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

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