The Livingston County 4-H Show continues to be a cherished community tradition, offering community members the chance to attend and support our 4-H members while celebrating their accomplishments. The Livingston County 4-H Show at the Livingston County Ag Fair will run from July 15 through 18 at the 4-H Park in Pontiac, showcasing youth in action and offering fun for the entire community. This year’s show features 340 exhibitors presenting a total of 1,772 projects, repres

There is a vacancy in District One of the Livingston County Board due to the resignation of James Blackard, which was effective July 1. Livingston County Board Chairman James Carley announced the vacancy and by statute, it should be filled within 60 days by appointment of the chairperson with the advice and consent of the board. The appointed individual shall be someone from the same political party (Republican), 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, resident of the county for at

The Pontiac Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce this year Threshermen's Parade Grand Marshal, Rosie Geralds. Rosie is 88 years old and has been working at the Route 66 Museum welcoming Pontiac residents and guests for the City for 18 years. She does not like to be the focus of attention, but deserves it, according to a press release issued by the Pontiac Area Chamber. Her nomination stated: "I have seen international visitors come and after talking to her, they want

(L-R) HCC Trustee Joshua Crockett, Connect Transit CEO Brady Lange, HCC President Keith Cornille, McLean County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnston. Connect Transit has partnered with Heartland Community College to provide transportation access for students along the path from Pontiac to Normal. Beginning in mid-August, to coincide with the beginning of the Heartland Community College (HCC) Fall term, Connect Transit will run a bus line that picks up near the HCC Pontiac Center

Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 4 and Tazewell County State’s Attorney Kevin Johnson announce the arrest of 27-year-old Caitlynn J. Girkin of Kewanee, IL, for three counts of First-Degree Murder (Class M Felony). ​On March 10, 2026, the Creve Coeur Police Department requested ISP investigate a death in the 500 block of Roosevelt Street in Creve Coeur, IL. Responding officers located a male individual, 29-year-old Adolfo Cazares of C

Local artist Aaron Newsome sings hometown music during an America 250 event in downtown Pontiac. Pontiac citizens gathered at Block 59 downtown Wednesday evening for an America 250 celebration. The celebration kicked off with a Color Guard presentation and a reading of the Declaration of Independence by local resident Mark Osman on the courthouse square. “It was really quite an experience – I loved it,” said Osman after he finished reading into the microphone. He was thrilled

Officials break ground on the new Pontiac Fire substation in Pontiac Tuesday morning, Todd Lowery photo. The Pontiac Fire Department officially broke ground on the new west side substation Tuesday morning. The new facility is expected to improve emergency medical response times, enhance operational efficiency and better serve Pontiac residents in the future. Financial support came from the Apollos Camp and Humiston Trust Board with a $1.5 million contribution and $500,000 was

This building will be the new home for an existing Pontiac business in 2027, as approved by the Pontiac City Council Monday evening. The Pontiac City Council approved a TIF Redevelopment Agreement for 220 West Madison Street during Monday’s regular council meeting. This will be the new location for Drenched Hydration Beauty + Wellness. “We would sell the building for a purchase price of $40,000,” explained City Administrator Jim Woolford. Under the agreement, the owner would

The McLean County Coroner has released more on a single-vehicle accident with a fatality that occurred last week on I-39 in Normal Township. Thomas D. Rockwood, 36, of Dixon, Illinois was pronounced dead early Wednesday. The preliminary cause of death was multiple blunt injuries due to a motor vehicle striking a fixed object as the driver and sole occupant. Toxicology tests are pending. This incident is under investigation by the McLean County Coroner’s Office and Illinoi

An accident late Thursday morning in rural Gridley claimed the lives of three Streator residents. Livingston County Coroner Michael E. Renner reports the driver of the vehicle involved was Darwin E. Jimenez Chirino, 22, while the rear seat passenger was Karen J. Lopez Surrudo, 21, and an infant child was also a rear seat passenger. Police and fire units were sent to 700 East Road, a quarter mile north of 1100 North Road for the single-vehicle accident. Authorities say the For

Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo JR. is playing at Chautauqua Park Theater Pavilion from July 8th through July 12th at 7PM. The charming 60-minute musical, designed for middle school-aged performers, is based on the beloved 2003 Pixar film Finding Nemo. The Vermillion Players cast includes over 80 students led by co-directors Ashley Diaz and Meghan Harper. Dive into the big blue world of Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo JR.! This new stage musical is a 60-minute adaptation o

The theme for this year’s Threshermen’s Reunion Parade in Pontiac has been announced. “Celebrating 250 years of Stars & Stripes and 100 years of the Mother Road” is the theme for the parade which travels through Pontiac on Sunday, September 6 during Labor Day weekend. Parade participants can choose to create a theme float, professionally-built float, non-theme float or non-professional float. Other entries will include antique vehicles, farm machinery, fire/police/res

Bloomington Police have announced two firearm-related arrests. Byron Gardner Jr., 30, of Bloomington and Jovon C. Sneed, 19, of Joliet were taken to the McLean County Detention Facility and had initial court appearances this week. Police were dispatched to a business in the 1500 block of South Main Street last Sunday for a report of a subject seen with a handgun in his waistband. When officers arrived, a male subject ran away and police later took him into custody. A loaded h

Chenoa has approved its city budget for 2026-2027. “It’s a balanced budget which is something that we’ve had the last three years,” Mayor David Shane said following this week’s regular Chenoa City Council meeting. “I’m really happy with where we are at.” In the general fund, there are revenues of $1.68 million and expenses of $1.87 million. “That’s a really conservative revenue number,” explained City Treasurer Bryan Rowold. Deficits were reported for the motor fuel and swimm

A McLean County Grand Jury returned a 42-count indictment alleging child exploitation offenses involving Andrew Miller of Normal. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued, and Miller was arrested later that afternoon by the Bloomington Police Department. The investigation began on February 9, 2026, when a victim reported they had exchanged photographs with Miller. The photographs were alleged to be sexual in nature and were sent when the victim was a minor and Miller was ove

Mayor Kelly Eckhoff and Talon Erschen. Eckhoff made a resolution recognizing Erschen for his silver medalist finish at a national competition. Photo courtesy of Erich Murphy. Work on a downtown building and agreements with a couple of businesses were approved by the Pontiac City Council during its second meeting of June which took place Monday at City Hall. Route 66 Roadhouse owner Brandon Dawson got his wish for a dining area in front of his restaurant at 201 N. Mill St.

Dennis "Twinkie" Sullivan at the Hang Loose car show in Pontiac Saturday evening. A 1951 modified Mercury was getting some stares Saturday night during the Hang Loose car show in downtown Pontiac. The car, owned by Dennis “Twinkie” Sullivan, has numerous features including a 1953 DeSoto grill on the front bumper, parts from a Pontiac station wagon, cameras off of a 1965 T-bird and a three-piece back window from a 1949 Mercury which is extremely rare. “They’re very, very hard

Tornado damage shown Friday morning in the south part of Streator. Jeff Schultz and other family members were picking up branches Friday morning in South Streator after a tornado impacted northwestern Livingston County just a day earlier. “I watched it come across the field,” Schultz recalled. “I was standing on my back deck but it got about 250 yards out and I headed to the basement.” Schultz emerged from the basement and continued filming the massive twister moving across t

A tornado warning that triggered the emergency sirens in Pontiac was a prelude to the Livingston County Board meeting on Thursday, June 11. That proved to be the excitement of the evening as the actual meeting was rather basic. There were eight action items that were addressed. Of these, four were approved unanimously. Items approved with no dissent from the Finance Committee came a Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Amendment, and the authorization of a loan to the veterans Assistanc

PCHS Girls Basketball Coaches Mike Wolf and Emily Bull visit the Route 24 Radio Morning Show Monday. The Prairie Central Hawks and Roanoke-Benson High School Rockets girls basketball teams take the court for a special “Court of Dreams” matchup on the big stage this month at Grainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and we will bring it to you live on the radio. The game will serve as our very first high school sports broadcast on the new 93.7 FM, Route 24 Radio, on June 22 at 10