Local News

Lastest Headlines from the WJEZ Newsroom

Latest Headlines Archive

Older adults encouraged to write about themselves
Friday, May 30, 2008 (177 reads)

The Pontiac Public Library has announced plans for a summer program geared toward older adults...

Chicago students tour rural Livingston County
Friday, May 30, 2008 (145 reads)

Several students from Chicago had the chance to visit the rural parts of Livingston County on Thursday...

Prescription drop box now at Public Safety Complex
Friday, May 30, 2008 (160 reads)

If you visit the lobby of the Pontiac Public Safety Complex, you’ll notice a colorful drop box for prescription drugs...

Ottawa man sentenced to prison for robbing motel; fleeing police
Thursday, May 29, 2008 (200 reads)

The person responsible for robbing the Pontiac Super 8 Motel, and crashing into a squad car earlier this year, will spend six years in prison...

Long Point home damaged by fire
Thursday, May 29, 2008 (207 reads)

A two-story farmhouse near Long Point was damaged by fire Wednesday, but there were no injuries...

Pontiac prepares for kites
Thursday, May 29, 2008 (169 reads)

It’s that time again. The second annual Pontiac Kite Festival gets underway this weekend at the Pontiac Rec Plex, on Old Airport Road...

Pontiac man going to prison for sexually abusing young girl
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 (261 reads)

A Pontiac man will spend seven years in prison on charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse...

Evenglow celebrates Older Americans Month
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 (126 reads)

Evenglow Lodge continues to celebrate Older Americans Month with various activities...

Crowd pays tribute at Southside Cemetery
Tuesday, May 27, 2008 (150 reads)

A large crowd gathered at Southside Cemetery in Pontiac Monday to pay tribute to those that gave the ultimate sacrifice...

Cause of old jail fire remains a mystery
Friday, May 23, 2008 (166 reads)

We may never know what caused the fire earlier this month at the old sheriff’s house, attached to the former Livingston County Jail building...

Students & staff prepare for 'Operation Graduation' at PTHS
Friday, May 23, 2008 (169 reads)

A graduation tradition continues at Pontiac High School...

Click It or Ticket enforcement underway
Friday, May 23, 2008 (156 reads)

State officials are urging Illinois drivers to buckle up, as they get ready to hit the roads for Memorial Day weekend...

Pontiac prison the next drug treatment facility?
Thursday, May 22, 2008 (242 reads)

Governor Blagojevich is considering making the Pontiac Correctional Center a drug treatment facility...

United Way sets largest goal ever
Thursday, May 22, 2008 (127 reads)

The Pontiac United Way has set its biggest campaign goal ever...

Livingston County extension office glad to receive state money
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 (127 reads)

The Livingston County Extension Office is relieved that its received state funding, that many didn’t believe would come...

Prairie Central disciplines students; nominates board officers
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 (200 reads)

Two Prairie Central students have been expelled from school...

Closing arguments underway in wind hearing
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 (125 reads)

Closing arguments are underway in the first Livingston County wind farm hearing...

'Save the Prison' parade planned
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 (210 reads)

Local efforts to save the Pontiac prison continue...

Livingston County Health Department receives grant
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 (152 reads)

The governor has announced more than $2.8 million in funding to health departments across the state...

Pontiac leaders encourage business development
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 (150 reads)

Pontiac city leaders are looking to bring more jobs and businesses to the area...

Ottawa man accused of leading police on chase could plea
Monday, May 19, 2008 (165 reads)

An Ottawa man facing a number of Livingston County charges could enter a plea later this month...

PTHS students develop jingle for program
Monday, May 19, 2008 (147 reads)

The Pontiac Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal Program now has a musical side to it...

Pontiac City Council to meet
Monday, May 19, 2008 (157 reads)

The Pontiac City Council meets at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers...

Woman's condition improves after wreck
Friday, May 16, 2008 (184 reads)

The condition of a Dwight woman has improved since she was involved in a crash Thursday...

Former substitute teacher sentenced for child porn
Friday, May 16, 2008 (139 reads)

A Bloomington man and former teacher has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for child pornography charges...

Construction begins on downtown elevator
Friday, May 16, 2008 (124 reads)

Construction has started on a new elevator at the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Livingston County War Museum in Pontiac...

Woman hospitalized after crash with bus
Friday, May 16, 2008 (162 reads)

A Dwight woman was in stable condition this morning after her car was struck by a school bus Thursday afternoon...

County approves pilot program
Friday, May 16, 2008 (146 reads)

The Livingston County Board has authorized a program that helps older people continue to live in their own homes...

Downtown prepares for carnival
Thursday, May 15, 2008 (170 reads)

Downtown Pontiac’s been transformed into a carnival...

Evenglow celebrates Older Americans Month
Thursday, May 15, 2008 (149 reads)

Evenglow Lodge continues to celebrate Older Americans Month with various activities...

Livingston County Board to meet
Thursday, May 15, 2008 (158 reads)

The Livingston County Board meets at 6 p.m. tonight at the Livingston County Public Safety Complex in Pontiac...

Area students receive 'safe driving' training
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 (160 reads)

Students from schools in the state’s Operation Teen Safe Driving Program are taking part in a safe-driving clinic...

Windfarm testimony concludes
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 (162 reads)

Public comment on a proposed northern Livingston County wind farm concluded last night...

Dwight teen could return to public school next fall
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 (165 reads)

The teenager accused of typing a threatening message at Dwight High School last year could return to school in the fall...

Rutherford & Radogno leading fight to keep prison open
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 (163 reads)

State Senator Dan Rutherford is continuing his fight to keep the Pontiac Correctional Center open...

Opinions voiced at wind farm hearing
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 (143 reads)

Wind energy was once again the focus at a public hearing last night, on the proposed Streator-Cayuga Ridge Wind Project...

'Stamp Out Hunger' a success
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 (136 reads)

This year’s “stamp out hunger” food drive was another success...

Old jail "house" destroyed by fire
Monday, May 12, 2008 (204 reads)

The old red house, attached to the former Livingston County Jail, is now just a memory...

Pontiac plans upgrades to crosswalk
Monday, May 12, 2008 (167 reads)

The City of Pontiac plans to upgrade the crosswalk at the intersection of Ladd and Howard Streets...

More windfarm testimony planned
Monday, May 12, 2008 (130 reads)

The Livingston County Zoning Board of Appeals will continue its public hearing tonight, on the proposed Streator Cayuga Ridge Wind Project...

Board to consider zoning requests
Monday, May 12, 2008 (156 reads)

The Pontiac Zoning Board meets at 4:30 today in the City Council Chambers...

Man's death under investigation
Friday, May 09, 2008 (339 reads)

Authorities in Pontiac are investigating the death of a 32-year-old man...

Lawmakers try to fight prison closing
Friday, May 09, 2008 (173 reads)

Some lawmakers are trying to get around closing the prison in Pontiac...

Mixed reaction among Fairbury residents on alcohol issue
Friday, May 09, 2008 (170 reads)

There’s still mixed reaction on a decision to allow alcohol during the upcoming Fairbury Funfest celebration...

Judge hears post-conviction motion in Streator case
Friday, May 09, 2008 (162 reads)

A LaSalle County judge heard a post-conviction motion this week on a high-profile Streator case...

Halvorson wants to save prison
Thursday, May 08, 2008 (186 reads)

The top senate democrat has expressed her support for keeping the Pontiac Correctional Center open...

Woman's Club style show tonight
Thursday, May 08, 2008 (163 reads)

You’ll have the chance to take in some styles and enjoy elegant desserts at the same time tonight...

Future of employees discussed by county Nursing Home Committee
Thursday, May 08, 2008 (169 reads)

Employee retention was the center of discussion at Wednesday's meeting of the Livingston County Board’s nursing home committee meeting...

Correctional officers honored
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 (180 reads)

There’s actually some positive news this week, from the Illinois Department of Corrections...

Two injured after motorcycle wreck
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 (254 reads)

Two people were hospitalized after an accident yesterday, involving a car and a motorcycle...

Chamber announces Yard of the Month
Tuesday, May 06, 2008 (186 reads)

The Beautification Committee of the Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of the May “Yard of the Month.”

Leaders address governor's proposal to close prison
Tuesday, May 06, 2008 (151 reads)

Local officials addressed the media on the governor's proposal to close the Pontiac Correctional Center...

Pontiac city leaders will do 'whatever it takes' to keep prison open
Tuesday, May 06, 2008 (159 reads)

The Pontiac City Council says it will do whatever it takes to keep the Pontiac Correctional Center open...

Governor threatens to close Pontiac Correctional Center
Monday, May 05, 2008 (249 reads)

For the second time, the state has unveiled plans to close the Pontiac Correctional Center...

Deadline nears for flood victims
Monday, May 05, 2008 (156 reads)

The time is almost up for Livingston and Iroquois County residents wishing to apply for federal disaster assistance after the record-breaking January flood...

Fairbury man dies in Colorado wreck
Monday, May 05, 2008 (252 reads)

Funeral services are planned this week for a Fairbury man that died after a chain-reaction crash in Colorado...

Red Cross to hold area blood drives
Monday, May 05, 2008 (159 reads)

The American Red Cross of the Heartland will hold area blood drives this week...

Pontiac City Council meets tonight
Monday, May 05, 2008 (199 reads)

The Pontiac City Council meets at 7 p.m. in the Pontiac City Council Chambers...

Emergency personnel respond to numerous calls
Friday, May 02, 2008 (227 reads)

We’ve already seen some rain and rumbles of thunder today and more severe stuff is on the way...

Local minister remembered
Friday, May 02, 2008 (176 reads)

Pontiac residents are mourning the death of a local pastor...

OSF shows support for economic development
Thursday, May 01, 2008 (144 reads)

OSF Healthcare is expressing its support for a local economic development group...

Testimony to continue for proposed windfarm
Thursday, May 01, 2008 (156 reads)

Testimony for a proposed Livingston County windfarm will continue later this month...