With the arrival of spring, area communities have announced upcoming garage sales. The Forrest town-wide sales will be April 17-18 from 8 to 4 and are sponsored by the Forrest American Legion Auxiliary. Fairbury's all-town garage sale dates are April 23-25 and are sponsored by the GFWC Illinois Fairbury Women's Club. Sale hours for Fairbury are April 23 from 9-6, the 24th from 9-6 and 25th from 9-3.

The Bloomington Police Department has announced a trial transition from the current eight hour shift schedule to a 10 hour shift model for the department’s patrol division. A news release from BPD says this trial allows the department to evaluate potential benefits, including improved staffing efficiency, enhanced officer work-life balance and continued public safety service. Officers will continue to work a 40-hour workweek but the change will allow them to have three consec

Heartland Community College will hold an open house for individuals interested in the short-term job training opportunities funded by the Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI).   The WEI Spring Open House events will be held on Thursday, April 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Commons Building (CCB) on the Heartland Main Campus at 1500 West Raab Road in Normal.   Participants will learn about eligibility for WEI programs and the enrollment process. Faculty and

The Illinois State Police (ISP) and Capital Development Board (CDB) broke ground on a new canine training complex at Pawnee. ​ The $8.9 million state investment consists of two new buildings, including upgraded kennels, training areas, and office space. ​   “Here in Illinois, we’re proud to support our State Police as they take innovative steps to reduce crime and protect the People of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. ​ “Upgrading ISP canine training facilities ensures o

The Illinois Department of Transportation is partnering with the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies across the state during April, reminding the public to put their phones away and pay attention to the road. Throughout the month, additional law enforcement officers will be watching for texting, social media use, video viewing and other forms of distracted driving.   “Too many drivers think they can glance at a text, check a notification or scroll for a s

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce will host a 2026 Job Fair next Tuesday, April 14 from 11 to 1:30 p.m. at Heartland Community College, 1500 W. Raab Road in Normal. It will take place in Building 8 at the Workforce Development Center. The spring job fair is presented by Wilber and services include professional headshots provided by Mazter Mindz Media, resume reviews provided by Express Employment Professionals and options for essential workplace skills training provided b

The Chenoa Women’s Club April meeting featured Gary Ringger with Lifesong and Gobena coffee. Ringger was the guest speaker with a program entitled, “Go Make a Difference.” Hostess Committee included Ellen Jo Shifflet, Sharon Barrett, Angie Brandt, Pat Witte. The tablescape included Coca Cola.

A new mural in Pontiac celebrating the “Mother Road” and a late Pontiac Tourism director will have to wait for now as the matter was tabled by the Pontiac City Council Monday night. The mural idea from Diaz Sign Art is intended to symbolize the Route 66 centennial with a tribute to Betty Estes, a former tourism director who was known for always rolling out the red carpet for visitors to the city. Some council members want to see a breakdown of costs before approving the mural

Carol Winters shares concerns over the taste & smell of Pontiac water during Monday's Council meeting. The taste and smell of Pontiac water was at the forefront of Monday’s regular meeting of the Pontiac City Council. Local resident Carol Winters voiced concerns over the water – saying her clothes smelled like a combination of “rotting cucumbers and Downy” and that her dog’s water bowl smelled as well. “Some of you will tell me my water is fine and some of you will tell me my

The Friends of Dominy Library spring book sale is coming this month to Livingston County. The sale will be held downstairs at Dominy Library, 201 South Third Street in Fairbury April 23-25. Hours that Thursday will be 9 to 6, Friday 9 to 5 and Saturday 9-12.

Illinois Trooper Day, the Illinois State Police (ISP), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois Tollway, and the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation announced every ISP Officer killed in the line of duty will be honored for their sacrifice for the people of Illinois with a memorial sign along Illinois roadways.   “The lives and legacies of our fallen State Police Officers deserve to be honored for generations to come, and we will ensure that no sacrifice g

The Ford County Sheriff’s Office has released its March 2026 activity summary report. They handled 13 traffic accidents and issued 51 warning citations with 33 traffic citations. This includes 8 speeding, 5 suspended or revoked license, 4 uninsured vehicles, 4 suspended or revoked registration, 3 no driver’s license and 2 DUI’s. Several field incident/complaint reports were filed along with 14 warrants. Total income received for the month included $74,566.12 with Fiscal Year

The Woodford County Sheriff’s Office has announced internet safety training for parents and school staff members.   This is a collaborative event with the Attorney General’s Office, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. There will be two events locally, the first at Fieldcrest High School April 14 and the second at Metamora Township High School April 16.   Over the past few months, the Woodford County Sheriff’s Office has targeted internet crimes against childre

The Illinois State Police (ISP) is announcing all 169 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) throughout Illinois, commonly called 911 call centers, have successfully transitioned to Next Generation 911 (NG911). ​ NG911 upgrades the traditional 911 service from voice-centric networks to secure, IP-based infrastructure designed to support today’s communications.   “This milestone reflects years of coordinated work by the ISP Division of Statewide 911, PSAPs, Emergency Telephone

A proposed Illinois bill could change how handgun ammunition is tracked statewide, but it’s facing skepticism from both House Republican lawmakers and gun owners. House Bill 4414  would require all handgun ammunition sold in Illinois to carry serial numbers and be logged in a state police database. Fifteen states have attempted similar legislation, but Illinois could become the first to pass it. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary - Criminal Committee. House Republic

The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting 11 workshops throughout the state to help local governments and communities learn about and apply for funding opportunities through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program.   Organized through IDOT’s ongoing Special Programs Assistance Conferences, the workshops will help stakeholders identify projects that qualify and learn how to craft successful applications. Each session will take place over two days, with group

Spring is the season for renewal— and University of Illinois Extension is helping greater Bloomington-Normal area residents reconnect, recharge, and grow with a new four‑week workshop series that offers simple, meaningful ways to strengthen personal and community well‑being. Educators will host Healthy Minds, Strong Communities at the McLean County Extension office, on consecutive Tuesday evenings, beginning April 14 through May 5.   The series will bring together Extension e

Illinois House Republicans spoke out Tuesday afternoon at a Capitol press conference addressing the shooting death of a Loyola University Chicago student who was shot near campus.   Sheridan Gorman, 18, was gunned down while taking a walk with friends shortly after 1:30am Thursday along Chicago’s lakefront.   Chicago police have charged Jose Medina‑Medina with first‑degree murder. He faces one felony count of first‑degree murder, one felony count of attempted first‑degree mur

State Representative Dennis Tipsword (R-Metamora) has been recognized as the 2025 Public Official of the Year by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP). Rep. Tipsword received the award during a ceremony at the State Capitol yesterday.   “I am very humbled and honored to have received this award from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police,” Rep. Tipsword stated. “After spending 30-plus years in the industry, it's an incredible honor to receive this award f

Pontiac city leaders met Tuesday to pass the Fiscal Year 2027 annual budget. The budget addresses issues like the capital improvement program which the city engineer produced. “We do receive a one-percent sales tax the city passed a couple of years ago and that money goes toward capital improvement,” explained City Administrator Jim Woolford. An ambulance project is a larger item in the budget. The future ambulance substation is going out for bid now. “There will be a constru