Prairie Central High School graduate Will Skala will begin a career as a laborer with Vissering Construction. A signing event was held this month at PC High School in Fairbury. “We are excited to see all that he will accomplish in this new opportunity and wish him continued success as he starts this next chapter,” said PCHS Principal Wade Czerwonka.

Traditional end of year recognitions took place during the regular May meeting of the Prairie Central Board of Education. Retiring staff members Dawn Steidigner, Becky Hansen, Tammy Hoffman, Jonnita Vogel, Mike Goodwin, Kyle Miller, Brad Kilkullen, Rhonda Lamberth and Kim Kovach were honored for their service to the district. Board President John Wilken applauded all they have done for the kids, calling it a “job well done.” “I’m sure there were sacrifices for your families,”

Many longtime Fairbury residents recognize the two-story house with the four massive front porch columns that still stands along Seventh Street just south of the Indian Creek Golf Course. This house is a familiar landmark that has watched the town grow and change for decades. What many people may not realize is that the house did not begin as the distinctive residence we see today. It started life as a plain, ordinary wood-frame farmhouse, and it was Dr. Ervin who transforme

The previous Memorial Day Service shown at Graceland Cemetery in Fairbury, file photo. A message of remembering and honoring the legacies of those who didn’t make it back was shared with those attending the annual Fairbury Memorial Day service Monday at Graceland Cemetery. Fairbury American Legion Commander Gerry Brandt encouraged everyone to honor the fallen by telling their stories, speaking their names and ensuring children and grandchildren understand the freedoms they in

A crowd listens to a presentation on a solar farm proposal Thursday at Dominy Library's basement. A capacity crowd attended an informational open house Thursday at Dominy Library for a proposed solar farm near the northwest corner of Fairbury. Sol Source Power is seeking a special use permit for Indian Grove Solar 1, LLC, at a location along the 500 block of north Calhoun Street in a nearby farm field. The project parcel is 32 acres with fenced acreage of 24.67 acres, accordi

The top readers at Prairie Central Elementary were recognized by the Fairbury Rotary Club this week. The reading program at the school includes different awards for the second, third and fourth graders. Those attending this week’s meeting included: Carter Runyon, Emily Stoller, Hattie Fosdick, Parker Elliott, Ian Fehr, Mrs. Emily Wenger (PCE principal), Sullivan Taylor, Austin Steidinger, Andres Cordoba and Cal Parks.

The Fairbury City Council unanimously approved a resolution opposing the new 31.7-acre solar farm being proposed adjacent to Fairbury city limits on the northwest side of town. During the Public Comment portion of this week’s regular council meeting, Dale Maley voiced his opposition to the new solar farm. Mr. Maley said this project may technically be outside of the city limits, but it will directly affect Fairbury residents, Fairbury neighborhoods, property owners, and futu

130 Years Ago May 16, 1896 W. J. Bethard sold 200 straw hats one day last week for one cent each. Cheap enough. Dr. J. R. Rayburn and Dr. H. B. Bull attended the meeting of the state dental college at Springfield this week. Dr. Rayburn read a paper before the association upon subjects connected with the profession. William, four-year-old son of Henry Rudolph, northeast of town, while trying to drive a cartridge into a revolver cylinder Wednesday afternoon, was injured when th

Dr. Don Ervin and his family came to Fairbury in 1960. He practiced medicine in Fairbury from 1960 until the family moved to Colorado in 1970. During those ten years, he delivered hundreds of babies, performed many surgeries, and treated countless illnesses and injuries for families throughout Fairbury and the surrounding rural area. In 2012, when he was 82, Dr. Ervin published his autobiography, A Country Doctor: Small Town Medical Practice in the Nineteen Sixties. His book

Many Fairbury residents remember the Fairbury medical doctors in the 1960s, including Dr. Sauer, Dr. Marshall, Dr. Novak, Dr. Ervin, and Doctor Hudgens. Doctor Don Ervin published a book in 2012 describing his time as a Fairbury doctor from 1960 until he moved to Colorado in 1970. He recounted many humorous stories about his time as a Fairbury doctor in the book. Don Ervin was born in Effingham in 1930. His parents were Mark and Sylvia Pearl Bolin Ervin. Don graduated from V

Compass Insurance has been recognized as a Sapphire Agency by Auto-Owners Insurance. This award honors the top three agencies for property and casualty new business growth, and Compass Insurance finished first in its region. A news release from Compass says the award speaks to the strength of the relationships they have built and the consistent service their team provides across the communities they serve. It also reflects continued commitment to helping clients find the righ

The purchase of a new police vehicle was tabled by members of the Fairbury City Council Wednesday night. Police Chief Chris Edwards said he has called several dealers about a vehicle. He noted some of the equipment in the current pickup truck used by the department could be moved over to a Tahoe or Explorer. The chief seemed to favor an SUV over a pickup like they use now. “I think we ought to get another truck,” said Alderman Bruce Weber, who told the group a pickup truck is

130 Years Ago May 2, 1896 The work of buying goods to start up the big Walton Bros establishment following the fire, was done in Chicago last week. Isaac Walton was at the head of the force of buyers and he was assisted by Walter Grether, Charles Neitz, Harry Amsbary and Misses Maggie Moore and Mary Young. The force made its headquarters at the Great Northern. Mrs. George Decker and daughter departed Tuesday for Chicago, where they will stay while the Chicago club plays there

Ashton Sheldrake, Ty Harms, Rita Strong, Rayana Ibragim, Kyla Rassi, Kinley Elliott, Maggie Fehr shown at Tuesday's meeting of the Fairbury Rotary Club at Dominy Library. Students of the Month at Prairie Central High School this school year were recognized by the Fairbury Rotary Club this week. All were honored for their efforts each month during the year by a nominating teacher. Kinley Elliott, nominated by the PE Department at PCHS, was described as a leader in what she doe

Wayde Fehr, left, and Landon Cottrell shown helping at FFA Day last week at Dominy Library in Fairbury. Two Prairie Central students with a passion for fishing are finding success competing on the PCHS Bass Fishing team. Wayde Fehr and Landon Cottrell started competing as sophomores and qualified for state their first year. “It is an incredible sport to get into,” said Fehr. The pair fish in a youth series that puts on high school tournaments and they have the IHSA regional c

Many readers of these Fairbury history stories have asked if more articles can be written about women who lived in the Fairbury area. Unfortunately, older newspaper accounts and historical records often focused primarily on the activities of men. As a result, it can sometimes be difficult to locate detailed information about women in early local history. However, when we look carefully through various records, we can still find many fascinating stories about women connected

Kids pet calves during the annual Prairie Central "FFA Day" with Dominy Library and Dave's Supermarket. Prairie Central FFA members taught the community about tractor safety and livestock during the annual FFA Day held on the lawn of Dominy Library Friday. Students and other local children enjoyed the petting zoo and various agriculture education stations. The school decided to move its petting zoo to this event a few years ago. “We also combined it with drive your tractor to

130 Years Ago April 25, 1896 Walton Bros., whose store was burned last week, will have new goods in a few days and will be running as usual. The grocery department will be Thompson's old stand and the other departments will be where the implement store has been. Adam Hoker, who has been city marshal for the past year, resigned the next day after the election. Fred Baird has been appointed in his place. A year ago Conrad Munz, south of Fairbury, discovered a 2-acre tract of ex

Get ready for a day full of animals, games, and tractors at the Prairie Central High School on FFA Day this Friday, May 1st, from 8:30 to 2:30. Families can enjoy a petting zoo featuring both large and small animals, kids can participate in hands-on stations, and agriculture education games—all taking place on the lawn of Dominy Memorial Library. Meanwhile, the Tractor Show at the south parking lot of Dave’s Supermarket will showcase tractors in all shapes and sizes. Free fre

The Fairbury Fair has been an important part of community life in Fairbury for nearly 150 years. Over that long period, the fair has changed in many ways. While the early fairs focused mainly on agriculture and livestock, later fairs added entertainment acts, auto racing, carnivals, and many other attractions. Despite these changes, the fair has always remained a gathering place for families and friends from Fairbury and surrounding communities. The first Fairbury Fair was h