Delavan has successfully replaced a damaged water valve on the city’s main water line at 4th and Cedar Streets, restoring water service and two-lane traffic within seven hours of the reported leak.

During the repaving of 4th Street, the road construction crew from the state contractor accidentally impacted the valve with an asphalt roller, causing damage, but not a leak. Aware of the issue, the valve was scheduled to be replaced on Monday, April 21. However, continuous traffic over the affected area by large semis hauling heavy loads further weakened the damaged valve until it failed.

Despite having the day off in observance of the Easter holiday, the city’s public works staff sprang into immediate action late Friday afternoon, as soon as the alert that the valve had failed was issued. The city crew immediately closed the section of the water mains that fed into the failed valve and secured equipment and a state-certified contractor to begin repairs.

Delavan’s police chief, Michael Evans, was on-site to divert traffic and to close the eastbound lane of 4th from Linden to Oak Streets until a flag crew was on the scene to manage traffic flow.

“Not how I wanted to spend Friday night,” said Nathan Barnett, Public Works Superintendent for the City of Delavan. “[But] we’re not going to have people without water all weekend.”

Repairs were completed by 11:00 PM, and water service was restored. A boil order was issued for the impacted area until testing to ensure there was no contamination of the line was completed. Temporary road plates were placed over the work zone until a permanent layer of asphalt could be applied on Monday.

According to Gage Galloway, the city’s water technician, there were a total of twenty-one homes affected by the incident, along both sides of 4th Street between Elm and Cedar, and along Cedar Street from 4th to 6th.

The Delavan Fitness Center, previously available for community use, is now restricted to school personnel only. The school district, which owns and operates the facility, is currently deliberating its future availability.

Several issues have been raised regarding the public use of the fitness center, including:

• Maintenance and upkeep costs of equipment
• Liability concerns related to minors using the facility unsupervised
• Individuals remaining in the facility after posted hours
• Patrons not signing in, affecting the ability to monitor usage
• Users not cleaning up after themselves post-utilization

Ryon Kramer, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director of Delavan High School, stated, “We are discussing the future of the fitness center still, and not one hundred percent what that future holds. Right now, it is for school personnel only, and we will make a final decision soon.”

The Delavan Athletic Booster Club is thrilled to announce the 20th Annual Panther Golf Classic, scheduled for Saturday, June 14th at the Sunset Hills Golf Club in Pekin. This eagerly anticipated event aims to raise funds to support extracurricular activities, including IESA and IHSA teams at Delavan Junior High and Delavan High School.

Those interested in participating can download an entry form here or find entry forms with additional information at various local spots such as Common Ground, Casey's, the bank, the library, and Dollar General. The Booster Club is also seeking sponsors at various levels, and a sponsorship form can be downloaded here and is available at the same area locations.

The Panther Golf Classic promises to be a day of fun and community spirit, all while supporting the athletic and extracurricular programs that enrich the lives of students in the Delavan schools.

For more information, please contact the event organizers, Dan Mammen at 309-258-8511 or Josh Horning at 309-267-8781.

Downtown Delavan was alive with activity on Tuesday night as Trio’s Pizzeria hosted the Delavan Panthers Baseball team. Within minutes of opening for service, the cozy family-oriented pizzeria was filled with only seats at the bar available, and an open parking spot on either side of Locust Street was impossible to find. The community came out in force to support both their local team and a local business.

Adam White and Josh Grys, two of Trio’s Pizzeria owners, were present to supervise and assist the baseball squad as they managed the restaurant operations. Grys commented on the busy atmosphere, saying, “It’s like opening night again.”

Trio’s Pizzeria put the baseball players to work in various roles, including greeting and seating customers, kitchen duties, and clearing and waiting tables. In addition to offering valuable work experience, Trio’s Pizzeria generously donated half of the evening’s proceeds to the Panthers Baseball Program.

“Pizza With the Panthers” was the second event in the “Real World Wednesdays” series, designed to provide life experiences beyond baseball for team members. Ironically, both events so far have taken place on days other than Wednesday. The first event, held last Friday, was a first-aid training session with the Delavan Ambulance Service.

The goal of these events is to equip the Panthers with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in life, providing them with valuable lessons that extend beyond the baseball field.

At a special meeting held on April 1st, interim city administrator Eric Diekhoff presented the draft budget proposal for the fiscal year 2025–2026. The proposal aims to strike a balance between enhancing public services and maintaining fiscal responsibility while addressing the city's key priorities. Diekhoff emphasized the goal of keeping the overall growth rate in spending between four and six percent.

Key Highlights of the Proposal

• Sewer: Despite accounting for 10% of the city budget and the levying of a special assessment of an additional $10 per month for sewer system improvements, the sewer budget continues to run a deficit. The deficit is projected to reach $339,871 by the end of the next fiscal year. Ward 2 Alderman Wade Fornoff voiced his concerns over the city's delay in addressing the shortfall and urged immediate action.
• Water: Spending on the water system is projected to increase by 9.7%, representing 24.7% of overall city spending, second only to police department expenses.
• Educational Investments: Funding for local schools is set to rise by 9%, bringing the total to $165,661 from TIF funds.
• Police Department: The budget includes funds for the purchase of a new police vehicle, aimed at upgrading the current fleet and replacing the oldest and most outdated vehicle. TIF funds will be utilized for this purchase. Alderman Douglas Bury, representing Ward 3, questioned the planned use of the outdated police vehicle by the streets department rather than accepting the trade-in value. Diekhoff stated that the value of the vehicle to the streets department significantly exceeded the value the city would get from the trade-in.

City residents are encouraged to review the budget at City Hall during regular business hours or download a copy here. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for April 15th at 6:30 PM, where residents are invited to attend and provide their comments.

The annual Easter Egg Hunt event was a resounding success this morning, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of participants. The event was marked by cheerful laughter, joyful discoveries, and a strong sense of community spirit.

A special acknowledgment goes out to a group of high school athletes who generously volunteered their time and effort to help prepare for the event. Their dedication and hard work ensured that everything ran smoothly, allowing families and children to enjoy the festivities.

The Delavan PTO extended its gratitude to the event's generous donors. Their contributions are invaluable and make it possible for this beloved tradition to continue each year. A special thank you goes to:

• Country Financial - Eric Jensen
• Hopedale Medical Complex
• City of Delavan
• Doug & Beth Zimmer
• Roland Rich Ford
• Bank of Pontiac (First Farmers Branch)
• Encompass Grain & Rail Co-op

Without their support, the annual Easter Egg Hunt would not be the cherished event it is today. The community looks forward to next year's festivities with great anticipation.

The Delavan Optimist Club announced the first Cruise-In event of 2025, set to take place on Saturday, April 19, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Car enthusiasts of all makes and models are welcome to participate.

The event promises a variety of activities for attendees of all ages, including Kids' Bingo, corn hole games, and a 50/50 raffle. The winner of the raffle must be present to claim their prize. Additionally, car entrants will have the chance to win a door prize, with one lucky participant walking away with $100 in cash.

There is no entry fee for vehicles, making it an accessible and enjoyable outing for everyone. Don't miss this opportunity to admire unique cars, participate in entertaining games, and maybe even take home a prize.

Jayley Fisher (left), Seanik Gagliardi (center), and Cash Calsyn-Grys (right).

The stage of the Poppenga Gymnasium at Delavan High School came alive this past weekend with a vibrant production of the beloved musical Oklahoma! The talented cast of students transported the audience to the sweeping plains of the early 20th-century Midwest, delivering a performance that showcased their dedication, energy, and passion for musical theater.

Directed by social studies teacher Alison Knapik, the production overcame several challenges, from the threat of severe weather – which caused the opening night performance to be rescheduled an hour earlier than planned – to a minor elbow injury suffered by Cash Calsyn-Grys, who portrayed Curly, that occurred during a compellingly choreographed fight scene with Seanik Gagliardi, who played Judd Fry. Despite these hurdles, the students poured their hearts into the performance, earning a standing ovation on opening night.

The heartfelt duet of “People Will Say We’re in Love” performed by Calsyn-Grys and co-lead Jayley Fisher, who played Laurey, captivated the audience. The ensemble’s rousing rendition of “The Farmer and the Cowman” had the crowd enthralled, while the haunting desperation of “Lonely Room” drew awe-struck silence. 

The comedic relief provided by Piper McWhorter’s performance as the plains sage Aunt Eller, Bryson Horning’s as the lovesick cowboy Will, Makenna Diekhoff’s as the fickle-hearted Ado Annie, and Elisha Waggoner’s as the scheming Persian Peddler Ali Hakim had the audience laughing throughout.

Behind the scenes, an army of dedicated students, teachers, and parents worked tirelessly on creating a visually stunning depiction of Oklahoma’s open prairies, including the exquisite set constructed by the show’s technical advisor, David Knapik. The musical accompaniment of Susan Litwiller on piano and Jennifer Boyd on violin provided a flawless complement to the cast’s vocals.

Skylar Seals and Elisha Waggoner have been named the February Bank of Pontiac and Delavan High School Student of the Month award recipients. 

Skylar, the daughter of Mechelle Seals, is a senior. She has participated in student council, FCCLA, golf, and prom committee.

Elisha, the son of Steve and Rachel Waggoner, is a sophomore. He participates in golf, scholastic bowl, drama club, FCA, FFA, speech, and pickleball club.

Bank of Pontiac awards the chosen students a $25.00 gift card of their choice from a local Delavan business. 

Students are nominated based on the following criteria: academic performance – class participation, attending school regularly, completion of assignments, good grades or dramatic improvement in grades; character – compassionate, honest, initiative, loyal, respectful, optimistic, trustworthy, hardworking, and responsible; behavior – obeys rules, well mannered, positive attitude, respectful to peers, teachers, and staff members; good citizenship throughout the year –respect for others and their property in school and in the community; and demonstrates a leadership role – the ability to help, inspire, and motivate others towards achieving a positive, common goal.