News in Paxton
Obituary: Jonathan Nicholls
Jonathan William “Jon” Nicholls, 47, of Paxton, IL, passed away at 9:15 P.M. Saturday, September 19, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on May 16, 1979, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Danville, IL, the son of William “Bill” Nicholls and Linda (Kinser) Nicholls.…
IEMA officials: FEMA aid for Paxton, other Illinois communities comes down to Trump
PAXTON — On the official start of fall, city leaders met at Paxton City Hall with state lawmakers and emergency management officials on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 22, to talk about this past summer — namely, what all agreed was an uncommonly cruel one in terms of severe stormy…
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…
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…
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…
PBL football seeks second straight win at IVC
PAXTON – For the first time this season, the Paxton-Buckley-Loda varsity football team entered a week of practice on a winning momentum. The Panthers earned their victory of the 2026 season last Friday with a 24-6 win over Ford County rival Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley. “It’s really…
PBL JH cross country teams win home meet
PAXTON – The Paxton-Buckley-Loda Junior High School boys cross country team won a home meet on Monday, scoring a 33 to finish ahead of Rossville-Alvin (42), Clifton Nash (59) and Potomac (89). Karsyn Rini finished second with a time of 13:10.47 while Dawson Bice finished fourth…
GCMS JV football wins 14-8 over PBL
PAXTON – The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley junior varsity football team won 14-8 over Paxton-Buckley-Loda on Monday. Both teams were held scoreless in the second half as Kian Wilson intercepted a pass for GCMS (2-2) on a fourth-and-long on PBL’s final possession with 8.5 seconds…
Obituary: Carolyn Renken
Carolyn L. Renken, 83, of Paxton passed away at 8:11 a.m. Saturday, September 19, 2026 at her home. As were Carolyn’s wishes, there will be no services. Baier Family Funeral Services, Paxton is handling arrangements. Carolyn was born July 31, 1943 in Urbana the daughter of Omer…