Princeton's John Mikrut recently won the Sky Wars, the premier national fireworks competition in Innsbruck, Mo., crowned as the 2025 national champion in the pro division.

Have you noticed excavators moving dirt along May Road in Peru? Work is being done at the The Illinois Valley Reliability Project encompassing a 23-mile stretch of 138-kV transmission line, upgrading and rebuilding the existing Princeton substation in the City of Princeton, and building a new switching station called Lima located near Peru. The transmission line will improve energy reliability for communities in La Salle and Bureau Counties. It includes constructing the new transmission line will connect the Princeton substation to the new Lima switching station. The Lima station will provide electricity to the City of Peru and La Salle County by adding the feed and supporting future growth and development. Currently Bureau County is served by a single radium feed and that is their only energy source. This project promises to change that narrative, introducing an additional feed that will not only enhance the resiliency of Princeton but also provide much-needed support to the entire Bureau County region. As the project progresses, Ameran will submit two final routes of the project with the Illinois Commerce Commission in 2026. Once the certificate is granted, the ICC will approve a final route. Ameran will then contact land owners to collect information, understand the opportunities, easement and compensation will be discussed with each land owner. Access roads will be built throughout the line from Peru to Princeton along Interstate 80. Steel poles will be built from a height of 80-120 feet tall with 7-8 structures (poles) per mile with a average span range of 700-800 of line feet between structures. The plan is to have the project completed and operational in 2029. The Illinois Valley Reliability project will enhance economic growth for now and in the future.

The Harlem Wizards played a game against local Princeton Elementary School teachers and principals on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 at Pannebaker Gymnasium at Logan Jr. High School. The Harlem Wizards began in 1962 by founder Howie Davis. The event was a fundraiser for the PES PTO to support school activities like field trips, assemblies, and teacher stipends. The Harlem Wizards won the game by a score of 87-76.

Spring Valley United Church of Christ will begin selling its peanut brittle on Saturday, Nov. 1.

The Princeton-Illinois chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held its annual Day of Service to celebrate the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s 135th anniversary on Oct. 3.