PRINCETON — The North Central Illinois Council of Governments will celebrate its 30th year of operation at its annual dinner today, Thursday, at Wise Guys Bar & Grill in Princeton.

WYANET — Where you burn your leaves in Wyanet could generate a fine.

Santa Claus, Jonathan Aley and conductor Ryan Luecke invite everyone to take part in Santa’s Met Express on Nov. 28 at the Bureau County Metro Center in Princeton. The program, based on the movie “The Polar Express,” will include the reading of “The Polar Express,” a train ride engineered by Charles Tieman, a visit from Santa Claus, arts and crafts, hot chocolate and cookies. Participants will receive a ticket that will be punched by the conductor as they enter the train. While visiting with Santa they will receive the first gift of Christmas. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per child. Twenty percent of the revenue generated by the program will be donated to Toys for Tots. Participants are invited to wear their pajamas.

PRINCETON — A Princeton man was sentenced to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to the Class 1 felony of residential burglary and to the Class 2 felony of aggravated battery.

Bureau Valley Volunteer Hospice was established in 1993 to offer supportive services to the terminally ill and their families in the Bureau Valley Area. Hospice as a whole has grown immensely since 1974 and now there are more than 3,000 Medicare hospice programs and about 200 volunteer hospice programs. We are one of three remaining volunteer hospices in the state of Illinois and are proud to be community supported.

Nov. 14 — Mennonite Board of Education, real estate, 10 a.m., 240 South St., Tiskilwa, Tumbleson Auction Co., auctioneers.

SPRING VALLEY—A 184,000 square-foot steel distribution center could be coming to corner of Route 6 and Route 89 on Spring Valley’s north end, Mayor Cliff Banks announced Monday night.

BUREAU — The village of Bureau is getting a big boost from the federal government to help improve the village’s water system.

There were 4,042 fewer students in Illinois last year than the year before, and 109 of those students disappeared from Bureau County.

This little girl was one of many children who enjoyed riding ponies Saturday during Spring Valley’s Christmas in the Valley. Other activities included pictures with Santa, trolley rides, costumed characters, barbershop quartet carolers and children’s game and holiday crafts.

MANLIUS — Due to lack of communication from Linda Hard and Ted Hannon, owners of dilapidated properties on 113 and 115 E. Maple, the village is proceeding with court filings to have the matter resolved.

Echo Bluff, located outside of Spring Valley, hosted a Star Party Saturday night. With the weather perfect for stargazing, event participants enjoyed astronomy-related software demonstrations, a slide presentation of “The Universe,” and naked eye and telescope demonstrations. At left, Jaime Avela, 7, of Granville looks through a telescope where he was able to see Saturn and three of its moons.  About 75 people attended the event.

After an uncooperative and wet October, Bureau County farmers are finally making some good headway in the fields.

The Bureau County United Way has announced Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds are available for qualifying county residents. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds are available for qualifying newly unemployed county residents. For qualification requirements, contact the Tri-County Opportunities Council at (815) 875-6064. Tri-County is located at 1005 N. Main St. in Princeton.

OHIO — Ohio’s Committee of 10 — Kat Conner, Rick Wilkin, George Christison, Deb Anderson, Rose Duffy, Dena Doran, Bridgot Lamkin, Howard Miller, Rich Mueller and Marcia Thompson — will hold a community meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Ohio fire station to discuss the possibility of annexing the Ohio High School district to the Princeton High School district.

SPRING VALLEY — Entries are being sought for the Lighted Santa Parade, which will take place in downtown Spring Valley at 7 p.m. Dec. 12. Organizations or individuals may enter. Lighted cars and trucks or decorated floats are acceptable. Entries without lights will not be admitted. (Head lights do not count.) In order not to confuse the children, there will only be one Santa, and he will be riding on the Boosters’ float. For safety, no items may be thrown into the crowd from the entries (i.e., candy, balloons, etc.).

Youth Services Bureau of Illinois Valley representatives Steve Bouslog (left) and Tim Smith (right) present plaques of appreciation to key donors at a recent breakfast meeting in Princeton. Plaque recipients are Greta Coyle (front row, from left) and Elizabeth Romagnoli, representing Coyle Trucking and Automotive Repair Services; Mayor Keith Cain, representing the city of Princeton; and back row Gary Bruce (second from left) of Bruce Jewelers; and Dave Jensen, representing Princeton Walmart,

PRINCETON — Bureau County voters have three months to do their homework before heading to the polls to determine candidates for a variety of state offices.

PRINCETON — In honor of the centennial commemoration of the Cherry Mine Disaster, the Princeton Public Library will host the following events:

NEWTON, Iowa — Dixon native Eustace K. “E.K.” Shaw, 84, former chairman of the board of Shaw Newspapers, died Friday in Newton, Iowa, where he and his wife, Nancy, had lived the past 60 years. He was the father of former Bureau County Republican Publisher Bill Shaw.

City of Princeton

"The majority of my shopping is done locally."

PRINCETON — Members of the Princeton High School class of 1959 celebrated their 50th class reunion during Homestead Festival weekend.

SPRINGFIELD — With the annual fall veto session concluding Oct. 30, newspaper editorial writers from Chicago to Carbondale are weighing in on the General Assembly’s accomplishments. Most mirrored the disappointment of Senate Republicans over campaign finance reforms that fell short of expectations, according to state Sen. Dale Risinger, R-Peoria.

Last spring, students in third, fifth, sixth and eighth grades took the Illinois Standards Achievement Test in reading and mathematics, while students in fourth and seventh grades were tested in reading, mathematics and science.

As the House of Representatives prepares for a floor vote today, Saturday, on Health Care Reform Bill (H.R. 3962), the sweeping health care overhaul, local representatives are expressing their opinions on the bill.

PRINCETON — Precinct committeemen for the Republican and Democratic political parties will be elected at the Feb. 2, 2010, primary election. However, there are no contested races.

Eighty-nine year old Clifford Heaton spends Friday morning behind the wheel of the combine in family fields north of Princeton. Though their beans are all in, his son, Ted Heaton still has a lot of corn to bring in, the elder Heaton said. Harvest in Bureau County will no doubt be pushing into the Christmas season this year, he added. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported only 19 percent of the corn crop out of the fields in Illinois, well below the five-year average of 86 percent.

Nov. 7  — Elizabeth Woodfill estate, antiques furniture, frames pictures, toys, glassware, antiques, collectibles, southwest pottery and jewelry, decoys, 10 a.m., 1635 N. Main St. (Tumbleson Auction Center), Princeton, Tumbleson Auction  Co., auctioneers.

WALNUT — Trustee Duane Christensen reported to the Walnut Village Board regarding concerns the village’s Streets and Alley Committee has with a few village streets.

Seventeen-year-old Aaron Fargher of Walnut is one of several Bureau County young men working toward their Eagle Scout badges through the Boy Scouts of America. Aaron, a member of Walnut Troop 1053, chose for his project repainting the estimated 100 fire hydrants in the community. In addition to the actual painting of the hydrants, the multi-week project included first power washing all the fire hydrants, ordering the paint, meeting OSHA requirements, and then leading his troop in the work.

SHEFFIELD — Receiving agendas, copies of previous board minutes, a list of monthly bills and other correspondence in a timely fashion was the topic of another heated discussion at the Sheffield Village Board meeting.

TISKILWA — Area veterans who served during the Korean Conflict, sometimes called “The Forgotten War,” will be remembered and honored in a special program hosted by the Tiskilwa Historical Society at 7 p.m. Monday at the Tiskilwa Community Church on Main Street.

Jennifer Merth of Princeton submitted this photo of Princeton High School classmates from 1979 who joined for their 30 year reunion Sept. 11 at the Underground Inn. Class members included (front row, from left) Laurie (Saal) Riva, Linda (Reinhart) Waterstreet, Carol (Oaks) Froelich, Missy Scott, Paul Scruggs, Pam (Weeks) Hosier, Jennifer (Swan) Merth, Todd Poruba, Greg Ritz, Gerri (Kuhn) Frank and Paula (Naffiziger) Hoerner; (second row) Jerry Johnson, Gary Halberg, Sally (Martin) Dycus, Connie (Friend) Swan, Bill Halberg, Lorrie (Long) Bennett, Nancy (Storm) Bell, Denise (Dunlap) Walters, Doug McCauley, Donna (Vernon) Sartain, Troy Sartain, Carla (Bivens) Blades, Kim (Obenhaus) Wolfer, Denise (Lowdermilk) Johnson and Tim Frank; (third row)

ARLIGNTON — Flags which were blessed during Memorial Day services at Calvary Cemetery in Arlington during this year's Memorial Day services will be flown on Veterans Day.

SPRING VALLEY — It’s time for Spring Valley’s lights to shine for the Holiday Home Lighting contest. Registration forms and a $5 donation must be turned in by Nov. 25, and judging will take place between Dec. 1-11. Maps will be available at City Hall or online at