Bureau County EMA

14/10/2026

At last night’s Bureau County Board meeting, Bureau County EMA Director Adam Lind received his Illinois Professional Emergency Manager (IPEM) certification. Presenting the certificate was IESMA Region 2 RVP Chauntelle Biagi.

The Illinois Professional Emergency Manager program is the highest level of emergency management certification awarded by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security. It establishes a professional development standard for those seeking to advance their careers in the field of emergency management. The training and real-life experiences available within the IPEM program provide successful applicants with sound disaster-management skills and the practical experience to help enhance the readiness of the organizations they serve and to promote whole community partnerships.

11/10/2026

BCEMA responded to this incident and provided canteen support to our partners from MABAS Division 57.

Firefighters were called to Big Apple Family Restaurant for heavy smoke billowing from the roof on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026 in Princeton. A mutual aid box alarm was sent out to MABAS 57 shortly after 7:30p.m.

07/10/2026

Illinois 40 bridge at I-80 closes Oct. 8

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that weather permitting, repairs to the Illinois 40 bridge crossing Interstate 80 in Bureau County will begin at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8.

The work will require a full closure of the bridge, and traffic is advised to seek alternative routes. There also may be some ramp impacts. The repairs are anticipated to be completed by 7 p.m.

Traffic is currently using the original structure, which has been reduced to one lane of traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals. Work is ongoing to replace the structure, starting with the northbound lane of the bridge. Once that side is completed later this year, traffic will relocate to the new structure and the old structure will be demolished and rebuilt. The $9.9 million project, which includes the installation of new lighting, is anticipated to be completed in summer 2027.

Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zone areas, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

06/10/2026

Bureau County EMA Alert: This is a monthly TEST of the Bureau County EMA Emergency Notification System. In an emergency, monitor this page for official information. This is only a TEST.

05/10/2026

Warm and mainly dry weather is expected this week with highs in the upper 60s to upper 70s. It will be a great week for outdoor activities!

05/10/2026

**PLEASE SHARE**
The next electronics recycling event sponsored by Bureau County will be Saturday, October 24th from 9am until noon (or when the semi trailers are full) at the Bureau County Highway Department, located at 595 Elm Place in Princeton.

Event traffic should travel Euclid Avenue to Dover Road to Elm Place. At Elm Place, turn right and proceed to the Highway Department (see attached map). When parked along Elm Place, please pull to the shoulder as far as possible to maintain traffic flow. Be prepared to show your ID and have your items verified by event volunteers (see attached list).

The event site will *NOT* be open to participants until 9:00am; please do not enter the parking lot until directed to do so by event staff.

More information can be found here: https://bureaucounty-il.gov/electronics-recycling/

29/09/2026

We continue to track several rounds of showers and storms slated to move through the area Wednesday through Friday morning this week, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall. While severe storms are not expected, the heavier rain could lead to reduced visibility at times and ponding of water on roads and fields.

26/09/2026

As a farming community, we need to remember that harvest season is starting and will continue for many weeks. Please be patient, watch for large/slow moving equipment on the roads, and pass with care. Thank you to all of our local farmers. Have a safe and productive harvest!

20/09/2026

Flash Flood Warning for Bureau County until 7:30am Sunday. https://tinyurl.com/4jm2sk35