WASHINGTON, D.C. – Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5 percent in 2025, the Social Security Administration announced.  On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month starting in January.

MENDOTA – Children in costume are invited to “Trick-or-Treat” at Mendota Businesses and Shops on Thursday, Oct. 31 at participating businesses located throughout the town. Shop owners will be passing out treats from 3-5 p.m. on Halloween.

MENDOTA – The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Dinner & Awards Night on Friday, Nov. 1 at the Mendota Elks Lodge.

OGLESBY – Under a revised admissions policy, two new factors will be considered when prospective students apply to enter Illinois Valley Community College’s associate degree and LPN certificate nursing programs.

PERU – NCI ARTworks will host an opening reception for the NCI ARTworks Legacy artists from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

OGLESBY – Shelby Einhaus of Ottawa was named the Illinois Valley Community College Foundation 21st Century Scholar at a ceremony on Oct. 3 at Senica’s Oak Ridge.

DUNLAP – The Northbrook Middle School cross country runners competed in the IESA Cross Country Sectional on Oct. 12 at Dunlap Valley Middle School.

COAL CITY – The Mendota Spikers are the 11 th seed in the Coal City Class 2A Regional Volleyball Tournament to be played Oct. 28, 29, 31. The Spikers will open up regional action at 6 p.m. …

MENDOTA – Mendota High School hosted cross country teams from Dixon and Streator Township High School at the Lake Mendota Park course on Oct. 9.

MENDOTA – Frank G. Holbrook, 86, of Mendota, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 14, 2024.

MADISON, Wis. – Joanne Woelfel Wacker, 97, of Madison, Wis., passed away on July 24, 2024, after a brief illness.

MENDOTA – Kenneth Andrew Arjes, 75, of Mendota, passed away Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, at his home.