GCMS Red Army to sponsor blood drive Monday at high school
GIBSON CITY — Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School will host an American Red Cross blood drive, sponsored by the school’s Red Army, from noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4. The school is at 815 N. Church St. in Gibson City. The American Red Cross awards scholarships to students based on the number of units of blood they collect at their school’s blood drives. Last year, $1,000 was given to GCMS students. Students can make an appointment with student coordinator Alyssa — at morgan.alyssa@gcmsk12.org — to help build up those scholarship funds.
Vendors needed for Paxton’s Fall Gathering on Saturday, Oct. 11
PAXTON — Vendors are being sought for Paxton’s Fall Gathering, an event sponsored by Paxton Main Street scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton. To request a vendor form, people can email Paxton Main Street Executive Director Donna Pepper at director@paxtonmainstreet.com.
Cissna’s Petry awarded Goodrum Memorial Motorcycle Scholarship
ESTHERVILLE, Iowa — Iowa Lakes Community College student Luke Petry of Cissna Park was awarded the Goodrum Memorial Motorcycle Scholarship by the Iowa Lakes Community College Foundation for the fall 2025 term. A total of 602 scholarships were awarded to 358 students, with $1.02 million already disbursed and additional awards expected throughout the academic year. With more than 150 scholarship opportunities and 96 donor-supported funds, the average award per student is $2,850.
Agronomy Day set for Friday, Aug. 15, at Gilman Agronomy Center
GILMAN — Heritage FS is inviting local farmers, stakeholders and industry partners to its annual Agronomy Day, scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 15, at the Gilman Agronomy Center.
The event will feature guided plot tours led by Heritage FS agronomist Chris Peters and insights from leading industry partners, including Mosaic and Biotrinsic. Attendees will gain knowledge about new products, management strategies and agronomic trends shaping the future of agriculture.
“We’re proud to provide a space where growers can connect, ask questions, and see firsthand the innovative work being done in the field,” said Chris Peters, a sales agronomist at Heritage FS.
The day begins at 8:30 a.m. with coffee, donuts and registration. Plot tours and presentations will run from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a complimentary pork chop lunch catered by the Illinois Pork Producers.
The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to reserve a spot by contacting their Heritage FS crop specialist or plant location by Monday, Aug. 4.
The Gilman Agronomy Center is at 1643 U.S. 45 in Gilman.
Three public hearings to be held before planning/zoning commission
PAXTON — The Paxton Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a series of three public hearings on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 12, in the city council chambers at City Hall, 145 S. Market St.
For the first hearing starting at 6:30 p.m., the commission will consider a proposed amendment to Section 151.062 of the city’s Code of Ordinances to allow for a manufactured home dealer to operate on property with an MH-1 zoning designation.
The second hearing begins at 6:40 p.m., when the commission will consider a change in zoning classification — from R-1 to R-3 — for a property at 252 W. Ottawa Road.
The third hearing, starting at 7 p.m., will be held to obtain community input regarding the city’s acceptance of credit card payments for “any financial obligation” owed to the city, including fees and fines, according to a notice of the hearing.
Paxton’s next brush pickup scheduled for Monday, Aug. 25
PAXTON — The city of Paxton conducts brush pickup once a month from April through October. Upcoming monthly brush pickup dates — all Mondays — are Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Oct. 27. Christmas tree pickup only is offered Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
Brush pickup will begin on the northwest corner of the city at 7 a.m. on Monday mornings and will continue throughout the city until all the streets and alleys have been cleared.
Residents are asked to stack their brush neatly next to the alley or street. Brush should not be placed in bags. The brush must not be hanging over into the roadway. The city will not pick up leaves.
Gibson City shooting range open for target practice Aug. 14
GIBSON CITY — Gibson City’s shooting range is open to the public for target practice from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, including on Aug. 14, Sept. 11, Oct. 9 and Nov. 13. Trained firearms instructors will be on-site each night.