Melissa Chrisman, President of the BN Convention and Visitors Bureau talking at a press event this week/Sarah Michaels photo for Route 24 Radio. The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced a yearlong celebration of the centennial of Historic Route 66 in McLean County. From Chenoa to McLean, special events along the Mother Road — including a two-day party weekend in June — to commemorate each community’s connection to the most famous highway in Ame

A single-family residence in Weston is a total loss following a fire which broke out Wednesday evening. Firefighters responded to the call on Second Street around 6:50 p.m. in McLean County as the house was fully engulfed. Chenoa Assistant Fire Chief Clif Rosenberger says the cause is under investigation by the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office. Departments responding to assist Chenoa firefighters included El Paso, Gridley, Lexington, Pontiac, Anchor, Cooksville, Colfax, F

Tim Scott, left, and Mark Myre call a Pontiac baseball game on Eye On Central Illinois in 2024, file photo. The Casson Media High School Sports Network’s own Mark Myre and Tim Scott are being inducted into the 2026 Pontiac Township High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Both have been the longtime broadcast voices of Pontiac sports, such as football and basketball, for a number of years. They currently call games for Eye On Central Illinois and will be inducted during halftime of

Phi Theta Kappa has welcomed a new group of Heartland Community College students into the organization’s membership. Forty-two Heartland students have been named to the international two-year college honor society.   Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is offered to students who have completed at least 12 credit hours with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students involved in the organization are afforded unique opportunities for leadership, service, scholarship, and fellows

The City of Chenoa has officially begun the process of developing a new Comprehensive Plan and is inviting residents, business owners, and community stakeholders to participate and share their ideas for the future of the community. A Comprehensive Plan is a long-range policy document that will guide decisions related to land use, housing, transportation, economic development, public facilities, and overall community character over the next 5-10 years. The planning process wil

Shirley Louise Lorance, 88, of Chenoa, passed away at 1:43 am, January 13, 2026, at Acolade Healthcare of Pontiac.  Cremation has been accorded.  A memorial service will be held for Shirley and her husband Truman Dale at 10:30 am, Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairbury. Shirley was born October 22, 1938, in Chenoa, the daughter of Frank and Edna (McClellan) Holland. She married Truman Dale L

Truman Dale Lorance, 85, of Chenoa, passed away on Wednesday, January 7th , 2026, at OSF St. James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac, IL. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 17 th , 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Fairbury. Minister Marcia Buchs will be officiating. Memorial donations can be made in Dale’s name to the Trinity Lutheran Church,Fairbury. Dale was born on January 29 th , 1940 in Saybroo

State Representative Dennis Tipsword (R-Metamora) has worked in law enforcement for over 30 years, currently serving as the Chief Deputy in the Woodford County Sheriff’s Office. With January 9 th  being National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Rep. Tipsword has released the following statement:   “On National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, I want to recognize all of my peers and faithful public servants who risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe. I admir

The 81st annual meeting of the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District is set for Thursday, Jan. 15 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Pontiac Elks Club. A breakfast buffet is served followed by a brief business meeting, election of three directors and presentation of the annual Conservation Awards along with the guest speaker. For more information, call 815-844-6127, extension 3 or e-mail livingstoncountyswcd@gmail.com .

The McLean County Coroner has released more on a traffic crash involving a motorcycle and sport utility vehicle in Bloomington Jan. 7. Matthew Moritz, 40, of Bloomington was pronounced dead in the emergency room of OSF St. Joseph Medical Center. Officials say Moritz died from multiple blunt force injuries due to the collision and he was the driver and sole occupant of the motorcycle. Toxicology tests are pending. Bloomington Police officers responded to the scene at East Oakl

Carol Ann Palomino, 80, of Normal, formerly of Chenoa, passed away peacefully at 7:48 am on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at her home, with her family by her side. Carol was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Carol was born on October 2, 1945, at Fort Huachuca, an Army installation in Arizona; the daughter of Raymond Glen and Anna Marie (Carlburg) Miller. She married Victor J. Palomino formerly of Havana, Cuba on September 2, 1967 in Fosterburg, IL.  Her husband su

96 years old, Duane Eugene Haney of Fairbury, Illinois passed into the grace of God on January 7, 2026. The son of Audlie C. Haney and Esther Eddington, was born on December 4, 1929 in a farm house west of Washburn, Illinois on land farmed by his Grandfather, Lewis Haney.  He attended Illinois State University and the University of Illinois majoring in Agriculture. Following graduation, he married Margaret Gentes on September 16, 1951.  They were devoted to each other sharing

Norma  Eash, 97, of Normal, IL, formerly of Chenoa, IL, passed away at 1:58 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, at Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.  Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10 at Christ Community Church, Chenoa, with visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service, also at the church. A private family burial will follow at Chenoa Cemetery. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memor

Patricia A. Wahls of Pontiac, 80, was called home on January 1, 2026, at Evenglow Sr. Living, Memory Care (Inn), Pontiac from complications of Alzheimer's, Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinsonism.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 8, from 4 to 7 pm, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chenoa. Funeral services will be 11 am, on Friday, January 9, also at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 405 Emma St., Chenoa, Il. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is in charge of services.  In lieu o

Janice Jensen, 87, of Piper City, passed away at 6:47pm, December 29, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Her funeral will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, January 5, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chatsworth. Pastor Richard Likeness will be officiating. Burial will be in Chatsworth Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10-11:00 am, Monday, January 5, 2026, also at the church.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chatswo

Thomas Scott Glendenning, 91, of Bloomington formerly of Forrest passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at his residence in Bloomington. Cremation rites have been accorded with private services held at a future date. The family suggests that memorial contributions be directed to Illinois Wesleyan University General Fund https://www.iwu.edu/giving/how/memorial-etc.html   Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury will oversee arrangements. Mr. Glendenning was born on September 2

The McLean County Coroner’s office has released details of a single-vehicle crash near Morrissey Drive (Route 150) and Chrisman Lane in Bloomington which occurred last weekend. Brendan E. Taylor, 26, of Bloomington was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary autopsy opinion indicates Taylor died from multiple injuries reportedly sustained as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle which left the road, went into a culvert and rolled over causing him to be ejected. Toxico

Carol Ann Alford, 77, Pontiac, died at 10:02 pm Friday, December 26, 2025 at Accolade Healthcare of Pontiac. Her funeral will be held at 10:00 am Friday, January 2, 2026 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury with Fr. Bill Keebler officiating.  Burial will follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Fairbury. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 1, 2026 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury.  Memorials can be made to the Pontiac Alano Club, St. Mary’s Catholic C

Another arrest has been made by the “predator team” within the Woodford County Pro-Active Unit.   Woodford County Chief Deputy Dennis Tipsword has announced the arrest of Rodney K. Harrod of Tiskilwa, Illinois who was taken into custody Saturday after reportedly traveling to the county to meet a minor he met online and believed to be a 15-year-old female.   Harrod was being held on four felonies, including two counts of indecent solicitation of a child, one count of traveling

A Pontiac Correctional Center inmate was found dead in his cell Sunday evening and authorities are investigating. Pontiac Fire and Ambulance were dispatched to the prison shortly before 5:30 p.m. for an inmate who was unresponsive in the north cell house. “Upon arrival, medical aid was attempted but the inmate did not survive and the time of death was pronounced at 6:07 p.m.,” stated a news release from Livingston County Coroner Michael E. Renner. The deceased inmate was Patr