A decorated wall on display Tuesday at Prairie Central Upper Elementary School in Forrest. Local schools and communities marked Veterans Day in different ways on Tuesday. Prairie Central Upper Elementary in Forrest held a ceremony in the gym honoring those who serve or who have served. PCUE Principal Brandon Burke described the day to recognize their courage and commitment. “Thank you all for serving,” Burke said. Members of the Forrest American Legion Honor Guard were there

State Senator Chris Balkema and State Representative Dennis Tipsword will give an update on what is happening at the state level during a breakfast meeting in Pontiac. The "Issues and Eggs" event is presented by the Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce and will take place Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 a.m. at Pontiac Family Kitchen, 904 W. Custer Avenue. Anyone interested in attending should reach out to the Pontiac Chamber office by Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 815-844-5131 or by e-mail at

Jean D. McCarty, 91, of Chatsworth, passed away at 7:06 pm, Friday, November 7, 2025 at The Arc in El Paso. Miss McCarty was born on April 9, 1934, in Chatsworth a daughter to George and Ella (White) McCarty.  Her parents, four brothers, Clementh, Deururd, Gerald and David McCarty; two sisters, Zeta Green and Arty Lustfeldt all preceded her in death. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family and friends. Jean was a graduate of Chatsworth twp.

On Saturday, November 15, 2025, the Bloomington Police Department, in partnership with Kroger, will be hosting the second “Pack the Cruiser” food drive of the year. This special event comes as pantry shelves are running low due to increased demand and decreased funding, motivating us to hold an additional collection this year alongside our usual spring event. The “Pack the Cruiser” event in May was a tremendous success, collecting over 1,500 pounds of food for families in the

The leaves are changing, the nights are getting longer, the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air – and deer are on the move. The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are reminding the public to be alert for deer as we enter peak mating season, with their movements and the chances for collisions both increasing, particularly at dawn and dusk through December. “In your travels this fall, please remember that deer can appear suddenly

The proposed land for a mineral extraction site in Livingston County shown last week along 1000N Road. The Livingston County Regional Planning Commission has voted down the application for a proposed mineral extraction site. Illinois Cement Company, LLC of LaSalle had planned the site on 80 acres of agricultural land southeast of east 1000 North Road and east of 1700 East Road in unincorporated Chenoa. An application submitted to the county states the company wants to purchas

Dwight Police arrested a man on numerous charges this week including escape, fleeing and speeding. Eddie E. Brown III, 23, was arrested for obstructing justice, driving while driver’s license, permit or privilege to operate motor vehicle is suspended or revoked, possession of a stolen firearm, escape – failure to report to penal institution or periodic imprisonment, resisting or obstructing, fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, speeding and having a firearm without

Two people have been arrested in connection with the 2024 robbery of a Bloomington restaurant. Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Biaggi’s on East Empire street in December 2024. Evidence confirmed a robbery had occurred involving suspects wearing masks, gloves and dark clothing. One suspect reportedly displayed and used a weapon during the incident. Authorities report the suspects fled after stealing personal and business property, including cash. Those arre

The Illinois House passed a Senate bill early last Friday morning which is of great benefit to school students in Watseka.    SB2683, sponsored in the House by State Representative Jason Bunting (R-Emington) provides that the approval for bonds authorized to be issued under the School Code and approved by the voters of Iroquois County Community Unit School District Number 9 in an April 2021 referendum remains in effect for 10 years after the date of the referendum. The measur

The outside of The Brown Jug is shown Tuesday morning in Chenoa along Route 24. A short agenda meant a brief meeting for the Chenoa City Council Tuesday evening. The group approved funding for a façade grant for Bill Bridge of the Brown Jug, which is located along Route 24. Sarah Michaels presented information about the upcoming Christmas at the Crossroads and the city authorized funds to advertise for the event. It was also revealed that more tree plantings are planned for t

A salad restaurant, record store, vintage arcade and bumper car room are just some of the ideas which resulted from a recent Community Visioning Tour in Pontiac. Members of the community brainstormed about four vacant buildings downtown and everyone wrote down what they would like to see in those vacant buildings. Here are some of the ideas for spaces in downtown Pontiac: 105 N Mill St - Doctors Office, Pet Shop w/ Grooming, Child Care, Gun Shop, Pop Up Shop, Computer & Phone

A Pontiac man was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, stemming from a death investigation in early September. Jeremiah Embry was charged in Livingston County Court this week with the Class 3 felony offense. Pontiac Police say they conducted a well being check on an unresponsive person in a yard in the 500 block of West Washington Street on Sept. 1. The person was found to be deceased. Pathology reports indicated the cause of death opinion was methamphetamine i

Nora Rose Marie Sabo, 43, Strawn and formally of Mansfield, Ohio, peacefully passed away at 10:36 PM Sunday, October 26, 2025 at her residence in Strawn, surrounded by her family. Her funeral will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, October 31, 2025 at the Apostolic Christian Faith Church of Fairbury with Ministers of the Church officiating. Burial will follow in the South Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Duffy-Pils Memori

Adam James Dopler, 44, of Chatsworth, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 11:10 P.M. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at his mother’s home in Pontiac, Illinois. Calvert & Martin Funeral Homes of Pontiac has been entrusted with the arrangements. Adam was born on March 17, 1981, in Moline, Illinois, the son of James Delbert and Kathleen Ann (Debowski) Dopler. Adam is survived by his loving mother, Kathleen Ann Dopler, His Brother, James Patrick (Jessa)Dopler, His aunts, Marian F

Illinois Senate Minority Leader John Curran (R- Downers Grove) and Deputy Leader Sue Rezin (R-Morris) called on Governor Pritzker and the Democratic Majority not to raise taxes on Illinoisans this veto session.   “The Democrats plan to increase taxes on the economic engines of our state, causing more tax headaches for the people of Illinois ," they said.   The Senators say some of the major savings for Illinois businesses that could be on the chopping block include: o    A ne

A shooting victim has died following a shooting in Bloomington on Fox Creek Road this week. Bloomington Police officers were dispatched to Casey’s following a report of a person who had been shot in the parking lot. Officers located a man with a gunshot wound while bystanders were providing medical aid. The man, identified as Van Wilson, 57, of Bloomington, was taken to the hospital and later transferred to an Urbana hospital for further treatment. Wilson was later pronounced

Penny Jo Rhoades, 60 of Chenoa died at 8:06am, Friday, October 17, 2025 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Saturday, October 25, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Fairbury with Pastor Daryl Evans officiating. Burial will follow in Chenoa Twp. Cemetery, Chenoa.  Visitation will be 4 to 8 pm, Friday, October 24, 2025 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Osteosarcoma

Lois Elaine Gierich, 78, of Colfax passed away on Monday, October 13th, 2025, at Carle-Bromenn Medical Center in Normal. A private family service will be held for Lois. Lois was born on November 9th, 1946 in Peoria, the daughter of David Cousert and Velma Greene. She married Kenneth Roger Gierich on May 11th, 1963 in Joliet. He survives in Colfax.  Lois is survived by her two sons: Pat (Shelley) Gierich, of Bloomington; and Marty Gierich, of Pontiac. She is also survived by h

Ruth L. Martin, 99, of Pontiac formerly of Chenoa, died at 11 am, Friday, October 10, 2025 at Goldwater Care of Pontiac. Mrs. Martin was born on October 31, 1925, in Chenoa a daughter to Russell and Vernice (Harkrider) Dunham. She married Paul Martin on August 17, 1945 in Bloomington, IL. Her husband Paul, preceded her in death on July 31, 2006.   Her Parents, one son, Dennis Martin in 2024; one brother, John "Sonny" Dunham; three Sisters, Lillian Yergler, Gayle Bayleat & Mar

Federal officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have informed states that it will not fund November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the federal government shutdown, now in its third week, continues. As a result, SNAP customers will not have access to any new food benefits starting on November 1, 2025, unless the government shutdown ends. Illinois administers more than $350 million in SNAP benefits each month and the average monthl