The Livingston County Health Department (L.C.H.D.) will be changing building hours effective December 22, 2025. The health department will now be open longer hours each week Mondays through Thursdays and will be closed to the public on Fridays. The Board of Health approved the change at its December 15th meeting. Administrator Dr. Erin Fogarty explained that the new building hours will bring multiple benefits. Most importantly, the new hours will be more accommodating to the

The   Illinois State Police (ISP) Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group (ITEG) arrested one person during a Human Trafficking Demand Suppression Operation near Galesburg in Knox County on December 18, 2025. The operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts.   As a result of the operation, ISP arrested 41-year-old John O’Leary of Chicago, IL for Promoting Commercial Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Class 1 Felony), Indecent Solicitation

Michele Schramm-Manzardo, 51, of Chatsworth, passed away at 12:35 am, December 17, 2025, at Carle Hospital, Champaign. Cremation has been accorded. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 pm, Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury. Pastor Brian King will be officiating. Memorials may be made to the family. Michele was born October 6, 1974, in Hazel Crest, the daughter of Frank and Geraldine (Dalle) Manzardo. She married Allen Schramm on February 10,

A registered sex offender was arrested by Pontiac Police last week during a high school cheerleading event. Authorities received a complaint about an individual possibly taking inappropriate photos at the event last weekend at Pontiac Township High School, according to a press release provided by Pontiac Police. Officers arrived and learned a spectator had observed the man taking zoomed-in photos of cheerleaders. “It was determined the individual had no connection to any of t

One day shy of his 100th birthday, Richard Albert “Dick” Jacobs, of Chenoa, passed away peacefully at 7:20 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 at Fairview Haven in Fairbury, IL. He was born on Dec. 9, 1925 at St. James Hospital, Pontiac, the second son of Theodore Albert Frank “Ted” and Blanche Maybelle Elson Jacobs. He was raised on their family farm just west of Chenoa, on Route 24, with three siblings: Robert T.  “Bob,” Shirley Ann, and Mary Kathryn. Together, they worked hard an

The McLean County Corner has released the identity of a second fire victim from a fatal house fire in Bloomington late last month. Two deaths were reported at 1205 Eastholme Avenue on Nov. 26. A juvenile male has been identified as Hayden K. Stover, 17, of Bloomington. Officials say Stover died from carbon monoxide intoxication caused by the inhalation of smoke and soot from a house fire. Toxicology tests are pending. Circumstances surrounding the incident remain under invest

From Nov. 21 to Dec. 2, the Bloomington Police Department participated in the “Click it or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” mobilization to reduce crashes and save lives. Enforcement focused on seat-belt use, speeding, distracted driving, alcohol and drug-impaired driving, including cannabis. During the campaign, police reported 24 speeding citations, 1 electronic device use citation, 29 other traffic citations and 1 traffic arrest. The Thanksgiving Enforcement ef

Rose Orendorff of Colfax Illinois passed away on December 3, 2025 in Gilbert, AZ at the age of 100. Rose was born and raised in Anchor, Illinois.  She was the daughter of Edward and Jessie (Reinhart) Meiners.  She was one of 5 siblings: Peter, Elmo, John, Rose and Norma.  She graduated from Anchor High School.  She married Kenneth Dale Orendorff April 9,1944 in the chapel at Moody Field Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia. They moved to Colfax, Illinois where they lived from

The McLean County Coroner has released more information on a fatal house fire which occurred in Bloomington earlier in the week. The Coroner’s Office was notified of two deaths at 1205 Eastholme Avenue Wednesday morning. Those pronounced dead included Tashika Stover, 40, and a juvenile male. Preliminary autopsy opinion indicates both died from carbon monoxide intoxication caused by the inhalation of smoke and soot from the house fire. Toxicology tests are pending. Upon arriva

The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are warning the public that a winter storm with the potential for a foot of snow or more across much of the northern half of the state will have major impacts for the end of the Thanksgiving travel period. The public should plan accordingly for conditions to deteriorate beginning tonight, with heavy snow, reduced visibility and slick, slippery conditions with much longer travel times.    “While we are prepare

Richard L. Stover, 73, Pontiac, died at 11:46 am Friday, November 14, 2025 at OSF St. James-John Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac. Cremation rites have been accorded by Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury.  Richard will be interred next to his parents at the Chatsworth Cemetery in Chatsworth, IL.  A graveside service with military rites will be held at a later date. Richard was born June 20, 1952, in Kankakee, IL, to Orville R. and Irene E. (Swan) Stover.   He is survived by o

Don “Robby” Robertson Ligon, 40, Chatsworth, died at 9:19 am Thursday, November 13, 2025 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. A memorial visitation will be held Friday, November 21, 2025 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.  The family has requested that memorials be directed to the Don Robertson Ligon Memorial Fund for his children’s education or the United Way. Robby was born January 23, 1985 in McAllen, TX the son of Charles William and Michell

A Naperville man was arrested by Livingston County Sheriff’s Police on drug, weapons and traffic charges this week. Patrick Otchere, 23, was taken into custody Monday for aggravated fleeing/attempting to elude a peace officer with rate of speed at least 21 miles per hour over the limit; disobeying a stop sign; operating without insurance; improper lane usage; possession of adult use cannabis in the passenger area of a motor vehicle; DUI – under the influence of drugs or combi

Work will start on a solar field by the Chenoa sewer plant after an easement was approved by the Chenoa City Council Tuesday night. The action allows Ameren to go down the city road to the solar area. “This is actually for Ameren to get their lines and poles down our lane,” Mayor David Shane told council members. Commissioner Manny Hernandez made a motion to authorize the mayor to sign the Estoppel Certificate for the ESP Solar ground lease. “They say it will take 90 days to

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