GIBSON CITY — The Gibson City Council heard a preliminary pitch last week from Imir Ballazhi, who said he is exploring the possibility of building a hotel on land he owns next to the Country Kettle restaurant. Attending the council’s Nov. 24 meeting as a visitor, Ballazhi told aldermen that he heard about the city’s involvement in a feasibility study... READ MORE >
GIBSON CITY — Gibson City is one step closer to getting a hotel. At the city council’s Nov. 10 meeting, aldermen voted 8-0 to approve a $5,000 contribution from the city toward a $15,000 hotel market feasibility study to be conducted by Core Distinction Group of Oshkosh, Wis. The study will also be funded by a separate $5,000 pledge from... READ MORE >
GIBSON CITY — The Gibson City Council approved a solar energy project for Gibson City’s wastewater treatment plant that Mayor Dan Dickey said will save the city $1.9 million in energy costs over the next 30 years. The council’s unanimous approval of a lease agreement with Keystone Power Holdings LLC, which will build and maintain a solar facility to power... READ MORE >
GIBSON CITY — The Greater Gibson Area Economic Alliance (GGAEA) is continuing its work to strengthen the Gibson City area’s economic future through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs’ MAPPING the Future of Your Community program. Matthew Burns, executive director of the nonprofit GGAEA, gave an update on the group’s progress and priorities during the Gibson Area Chamber of Commerce’s... READ MORE >
GIBSON CITY — A new feasibility study to explore the potential for a hotel in town may be on the horizon. At the city council’s Oct. 27 meeting, an agenda item to discuss and approve pursuing a feasibility study for a Cobblestone Hotel & Suites was tabled upon the request of Mayor Dan Dickey. Dickey said he asked that the... READ MORE >
GIBSON CITY — After six years of planning, Gibson City is ready to built its new public swimming pool. During Monday night’s meeting, the city council unanimously approved financing terms for the project with the Heartland Bank of Gibson City and a $6.7 million construction bid from BEAR Construction of Rolling Meadows. The work is expected to begin in 2026.... READ MORE >
GIBSON CITY — Residents of the Cender Addition subdivision voiced concerns to the Gibson City Council at its Oct. 14 meeting about their inability to access other areas of town using golf carts due to a state law prohibitting their vehicles from crossing Illinois 47. Presenting the neighborhood’s residents’ concerns were Wendy Weidener and Roger Gerth. ”It is important for... READ MORE >
GIBSON CITY — A group of cyclists rolled into Gibson City on Tuesday, Sept. 23, as part of a regionwide 530-mile trek to reach out to Gold Star families in Central Illinois. The annual Gold Star 500, organized by the Gold Star Mission, honors fallen Illinois military service members and their families. The group’s mission — “preserving the memory of... READ MORE >
GIBSON CITY — Earthrise Energy hosted a ribbon cutting event on Thursday, Sept. 25, to celebrate the start of operation of one of two 135-megawatt solar farms it has built in the area. Thursday’s invitation-only event was held at the site of the newly operational solar farm — previously known as the “Gibson City Energy Center Solar 1” project —... READ MORE >
PAXTON — Hudz Family Fun Zone is drawing a different kind of crowd on Tuesday mornings. With the launch of its “Senior Mornings” program, the entertainment center at 137 N. Market St. in downtown Paxton has become a favorite gathering spot for residents 55 and older, who are encouraged to stop by every Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m. to... READ MORE >
