Ford County Public Building Commission meeting agenda for July 15, 2020

Roy Acree hired as Gibson City Police captain

GIBSON CITY — The Gibson City Council approved the hiring of Roy Acree as the captain of the Gibson City Police at its meeting on Monday, July 13. He will replace Kaleb Kraft, who is retiring effective July 26. “I’m really looking forward to it,” Acree said. Acree worked as a police officer in Gibson City from 1985-88 before joining […]

‘We’re going to take care of what we can control’: GCMS football team starts weightlifting, practices under IHSA Phase 4 guidelines

GIBSON CITY — Mike Allen is not concerned with controlling the uncontrollable. He has been the head coach of the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School football coach for 19 years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is uncertain whether his 20th season will occur in 2020. “Each day, it changes. Numbers go up, go down,” Allen said. “That’s why our philosophy […]

Obituary: Theresa F. Clement

WATSEKA — Theresa F. Clement, 93, of Watseka passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka. She was born on June 2, 1927, in Woodland, the daughter of Mannis and Nellie (Strawser) Martin. She married Wesley R. Clement on Jan. 10, 1948, in Woodland and he preceded her in death on Oct. 4, 2018. She […]

Paxton Police Blotter (July 14, 2020)

PAXTON — The Paxton Police Department released the following list of recent activity: — No injuries were reported and no tickets were issued when a Paxton woman’s vehicle struck a city-owned vehicle on Friday, July 10. The accident occurred around 7:52 a.m. at the intersection of Strong and Summer streets when Gloria J. Pulliam, 78, was driving a 2017 Ford […]

Op-Ed: In reopening schools, state next must address educational recovery plans

By ARTHUR R. CULVER, SHARON DESMOULIN-KHERAT, JOHN PRICE AND TONY SANDERSIllinois School District Superintendents For months, we have witnessed in awe the resilience displayed by our students, families, and school staff as they navigate the COVID-19 crisis that has shuttered our campuses. Although many school buildings remain closed through the summer, educators and parents around the state are working diligently […]

IHSA to defer to IDPH, ISBE and governor’s office on all return to play guidelines moving forward

BLOOMINGTON — The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced on July 14, 2020, that it will defer to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the Governor’s Office on all of its Return To Play Guidelines moving forward. “There is an unprecedented level of planning for this school year due to COVID-19, and […]

Ford County Board IT Committee meeting agenda for July 16, 2020

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Pritzker ‘watching numbers very, very closely,’ but vague on potential to roll back reopening

Positivity rate is stable at 3%, but ‘sustained increase’ could lead to state action, he says By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday gave only vague answers to reporters’ questions about potential future restrictions Illinois might put in place to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in certain areas. He took the inquiries Tuesday […]

As general election approaches, House GOP again demands ethics reform legislation

In news conference, lawmakers also discuss report deadline, COVID-19 measures By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois [email protected] SPRINGFIELD — With fewer than four months remaining until the general election, House Republicans said Tuesday they want to remind Illinoisans of Democratic lawmakers’ “failure” to address corruption in the General Assembly. It has been 260 days since former Chicago Democratic Rep. Louis […]