The Paper On Line

Central Illinois Regional Airport Undergoes Extensive Rehab Of Short-Term Parking Lot – Travelers Should Be Aware [Bloomington, IL] – The Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA) is seven days into the extensive rehabilitation of its short-term (two-hour) parking lot. This project…

Iran uncertainty blurs fertilizer price outlook By TAMMIE SLOUP and RHIANNON BRANCH FarmWeek Mason County farmer Courtney Sandidge compared the input price universe for Illinois farmers to the Wild West. “We don’t really know what’s going to happen and we…

USDA deputy secretary: Input costs under the ‘microscope’ By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek When it comes to fertilizer transportation, the integral Strait of Hormuz waterway is not an on-off switch, it’s more like a valve, according to USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen…

Bernard C. Vigna Jr. “Barney” age 91, of Gardner, IL, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Manteno, IL. Born July 31, 1935, in Mazon, IL, Barney was the son of Bernard C. Sr. and…

The Dwight VFW Post 2608 Queen of Hearts rolled over again this week. The next drawing will be held on 8/10/26 for a chance to win $3,915.

CHORUS  BRINGS  HARMONY  TO  DWIGHT Vermillion Valley Show Chorus will hold their annual show at Dwight High School this year.   November 7th at 2pm the chorus will present LET’S SING AGAIN featuring a variety of music genres in a cappella…

Pritzker signs school cellphone ban to avoid student distractions New law restricts use of all electronic communication devices, with some exceptions By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary A new law requires all districts to have policies banning…

The Dwight Village Board met in regular session on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. In attendance were trustees Joshua Jahn, Pete Meister, Marla Kinkade, Austin Haacke, and Deb Karch. Trustee Dan Hansen was absent. Others in attendance were Village President Paul…

Illinois State Police Secure First-Degree Murder Charges for Suspects in Lake Mattoon Death Investigation July 31, 2026 PLAINFIELD – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation announce that additional charges of First-Degree Murder (Class M Felony) have been filed against…

The Dwight High School class of 1957 held their annual reunion on Monday, July 27 at the Dwight Country Club. Class members attending were from Ames, IA;  Webster Groves, MO;  Concord, NC; and in IL- Bloomington, Morris, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville,…

Charles L. “Charlie” Schmidt Sr., age 80, of Diamond, IL passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at his home on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. He was born on April 21, 1946 in Joliet, IL to Andrew J. and Rose…

DEKALB COUNTY – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is releasing video of an officer involved shooting. On April 27, 2026, at approximately 3 p.m., Warrenville Police Department officers located a vehicle near IL-59 and North Aurora Road connected with a…

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

Dwight’s library board president elected to state organization Prairie Creek Library’s Board of Trustees President, Victoria Ferguson, recently was elected to the RAILS Board of Directors. Ferguson was sworn in at the organization’s July 24 board meeting and will fill…

Village of Dwight EMS Accepting Applications for Full-Time EMT-Basic DWIGHT, IL July 29, 2026. — The Village of Dwight Emergency Medical Services is now accepting applications for a full-time EMT-Basic position. The position offers a starting salary ranging from $43,128…

Dwight Police Department Hosts Annual National Night Out to Strengthen Community Bonds DWIGHT, IL — July 29, 2026 — The Dwight Police Department proudly invites all residents to celebrate the annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. This…

New Documentary ROUTE 66: THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA Launches Rolling Premiere on Legendary Highway John Paget’s feature-length documentary celebrates the enduring towns and everyday heroes carrying the story of Route 66 forward. CHICAGO, Ill. — July 27, 2026 One…

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) will host “Women of ISP: A Career Pathway Event” to highlight career opportunities for women in law enforcement and public safety. ​ ​ According to the U.S. Department of Justice, women account for about…

Joyce law gives municipalities more economic freedom SPRINGFIELD – A measure carried by State Senator Patrick Joyce that will allow for the transfer of funds between business districts under the control of a municipality was signed into law Friday. “This law…

  Grundy County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Fatal Traffic Crash Date/Time of Crash: July 25th, 2026, at 3:09 P.M. Location: 3000-block of N. Route 47; Unincorporated Morris, IL Vehicles Involved: Unit 1: Silver 2011 Buick Enclave Unit 2: Gray 2020 Honda…

Longtime Educator Carrie Lovell Named New Principal of St. Paul School in Odell DWIGHT, IL — St. Paul Catholic School in Odell has named longtime educator and “Teacher of Distinction” Carrie Lovell as its new principal for the upcoming school year….

MORRIS, IL — A 35-year-old Chicago man died Saturday afternoon following a multi-vehicle crash in Grundy County.  Grundy County Coroner John Callahan identified the victim as Adam C. Gnutek. The incident occurred on Saturday, July 25, on Illinois Route 47,…

New law brings farmland assessment changes   By HANNAH SPANGLER FarmWeek Farmland values could level off and eventually decline under changes to the state’s Farmland Assessment Act included in the budget package signed June 16 by Gov. JB Pritzker. Public…

ISU GRAD WAS ON DIVE TEAM TO RAISE THE MONITOR Scholley Was Part of Challenging Dive to Raise Famed Civil War Ironclad By Tom Emery The raising of the Union Civil War ironclad ship Monitor in 2002 was a landmark…

Rep. Bunting’s Springfield news update for July 24 July 24, 2026 In this issue: Illinois’ unemployment rate still above 5% Public comments being accepted about proposed Tollway rate hike Recognized by National Federation of Independent Businesses County fair season in…

Joyce measure to expand mental health counseling to coroners signed into law SPRINGFIELD – County coroners and medical examiners will soon be able to receive mental health counseling if needed, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Patrick Joyce that…

Slammers fall to the Dark Side as Boomers win on Star Wars Night By: Braeden Jones SCHAUMBURG, IL – On a night where both the light and dark side saw good hits, the Schaumburg Boomers (33-31) only needed to score…

Prairie Creek Public Library offers slate of events Prairie Creek Public Library in Dwight has planned several events to keep members of our community busy, entertained, and learning. These events are free and open to the public. However, due to…