Message from the Chamber of Commerce

Our January member’s lunch was held at Odie’s on 2nd Street. Since I was traveling in January, Greg Owens, Vice President, stepped in for me to head up the meeting. Thank you, Greg. Read More »

New Initiatives Bring Chillicothe Seniors Closer to Nature & Community

Research from the AARP highlights that seniors who participate in regular social and physical activities are 60% happier than those who are isolated or sedentary. Read More »

A Recap of Christmas 2024 Events – Shademaker’s Annual Holiday Lighting Contest 2024 Award Winners

Shademaker’s Annual Holiday Lighting Contest 2024 Award Winners Read More »

A Recap of Christmas 2024 Events – Nikolausmarkt 2024

Vielen Dank Chillicothe! Thank you to everyone who made the inaugural Chillicothe Nikolausmarkt a great success! Over the weekend of November 22 and 23, 2024, visitors to City Park enjoyed sweet treats, holiday music, and shopped with artisans selling from their chalets. Read More »

A Recap of Christmas 2024 Events – The Community Needs Agency (CNA)

The Community Needs Agency (CNA) helps people all year long with many different things like food, coats, school supplies, utilities, and much more. Read More »

Obituary – Joseph “Joe” James Raguz

Joe, lovingly known as “Josip,” “Papa Joe,” and “Uncle Joe,” passed away peacefully on January 9, 2025, at home in Jacksonville, NC, at age 84. Born on July 27, 1940, in Yugoslavia to Victor and Ilinka Raguz. Read More »

Obituary – James G. “Jim” Hayward

Jim, age 62, of Chillicothe, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at Methodist Hospital in Peoria. Jim was born on December 31, 1961 in Peoria, IL to Roland L. and Susan K. (Sweeney) Hayward. Read More »

Obituary – Franklin D. (Frank) James

Frank, age 88, of Chillicothe, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. Read More »

Pearce Community Center: 35 Years of Transforming Lives and Building Community in Chillicothe

Right in the heart of Chillicothe, Illinois, there’s a building with a truly remarkable story to tell. For 35 years, Pearce Community Center (PCC) has been a place where recreation, connection, and growth come together. Read More »

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

The First United Methodist Church in Chillicothe is bringing back the Poor Man's Supper from February of 2020. For those unfamiliar, the Poor Man’s Supper menu is a tradition with a history that goes back to the Great Depression. Read More »

Nelly’s Corner

My grandmother told me it was DANG cold. I’m thinking it was about 55 below zero and just too cold for baseball to be played while wearing black buckle boots and a zip-up snow suit. The gang tried that last winter and found that catching and throwing the ball while wearing three pairs of mittens was not as fun. Read More »

Cooking With Vickie Britton – Chicken Wings

Let’s make some yummy wings! Read More »

Chillicothe, IL 2002–2006

The following is part Twenty-Seven of a multi-part article about the timeline of Chillicothe, IL. This article will illustrate the key dates along with the key individuals who helped to shape our city’s great history. Read More »

Real Estate Over Coffee – The American Dream: A Reflection on Homeownership

What does the American Dream mean to you? For many, it’s long been defined by the goal of owning a home. From a young age, I was taught that homeownership represented a significant milestone—a key part of achieving success and stability. Read More »

Financial Considerations When Changing Jobs

Are you changing jobs soon? If so, you’ll obviously be interested in your new salary — but you’ll also want to look at other financial considerations. Read More »

Sweet Finds Update

On December 12th, tragedy struck Sweet Finds as a devastating fire destroyed their business. In the face of this loss, the community rallied together, offering support and encouragement during this challenging time. Read More »

Chillicothe Public Library Is Sharing the Library Love

February is Library Lovers Month! Read More »

IVC Ghost Post

January brought the beginning of the final semester for IVC’s Class of 2025. Students and faculty were busy with St. Jude fundraisers and little kids’ dance team clinics at the IVC basketball games. Read More »

The Insurance Corner – Seven Steps for Preparing Your Vehicle for Long-Term Storage

Storing a vehicle for an extended period — whether because you're traveling abroad or safeguarding a classic or antique car — requires thoughtful preparation. Read More »

Eagle Watch Breakfast

From late December through early March, hundreds of American Bald Eagles grace the skies along the Illinois River, creating a breathtaking winter spectacle. To celebrate and promote awareness of this remarkable wildlife, the Rotary Club of Chillicothe and the Lions Club will host their annual Eagle Watch Breakfast on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 7:30 to 10:30am at the Shore Acres Clubhouse. Read More »

Optimistically Speaking

The Optimists Club wants to thank all the merchants who supplied gift cards for the Christmas Bonanza this year. We collected a total of $2,500 in cards, which gave us enough cards to draw three winners! Read More »

Chillicothe Lions Club

Starting February 1st the Chillicothe Lions Club will be holding their tennis shoes recycling program again. Read More »

Water Restriction for a Year? Sutherland’s Challenge – Part Two

The problem that was facing Public Works Director Sutherland and his crew would not be a “quick fix.” The video inspection of the well was able to clearly identify the problem: a seven-foot-long tear in the conical screen filter 97 feet into the well allowing sand and gravel to partially clog the filter. The amount of water going to the pump was severely reduced. Read More »

In the Garden

By now, the only things left from the recent holidays are the live Poinsettias. These tropical plants are sensitive to too much or too little water. You will notice yellow leaves or bare lower branches. You need to check the soil moisture daily…dry to the touch means not enough water. Read More »

A Message From Fire Chief Tom Shubert – Chillicothe Community Fire Protection District

As I step into my new role as Fire Chief of the Chillicothe Community Fire Protection District, I am filled with excitement and gratitude. This opportunity has allowed me to meet our dedicated firefighters, who pour their hearts into serving our community. Read More »

In The Spotlight – Amber Taylor

An overachiever is someone who consistently performs above expectations in anything they do. They are characterized by; high standards for themselves and others. Read More »

What’s Happening in Chillicothe... February 2025

Every February 2, thousands gather at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to hear Groundhog Phil’s weather forecast. Read More »

Chillicothe’s Hometown Hero – Sergeant Major Ken L. Cook – U. S. Army (Ret.) The Eagle and the Dove

On any given day, you could be standing in front of a genuine, bonafide hero of great significance and never suspect that he or she was anything more than an average but important, productive member of American society. Read More »