Category Archives: Local News

Rinker Named Chief Medical Officer

Rinker Named Chief Medical Officer

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News OSF Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center recently appointed Dr. John M. Rinker as its new chief medical officer. Rinker is board certified in internal medicine. He joined the OSF Medical Group in August 2012. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and his medical degree from the University…MORE

Tom Bennett Reflects on Prison Tour

Tom Bennett Reflects on Prison Tour

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News Representative Tom Bennett took his first tour of the Pontiac Correctional Center Monday with several fellow lawmakers. Bennett, who admitted he’d never seen the inside of the prison, said beforehand that he wanted to keep an open mind and learn from the tour. Shortly after finishing, he stopped by the WJEZ…MORE

Special Exhibit Opens At the Livingston County War Museum-Dal Estes Education Center

Special Exhibit Opens At the Livingston County War Museum-Dal Estes Education Center

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News LaSalle County Sheriff, Tom Templeton, made a very special delivery to the Livingston County War Museum-Dal Estes Education Center Wednesday. A World War II Japanese machine gun, brought back to the US by John Sullivan and friends, is now part of a new museum exhibit. Sullivan’s daughter, Jane Sullivan Depaoli, said…MORE

Pontiac Woman Completes Farm Bureau Program

Pontiac Woman Completes Farm Bureau Program

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News Jordan Johns, of Pontiac, recently completed the 2015 Illinois Farm Bureau & Affiliates Premier 20 Leadership Conference, in Bloomington. Johns joined other 4-H and FFA members taking part in leadership management, college to career success, working with the media and other programs. The group also volunteered at the Midwest Food Bank…MORE

It Was 40 Years Ago Today…A Veteran Looks Back on the Vietnam War

It Was 40 Years Ago Today…A Veteran Looks Back on the Vietnam War

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News Many people will see today as simply the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, but some people who were there may see it differently. Duane Currington, who grew up in Fairbury and now lives in Ocoya, said it is seen differently by Vietnam Veterans and each one has…MORE

Tuesday Morning Break-In Under Investigation

Tuesday Morning Break-In Under Investigation

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News Pontiac Police, with the help of the Illinois State Police Crime Scene investigators, is investigating another break-in that happened in the overnight hours of Tuesday. According to Pontiac Police Major Dan Davis, Wendy’s, located at 505 S. Deerfield Road, was broken into during the overnight hours of Tuesday. A worker for…MORE

Local Wold War II Vet Shares His Story in New Wartime Documentary

By Todd Wineburner/WJEZ Morning Show A documentary focusing on the life and wartime experiences of long-time Livingston County resident John Amm received a very warm welcome at Pontiac’s Crescent Theaters over the weekend. Nearly 300 people attended two showings of “The Greatest Honor,” produced by John Amm’s son Roger Amm. Kane Farabaugh took care of…MORE

Walgreens Theft Suspects Taken Into Custody

Walgreens Theft Suspects Taken Into Custody

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News Two men were taken into custody by Pontiac Police Friday in connection with a theft that occurred at Pontiac Walgreens April 8. According to Pontiac Police Major Dan Davis, two Chicago men, ages 23 and 26, visited Walgreens again Friday and an employee recognized the pair as the two identified from…MORE

Chamber of Commerce Welcomes ‘Top to Bottom Cleaning’ to Pontiac

Chamber of Commerce Welcomes ‘Top to Bottom Cleaning’ to Pontiac

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News The Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Top to Bottom Cleaning, a new after-hours business cleaning company in Pontiac. Jamie and Stephanie Nelson, owners, have been working together through the years to build their business, with Jamie joining most recently. “Stephanie started the business in 2003…MORE

Jason Barickman and Tom Bennett Tour Pontiac Correctional Center

Jason Barickman and Tom Bennett Tour Pontiac Correctional Center

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News State Senator Jason Barickman and Representative Tom Bennett hosted a special tour of Pontiac Correctional Center Monday morning for area lawmakers. Several representatives and senators from around the state were touring the facility for the first time and Barickman said he wanted to give lawmakers first-hand experience of seeing the prison…MORE