NORMAL – When you’re a musician there are not many better visuals than watching listeners dance.

DeKALB – It’s been almost four months since Amboy senior Gloria Parker played the flute at the Illinois Music Educators Association Junior & Senior Concert Festival on Saturday, Nov. 16 at DeKalb High School.

DIXON – State Senator Li Arellano, Jr (R-Dixon) is proud to announce the launch of his Mobile Constituent Services initiative in the 37th Senate District starting in March.

CHICAGO – The American Red Cross of Illinois proudly announces Kellie O’Connell as its new Regional Chief Executive Officer.

AMBOY – March is  here. This means, the Amboy High School spring musical is also.

SUBLETTE – Whether rain, sleet, snow, or sun, the 43rd Annual Sublette Antique Tractor & Toy Show will take over the streets of the Village of Sublette from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16.

SUBLETTE – The February Village of Sublette Committee Meeting was short and sweet Monday, Feb. 10 as three trustees and the president formed the minimum of four people to authorize a reported council.

DIXON –  Glenn Milos, DO-MPH, JD-MBA, CPE, has been named vice president and chief medical officer for OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon, Illinois.

DIXON – Meagan Rothrock-Magana, MSN, BS, RN, NE-BC, has been named vice president and chief nursing officer for OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon.

WEST BROOKLYN – We all have a COVID-19 story to tell.

AMBOY – Gary and Lisa Mason grew up on Robbins Road.

CHICAGO – Former Democratic Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, has joined the list of Illinois political figures who’ve been convicted on public corruption charges after a federal jury Wednesday, Feb. 12 found him guilty on 10 of 23 counts.

SPRINGFIELD – President Donald Trump on Monday, Feb. 10 granted a full pardon to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted on 18 corruption counts, including for his attempt to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat in 2008 – and who holds the distinction of being the state’s only impeached governor.

STERLING – Crystal Fiegenschuh, a registered nurse in the CGH Critical Care Unit, was recently recognized as a recipient of the prestigious DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses.

MALTA – The Kishwaukee College Foundation is pleased to announce the student scholarship recipients for the Spring 2025 semester. The Foundation awarded 354 scholarship awards totaling $335,355.

ROCKFORD – Babies in Mercyhealth’s Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Javon Bea Hospital Riverside in Rockford were ready for the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 9 when the Philadelphia Eagles blew out the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-22.

SPRINGFIELD – Preparations are underway for Illinois to join in the nation’s celebration of 250 years of independence in 2026, and the Illinois America 250 Commission is encouraging people across the Prairie State to get involved in planning festivities and educational opportunities to mark the historic moment.

AMBOY – It’s true.

OREGON – The Coliseum Museum is pleased to announce the opening of the Windows to the Soul: Portraits Unveiled Art Exhibit featuring 32 artists with a total of 57 works of art on display from February 1 to March 15.

MATTOON – Circle of Care, a statewide initiative dedicated to supporting families experiencing grief and loss due to substance use related death, is proud to announce the launch of the Threads of Hope Training.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Li Arellano, Jr (R-Dixon) has been appointed as the Republican Spokesperson for the Illinois Senate’s Public Health Committee.

SPRINGFIELD – State Representative Brad Fritts (R-Dixon) was appointed to serve on six committees for the 104th General Assembly.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Milwaukee County Zoo (MCZ) is pleased to announce the safe arrival of Filly, a jaguar transferred from the Belize Zoo. Filly arrived in the evening on Thursday, January 23 after leaving Belize on January 22. She traveled via plane from Belize to the U.S. port in Miami before taking a ground transport straight to Milwaukee.

BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is proud to announce that Illinois farmers have set a new soybean production record.

DIXON – Newly sworn-in State Senator Li Arellano, Jr. (R-Dixon) is excited to announce his Inaugural “Valentines for Seniors” card drive, an initiative encouraging community members across the 37th Senate District to create Valentine cards for residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.