PEORIA — In 2011, 3,180,714 people rode CityLink buses, the most riders the Greater Peoria Area Mass Transit District has ever had in a year.

It was only the second time that over 3 million people had rode CityLink buses during a period of one year, since the Transit District was formed in 1970.

BLOOMINGTON — Some people who are immobile or have a disability are unable to take care of themselves during a disaster.

Which is why a panel that includes representatives of the McLean County Health Department, McLean County Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross of the Heartland, Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, OSF St. Joseph Medical Center and other local agencies recently introduced the McLean County Special Need Registration Form that is being distributed to McLean County residents who have a functional need.

By Jerry Riley

Yes. Maybe it is time we tell our elected employees that it is time to look out for our country and stop flying all over the world handing out our tax money to countries that don’t even like us. While we have homeless in this

EUREKA –The president of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society will be the keynote speaker at Eureka College’s 157th Founders’ Day convocation. The Rev. Glenn Carson will speak on “The Eureka Effect” at 4 p.m. Feb. 3 in the Cerf Center. Admission is free and open to the public.

Carson’s presentation will explore how the culture and environment of Eureka College produce profound changes in people’s lives,

SPRINGFIELD — In the middle of the winter heating season, the Illinois Commerce Commission has allowed Ameren Illinois to raise the natural gas rates of their customers in central and southern Illinois, influencing a consumer advocacy group to appeal their decision.

 The revamped Cole Hall reopened last week at Northern Illinois University.  Photo by News Bulletin staff.

Site of tragic shootings reopens as museum, innovative computer lab and lecture hall

With the spring semester beginning today, NIU unveiled a new crown jewel on campus — the renovated and super-high-tech Fay-Cooper Cole Hall.

What had been one of the university’s most outdated facilities is now among the most forward-thinking.

The landmark Paramount Arts Centre in downtown Aurora has new leadership for its Endowment Board.  Photo by News Bulletin staff.

The Paramount Arts Centre Endowment board last week announced it had unanimously chosen Richard (Dick) and Arlene Hawks to lead the organization into the future.

Dr. Kimberly Rudloff, DVM, has accepted an offer to become Kane County’s new Veterinarian/Administrator for the Kane County Animal Control Department. 

Dr. Rudloff will begin her duties on Monday, Feb. 6 at an annual salary of $88,000.

A simple fleece blanket was constantly with Iowan Katie Widmar as she battled cancer beginning in last 2008.

Now she and her mother, Cindy, want to wrap every adult cancer patient through their "Covers of Comfort" project.
And during the month of February a local school will lend a big hand.

Temporary traffic signals were installed on Benton Street in downtown Aurora last week as part of the future detour route for the Downer Place bridge construction project that is slated to begin next month.

- Contributed by Jeff Long

While TV news anchors revel in the mild winter we’ve endured, many folks lament the lack of snow. For those who rank winter recreation among their favorite outdoor activities, the warm weeks were more painful than frostbite.

To us, winter is a time to rejoice – and that time has finally arrived. Snow, ice and cold are recreational gifts to be enjoyed with skis, sleds, snowshoes and skates.

 The Paramount Theatre's current production of "A Chorus Line" will run through Feb. 5.  Photo provided by Paramount Theatre.

One singular sensation.
That sums up the first-ever, self-produced Broadway subscription series thus far at Aurora's Paramount Theatre, where smash hit productions of My Fair Lady and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat have absolutely wowed critics and audiences alike.
Now musical theater fans can look forward to another singular sensation in downtown Aurora when the curtain rises on A Chorus Line, the Paramount's third production in its inaugural, 2011-2012 Broadway musical series.