The Oak Ridge Boys at the previous Fairbury Fair, file photo. The Fairbury Fair Board is thrilled to announce the grandstand concert lineup for the 2026 Fairbury Fair—a milestone 150th anniversary celebration. To mark this historic year, the board has gone above and beyond to deliver an unforgettable entertainment experience, featuring not one, but two nights of national acts in the grandstand.   On Thursday, August 20, the fair welcomes acclaimed Christian artist Big Daddy W

Peter Laubenheimer was one of Fairbury's first business leaders. Unfortunately, he developed mental issues late in life, and his own daughter had to shoot him in self-defense.   The story of the Laubenheimer family began with the birth of Philip Laubenheimer in 1803 in Germany. In 1824, Philip Laubenheimer married Gertrude Starck in Germany. Philip and Gertrude Starck had seven children. One of these children, Justus Peter Laubenheimer, was born in 1832 in Germany.   In 1842,

Cub Scouts Pack 3170 is officially up and running in Fairbury, and local families are invited to join a growing program designed to support character development, outdoor adventure and community involvement for the area youth. Launched in 2025, Pack 3170 is building momentum as it enters into a full year of activities in 2026. The pack is led by Cubmaster Katie Burke and supported by a team of dedicated parent volunteers who are committed to providing a fun, structured, and m

PC Board President John Wilken, left, and member Ben Stoller shown Thursday in Fairbury. A building design has been approved by members of the Prairie Central Board of Education for the future elementary facility planned for a location along Seventh Street in Fairbury. Representatives from BLDD Architects and Vissering Construction were present at last Thursday’s regular board meeting to present information. “The entire process has been very educational,” observed PC Superint

130 Years Ago February 15, 1896 The G. W. Vickory family has moved here from Wolcott, Ind., and are occupying the Dever property. Miss Mayme Braun and Miss Louise Gillette spent Sunday in Chatsworth, guests of Miss Orra Smith and Miss Bessie Brown. The people who have been wanting snow are being satisfied. It started snowing Wednesday, and by Thursday morning was over five inches deep. There was no wind with it and the sleighing is fine. Cropsey — The two-inch lumber has been

A Christmas display shown inside Wells on Main Guest House & Gatherings / file photo. A decision on a liquor application from Wells on Main Guest House & Gatherings, LLC was tabled by the Fairbury City Council Wednesday evening. The business plans on having a “speakeasy,” or hidden bar, in the basement but local resident Diane Pawlowski pointed to what the city zoning code says. This forced city leaders to delay their decision to the next meeting as an amendment will need to

It has now been 150 years since the first Fairbury Fair was held in 1876. It isn't easy to research the early years of the Fairbury Fair because copies of the Fairbury Blade newspaper are not available until the early 1880s.   In the 1890s, the Fairbury Fair (then called the Fairbury Union Agricultural Board) became involved with a lawsuit regarding what is now Pine Street. This lawsuit ended up being resolved by the Illinois Supreme Court in 1897 (Fairbury Union Agricultural

Gerry Vance, left, and Mayor David Slagel / photo via Dale Maley for Fairbury News. Gerry Vance was honored for his many years of service to the Fairbury Zoning Board of Appeals.   Mayor David Slagel awarded a plaque to Vance at the most recent Fairbury City Council meeting in early February.   Also at the meeting, the group voted to begin the process of applying for a 10 million loan to cover the cost for upgrading the drinking water plant on South First Street. Preliminary

130 Years Ago February 8, 1896 W. J. Bethard, one of our enterprising merchants, has established a branch store at Cissna Park. On Tuesday evening the colored brass band made its first public appearance by playing selections in front of the opera house, where the farmers institute was being held. The band has lately been reorganized and the city can just be proud of the organization. Last Tuesday, Mrs. Mary Ray celebrated her 104 th  birthday. Beginning next Monday a two week

130 Years Ago February 1, 1896 The fire at the south school house Monday morning did considerable damage and resulted in the tragic death of W. H. Karnes. When the fire broke out, Mr. Karnes, who had been janitor there for a number of years, but who had resigned two years ago, ran into the building and when the fire department arrived was spraying water on the fire with a hand hose. He shortly complained of feeling ill and passed away after being taken from the building. Rev.

Deryleen “Dee” Webster Koehl passed away peacefully at Fairview Haven in Fairbury, Illinois, on Sunday, Feb 1, 2026. She was 95 years old. Dee was born on August 5, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Frank and Veta Hamilton Webster. In 1935,  her family moved to McDowell, later married and lived in Pontiac, Illinois, and eventually settling in Fairbury. She graduated from Saunemin High School, Class of 1948, and married the late Lael  Garner. Dee worked for many years at

Calvin James Koenig, 83, Pontiac and formerly of Fairbury, died at 3:37pm Monday, February 2, 2026, at Goldwater Care, Pontiac.   Mr. Koenig was born May 30, 1942, in LaMoure, ND the son of Simon and Bertha Netzer Koenig. Surviving are two daughters, Michelle Koenig and Cindy Koenig. He is preceded in death by five sisters and one brother. Mr. Koenig served in the United States Air Force (7/22/1960-7/27/1964) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County, CA.  He later

Marguerite Mary (Kilgus) Lorch 93, of Fairbury passed away at 11:15 pm, Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury. Funeral services will be 10 am, Thursday, February 5th, 2026 at the Apostolic Christian Church, Fairbury with the ministers of the church officiating.  Burial will follow in the Apostolic Christian Cemetery, Fairbury.  Visitation will be one hour prior, 9:00 to 9:45am also at the church on Thursday. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fair

The Carrithers family has been a part of Fairbury history since the 1880s, including several war veterans, a judge, a librarian, and a proprietor of a very popular Fairbury coffee shop, the Grey Goose. Truman Carrithers could have been one of our famous generals during World War II if the Spanish Flu had not claimed him.   The story of the Fairbury branch of the Carrithers family began in Ireland. James B. Carrithers (1738-1813) grew up in Ireland and married Mary Porter (173

Frank D. Vaughan, 91, of Fairbury, passed away at 11:41 pm, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Evenglow Inn, Pontiac. His funeral will be held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, February 1, 2026, at First Baptist Church, Fairbury. Pastor Daryl Evans will be officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury. Visitation will be from 1-2:00 pm, also on Sunday at the church. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Fairbury. Frank was born June 24, 1934, in Pond Creek, the son of R

130 Years Ago January 25, 1896 School notes — The total enrollment of the Fairbury schools is 562. Of this number the high school furnishes 80. The two Franks of the high school, Moran and Compton, have offered a challenge for debate on the Venezuelan question. The challenge was accepted by the two Georges, Sype and Ford. So we will hear lots of words in the near future. Payne & Hemphill are putting in a stock of jewelry. They are also handling the Chicago Evening Journal and

Dianne Elaine Fisher Gibb passed away peacefully at the age of 80 at Brighton Gardens Memory Care Community of St. Charles, Illinois, after a six-year struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. Dianne was born in Urbana, Illinois, to George Harry and Ruth M. Fitzgerald Fisher. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Donald G. Gibb; daughter Alison C. (Roberto) Tirona; and grandchildren Adam, Elise, Isaac, and Ian Tirona. Dianne is also survived by her siblings-in-law, David A. (Ma

Fairbury has had two men's social clubs for many years. The oldest social group is Knoll Lodge, founded in 1919. This social group meets every Thursday night at their cabin on the Vermilion River, about five miles north of Fairbury. A meal is prepared for the group by a designated member.   The second-oldest social club is Arrowhead Lodge, founded in 1955. They also meet every Thursday night at their cabin in a beautiful wooded area about three miles northeast of Fairbury. Th

Terry Duane Hodges, 60, of Fairbury, passed away on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, at Accolade Healthcare of Pontiac.  Cremation rites have been accorded. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury, is in charge of arrangements. Terry was born on September 13th, 1965, in Fairbury, the son of Denton and Helen (Hines) Hodges. He graduated from Fairbury-Cropsey High School before starting a long career at Selig Sealing as a lab tech. Terry is survived by his mother, Helen Hodges, of Fairbu

Pauline Grandon, 101, of Fairbury, passed away at 2:10 am, January 19, 2026, at Fairview Haven Retirement Community, Fairbury. Her funeral will be held 11:00 am, Thursday, January 22, 2026, at First United Methodist Church, Fairbury. Pastor Charles Mendoza will be officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Fairbury. Visitation will be held from 10-11:00 am, Thursday, January 22, 2026, also the church. Memorials may be made to Fairview Haven Retirement Community or Fir