PRINCETON — The search for the Citizens Great Medallion continues with the release of the fourth clue.

PRINCETON — With 30 years of active leadership in county fairs, both locally and statewide, Bill Diller of Princeton has been named Outstanding County Fair Person of the Year by the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs.

PRINCETON — Now is not the time to slack off when it comes to protecting yourself against the West Nile Virus, said Carey Panier, director of health protection for the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department.

PRINCETON — Bureau County voters will have two countywide referendums to vote on when they go to the polls in November.

Area senior citizens meet for a friendly card game of bridge Thursday afternoon at the Bureau County Senior Citizens Center at 16 W. Marion St. in Princeton. The senior center plans a variety of regular events and programs for Bureau County seniors, including luncheons, exercise and singing programs and educational services.

SPRING VALLEY — The stories of the coal miners and grocers, the businessmen and laborers, the men and women who made the city of Spring Valley, have now found a permanent home.

PRINCETON — The Sept. 21 and Oct. 19 board meetings of the Big Bureau Creek Watershed have been canceled due to the possibility of harvest conflicts.

PRINCETON — The Bureau County Soil & Water Conservation District is holding its annual tree sales this fall.

Michael and Shannon Lopez of Tiskilwa are reunited Wednesday night after Michael’s early return from Iraq. Michael surprised his wife Wednesday evening while she was leading a youth meeting at the Bureau County Christian Center at 3525 N. Main St. in Princeton. Shannon wasn’t expecting her husband until next week. Upon arrival in Princeton, Michael was greeted on North Main Street by a caravan of Princeton police, fire and ambulance personnel.

PRINCETON — Can’t get your infant to sleep through the night?

Todd Borsch of Princeton submitted this photo of the original L.C.N. plant taken about 1952.

SPRING VALLEY — The office of the Spring Valley City Clerk will be closed Monday for the Labor Day holiday, according to City Clerk Becky Hansen.

SPRING VALLEY — A food service sanitation manager certification course will be offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m Sept. 18 at St. Margaret’s Hospital. This is a state approved 15-hour course for the Illinois Food Safety Commission.

SPRINGFIELD — A study by the non-partisan Civic Federation this week suggests state taxpayers will pay more than $500 million in extra interest costs on bonds sold in the past 12 months due to recent credit rating downgrades, according to state Sen. Dale Risinger, R-Peoria.

PRINCETON — The search for the Citizens Great Medallion continues with the release of the third clue.

PRINCETON— Though Princeton High School did not meet federally-mandated Adequate Yearly Progress this year, Principal Barb Schmidt encourages parents to focus on the progress of their individual children.

SPRING VALLEY — A father and son attended Monday’s Spring Valley City Council meeting to see just what the city plans to do about the erupting sewage and sliding hillside near their Gallagher Street homes.

BUREAU — The Leepertown School Board is learning that making a decision to close the school was the easiest part of the process.

OHIO — Think only astronauts and scientists work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration?

The Putnam County Historical Society’s annual cemetery walk will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Granville Cemetery. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. The cemetery, established in 1864, is on Hennepin Street just west of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. For questions, contact Teresa Clausen at 815-925-7052. (Photo contributed)

LADD — Members of the Ladd Community Improvement Association elected new officers at the August meeting. They are Dick Olszowka, president; Kim McKee, vice president; Sandy Galetti, secretary; and Lynn Victor, treasurer.

Todd Borsch of Princeton submitted these photos of Princeton in the early 1900s. The photos show an interurban passenger car on Main Street just north of Park Avenue. In 1911 the interurban crashed in front of what is now the Pizza Hut. Another photo shows several youngsters watching as workmen attempt to set the car upright.

PRINCETON — Twelve-year-old Paige Dietz has won the 2010 Dog Idol Photo Contest sponsored by the Bureau County Republican.

Joanne Swan (left) and Sue Barlow get in a bit of practice time before this year’s “We’ve Got Talent” show, set for Homestead weekend at Princeton High School. A variety of the area’s most talented performers will participate in the event, which is set for 8 p.m., Sept. 11 and 3 p.m. Sept. 12. The event is sponsored by Midland States Bank, and Doris Hamilton is the director. Tickets can be purchased at area banks.

The 39th campaign of the Bureau County United Way will kick off Sept. 13 with an agency meeting in Princeton.

PRINCETON — Members of the Illinois Reagan Centennial Commission visited Princeton last week as guests of the Illinois Theater Conservatory to explain the role of the commission and to invite Bureau County, the city of Princeton and the Illinois Theater Conservatory to join in a yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ronald Reagan, the only United States president born in Illinois. In addition to members of the conservatory board, the meeting was attended by city of Princeton officials and members of the Bureau County and Princeton Tourism committees and the Princeton Chamber of Commerce.

PRINCETON — The United States EPA and Illinois EPA have begun a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Study for the Illinois River, and the public can learn more about this study at upcoming meetings.

Sept. 5-6 — Two-day Labor Day, antiques, collectibles, clock collection, musical instruments, toys, etc., 10 a.m., 1635 N. Main St. (Tumbleson Auction Center), Princeton, Tumbleson Auction Co., auctioneers.

PRINCETON — The search for the Citizens Great Medallion continues with the release of the second clue.

With the start of the school year, the Community Partners Against Substance Abuse Coalition (CPASA) is continuing its work to reduce substance abuse among youth in Bureau and Putnam counties.

PRINCETON — A picture of a Princeton girl is featured on all of the printed materials for the Abigail Women’s Clinic’s annual fundraising campaign.

— Spring Valley Police Chief Kevin Sangston has issued a reminder to residents on burning restrictions in Spring Valley. The chief said burning will be allowed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, but burning is not allowed on Mondays. He also said there can be no burning on any streets or alleys, and all burning must be supervised and at least 20 feet from any structure.

NEPONSET — The Neponset Pride organization will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Neponset Community Building. Anyone interested in improving the quality of life in Neponset is welcome and encouraged to attend. Membership is open to both Neponset residents and non-residents.

PRINCETON — A businessman from Edwardsville is running as the Republican nominee for the lieutenant governor seat.

“You know that saying ‘sink or swim?’ I’m stepping out of my comfort zone, right into the deep end of the pool, and I’m going to swim!” said Brian Szuda, campaign chair for United Way of Illinois Valley’s 2011 campaign.

OHIO — Rep. Bill Foster toured the Big Sky wind farm project currently under construction Monday, and Congress’ only scientist kept Big Sky officials on their toes.

"I've been going to the fair since I was a little girl, and my favorite part of the fair is definitely the food. The lemon shake-ups, corn dogs and funnel cakes are delicious."

Marianne Greim of Princeton submitted these photos of a ‘peeping Tom’ possum. She said grandchildren Jessie and Logan were playing Wii in the basement when they noticed this possum sitting outside the window. The possum didn’t seem frightened by the flash of the camera and remained in the window for quite some time.

Tom Sneed of Princeton took this picture of a squirrel in his bird bath on a recent hot August day. Tom said the temperature was 93 degrees and this squirrel jumped up on the bird bath to get a drink. He must have thought it was just too hot and laid down with one side of his body in the water.

PRINCETON — A rural Neponset man died Friday as the result of a motorcycle accident just west of Princeton.

PRINCETON — Thanks to Mother Nature smiling over Princeton, the 155th Bureau County Fair was a record-breaker in most every way, according to Tracy Brenneman, marketing director for the fair.

LAMOILLE — LaMoille C.U.S.D. No. 303 Board of Education has had a recent resignation on the school board.

PRINCETON — Citizens Great Medallion Hunt, sponsored by Citizens First National Bank, begins today, Saturday.

Country singer Craig Morgan performs for an admiring crowd Friday night at the Bureau County Fairgrounds as the highlight event of the 155th Bureau County Fair. Morgan has released five albums since 2000 with eight No. 1 hits and 16 charted songs.

PRINCETON — Princeton High School is looking at a tentative budget deficit of more than $455,000 for the 2011 fiscal year.

Local comments continue on Wednesday’s news of a 7-year-old LaSalle boy who was attacked and killed this week by a pack of dogs.

PRINCETON — More of Illinois’ soil could literally be blowing in the wind if projected cuts are maintained for the state’s 98 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD).

To say there is “big” fun at the 155th Bureau County Fair in Princeton would be an understatement. The Elephant Encounter has been entertaining fair-goers of all ages this year. Other great attractions include livestock shows, a state-of-the-art midway and more. The fair runs through Sunday night.

Corbin Sluis, 3, of Henry tackles a foot-long corndog that is nearly as big as he is Thursday night at the 155th Bureau County Fair. Sluis, along with several other fair-goers, enjoyed wonderful weather, great fair food, entertainment and plenty of fun since the fair opened on Wednesday. Today, Saturday, and Sunday, those visiting the fair will still have plenty to see and do, including livestock shows, grandstand events, concessions, exhibits and more. The fair closes Sunday night after the Demolition Derby.

PRINCETON — The regular monthly meeting of the Bureau County Board’s Zoning & ESDA Committee to be held Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m. has been rescheduled.

LADD — Hydrant testing to determine the village’s fire insurance rating will be performed in Ladd on Tuesday. If discoloration occurs, run cold water until it clears.

WYANET — Work on the $5.9 million Wyanet bridge project should begin in mid-September, but it won’t be completed until next summer.

Amanda Ruhl, 12, of Abington is all smiles with her supreme champion cow of all breeds, which she showed Thursday at the 155th Bureau County Fair. Amanda, along with her younger sister, Alison, won several ribbons and awards during Thursday’s dairy show.

OGLESBY — The North Central Illinois Council of Governments has announced the Economic Development District Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby in Room C-325.

"Kicking off" the 2010 football season, we thought this photo of the 1948 Tiskilwa Little Eight Conference champions would be appropriate. Those were the days of eight-man football in the Little Eight Conference. Besides Tiskilwa, the other schools fielding eight-man teams were LaMoille, Wyanet, Ohio, Buda, Manlius, Sheffield and Neponset. In the fall of 1948, when Tiskilwa Indians were the Little Eight Conference champs in football, Clarence "Crazy Legs" Compton ran for a single-game conference record of six touchdowns against Neponset. Clarence topped all Little Eight scorers with 116 points that year. The Indians included (front row, from left) John Hedrich, Wayne Bornsheuer, Donald Morris, Ben Stocking and Jake Barnes; (second row) Will

PRINCETON — The 2010 Bureau County 4-H Fair Review Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the University of Illinois Extension – Bureau County office, 850 Thompson St., Princeton. Anyone who wishes to discuss comments, concerns or questions regarding the 4-H Fair is welcome to attend.

BUREAU — The Leepertown Board of Education will hold a special board meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The meeting will take place in the conference room of the grade school.

ROCK FALLS — Tri-County Opportunities Council is operating the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) under the direction of the Illinois Department Commerce and Economic Opportunities.

PRINCETON — Advanced Asphalt Co. will be removing pavement in the area on Main Street from the BNSF Railroad south to Clark Street for the entire day on Tuesday. The public is asked to avoid this area.

Daily carnival rides and games, a variety of fair food and free daily entertainment are again part of this year’s Bureau County Fair. The fair runs through Sunday at the Bureau County Fairgrounds in Princeton. See Tuesday's BCR and www.bcrnews.com for more photos from the weekend.

SPRINGFIELD – Lawmakers heard from prison reform groups and family members of crime victims, as well as DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett Aug. 25 at the second meeting of the Illinois Joint Investigatory Panel on Early Release.

DEPUE — DePue Superintendent Ann Chandler has big plans for more than one million dollars in grant money.

Kenneth Schreck finishes putting up a No Parking fence Wednesday morning along a stretch of road within the Bureau County Fairgrounds in Princeton. Public parking lots will be well-marked for fair-goers to this week’s Bureau County Fair. The annual fair opened Wednesday afternoon and will end Sunday evening. Daily carnival rides and games, a variety of fair food, livestock shows and grandstand activities will be part of this year’s 155th  annual Bureau County Fair.

OHIO — A monument to honor Ohio’s veterans has resulted in its own battle between the veterans committee and the village board.

PRINCETON — It’s fair week once again, and there’s no need to ask where Princeton’s Eugene Solon is.

North American Midway worker Rick Kelley sorts through colorful stuffed animals and toys in preparation of Wednesday afternoon’s start of the 155th annual Bureau County Fair in Princeton. Daily carnival rides and games, a variety of fair food, livestock shows and grandstand activities will again be part of this year’s county fair. Friday night’s grandstand country show will feature entertainer Craig Morgan and Rodeo Drive.

PRINCETON — The Princeton Elementary School District has started its new fiscal year but is still waiting on state money owed the district for last year.

TISKILWA — Beginning Monday, and running through Sept. 5, a five minute segment on Tiskilwa, Gem of the Valley, will air on CNN Headline News at 24 minutes and 54 minutes past the hour. There may be a few time exceptions, and viewers are encouraged to check their local cable guide or

CHERRY — Road repairs were on the minds of Cherry Village Board members at their meeting Monday night.

Dave Solis of Ottawa gives a quick bath Wednesday morning to one of five hogs he brought to this week’s Bureau County Fair in Princeton. Each of the hogs were expected to weigh in the 280 to 300 pound category, with an official weigh-in scheduled for later Wednesday afternoon. In addition to a variety of livestock shows, other fair activities include grandstand events, the North American Midway games and rides, and numerous booths in the fairgrounds display buildings.stand activities will again be part of this year’s county fair. Friday night’s grandstand country show will feature entertainer Craig Morgan and Rodeo Drive.

PRINCETON — Michael R. Hayden, 46, of Putnam was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty Aug. 23 to the Class 4 felony of driving while license revoked/subsequent offense. This sentence will run concurrently with driving while license revoked convictions in Marshall and Putnam counties.

Todd Borsch of Princeton submitted this aerial photo of the former Wilson’s Mobile Ranch taken about 1971 when he lived there. Todd says that its called The Grove now. He said the photo is taken from a postcard.

Aug. 26 — Palma Keutzer antique and modern furniture, antiques, collectibles, household, lawn and garden, 4 p.m., 2937 E. Third St., LaSalle, Tumbleson Auction Co., auctioneers.

Cooking outdoors was once only a summer activity shared with family and friends. Now more than half of Americans say they are cooking outdoors year round. So whether the snow is blowing or the sun is shining brightly, it’s important to follow food safety guidelines to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying and causing foodborne illness. Use these simple guidelines for grilling food safely.

PRINCETON — The actions of an alert resident led to the quick arrest of Sunday morning’s Bruce Jewelers’ burglar.

PRINCETON — Summer months are traditionally harder months for the American Red Cross to get enough blood collections, and the Bureau County branch has also seen a decline.

PRINCETON — One or more burglars found both more and less than they were looking for Sunday morning in downtown Princeton.

SHEFFIELD — As Mary Ann Cernovich recalls it, a group of Sheffield friends were sitting around together one night, a few months back, talking about their community and how the 2009 ending of the long-standing Sheffield Homecoming Festival would leave a summer void for the community.

PRINCETON — The entry deadline for this year’s Homestead Festival parade is Wednesday. To request a parade application, contact Deb Kirley at Edward Jones Investments by calling 815-875-6565. Applications may also be downloaded at www.homesteadfestival.com. Participants are encouraged to use this year’s theme, “Star Spangled Spectacular.”

DEPUE — New staff members and grants were on the table at last week’s DePue School Board meeting. Superintendent Ann Chandler discussed with board members new, grants and other possible changes.

PRINCETON — A Princeton man is serving eight months in the Bureau County Jail after entering guilty pleas to driving-related charges.

PRINCETON — Princeton Police Chief Tom Root has issued his department’s activity report for July. Officers responded to 952 calls and handled 41 ambulance assists, 12 fire assists, 27 police assists, answered 35 alarms, six funeral escorts, 19 thefts, 14 criminal damage calls and 61 motorist assists.

Tonya Kay Rosenthal

Little Miss Bureau County Fair Queen Taylor Wetsel and Junior Miss Bureau County Fair Queen Megan Foes welcome Cora, the 49-year-old Asian elephant to the Bureau County Fairgrounds Monday afternoon. Elephant Encounter is only one of the shows that will be presented at the fair, which runs from Wednesday through Sunday. For complete information on fair shows and attractions, see

PRINCETON — The 2010 Bureau County 4-H Fair was held July 22-25. During the fair, project exhibits were selected to represent Bureau County 4-H at the Illinois State Fair. Bureau County’s general project exhibit days were Aug. 14 for welding, and Aug. 15 for all other general projects.

Saturday morning the Bureau County Republican in Princeton was the stage for a mock disaster drill, where emergency crews, fire trucks, ambulances and squad cars participated in the emergency response drill.

PRINCETON — The entry deadline for this year Homestead Festival parade is Wednesday, Aug. 25.

CHICAGO — Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Illinois Safe Children Act into law Friday.

SPRINGFIELD — The 150th anniversaries of some of the most important dates in United States history are rapidly approaching, and a new website feature will make it easier to look into the daily life of the man at the center of it all.

PRINCETON — The Princeton City Council is seeking a $4 million loan to make improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment department and hopefully solve flooding problems in some neighborhoods.

SPRING VALLEY — On Tuesday, Leepertown School Board members decided to proceed down the long road to reorganization, and directed Superintendent Amber Harper to contact the Spring Valley and Ladd elementary school districts regarding a feasibility study about a possible annexation.

TISKILWA — Residents of the Tiskilwa Public Library District are invited to a special meeting to discuss future plans for the town’s library.

Patrick Thorp and Ashlynn Scott, along with the other first-graders in Michelle Edens’ class at Jefferson Elementary School in Princeton, worked on making patterns Thursday, the first day of school for Princeton Elementary School students. Most children in Edens’ class said they were glad to be back in school — a sign on the board showed 18 students were happy to be coming to school, two felt nervous and only two felt sad.

Barbara Fairchild and her husband, Roy Morris, sing together at last Saturday’s summer music fundraiser show for the Bureau County Senior Citizens Association held at the Sally Skinner Council Auditorium at Princeton High School. The couple performed a number of duets and solos during the two shows.

SHEFFIELD — As the demolition date of the former Sheffield School building is drawing closer, some area residents are thinking about preserving some memories for the future.

Princeton Police Officer Joel Drozda adjusts car seat straps for Daiquan Owens, 5, of Wyanet during last weekend’s DNA/LifePrint child safety event at Piehl Chevrolet Buick Pontiac Cadillac in Princeton. In addition to showing parents and families the proper installation and use of car seats, officers also took identification fingerprints of children.

WALNUT — Walnut Village Board is tightening its belt.

SHEFFIELD — Margaret “Peg” Schmitt is still there, but the Sheffield Historical Society is now under the direction of an otherwise entirely new board of directors.

SPRING VALLEY — The question of the day in Spring Valley is where did all the kindergartners go?

Pam Lange, with the Bureau County Historical Society, submitted this photo of earlier sidewalk construction at the north end of Princeton many years ago. Pam said, “With all the present construction work at the North End, I thought you might like this photo of sidewalks being installed in the 1800s in the same area.” The building at the left is the site of the Super Wok, formerly the Larson Furniture House, and at the far right is Nelson’s Drug Store.

PRINCETON — The Prairie Arts Council is requesting the public's help in providing the artwork for the Sept. 9-19 gallery show featuring the artwork of Mary Win Norris.

PRINCETON — Princeton Police Chief Tom Root has issued a reminder that all schools in Princeton are now open for another year, and that means there is going to be an increase in vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Drivers are asked to drive carefully, especially in school zones.

SPRINGFIELD — Legislation intended to generate much-needed revenue was signed into law this week, which state Sen. Dale Risinger, R-Peoria, said will provide a five-week amnesty period for tax delinquents.