The First Lady of Kindergarten

Okay everyone, come sit close. I have a story to share, and it begins right here in Chillicothe more than eighty years ago. It is the tale of Mrs. Bette Weber Gibbs, the brave young teacher who opened our town’s very first kindergarten class at Pearce Grade School in 1941. For the next 43 years she guided little ones through their ABCs, their first friendships, and their first discoveries, milestones etched in our town’s memory and remembered still to this day. Read More »

5th Annual “Back the Blue” Awards Night

On May 15th the Chillicothe Police Department held their 5th annual “Back the Blue” Awards Night and appreciation dinner at Grecian Gardens. This was originated by Dave Hirtz along with other citizens of Chillicothe to honor the Chillicothe Police Officers and their families. Read More »

In the Garden

The declining honeybee population is an ongoing global crisis. Our most important pollinators, bees, love urban settings where there are short flight paths and a variety of different plants and flowers to sample. In fact, bees are more likely to thrive in your backyard than on acres of farmland devoted to single crops. By the way, there are five or six places in Chillicothe where you can buy Local Honey. You must try it. It is delicious! Read More »

Obituary – Kimberly (Longenbach) Kell

Mrs. Kimberly of Nashville, IL, departed this life surrounded by her family at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 6:41am. She had attained the age of 55 years, 5 months, and 29 days. Read More »

Obituary – Ronald Creighton Coletrain

Ronald, aged 69, passed away May 21st peacefully at his home with his loving family right by his side after a year-long fight against Pancreatic Cancer. Born on May 4, 1956, in Charleston, South Carolina to Gloria and Perlie Coletrain. He grew up in Chillicothe, Illinois, with his only sister Tammy Coletrain (Callison). He graduated from IVC in 1974, then went on to continue a career in automotive manufacturing. Later, retiring from Mitsubishi Motors after 30+ years. Read More »

The Insurance Corner The Precautions You May Not Think of Before Vacation

Going on vacation? Maybe you bought a trip to Cancun or Paris, or perhaps you’re doing a tour of Civil War sites in the South. While the chances of you being affected by violence on vacation are typically low, there are other risks that you need to consider: like an unexpected problem at home—such as a plumbing leak—when you are thousands of miles away, having valuables stolen, injuring yourself in a scooter crash, or having your personal data hijacked. Read More »

Chillicothe High School Alumni Banquet Honors Distinguished Graduates

The annual Chillicothe High School Alumni All-School Banquet was held on June 14 at Illinois Valley Central High School. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award, jointly sponsored by the Chillicothe Alumni Association, the Illinois Valley Central Educational Foundation, and IVC School District 321. Read More »

REAL ESTATE OVER COFFEE How Buying or Selling a Home Impacts the Local Economy

More than just a personal milestone—it’s an investment in your community. When we think about buying or selling a home, we often focus on personal factors: a growing family, a new job, or the desire for a change of scenery. But did you know that your decision to move also has a powerful ripple effect on your local economy? Read More »

City of Chillicothe Hosting the Sweet Corn Festival! July 19, 2025

Introducing the Sweet Corn Festival! Thanks to your feedback, we are excited to announce a fresh take on our traditional Corn Boil. This year, we’re rolling out the Sweet Corn Festival, a full day of family-friendly festivities, delicious food, and community spirit! Read More »

Nelly’s Corner

July 1962. Age 10 The 55 Ford was Kewanee-bound bound and all working parts were working as best they could. One headlight had been out for two weeks, but Dad had learned to drive in the dark using the back roads. Even one car light could illuminate the dark countryside. Heck, even a train only uses one light. He could adjust to hard times because it was the only time he knew. Read More »

It’s Not Just a Carnival It’s CHILLICOTHE DAYS!

The Chillicothe Lions Club held their 39th annual Mr. Chillicothe Contest Friday, June 20th, during Chillicothe Days and it was another great success! The event raised over $6,000. Best of all, the contestants, the audience, and members of the Lions Club had a great time putting on the event. There were a lot of laughs, talent, and generosity displayed at the show and auction. After “competing” with their talents, questions and answers, and modeling their swimsuit attire, Rodney Davis was crowned Mr. Chillicothe who was sponsored by the Optimists Club. Read More »

Optimistically Speaking

July is the month we think of patriotism. Specifically, the 4th of July reminds us of all the freedoms we have in this country and how very blessed we are to live here in one nation under God. We know freedom is not free, may we never forget the cost is high and the women and men who have died for that freedom and paid the price for all of us. Read More »

Message from the Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber’s biggest event of the year —Chillicothe Days and Carnival—is over. Even though it was a very hot weekend, many of you still came out to enjoy our small-town entertainment, food, and camaraderie. At one of the stage events, the crowd was asked what one word summarizes Chillicothe. As I looked around City Park and saw the joy from all ages experiencing Chilli Days in their own way, I thought to myself, it’s “community.” Read More »

Volunteers Wanted Beauty Shop Helpers Needed!

We’re looking for kind-hearted volunteers to assist in our Beauty Shop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Your role? Simply escort residents to and from their appointments—offering a smile, a friendly chat, and perhaps even a meaningful verse along the way. Read More »

Dame Fine Coffee to Open in Chillicothe, IL

Exciting news is brewing for Chillicothe! Joe and Hannah Chatterton have plans to bring Dame Fine Coffee to town. Renovations on the new location at 903 N 4th Street will begin soon, with an official opening announcement expected in July. Read More »

Chillicothe Joins Peoria County’s “Bison-Tennial” Celebration

As Peoria County marks its 200th anniversary in 2025, Chillicothe is proud to join in a countywide celebration that honors both history and heritage—with a creative twist. Dubbed the “Bison-Tennial,” the yearlong celebration is a playful yet powerful tribute to the bison, the mighty animals that once roamed the Central Illinois prairie and now serve as a symbol of strength, endurance, and bold spirit—traits Peoria County and its communities continue to embody. Read More »

How History Has Changed Newspaper Reporting

Living half my waking hours in the files of the Historical Society has shaped my view of how newspaper editors and reporters have changed the writing styles that have appeared in stories in print. Today, there seems to be another shift in how, and sometimes in what, will be allowed to “go to press.” I’m not going to delve into the current squabbling that we are enduring over “free speech.” What I want to compare is the writing style of an article that appeared in a 1903 issue of the Chillicothe Bulletin to what we see today. Read More »

Should You Pay Off Debts or Invest?

Sometimes, paying down debt competes with your desire to invest. What’s the best course of action? Here are a few things to consider. If your cash flow is strong after paying monthly expenses, you might want to invest the extra money. But if you’re just getting by, possibly due to high-interest loans, you may be better off reducing or refinancing your debt load. Read More »

Chillicothe Public Library Awarded Community Arts Grant

Chillicothe Public Library has been awarded a Community Arts Grant from the Community Foundation of Central Illinois to support their “Live at the Library” concert series. The library’s free monthly afternoon concerts provide the opportunity for the community to gather and enjoy quality live music locally. By highlighting a variety of musical styles and musicians from the area as well as from further afield, they foster a rich environment for cultural engagement and connection. The $8,550 grant will help support concerts from July 2025 through February 2026. Read More »

Robots Are Taking Over the Library

Do you know any middle or high school students who are interested in developing skills in coding and robotics? FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global nonprofit organization that prepares young people for the future through a variety of team-based robotics programs. Middle and high school students in the Chillicothe area have the opportunity to participate in local FIRST Lego League (FLL) Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams through community organizations. Read More »

CHUCK FLAGG: 50+ Years of Clay, Creativity, and Classroom InspirationCHUCK FLAGG: 50+ Years of Clay, Creativity, and Classroom Inspiration

For more than five decades, Chuck Flagg has shaped not only clay but also the lives of his students. Best known as the long-time art teacher at Illinois Valley Central High School, Chuck’s path to becoming an artist and educator was anything but conventional—and all the more inspiring because of it. Read More »

Cooking With Vickie Britton

Lets Make an Easy Shrimp Boil! Ingredients: 4 ears of corn cut in half 2 bags of small baby red potatoes 2 rings of Cajan sausage (or your favorite sausage) Read More »

St. Jude Runs – Hannah Dutton

This year’s coordinator for the St. Jude Runs is Hannah Dutton. Born Hannah Cox, she is a hometown girl who went to Chillicothe schools and graduated from IVC in 2004. After graduation, she went to Bradley and got her teaching degree. She taught at Dunlap for 13 years and is now the curriculum coordinator for Dunlap. Hannah is married to David Dutton and they have two children—Ellie, 12, and Haddie, 9. Read More »

What’s Happening in Chillicothe...

July 2025 As part of the Peoria County Bison-tennial project, the City of Chillicothe is participating in the bison trek. The BISON SCULPTURE is located in front of City Hall and is designed and produced by Owens Design Group. Visit this link bisontrek.peoriacounty.gov for more information about the 40 other bison sculptures in Peoria County. Read More »

From the Desk of Mayor Mike Hughes

It’s unfortunate, but today there is a lot of division in our country. Each side wants their views to be heard, and sometimes people aren’t particularly polite as they voice their opinions. Regardless of what side of a particular issue you side with, I think, or hope, we can all agree that a cemetery isn’t a place for protesting. Read More »

A Virtue – A Calling – A Home Ronald R. Martz

It has long been surmised that since the introduction of the human species to the only blue planet in our solar system, the seeds first planted would not remain sedentary and would eventually join and flourish with teachers, of their own kind, who would spread the word of their creator. A variety of interpretations would challenge the many preachers, ministers, pastors, and other clergymen as to the validity of scripture, but to the truest of believers, it is clear in John 3:16. Read More »