2017 TOP STORIES

City of Lincoln
Criminal activity and arrests

• Lincoln Police respond to robbery call at State Bank of Lincoln

• One wounded in Sunday afternoon shooting in Lincoln

• Lincoln Police Chief issues report on Sunday afternoon shooting

• Lincoln Police arrest two on drug and weapon charges

• Jimmy John's armed robbery suspect arrested
  Suspect arrested in connection with October shooting in Lincoln

• Lincoln Police report armed robbery at Lincoln Super 8 Thursday morning

• Amtrak train evacuated in Lincoln after finding suspicious bags on board

Drug Addiction

• Lincoln Police Department adopts "Safe Passages" program for those with opioid addiction

  • Flyer: Lincoln Police Department Safe Passages Initiative

Recognition

• Illinois Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors enjoys lunch break in Lincoln - Slideshow

• Lincoln Police Department recognizes “Officer Moe” as Officer of the Year

• Lincoln Rural and Crystal Bale receive recognition from IL COPS

Logan County
Criminal activity and arrests

• Incident at Logan County Courthouse leads to one arrest on Wednesday

Logan County State’s Attorney

• Logan County State's Attorney prosecutes first ever Drug Induced Homicide case
  Dustin Miller found guilty in jury trial

Illinois State Police
Criminal activity

• ISP seeks information on criminal act in Logan County
  Rocks thrown from overpass near Atlanta, driver and passenger narrowly escape injury
  Illinois State Police seeks information

Elkhart train derailment

• Freight train derails in Elkhart
  Statement from Logan County EMA

• Train derailment at Elkhart
  Update from the Logan County EMA

• Aerial View - Elkhart train derailment - Album

• Elkhart train derailment - slideshow

• Clean-up progresses at Elkhart derailment site - Album

Weather

• Downburst impacts Middletown

• Heat, high winds, bare fields - all lead to late afternoon dust storms in central Illinois

• Lincoln and Logan County hit hard by storms Monday night and Tuesday morning

• July 10th & 11th Storm Damage Part 1 - North of Lincoln on Nicholson Road and north part of town - slideshow

• July 10th & 11th Storm Damage Part 2 - In the central part of Lincoln - slideshow

• City of Lincoln Mayor Seth Goodman has issued a Local Disaster Declaration

• Logan County Emergency Management Agency releases public health and safety information following storms

• City Officials and guests share comments on the events of the day at city council meeting Tuesday night

• More photos of storm damage from Monday night and Tuesday morning storms - Album

• National Weather Service report of July 10th tornado/severe weather event

Lincoln College

• Lincoln College signs atriculation agreement with University of St. Frances for nursing students

• Lincoln College purchases apartments to house additional students
  Largest Spring Semester Enrollment in Five Years

• Lincoln College student named finalist for National Production Award

• Lincoln College adds four Bachelor’s Degree Programs for Fall 2017
  Community and Human Services, Conservation Biology, Exercise Science, & Vocal Performance among Degree Programs

• Lincoln and Lake Land Colleges enter into new transfer agreement for broadcasting studies

• Lincoln College, Sandburg Announce New Transfer Agreement
  Simplifies Transfer Process for Community College Grads

• Lincoln College Sets New Enrollment Records
  More Returning Students, More Residential Students Than Ever Before

• Lincoln College celebrates the official opening of Lynx Village with a Chamber ribbon cut

• Lincoln College student Ashlyn Carrol, named Student Laureates by Lincoln Academy

Creekside

• Lincoln College renames environmental education center in honor of Dr. G. Dennis Campbell

• New sculpture by Lincoln artist Moses Pinkerton rooted in nature

• Nature's Embrace arrives at its new home at Creekside Environmental Center

• Nature's Embrace - The process of installation - slideshow

• Creekside celebrates fall
  A special dedication held at the feet of Nature’s Embrace sculpture

  • A special dedication at the feet of Nature's Embrace - slideshow

  • Lincoln College Chorale - slideshow

  • Guests enjoy Nature's Embrace - slideshow

  • A walk to Fredericks Cabin - slideshow

  • A visit to the Insectarium - slideshow

  • Exhibits entertain and teach - slideshow

  • Guests enjoy a wonderful fall day - slideshow

The Mill

• Long lost Abraham Lincoln artifact found at the Mill on Route 66

• Mill on 66 - Route 66 Museum celebrates grand opening
  Huge turnout for Mill on 66 - Route 66 Museum Grand Opening

• Governor Bruce Rauner joined by Representative Tim Butler and representatives of Route 66 organizations and LaHood's office cutting ribbon at the Mill on 66

  • Crowds gather on opening day - slideshow

  • A peek at what you'll find at the Mill - slideshow

  • Logan County Route 66 history at the Mill on 66 - slideshow

  • Be sure to visit the gift shop! - slideshow

• Rainy day dampens the Route 66 Vehicle Parade - Album

• The Mill Grand Opening: Blessing of the bikes

  • Bikers endure the rain to attend Blessing of the Bikes - slideshow

Tropics sign

• A new chapter begins in the history of the Tropics sign

  • A new chapter begins for the Tropics sign - slideshow

Atlanta

• New displays at Atlanta Museum peek into mysteries of the Masons, Ewing family, World Wars, first road development, Route 66, Abraham Lincoln and more

  • A glimpse inside the Atlanta Museum - slideshow

Elkhart

• Elkhart celebrates Route 66 over Labor Day weekend

  • Elkhart mural, Veteran's Park, Car show - slideshow

  • Slot car racing, Sidewalk art, and more - slideshow

  • Elkhart Hill, Gillett Chapel tours - slideshow

Heritage in Flight Museum

• Route 66 Association of Illinois Annual Tour takes in local sights including Heritage in Flight and Mill Museums

• Route 66 Association of Illinois visits HIF - Album

CITY OF LINCOLN - LCJSW & Waste Hauler Contract

• Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency addresses Lincoln City Council regarding new 20-year contract

• Public hearing attendance shows strong interest in Lincoln trash and recycling

  • Part one: Johnson reviews recycling history and waste haulers bids

  • Part two: Public comments bring to light the issue of exclusivity versus mandate

  • Part three: Terminology becomes a stumbling block

• City of Lincoln: Vote on waste hauler contract postponed to September 5th

• Lincoln aldermen approve contract with Area Disposal for waste hauling
  Approve mandating trash collection

• Waste Hauler agreement with Area Disposal poses new challenges for Lincoln aldermen

• City council irons out last few details of solid waste agreement

CITY OF LINCOLN - Lincoln College

• Lincoln Planning Commission unanimously recommends conversion of St. Clara's Manor to residential hall for Lincoln College

• Lincoln aldermen approve special use permit for Lincoln College
  College will establish student housing in former St. Clara’s Manor on Fifth Street

CITY OF LINCOLN - Municipal Services Building

• New Lincoln Street Department to house offices in addition to added garage space

• City cuts ribbon on new Municipal Services Building - Album

Lincoln celebrates grand reopening of the Depot

• Historic Lincoln Railway Depot renovation impresses crowd

  • Community gathers for dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony - slideshow

  • Outside the 'new' Depot and inside the new waiting station - slideshow

  • Depot renovation project 'Then and now' - Album

• IDOT Press release: Historic, Renovated Station Opens in Downtown Lincoln

LOCAL POLITICS

City of Lincoln

• Mayoral Forum offers insight into how candidates would govern Lincoln

• LCHS seniors hear from mayoral candidates

• Neitzel offers up an early farewell with many "Thank-you's" to aldermen and city departments

• New Mayor and city officials sworn in at first Lincoln City Council meeting of the new fiscal year-Album

Logan County

• Treasurer Vicki Dugan to retire
  Board member Adam Schmidt resigns

• Sheriff Nichols and Chief Deputy Landers announce future intentions for Sheriff's Office

• Craig announces run for Logan County Sheriff

• Turner announces she will not run for County Clerk in 2018

• Theresa Moore files for Logan County Clerk and Recorder

FROM THE LOGAN COUNTY BOARD

Veterans

• April 12 - Plans initiated for Logan County to recognize post-Vietnam era veterans

• June 29 - Logan County becomes first in Illinois and U.S. with all communities honoring Purple Heart

• Sep 20 - Veterans plaques for the Logan County Courthouse display restored

Wind Farm

• May 4 - Hilltopper Wind Farm project changes reviewed by Regional Planning Commission
  Public Hearing tonight in Mount Pulaski

• May 5 - Hilltopper Wind Farm undergoes public comment under Logan County Zoning Board of Appeals
  ZBA approves Swift Current Energy's amendments to conditional use requests

• May 12 - Representatives of Hilltopper Wind Project seek approval from Logan County Board

• May 17 - Logan County Board decides Hilltopper Wind Farm requests

Economic Development

• Oct 12 - Economic Development costs discussed at Logan County Finance Committee

• Nov 16 - Finance Committee discusses possible budget revisions
  Guests want support for economic development agencies and tools stopped

• Nov 20 - Logan County Board expected to sever three economic development ties in budget cuts

Courthouse dome & Logan County Jail

• Nov 28 - Logan County Board to put jail and courthouse building costs to public by referendum

• Dec 20 - Logan County Board looks at how to save the courthouse dome

• Dec 21 - Logan County Board votes to put half-cent public safety tax on March ballot

LDN Feature
Century-old Logan County Courthouse steeped in history and topped in beauty

• Part 1: Logan County and its five courthouses

• Part 2: The courthouse dome, a spectacular feature

The year in photos

• January top pictures - slideshow

• February top pictures - slideshow

• March top pictures - slideshow

• April top pictures - slideshow

• May top pictures - slideshow

• June top pictures - slideshow

• July 1st - 13th Top Pictures - slideshow

• July 14th - 31st Top Pictures - slideshow

• August 1st - 12th Top Pictures - slideshow

• August 13th - 31st Top Pictures - slideshow

• September 1st - 15th Top Pictures - slideshow

• September 16th - 30th Top Pictures - slideshow

• October 1st - 20th Top Pictures - slideshow

• October 21st - 31st Top Pictures - slideshow

• October "Show us your pink" campaign - slideshow

• November 1st - 15th Top Pictures - slideshow

• November 16th - 30th Top Pictures - slideshow

• December 1st - 9th Top Pictures - slideshow

• December 10th - 15th Top Pictures - slideshow

• December 16th - 30th Top Pictures - slideshow