Another round of powerful storms sent Delavan residents scrambling for shelter Friday evening as tornado warnings once again lit up central Illinois. At 8:11 p.m. on April 17, the town’s tornado sirens sounded after the National Weather Service issued a warning for the Delavan area, prompting families to head for basements and interior rooms.

Heavy winds and significant rainfall quickly followed, pounding the community as the storm pushed through. Visibility dropped across town, and sheets of rain made travel difficult while residents waited for updates on the fast‑moving system.

At 8:55 p.m., Ameren reported a town‑wide power outage, leaving homes and businesses in the dark as the worst of the storm passed. Crews worked through the evening to restore service, and electricity returned to Delavan at 11:16 p.m.

Friday’s storms marked yet another turbulent night in a spring already defined by rapid weather swings.

Motorists traveling East 3rd Street from the bridge to Oak Street will continue to see active roadwork over the coming weeks as the City moves through a multi‑stage repair process aimed at improving long‑term durability.

Mayor Adam White said crews are currently focused on repairing or replacing the roadway’s expansion joints, several of which were cut open earlier this spring. Residents may notice fresh asphalt in some of those joints this week. White noted that the patches are intentionally overfilled and may create temporary bumps until the surface is milled down.

Once the joint work is complete, the City plans to mill the roadway to a level surface before applying a full sealcoat. That phase will occur “sometime in the near future,” White said, depending on weather conditions and the availability of contracted crews.

The work will continue through next week as schedules and emergency responses allow. Because portions of the project rely on outside contractors, the overall timeline extends into late summer.

White said the City appreciates residents’ patience as crews move through each stage of the process and work to improve the heavily traveled corridor.

William McCall may not be a familiar name to modern moviegoers, but during the early decades of American cinema he was one of Hollywood’s most dependable character actors. Born in Delavan on May 19, 1870, McCall appeared in more than 190 films between 1918 and 1938, building a career that bridged the silent era and the rise of talking pictures. His story is a reminder that the foundations of Hollywood were built not only by stars, but by hardworking performers from small towns like ours.

McCall grew up in Delavan when the town was still shaped by its 19th‑century roots. Like many young men seeking opportunity, he left central Illinois to join traveling repertory companies. These troupes brought live theater to communities across the Midwest, and the experience sharpened McCall’s timing, physicality, and versatility—skills that later translated seamlessly to film.

In 1900, he married fellow performer Catherine Schomer, and the two continued working on stage until McCall made the leap to motion pictures. Remarkably, he didn’t begin his film career until 1918, when he was already in his late forties. Joining Vitagraph Studios, he quickly found steady work in short comedies, often credited as “Billy McCall.” His expressive face and stage‑honed instincts made him a natural fit for the slapstick style of the era.

As the 1920s progressed, McCall transitioned into Westerns and adventure serials, becoming a familiar presence in the B‑western genre. He played sheriffs, ranchers, settlers, and grizzled townsmen—roles that required reliability more than fame. He appeared alongside Western stars such as Charles Starrett, Ken Maynard, and Bob Steele, helping populate the frontier landscapes that audiences loved.

McCall also worked in Columbia Pictures comedy shorts, sharing scenes with Charley Chase, Andy Clyde, Shemp Howard, and the Three Stooges. These shorts were staples of theater programs nationwide, and McCall’s ability to shift between comedy and drama made him a valuable studio asset.

Unlike many silent‑era actors, McCall survived the transition to sound. His stage background gave him confidence with dialogue, and he continued working throughout the 1930s in films such as Hoosier Schoolboy (1937), Heroes of the Alamo (1937), and The Buccaneer (1938).

McCall died in Hollywood on January 10, 1938, at age 67. Though rarely credited and never a marquee star, his filmography reflects a career of remarkable output and quiet influence.

For Delavan, William McCall stands as a reminder that even the most unassuming hometown beginnings can lead to an extraordinary place in American film history.

Partial Filmography

Huns and Hyphens (1918) — Early Vitagraph slapstick short; McCall appears as “Billy McCall.”
Frauds and Frenzies (1918) — Another broad physical comedy from his first year in film.
The Phantom Horseman (1924) — A classic silent‑era Western showcasing McCall’s shift into frontier roles.
Wanted by the Law (1924) — Typical of the B‑western genre where McCall became a familiar face.
Ridin’ Thunder (1925) — McCall appears as a frontier townsman in this action‑driven Western.
The Lonesome Trail (1930) — Early sound‑era Western; McCall successfully transitions into talkies.
Circle Canyon (1933) — A Columbia Western featuring McCall in a supporting ranch‑town role.
Hoosier Schoolboy (1937) — A small part in this drama starring Mickey Rooney.
Heroes of the Alamo (1937) — Historical feature; McCall appears in an uncredited supporting role.
The Buccaneer (1938) — One of his final screen appearances, released the year of his death.