News across Ford County
76 fuel station coming to Paxton
PAXTON — Two raised signs — one 80 and the other 25 feet high — could soon be put around the Interstate 57 interchange in Paxton to advertise the 76-brand fuel station and still-undisclosed fast-food restaurant set to open there. The Paxton Planning and Zoning Commission has…
County board expecting to see red ink in budget
PAXTON — The Ford County Board is expecting to approve a deficit budget in November, even after further adjustments are made to reflect more accurate revenue projections. It remains to be seen exactly how much red ink will be included in the budget once it is up for approval —…
Probation department to move to downtown
PAXTON — The relocation of the Ford County probation department’s offices to a former dental office in downtown Paxton gained the approval of the county board via a unanimous vote during an adjourned meeting Friday evening. The board voted 8-0, with four members absent, to…
Mandated reporter training now required of subs, volunteers while visitors now required to show ID
PAXTON — To protect the safety of its students, the Paxton-Buckley-Loda school district will begin requiring all substitute teachers and volunteers to complete mandated-reporter training for the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services and all visitors to provide…
Resident says retention basin flooding neighborhood, asks PBL to address it
PAXTON — A woman who lives near Paxton-Buckley Loda Junior High School told school board members on Wednesday, Sept. 16, that a retention basin north of the school has been overflowing during heavy rains, repeatedly flooding her property and others in her neighborhood. Catherine…
Enrollment rises at PBL, reversing downward trend
PAXTON — The Paxton Buckley Loda school district’s student enrollment was up slightly to start the 2026-27 school year. As of the sixth day of classes, there were 1,233 students enrolled in the district’s three schools — up by six from the sixth-day enrollment total from a year…
TODAY IN HISTORY
Today is Wednesday, Sept. 23, the 266th day of 2026. There are 99 days left in the year. Today in history: On Sept. 23, 1952, Republican Sen. Richard M. Nixon of California salvaged his vice presidential nomination by appearing on TV from Los Angeles to refute allegations of…
PBL’s budget shows nearly $1M deficit
PAXTON — Following a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Paxton Buckley-Loda school board voted unanimously to approve the school district’s budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, showing a projected deficit of nearly $1 million. The $986,433 in red ink is up from a negative…
Community Resource Fair to connect Ford County residents with local services
PAXTON — Community members will once again have the opportunity to connect with local social service agencies and learn about resources available throughout Ford County at this year’s Community Resource Fair. The 2025 Community Resource Fair provided visitors with information…
GCMS volleyball loses 25-15, 25-16 to Tremont
TREMONT – The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley varsity volleyball team lost 25-15, 25-16 to Tremont on Tuesday. Bailey Bunting had seven kills and two blocks for GCMS while Londyn Roderick had nine assists and Brecke Barnard and Maci Lindelof had six and five digs, respectively. Tremont…
GCMS MS baseball wins 10-1 over Iroquois West in regional semifinals
BISMARCK – The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Middle School baseball team won 10-1 over Iroquois West in the IESA Class 2A regional semifinals on Tuesday. Kellan Porter hit 2-for-2 with two runs scored while Liam Hornstein hit 2-for-4 with a run scored and Duncan White hit 2-for-3.…
GCMS girls golf finishes third in HOIC tournament; Falcon boys golfer Rylan Urrutia ties for first place
EL PASO – The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley girls golf team finished third in the Heart of Illinois Conference Tournament. The Falcons finished with a score of 447 to place third among seven full teams. Tri-Valley (378) won the tournament while Heyworth (442) finished second. Lilyan…