Last week, Delavan’s FFA Chapter attended the National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, held in the Lucas Oil Stadium. The National Convention is one of the largest student leadership gatherings in the country, bringing in FFA members from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to the formal delegate work and awards, the conference offered its members ag-industry tours, a career expo, and leadership workshops. This experience allowed Delavan’s FFA members to connect with other chapters, explore future agriculture careers, and strengthen their leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.

The atmosphere at the conference was unlike anything many of these students had experienced before. From the energetic and loud sessions to the constant buzz in the expo hall, the FFA National Convention was filled with exciting new opportunities. This year, Delavan FFA had the honor of hosting the Inter-State Tailgate Social, an event designed to bring different chapters together to network, share experiences, and have fun. Additionally, this year marked Delavan’s FFA advisor and teacher, Theo Allen’s tenth National Convention. His dedication and passion for agriculture continue to guide and inspire the chapter.

Representing Delavan at the National Convention were juniors Riley Fann, Jaxton Westbrook, McKinleigh Sipka, Isaac Meeker, Maddy Albers, and seniors Kaelenn Morris and Annalise Clendenny. These dedicated FFA members not only took part in leadership opportunities but also had lasting memories throughout the trip. On the way home, the chapter was able to visit Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and the Louisville Sluggers warehouse. Reflecting on the experience, Maddy Albers stated, “The vibes at National Convention were amazing. Everyone was happy, excited, and full of energy. People made new friends, laughed a lot, and had the best time.”

Overall, the trip was an unforgettable experience for the Delavan FFA Chapter. The members returned home energized, inspired, and excited to continue growing through FFA. The chapter looks forward to applying their knowledge and experiences to the school and community. Delavan FFA is proud to represent its school at the national level and is already looking forward to next year’s convention.

In a closely watched decision this week, the City of Delavan approved the creation of a new Event Coordinator position—an initiative aimed at enhancing civic life and fostering stronger community connections through year-round public events.

The vote to approve the role was evenly split among the city’s aldermen. Aldermen Levi Birkey of Ward 1, Douglas Bury, and Linda Slabaugh of Ward 3 voted in favor, while Aldermen Joshua Lusher of Ward 1, Brent Nafziger, and Joe Watts of Ward 2 opposed the measure. With the council deadlocked at 3–3, Mayor Adam White cast the tie-breaking vote in favor—albeit with a note of caution.

“I vote aye, with it being temporary,” White said after a noticeable pause. “If it doesn’t work, we can obviously not do this next year.”

A Role Designed to Inspire

The newly approved position is intended to bring energy, organization, and creativity to Delavan’s public calendar. The Event Coordinator will be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing a wide range of events—from festivals and parades to farmers markets, concerts, holiday celebrations, and outreach programs.

In addition to strengthening local engagement, the position is also expected to help attract visitors from surrounding areas—drawing new foot traffic to Delavan’s downtown and encouraging patronage of local businesses.

Budget and Funding

The position is budgeted at $20,000 for the current fiscal year, with $15,000 allocated for the coordinator’s salary and $5,000 earmarked for marketing and advertising of events. Funding for the role will come from a reallocation within the City Administrator’s budget. The arrangement is temporary and will be reconsidered in April 2026 when the city council reviews and votes on the annual budget.

Collaboration and Leadership

The coordinator will serve as the main point of contact for vendors, sponsors, entertainers, volunteers, and public agencies. They’ll also work with city departments, local businesses, and community organizations to promote collaboration and ensure events reflect Delavan’s unique character.

Responsibilities include developing promotional materials, managing social media outreach, preparing event budgets, soliciting sponsorships, applying for grants, and overseeing logistics such as permits, staffing, safety plans, and cleanup. Post-event evaluations will help guide future planning and improvements.

Seeking the Right Candidate

The city is now seeking applicants who are highly motivated, personable, and thrive in fast-paced environments. Ideal candidates will be organized, creative, and passionate about community-building.

City officials hope to fill the position and have the new coordinator begin work in earnest starting January 2026.

In a unanimous vote at Tuesday night’s meeting, the Delavan City Council approved the issuance of $1.5 million in municipal bonds to fund long-overdue improvements to the city’s aging sewer infrastructure. The bonds will be sold by the Bank of Pontiac, which will facilitate the financing of the project.

The centerpiece of the initiative is the dredging of Delavan’s wastewater lagoon, which was constructed in 1984 and has never been dredged in its 41-year lifespan. Over time, the lagoon has accumulated significant amounts of sludge, sediment, and non-organic material, reducing its capacity to effectively treat the city’s wastewater. Nathan Barnett, Delavan's superintendent of public works, warned that failure to address the buildup could leave Delavan vulnerable to fines and regulatory action from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).

In addition to dredging, the bond-funded improvements include a comprehensive inspection of the city’s sewer lines using camera technology. The footage will help prioritize repairs by identifying root infestations, structural damage, and areas requiring pipe lining or full replacement. These upgrades are expected to reduce the volume of debris entering the lagoon, improving its long-term performance and reducing future maintenance costs.

The bonds will be serviced over a 15-year term, with annual payments totaling just over $150,000. However, city officials acknowledged that Delavan’s sewer operations have been running an annual deficit for several years, with expenses outpacing revenue from sewer fees. Adding a $150,000 line item annually to the expense of the sewer operations will only exacerbate the problem. To address this funding gap, the council is exploring the formation of a new additional tax increment financing (TIF) district. If approved, the district would capture future increases in property tax revenue to help cover the cost of bond repayment.

The council’s decision reflects a growing recognition of the need to modernize essential systems and plan for long-term fiscal health. Residents can expect updates as the city moves forward with engineering assessments, permitting, and the initial phases of lagoon dredging.

As Thanksgiving draws near, Little Piggy Bakery is serving up a delicious way to celebrate the season—with a lineup of handcrafted baked goods perfect for sharing around the holiday table.

From now through November 17, customers can place orders for pickup on Sunday, November 23. Each order comes with freezer-friendly instructions, making it easy to prep ahead and enjoy fresh-from-the-oven flavor on Thanksgiving Day.

The Thanksgiving Menu Includes:

• Regular Sourdough — $7
• Garlic & Herb Sourdough — $10
• Harvest Seeded Sourdough — $10
• Sourdough Rolls (half-dozen) — $7
• Sourdough Garlic Rolls (half-dozen) — $7
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones (half-dozen) — $15
• Apple Cider Donut Bread — $10

Whether you're hosting a feast or bringing a treat to share, these locally baked offerings promise to add warmth and flavor to your holiday spread.

Little Piggy Bakery is owned and operated by Reka Brooks, whose sourdough creations have become a staple in Delavan’s seasonal celebrations. Orders can be placed by phone at (309) 678-5992. Quantities are limited, so early birds get the bread—and the scones.

Photograph courtesy of Rebekah Lin Photography.

CORRECTION: 

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that November 23rd falls on a Wednesday. In fact, November 23rd is a Sunday. We regret the error and have updated the article to reflect the correct date.