Breaking News

Local News

West Branch board approves bids for Knox Elementary roof work

BELOIT — The West Branch Board of Education approved bids for roofing work at Knox Elementary in its July meeting. The board of education unanimously approved a $181,000 bid from Skyline Roofing and another $189,550 bid from Aztec Roofing. Superintendent Matthew Manley said that Knox Elementary has two different types of roofing, and that Skyline Roofing would be working on the main shingled section, while Aztec Roofing would be working on the flat roof section at the rear of the building near the gymnasium. “[The board] made a decision, a very wise decision, to go and bid that ...

Bid opening set for work at Columbiana softball, baseball fields

COLUMBIANA — A bid opening is set for Aug. 10 for civil work for the new softball and baseball fields for the Columbiana School District. District Superintendent Dr. Don Mook said the bid process began last week with a meeting with potential construction companies. He said the bid opening will take place just before the regular board of education meeting on Aug. 10. “This is for the softball and baseball field civil work. The turf will be set to go for request for proposal to turf companies to add the actual turf and rubber to the surfaces,” he explained. The district is ...

A United eagle

A bald eagle flies by the ongoing construction on the new dam at Guilford Lake on Monday. The project is still on schedule to be completed by the end the year and refilling of the lake will being in the spring of 2027. (Photo by Ron Firth)

Salem parks commission reviews rental prices for 2027 season

SALEM — The parks commission reviewed its rental prices for the 2027 season in its July meeting. Parks Director Kelli Pastore said that most of the department’s rentals were slated to remain unchanged, but that updates were being proposed to some fees to meet rising expenses associated with those facilities ahead of the city council’s upcoming review of the city fee schedule. The previous flat rate for pool rentals is being replaced with a tiered system based on the number of people expected to attend the event to more accurately reflect the cost of chemicals required to ...

West Branch school board places new property tax levy on November ballot

BELOIT — The West Branch Local School District will ask voters to support a new property tax levy in the upcoming General Election in November. In its July 20 meeting, the board of education voted unanimously to approve a resolution to place a new five-year 1-mill permanent improvement levy on the ballot in November. The proposed levy has a five-year collection period beginning in tax year 2026 and continuing through tax year 2030, and if approved by voters in November would first be collected in calendar year 2027. If approved, the levy is estimated to generate $441,471 for the ...