A trail view from Humiston Woods Nature Center in Pontiac shown last September, file photo. The growing season is moving right along and May hasn’t even arrived. Growth of plants, trees and grass appears to be at least a week or two ahead of schedule, says Ed Lipinski with Humiston Woods Nature Center near Pontiac. “Everything just seems to be a little earlier this year,” Lipinski explained during the Route 24 Radio Forum on Monday. Usually, growth is measured by where the bl

This historic Livingston County Courthouse is shown earlier this year in Pontiac, file photo. Work continues on the roof of the historic Livingston County Courthouse in Pontiac. A new flag pole has been placed atop the building and it is taller than the previous one. This has impacted how high the current flag can be flown, according to Livingston County Board Chairman Jim Carley. They expect to rectify the situation, raising the flag to the complete top. "That is going to ha

The City of Bloomington Emergency Communications Center (ECC) has been recognized by The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch® (IAEDTM) as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) for emergency medical dispatching. The ECC is the 316th Medical ACE in the world. IAED is the standard-setting organization for emergency dispatch services worldwide. Accreditation (and subsequent reaccreditation) from the IAED is the highest distinction given to emergency communication cen

With construction across the state in bloom this spring, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, Illinois Tollway, industry partners, labor, local agencies and frontline construction workers today teamed up for National Work Zone Awareness Week to remind the public that “Safe Actions Save Lives.” “At IDOT, we are doing more than ever this year to fix and modernize roads and bridges. Please remember to remain alert for work zones, slow down and give

Last week, Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16), joined First Lady Melania Trump and fellow members of the Ways and Means Committee for a roundtable discussion focused on improving outcomes for youth aging out of foster care through reforms to the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (Chafee). The Chafee program provides support to foster youth and former foster youth as they transition to adulthood. Congressman LaHood is the Chairman of the

Hopes of completing an ambulance substation on the city’s west side moved closer to reality after the Pontiac City Council approved a nearly $2.5 million bid at its meeting on Monday. City Administrator Jim Woolford explained that Building Systems of Illinois came in with the low bid for the construction of the new substation. The Bloomington company’s bid of $2,427,500 was the lowest of the seven bids opened on March 31. Woolford said he was told by Farnsworth Group, the eng

Metal from a shed is wrapped around a tree after what was believed to have been a tornado in southeastern Livingston County Friday evening. Photo was taken Saturday morning with electrical crews working in the background. Several tornadoes and severe thunderstorms hit Central Illinois Friday night and left behind some damage. The National Weather Service confirmed that 8 tornadoes hit McLean County with some of the storm activity crossing into Livingston and Ford counties. Si

Annual reports from Public Health and the Sheriff’s Department were approved by the Livingston County Board Thursday evening. Health Department Administrator Erin Fogarty said they worked hard this past year for effective use of funds. There were 30 full-time employees in FY24 with 26 in FY25. She noted the importance of the Environmental Health program. “We work very hard to make sure we are safeguarding those dollars,” Fogarty explained. The state eliminated Family Case Man

Current Livingston County State’s Attorney Michael Regnier will be vacating his position in mid-May to become a judge. This follows a vacancy in the 11 th Judicial Circuit. “Numerous applicants, including myself, put in for the associate judge position and I recently found out that I was selected by the judges,” Regnier told Route 24 Radio Thursday evening following the Livingston County Board meeting. The selection requires Regnier to leave his current position in the count

Heartland Community College, Illinois Central College, Carl Sandburg College, and Spoon River College together generate $799.6 million in economic impact and support 10,464 jobs across the West Central Illinois Community College Region, according to a new study. The largest share of that impact, $645.6 million, comes from former students now working in the regional economy, earning more than they would without their credentials, and spending those wages locally. The colle

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce hosted a highly successful Spring Job Fair, presented by Wilber at Heartland Community College. The event drew in more than 400 eager job seekers who came ready to connect with over 45 employers from a wide range of industries. "Last year’s Spring Job Fair led us to hire three individuals for our security department, all of whom are still with Carle and enjoying their roles. That kind of success is what brought us back this year and w

A Joliet man was arrested by Livingston County Sheriff’s Police over the weekend on drug and weapons charges. Don Mayberry, 34, was arrested for manufacture, delivering or possessing with the intent to deliver cannabis – more than 30 grams but less than 500 grams; armed violence, possession of a dangerous weapon during commission of a felony; possessing with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

With the arrival of spring, area communities have announced upcoming garage sales. The Forrest town-wide sales will be April 17-18 from 8 to 4 and are sponsored by the Forrest American Legion Auxiliary. Fairbury's all-town garage sale dates are April 23-25 and are sponsored by the GFWC Illinois Fairbury Women's Club. Sale hours for Fairbury are April 23 from 9-6, the 24th from 9-6 and 25th from 9-3.

The Bloomington Police Department has announced a trial transition from the current eight hour shift schedule to a 10 hour shift model for the department’s patrol division. A news release from BPD says this trial allows the department to evaluate potential benefits, including improved staffing efficiency, enhanced officer work-life balance and continued public safety service. Officers will continue to work a 40-hour workweek but the change will allow them to have three consec

Heartland Community College will hold an open house for individuals interested in the short-term job training opportunities funded by the Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI). The WEI Spring Open House events will be held on Thursday, April 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Commons Building (CCB) on the Heartland Main Campus at 1500 West Raab Road in Normal. Participants will learn about eligibility for WEI programs and the enrollment process. Faculty and

The Illinois State Police (ISP) and Capital Development Board (CDB) broke ground on a new canine training complex at Pawnee. ​ The $8.9 million state investment consists of two new buildings, including upgraded kennels, training areas, and office space. ​ “Here in Illinois, we’re proud to support our State Police as they take innovative steps to reduce crime and protect the People of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. ​ “Upgrading ISP canine training facilities ensures o

The Illinois Department of Transportation is partnering with the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies across the state during April, reminding the public to put their phones away and pay attention to the road. Throughout the month, additional law enforcement officers will be watching for texting, social media use, video viewing and other forms of distracted driving. “Too many drivers think they can glance at a text, check a notification or scroll for a s

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce will host a 2026 Job Fair next Tuesday, April 14 from 11 to 1:30 p.m. at Heartland Community College, 1500 W. Raab Road in Normal. It will take place in Building 8 at the Workforce Development Center. The spring job fair is presented by Wilber and services include professional headshots provided by Mazter Mindz Media, resume reviews provided by Express Employment Professionals and options for essential workplace skills training provided b

The Chenoa Women’s Club April meeting featured Gary Ringger with Lifesong and Gobena coffee. Ringger was the guest speaker with a program entitled, “Go Make a Difference.” Hostess Committee included Ellen Jo Shifflet, Sharon Barrett, Angie Brandt, Pat Witte. The tablescape included Coca Cola.

A new mural in Pontiac celebrating the “Mother Road” and a late Pontiac Tourism director will have to wait for now as the matter was tabled by the Pontiac City Council Monday night. The mural idea from Diaz Sign Art is intended to symbolize the Route 66 centennial with a tribute to Betty Estes, a former tourism director who was known for always rolling out the red carpet for visitors to the city. Some council members want to see a breakdown of costs before approving the mural