NYE celebration returns to Pontiac

A longtime tradition is returning to Pontiac on New Year’s Eve under a new name.

“Last Nite” is planned throughout the community on Dec. 31. The Pontiac City Council heard all about it during this week’s regular meeting.

“It’s kind of like the old First Nite but we can’t use the name First Nite,” explained Pontiac Mayor Kelly Eckhoff.

Planning has been underway for the past 18 months as organizers put together a busy night.

“Materials were just printed in the last few days,” adds Eckhoff.

The agenda and locations are set for Last Nite. Family-friendly activities are planned for all ages inside and outside that evening starting at 5 p.m. and concluding with a drone fireworks show at 11:45 p.m. on Dec. 31. Be looking for more to come out about Last Nite.

Also at this week’s Pontiac City Council meeting, the group heard about other upcoming community events which include Halloween activities later this month.

“There is a Pumpkin Dive at the Rec Center, then Saturday the 26^th is the Fall Family Fest at Chautauqua Park,” said Eckhoff.

Downtown Pontiac merchants have also planned a “Trunk or Treat” event.

Council members received an update on the public transportation system as the county has ceased operations with Showbus and is working behind the scenes to get a new operation going. According to Eckhoff, Futures Unlimited will have a new public transportation network throughout the county.

The group acted on a few change orders – one for the elevator at the Rec Center which needs maintenance work. They approved $38,000 in expenditures for that elevator in addition to what they were going to spend for rehabilitation.

An electrical change order was approved for Centennial Plaza and a resolution was authorized to join the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority. The council okayed an application for the Safe Routes to Schools grant program for sidewalk and signage improvements.

Street department head Chris Brock shared that he had spoken with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources looking for guidance on potential cleanup work on the Vermillion River. The lower river levels provide an opportunity to knock down extra growth in the area.