Carol Winters shares concerns over the taste & smell of Pontiac water during Monday's Council meeting. The taste and smell of Pontiac water was at the forefront of Monday’s regular meeting of the Pontiac City Council. Local resident Carol Winters voiced concerns over the water – saying her clothes smelled like a combination of “rotting cucumbers and Downy” and that her dog’s water bowl smelled as well. “Some of you will tell me my water is fine and some of you will tell me my

The Friends of Dominy Library spring book sale is coming this month to Livingston County. The sale will be held downstairs at Dominy Library, 201 South Third Street in Fairbury April 23-25. Hours that Thursday will be 9 to 6, Friday 9 to 5 and Saturday 9-12.

Illinois Trooper Day, the Illinois State Police (ISP), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois Tollway, and the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation announced every ISP Officer killed in the line of duty will be honored for their sacrifice for the people of Illinois with a memorial sign along Illinois roadways. “The lives and legacies of our fallen State Police Officers deserve to be honored for generations to come, and we will ensure that no sacrifice g

The Ford County Sheriff’s Office has released its March 2026 activity summary report. They handled 13 traffic accidents and issued 51 warning citations with 33 traffic citations. This includes 8 speeding, 5 suspended or revoked license, 4 uninsured vehicles, 4 suspended or revoked registration, 3 no driver’s license and 2 DUI’s. Several field incident/complaint reports were filed along with 14 warrants. Total income received for the month included $74,566.12 with Fiscal Year

The Woodford County Sheriff’s Office has announced internet safety training for parents and school staff members. This is a collaborative event with the Attorney General’s Office, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. There will be two events locally, the first at Fieldcrest High School April 14 and the second at Metamora Township High School April 16. Over the past few months, the Woodford County Sheriff’s Office has targeted internet crimes against childre

The Illinois State Police (ISP) is announcing all 169 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) throughout Illinois, commonly called 911 call centers, have successfully transitioned to Next Generation 911 (NG911). ​ NG911 upgrades the traditional 911 service from voice-centric networks to secure, IP-based infrastructure designed to support today’s communications. “This milestone reflects years of coordinated work by the ISP Division of Statewide 911, PSAPs, Emergency Telephone

A proposed Illinois bill could change how handgun ammunition is tracked statewide, but it’s facing skepticism from both House Republican lawmakers and gun owners. House Bill 4414 would require all handgun ammunition sold in Illinois to carry serial numbers and be logged in a state police database. Fifteen states have attempted similar legislation, but Illinois could become the first to pass it. The bill is currently in the House Judiciary - Criminal Committee. House Republic

The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting 11 workshops throughout the state to help local governments and communities learn about and apply for funding opportunities through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. Organized through IDOT’s ongoing Special Programs Assistance Conferences, the workshops will help stakeholders identify projects that qualify and learn how to craft successful applications. Each session will take place over two days, with group

Spring is the season for renewal— and University of Illinois Extension is helping greater Bloomington-Normal area residents reconnect, recharge, and grow with a new four‑week workshop series that offers simple, meaningful ways to strengthen personal and community well‑being. Educators will host Healthy Minds, Strong Communities at the McLean County Extension office, on consecutive Tuesday evenings, beginning April 14 through May 5. The series will bring together Extension e

Illinois House Republicans spoke out Tuesday afternoon at a Capitol press conference addressing the shooting death of a Loyola University Chicago student who was shot near campus. Sheridan Gorman, 18, was gunned down while taking a walk with friends shortly after 1:30am Thursday along Chicago’s lakefront. Chicago police have charged Jose Medina‑Medina with first‑degree murder. He faces one felony count of first‑degree murder, one felony count of attempted first‑degree mur

State Representative Dennis Tipsword (R-Metamora) has been recognized as the 2025 Public Official of the Year by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP). Rep. Tipsword received the award during a ceremony at the State Capitol yesterday. “I am very humbled and honored to have received this award from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police,” Rep. Tipsword stated. “After spending 30-plus years in the industry, it's an incredible honor to receive this award f

Pontiac city leaders met Tuesday to pass the Fiscal Year 2027 annual budget. The budget addresses issues like the capital improvement program which the city engineer produced. “We do receive a one-percent sales tax the city passed a couple of years ago and that money goes toward capital improvement,” explained City Administrator Jim Woolford. An ambulance project is a larger item in the budget. The future ambulance substation is going out for bid now. “There will be a constru

The McLean County Sheriff's office hopes the public stays safe during the upcoming spring planting season in Central Illinois. Officials remind motorists that farm equipment moves slower than your typical commute and takes up more space than a single lane. Passing too soon or too close can turn a normal drive into a serious crash. Police say to slow down, stay back and share the road because getting there a few minutes faster isn't worth not getting there at all.

(Photo via City of Pontiac Fire Department Facebook page) The Pontiac Fire Department’s newest paramedics recently earned their licenses. The achievement represents hours of hard work, dedication and perseverance. “Their commitment to advancing their skills and providing the highest level of care to our community is truly commendable,” said a news release issued this week by the Pontiac Fire Department. Those earning their paramedic license include: Deputy Fire Marshal Mitch

St. Patrick’s Day “Click it or Ticket” enforcement results have been announced by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities issued 40 seat belt citations during the enforcement period from March 13 through 23. There were 10 speeding citations, three distracted driving and four other offenses. “We strongly enforce traffic laws for one reason – to save lives,” stated Sheriff Ryan Bohm. Livingston County Sheriff’s Police joined forces with state and local law enfor

A Stanford man has been arrested on 34 counts of child pornography following a cyber crimes investigation. Bradley Beyer, 56, was arrested on various offenses related to child sexual abuse material. The probe began in August when a technology company made a report to the National center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the uploading of video and photographs believed to be child sex abuse material. Detectives with the McLean County Sheriff’s Office and Bloomington

A damaged mobile home at Indian Grove Estates from a fire on Saturday. Firefighters responded to a single mobile home trailer fire Saturday in Fairbury. The Fairbury Fire Department was dispatched around 12:47 for a reported structure fire at 30 Indian Grove Estates. The fire was quickly contained and under control at 1:03 p.m., according to Fairbury Fire Chief Josh Hoselton. Mutual aide was called from Forrest-Strawn-Wing and Pontiac. There were no injuries, but the home’s o

Residents of Chenoa voted down a public referendum question this week asking if the city should change its form of municipal government from a Commission form to a Strong Mayor form. Under the current Commission structure, a mayor and four commissioners each have independent administrative responsibility for specific departments of the city. The new proposal has the mayor serving as the administrative executive with six at-large council members serving as legislators for the

The superintendent of Pontiac Township High School District 90, Ryan McGuckin, is weighing in after this week’s county schools tax question was passed by voters in Livingston County. The question asked if Livingston County school districts should be authorized to use revenues from the tax commonly referred to as the school facility sales tax at a rate of 1 percent for school resource officers and mental health professionals. This is in addition to school facility purposes. Vo

Debra (Debi) Ores appears to be the winner in the Republican race for Livingston County Clerk and Recorder. Based on unofficial results announced late Tuesday night, Ores received 2,375 votes in Tuesday’s Primary compared to 1,627 votes for Gail D. Smythe. Ores received 59.3 percent of the vote. In the Republican race for District 1 of the Livingston County Board, the three winners were John (Jack) L. Vietti, Jeffrey G. Hamilton and William Mays. They defeat David Rice. Livin