Obituary – June M. Jaquet

June, 96, of Pekin, passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton. She was born in Pilot Grove Township in Hancock County, IL on April 25, 1929, to Arlo and Mildred (Pitt) Hasten. Read More »

Obituary – James S. Duckworth

James, age 68, of Chillicothe, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Read More »

Obituary – Rebecca Stone Bobell

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Rebecca Stone Bobell, who was taken by leukemia at the age of 77. Becky was a loved member of her family and community, known for her spirit and spunk. She touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Read More »

Obituary – Elizabeth Mary Rockwell (Schellhaus)

Elizabeth, aged 99, formerly of Chillicothe, IL, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family members on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Read More »

The Origin and Legacy of the Grey Ghosts Mascot

The Grey Ghosts mascot of Illinois Valley Central High School—originally Chillicothe Township High School is one of the most unique and enduring school identities in Illinois. Its origin, however, is not straightforward. Read More »

Nelly’s Corner – 1962… June. Age 10

The Johnson brothers and I hauled grandpa’s old outhouse on my Radio Flyer wagon all the way down Moffit Street to the end of our hedgerow. We had the two-hole outhouse perfectly positioned at 20 feet above sea level in less than three hours. Read More »

The Insurance Corner – As Auto Insurance Rates Climb, More Drivers Go Underinsured or Uninsured

As auto insurance premiums continue to rise, some motorists find it challenging to afford the higher rates, leading them to make difficult decisions like not purchasing insurance or purchasing a policy that only has the state-mandated minimum liability limits. Read More »

IVC Ghost Post – June 2025

Friday, May 2, 2025, IVCHS held its annual lunch auction to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This year, fourteen teams of students raised over $28,000 for this worthy cause. Read More »

In the Garden

I know that you are all busily getting your gardens and yards planted. But I wanted to share these tips I got from a friend this week about planting tomatoes… Read More »

Peoria County Bright Futures JUNE Preschool Screenings for ’25/’26 School Year are open!!

Peoria County Bright Futures will be providing a free Preschool Screening in the month of June within the IVC District at South and Mossville Schools. Read More »

Chillicothe Rotary

The Rotary Club of Chillicothe had the honor of attending the 2025 Senior Honors Night and presented the Service Above Self award and the 2025 Continuing Education Scholarship to Illinois Valley Central High School Seniors. Read More »

Chillicothe Circle of Service

IVC Senior Honors Night was Wednesday, May 14, and Chillicothe Circle of Service was proud to present five scholarships to deserving graduating seniors. Three $2,000 awards were presented to Rezie Lynn, Macy McIntyre, and Elaina Zick by Scholarship Committee co-chairs Kitty Baxter and Marti Boyle. Read More »

Congratulations to the IVC Class of 2025!

The 2025 IVC High School Commencement Ceremony was held on Taylor Field at IVC High School on May 17, 2025 at 5pm. Dr. Chad Allison, Superintendent of School District 321, welcomed the class, family, and friends. Student, Luke Olson, offered the class message and Mr. Kenton Bergman, Principal, offered the Administrative Message with Presentation of Class by Mrs. Carly Emken, Assistant Principal. Mr. Michael Labeda, Member – IVC Board of Education, presented the diplomas. Read More »

Optimistically Speaking

Summer has arrived…Mowing grass, camping, swimming, hiking, mowing grass, biking, baseball games, mowing grass, and all kinds of fun things to do! Read More »

Emergency Planning for the Chillicothe Area

On May 5, 2025, Chillicothe Township and Peoria County Emergency Management organized a group of professionals that gathered at Pearce Community Center to discuss emergency preparedness. Read More »

Chillicothe, Diamonds, and a Gal Named Lil — Part Two

Following the passage of the Volstead Act, most saloons and taverns became licensed as “Soft Drink Parlors” at the same fee as their Dram Shop licenses had been. Several local men had already become known as violators of the new Prohibition law. Read More »

Summer Fun No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie Read More »

Financial Advisor Matthew Kenady of Edward Jones Receives CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification

Financial Advisor Matthew Kenady of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Chillicothe has received the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, or CFP®, certification, granted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board). Read More »

Level Up With Summer Reading at Chillicothe Public Library

Registration is now open for Chillicothe Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, “Level Up at Your Library!” All ages—adults, too!—are invited to enjoy a season of exciting programming themed around gaming and play-based learning. Read More »

Chillicothe’s Smoking Ghost BBQ Sauce Savors Another National Award

You wouldn’t think that a barbecue sauce created by a retired Caterpillar executive in Chillicothe would have a ghost of a chance of winning any sort of national recognition. Read More »

City Hall Civic Awards

Each year the City of Chillicothe Council recognizes those who have made a positive impact on the City of Chillicothe community. At the April 28th city council meeting, Mayor Hughes presented the following awards Read More »

In The Spotlight: Doug Nelson A Hunter’s Story

Doug Nelson grew up on a farm in Central Illinois. At an early age he began trapping and hunting coon, squirrel, and rabbit. No one in his family hunted deer. He said he probably knew the farm better in the dark than in daylight from years of coon hunting during his high school years. Read More »

What’s Happening in Chillicothe...

Welcome to Summer! Two major city projects will be under construction this year. The roadwork for the Bradley drainage will take place, and the Bike Path along Bradley and Cloverdale. Read More »

Chillicothe’s Hometown Hero – Albert Dean Adams: Volunteer, Patriot, Soldier

Each town, city, and small village, as well as larger municipalities, numbering over a thousand, in our state, are the birthplaces or homes of a proud but slowly dwindling number of a generation known as the Baby Boomers of WWII. Read More »