Obituary – Donald Eugene Maynard, Dwight

 June 16, 2025

Donald “Don” “Old Goat” Eugene Maynard, 78, of Dwight, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025, surrounded by his family at his home in Dwight, Il. Hager Memorial Home of Dwight has been entrusted with the arrangements. Donald was…

READ MORE Obituary – Donald Eugene Maynard, Dwight

SENECA FFA HONORED AT STATE CONVENTION

 June 16, 2025

SENECA FFA HONORED AT STATE CONVENTION SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Seneca FFA chapter attended the 97th annual Illinois FFA State Convention June 10-12 along with more than 7,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests. With a 2025 theme of…

READ MORE SENECA FFA HONORED AT STATE CONVENTION

Senator Balkema to Host Free Kids’ Fishing Derby at Heidecke Lake, June 28

 June 16, 2025

Morris, IL — State Senator Chris Balkema (R-Channahon), and Representative Jason R. Bunting (R-Emington), are hosting a free Fishing Derby for kids ages 12 and under. The event is free to attend and will include a water safety presentation, fishing fun, and…

READ MORE Senator Balkema to Host Free Kids’ Fishing Derby at Heidecke Lake, June 28

Celebrate Pollinator Week with tips and tools for a more pollinator-friendly yard

 June 13, 2025

Celebrate Pollinator Week with tips and tools for a more pollinator-friendly yard   URBANA, Ill. — As they flutter through plant and flower blossoms, spreading pollen with every landing, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators quietly sustain healthy ecosystems, successful home…

READ MORE Celebrate Pollinator Week with tips and tools for a more pollinator-friendly yard

Farming has an ‘acute succession challenge’

 June 13, 2025

Farming has an ‘acute succession challenge’  By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek The 1980s farm crisis didn’t just impact balance sheets, it changed people’s interest in being involved in agriculture. “The farm prices didn’t just hurt those in production, the ripple effect…

READ MORE Farming has an ‘acute succession challenge’

‘Granny flats’ may be the answer to affordable housing in Chicago — but they’re illegal

 June 13, 2025

‘Granny flats’ may be the answer to affordable housing in Chicago — but they’re illegal by Illinois Answers Project, Capitol News Illinois June 13, 2025 by Alex Nitkin for ILLINOIS ANSWERS PROJECT CHICAGO — For most new parents, finding last-minute…

READ MORE ‘Granny flats’ may be the answer to affordable housing in Chicago — but they’re illegal

Projected ag trade deficit climbs

 June 13, 2025

Projected ag trade deficit climbs   By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek A USDA trade outlook report forecasts the U.S. ag trade deficit to slightly climb from its previous quarterly projection. The report, dated May 29 but not released until June 2,…

READ MORE Projected ag trade deficit climbs

DWIGHT FFA HONORED AT STATE CONVENTION

 June 13, 2025

Dwight FFA HONORED AT STATE CONVENTION SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Dwight FFA chapter attended the 97th annual Illinois FFA State Convention June 10-12 along with more than 5,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests. With a 2025 theme of…

READ MORE DWIGHT FFA HONORED AT STATE CONVENTION

Calvin Coleman Announces Candidacy for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District

 June 12, 2025

Calvin Coleman Announces Candidacy for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District DWIGHT, IL – Today, Calvin Coleman proudly announces his candidacy for US House of Representatives for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District, pledging to bring bold, commonsense leadership to Washington. With a mission…

READ MORE Calvin Coleman Announces Candidacy for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District

Obituary – David Lee Murphy, Dwight

 June 12, 2025

David Lee Murphy, age 62, of Dwight, IL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. He was born on September 24, 1962, in Kankakee, IL, to the late Billy Junior and Virginia (nee Curtis) Murphy. David’s life was centered…

READ MORE Obituary – David Lee Murphy, Dwight

Kankakee Day & Fly-In

 June 12, 2025

Kankakee Day & Fly-In Celebrate local history with the Kankakee County Historical Society and the local Experimental Aircraft Association: Chapter 990! Stop by the Kankakee County Museum campus to learn about this area’s roots and how you can support its…

READ MORE Kankakee Day & Fly-In

AISWCD: Second Year of Budget Cuts Threatens Future of Conservation Districts

 June 12, 2025

AISWCD: Second Year of Budget Cuts Threatens Future of Conservation Districts SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) is sounding the alarm as the FY26 Illinois state budget continues to underfund the state’s 97…

READ MORE AISWCD: Second Year of Budget Cuts Threatens Future of Conservation Districts

Update 6/10/25: Pontiac Police Report Two Dead From Gunshot Wounds

 June 12, 2025

Update (6/10/2025): As previously released by Livingston County Coroner Mike Renner, the decedents were identified as Joseph Martin, age 59, and his son, Braden Martin, age 25. Both resided together and were the only subjects present during the incident. Autopsies…

READ MORE Update 6/10/25: Pontiac Police Report Two Dead From Gunshot Wounds

Wild Walk Off Sends Slammers in the Right Direction

 June 12, 2025

Wild Walk Off Sends Slammers in the Right Direction By: Ryan Paris JOLIET, IL – Blake Berry had been here before. On May 26th to be exact. Same pitcher, similar circumstances. On that day, he hit a two run single…

READ MORE Wild Walk Off Sends Slammers in the Right Direction

Dwight Village Board Holds Emergency Meeting June 2 to Discuss Potential Property Purchase

 June 12, 2025

The Dwight Village Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting Tuesday, June 2, 2025 and moved into closed session to discuss: The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the…

READ MORE Dwight Village Board Holds Emergency Meeting June 2 to Discuss Potential Property Purchase

Temperatures From Last Week Recorded in Dwight

 June 12, 2025

Thank you to the Village of Dwight Water Treatment Plant Crew for reporting these numbers to The Paper: 

READ MORE Temperatures From Last Week Recorded in Dwight

Dwight Police Calls June 5, 2025

 June 12, 2025

Dwight Police Calls 6.12.25 Dwight Police Calls 6.5.25 Dwight Police Calls 5.29.25 Dwight Police Calls 5.22.25 Dwight Police Calls 5.15.25 Dwight Police Calls 5.8.25 Dwight Police Calls 5.1.25 Dwight Police Calls 4.24.25 Dwight Police Calls 4.17.25

READ MORE Dwight Police Calls June 5, 2025

Offensive Woes Continue as Slammers Skid Hits Four

 June 11, 2025

Offensive Woes Continue as Slammers Skid Hits Four By: Ryan Paris JOLIET, IL – The long shadows produced by summer sunsets at Slammers Stadium looked even longer today, because a Giant was on the mound. We’re not talking about the…

READ MORE Offensive Woes Continue as Slammers Skid Hits Four

Students named to Heartland Community College Dean’s List

 June 10, 2025

Students named to Heartland Community College Dean’s List   NORMAL, IL, Jun. 10, 2025 – 511 full-time students and 879 part-time students have been named to the Heartland Community College Dean’s List for the Fall 2024 semester. At the end of…

READ MORE Students named to Heartland Community College Dean’s List

Summer at Prairie Creek Library is not just for kids; plenty of events for adults and teens

 June 9, 2025

Summer at the library is not just for kids; plenty of events for adults and teens With its summer reading programs, the library has long been a popular spot for children in the summer. This year, the library is offering…

READ MORE Summer at Prairie Creek Library is not just for kids; plenty of events for adults and teens

Gardner Area Band Wins Big at Music in the Parks Competition

 June 9, 2025

Gardner Area Band Wins Big at Music in the Parks Competition The Gardner Area Band recently traveled to Beach Park, Illinois, to compete in the prestigious Music In The Parks Concert Band competition and returned home with top honors. The…

READ MORE Gardner Area Band Wins Big at Music in the Parks Competition

Under bill, state highway cameras could be used to investigate human trafficking

 June 9, 2025

Under bill, state highway cameras could be used to investigate human trafficking by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois June 9, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — A bill passed in this year’s legislative session would rewrite the…

READ MORE Under bill, state highway cameras could be used to investigate human trafficking

Grizzlies Get the Best of Slammers with Five Run Eighth Inning

 June 9, 2025

Grizzlies Get the Best of Slammers with Five Run Eighth Inning By: Ryan Paris JOLIET, IL June 8 – For the second straight game, the Slammers had the bases loaded with an opportunity to get back in the game with…

READ MORE Grizzlies Get the Best of Slammers with Five Run Eighth Inning

A Place to Grow: Navarro Farm nurtures capabilities for people of all abilities

 June 7, 2025

By NANCY DEVAULT Illinois Farm Bureau Partners Sherri and Damion Navarro lightheartedly describe their sociable middle child as a vibrant “showboater.” Carter’s outgoing personality certainly serves him – and others – well as a participant and group leader at Navarro…

READ MORE A Place to Grow: Navarro Farm nurtures capabilities for people of all abilities

Grizzlies Get the Best of Slammers with Five Run Eighth Inning

 June 7, 2025

Grizzlies Get the Best of Slammers with Five Run Eighth Inning By: Ryan Paris June 6, 2025 JOLIET, IL – Instead of a sword and shield, the weapon of choice was a bat and helmet on Princess night in Joliet….

READ MORE Grizzlies Get the Best of Slammers with Five Run Eighth Inning

Obituary – Maurice J. Miller, Palm Harbor, FL

 June 6, 2025

Maurice J. Miller, 90, of Palm Harbor, FL formerly from Dwight, IL, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2025. His memorial service will be held Saturday, July 12, 2025 in Palm Harbor, FL for the family. Maury was born on…

READ MORE Obituary – Maurice J. Miller, Palm Harbor, FL

MEMBERS OF ISU COMMUNITY WERE AT D-DAY

 June 6, 2025

MEMBERS OF ISU COMMUNITY WERE AT D-DAY Part of Rich Tradition of Military Service at ISU By Tom Emery On June 6, 1944, the Allied forces landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France in a massive invasion that forever became…

READ MORE MEMBERS OF ISU COMMUNITY WERE AT D-DAY

FREE Church of Hope Community Vacation Bible School

 June 6, 2025

FREE Church of Hope Community Vacation Bible School The Church of Hope in Gardner is once again offering FREE VBS, June 16-20, 2025 from 9:30-11:30am. We would like to invite all children ages 4 (must be potty trained) to 4th…

READ MORE FREE Church of Hope Community Vacation Bible School

Area Legislators to Hold Open Houses

 June 6, 2025

Senator Balkema, Representatives Bunting and Tipsword Hosting Series of Community Open Houses on June 11 DWIGHT, PONTIAC, EL PASO, IL – State Senator Chris Balkema (R-Channahon) will team up with State Representatives Jason Bunting and Dennis Tipsword to host a series…

READ MORE Area Legislators to Hold Open Houses

Odell KC Extravaganza June 28

 June 6, 2025

Odell KC Extravaganza June 28 The Odell Knights of Columbus will hold their annual Extravaganza Saturday, June 28, at the KC Hall. Tickets are $50 each and include two chicken dinners with all the trimmings to be served from 4…

READ MORE Odell KC Extravaganza June 28

DTHS Trojan Track Team Announces Award Winners!

 June 6, 2025

The Trojan Track and Field team held their award program Thursday, June 5, at the DTHS cafeteria with the following athletes receiving well deserved and well earned awards. Congratulations to these athletes and their fellow teammates for an exciting and…

READ MORE DTHS Trojan Track Team Announces Award Winners!