Princeton to receive grant money for sidewalk improvements and signage

Walking to school used to be the norm when you were young, but busy roads make the trek to school dangerous for today’s students.

Princeton is receiving federal grant money to pay for sidewalk work to make the walk to school safer around its public schools.

The city is receiving a $131,000 Safe Routes to Schools Grant. The money will pay for sidewalk improvements and signage. Princeton is the only area town receiving the grant this year.

Truck driver ticketed after crash near Princeton

One crash led to another crash near Princeton. Illinois State Police Troopers say a semi-trailer tipped over after a semi rear-ended another trailer around 5:30am Wednesday on Interstate 80.

The crash involved three trucks.   No one was hurt but one of the drivers, David Blacher of Bedford Park, was ticketed for following too closely and not slowing down to avoid a crash.

Princeton house fire blamed on a candle

One candle can cause a lot of damage. A second floor bedroom of a house on Park Avenue East in Princeton was left scorched after an unattended candle caught the wall on fire Sunday afternoon.

Princeton Fire Chief Chuck Woolley says two men that were home were able to safely get out and call for help. Firefighters were able to get to the fire before it spread to another room. Still, the fire caused enough damage that the people living there were not able to stay the night. They received help from the Bureau County Red Cross.

Firefighters respond to a basement fire in Princeton

A small basement fire was caught just in time. A Princeton woman arrived home Friday afternoon to find black smoke and her pets waiting by the door.

Princeton Fire Chief Chuck Woolley says they firefighters searched the first and second floor of the home on North Gosse Blvd before discovering a small fire in a corner of the basement. The fire was quickly extinguished.

Firefighters opened windows to ventilate the house. Woolley says there was some smoke and water damage. The cause was undetermined.

Food, history and music included in annual Homestead Festival

Save your appetite for pulled pork sandwiches and ice cream. As they have for years, the Princeton Junior Women’s Club will be serving food Friday evening as part of the Princeton Homestead Festival.

You will be able to tour the Bureau County Historical Society Museum and Owen Lovejoy Homestead.  You’ll find music and activities at Soldiers and Sailors Park and a beer garden with a live band at Darius Miller Park. A movie featuring Richard Widmark will be playing at the Apollo Theater. The actor was from Princeton.

The festival runs Friday through Sunday.  The Homestead Parade is Saturday.

Three people face felony theft charges in Princeton

Things have been going missing in Princeton and police think they have the people responsible. Matthew Mesick, Kristin Bolin and Christopher Bookwalter of Princeton were arrested Sunday night for felony theft.

Bookwalter was also arrested for residential burglary and Bolin for possession of a controlled substance.

Police say the investigation continues because they found many items that weren’t reported as stolen. If you know anything about the thefts or think something was stolen from you, call the Princeton Police Department and ask for the investigator.

Charity bike ride returning to Princeton

By now you’ve probably seen the bikes and signs in the Illinois Valley advertising the “Z Tour Bike Ride”. The 4th annual charity ride is happening this Saturday morning, beginning and ending at Zearing Park in Princeton.

Proceeds from the ride across Bureau County go to the Zearing Enrichment Center in Princeton which provides a childcare learning center. Day of registration is 35 dollars a rider. There are six bike routes going from 10 to 100 miles. Rides will leave Saturday morning between 6am and 9:30am. For more information click http://www.z-tour.org