Local history enthusiasts will have a new reason to gather this spring as the Tazewell County Genealogical and Historical Society kicks off a multi‑year series of township history presentations in honor of Tazewell County’s upcoming Bicentennial.

The first program will be held Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. at Delavan High School, featuring a free presentation on the history of Delavan and Boynton Townships. The event is open to the public, and organizers encourage anyone with an interest in local heritage, genealogy, or community storytelling to attend.

According to the Society’s president, this series is designed to highlight the “rich history of all parts of this great county” as Tazewell approaches its 200th anniversary on April 10, 2027. Each session will focus on a different township or group of townships, with presentations scheduled through 2028.
 

What is referred to as “the batting cages” has quietly become one of the busiest golfing destinations in town. Tucked into the back corner of the Delavan Park District Sports Complex sits a professional‑grade golf simulator running GSPRO, a system that has transformed the space into a year‑round training ground for golfers of all ages.
The idea took root with Delavan High School Golf Coach Zach Damm, who encouraged the Park District to invest in the simulator as a way to strengthen the high school program and give local golfers a place to play when Illinois weather refuses to cooperate. The team now uses the simulator extensively during the off‑season, sharpening swings and studying course strategy long before the first tee times of spring.

One Panther golfer in particular has made the simulator his second home. Grady Burrell, an up‑and‑coming standout in the program, is known for logging serious hours on the virtual fairways. Teammates and coaches alike credit the simulator for accelerating his development and giving the team a competitive edge.

But the simulator’s impact extends far beyond the high school program.

Local golf enthusiast Dennis Moehring has helped turn the space into a community hub, organizing regular groups of adult golfers eager to take advantage of the technology. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, whenever the weather isn’t conducive to golfing outdoors, two groups of six players rotate through 18‑hole rounds on one of the simulator’s 600‑plus available courses in relative comfort. When the demand increases another group of six often fills the space on Sundays, keeping the virtual tee sheet packed.

While nothing replaces the feel of real grass underfoot, Moehring says the simulator comes surprisingly close. “Is it the same as playing outdoors? No,” he noted, “but it is pretty darn close.”

The Park District offers simulator time for $15 per hour, making it one of the most affordable indoor golf options in the region. Residents can reserve time by contacting the Park District.

With demand growing and winter usage booming, the once‑quiet corner of the Sports Complex has become one of Delavan’s most popular recreational assets—proof that even in the off‑season, golf is alive and well in Panther Country.

PEKIN — The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office announced two arrests this week in unrelated child‑exploitation investigations, each resulting from ongoing work with the Illinois Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The cases, though separate, reflect a coordinated regional effort to identify individuals suspected of possessing or sharing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), a felony offense under Illinois law.

The first arrest occurred on April 8, when deputies took Joshua J. Donath, 43, of Manito, into custody. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Donath was arrested on felony charges related to the possession of CSAM and transported to the Tazewell County Jail for processing. Officials said the investigation was conducted by Tazewell County investigators working directly with the statewide ICAC Task Force, which provides digital‑forensic resources and coordination among local, state and federal agencies.

One day later, on April 9, deputies arrested Jon Paul Deyo, 45, of East Peoria, in a separate case. Deyo faces multiple felony charges related to both the possession and dissemination of CSAM. The Sheriff’s Office reported that the East Peoria Police Department assisted in the investigation, and that both agencies participate in the ICAC Task Force. Deyo was also transported to the Tazewell County Jail following his arrest.

While the Sheriff’s Office did not release additional details about the evidence or investigative methods used in either case, both arrests stem from the broader ICAC framework, which focuses on identifying online activity involving the exploitation of minors. The task force, created by the U.S. Department of Justice and operated in Illinois through the Attorney General’s Office, supports local departments with specialized tools for tracking digital files, monitoring peer‑to‑peer networks and responding to cyber‑tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower has previously emphasized the importance of ICAC partnerships in rural and mid‑sized counties, where local departments may not have the staffing or technology to independently conduct complex digital investigations. In announcing this week’s arrests, the Sheriff’s Office reiterated its commitment to pursuing individuals suspected of exploiting children and to maintaining strong interagency cooperation.

“These investigations are resource‑intensive and often cross jurisdictional lines,” the department noted in its public statements. “The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting children and pursuing those who exploit minors.”

Both Donath and Deyo remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Formal charges will be determined by the Tazewell County State’s Attorney’s Office, which will review investigative reports and evidence submitted by law enforcement. Court dates for the defendants had not yet been posted as of Friday.

Child‑exploitation cases have increased nationwide over the past decade, driven in part by the expansion of digital platforms, encrypted messaging services, and cloud‑based file sharing. Law‑enforcement agencies in Illinois have reported a steady rise in cyber‑tips and digital‑forensic workloads, prompting counties like Tazewell to rely more heavily on ICAC task‑force resources.

Local officials say public awareness remains an important component of prevention. The Sheriff’s Office encourages parents and guardians to monitor online activity, use parental‑control tools when appropriate and report suspicious behavior or content to law enforcement or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.

As both cases move into the court system, the Sheriff’s Office said it will continue to work with partner agencies to identify additional leads and ensure that digital evidence is preserved for prosecution.

When Delavan residents walk the quiet paths of Prairie Rest Cemetery, they pass the grave of a man whose life bridged small‑town values and national public service. Harry Howland Mason (1873–1946)—newspaperman, educator, elder and congressman—rose from local roots to represent Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives, yet never drifted far from the community spirit that shaped him.

Born December 16, 1873, near Farmer City in McLean County, Mason moved with his family to Delavan as a child. He attended Delavan’s public schools, where the rhythms of rural life and the close‑knit nature of the town helped form his early sense of civic duty. Journalism soon captured his imagination. As a young man, he joined the staff of the Delavan Advertiser, beginning what would become an eleven‑year career with the paper. Those years sharpened his understanding of local issues and introduced him to the power of the printed word in shaping community life.

In 1903, Mason took a bold step and purchased the Pawnee Herald, launching a new chapter as a newspaper owner and publisher. His commitment to journalism extended far beyond his own newsroom. He became an active member of the Central Illinois Press Association, ultimately serving eight years as its president. Colleagues regarded him as a steady, principled advocate for the profession, someone who believed deeply in the role of local newspapers as guardians of public trust.

Mason’s civic involvement was not limited to journalism. A devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, he served as an ordained ruling elder, reflecting a lifelong commitment to faith and service. In Pawnee, he also took on the role of President of the Board of Education, helping guide local schools during a period of growth and modernization. These roles—publisher, elder, educator—positioned him as a respected community leader long before he entered public office.

His first major step into government came through his work with Congressman J. Earl Major, for whom he served as secretary from 1930 to 1933. The experience offered a close look at federal operations during the depths of the Great Depression. Mason’s reliability and administrative skill earned him increasing responsibility, and in 1933, he was elected treasurer of Sangamon County. He also served as the county’s 19th circuit clerk, further cementing his reputation as a capable and trustworthy public servant.

In 1934, Mason ran as a Democrat for the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois’s 21st Congressional District. He won, taking office on January 3, 1935, as part of the Seventy‑fourth Congress, a body deeply engaged in President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal efforts. Though he served only a single term—choosing not to seek renomination in 1936—his election remains a point of pride for Delavan. Few small towns can claim a native son who carried their values to the floor of the U.S. Capitol.

After leaving Congress, Mason returned to Pawnee and to the newspaper world he loved. He resumed publishing the Herald and remained active in civic life, continuing to embody the same steady commitment to community that had defined his early years in Delavan.

Harry H. Mason died on March 10, 1946, in Springfield at age 72. True to his roots, he was brought home to Delavan and interred at Prairie Rest Cemetery, where generations of local families rest. His life—rooted in service, shaped by faith and guided by the principles of community journalism—remains a testament to how far a small‑town citizen can go while still carrying home in his heart.

Flossie M. Rich, 80, of Delavan, Illinois, passed away on April 4, 2026, in her home.

She was born on March 31, 1946, in Weston, Illinois, to Chester and Lola (Meints) McKinley. On November 29, 1964, she married Roland Rich. Together, they raised two children, Dave Rich (Annette) and Diane Rich, and she was a proud grandmother to Alex and Mark Rich.

Flossie was preceded in death by her parents, a sister and a brother. She is survived by her sisters, Sandra Morton of Manito and Patty Dodson of Pontiac.

A 1964 graduate of Chenoa High School, Flossie devoted much of her life to caring for others. She was a homemaker and she also worked alongside her husband at Roland Rich Ford for 15 years. She was a member of the Delavan Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder and was active in the Women’s Association.

Her generous spirit extended well beyond her church. Flossie volunteered at Pekin Hospital for 15 years and later served as a hospice volunteer for five years, offering comfort and compassion to those in need. She found joy in friendship with her longtime lunch group and through her Bunco clubs, Threads of Love and Cro-Knits.

Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Delavan is handling the arrangements. There will be a private burial at a later date in Farmington, Illinois.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hopedale Medical Foundation.

“Linda Lou” Yearian Burke, 72, of Pekin, formerly of Mackinaw, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, and is now at rest in the arms of God.

Linda was born on August 10, 1953, in Peoria, Illinois, to Glen and Jean (Beebe) Yearian. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Dennis Yearian; her sister, Cindy (Yearian) Craemer; and her beloved children, Jason Wagner and Heather Wagner, along with two cherished grandchildren.

She is lovingly remembered and survived by her daughter and son, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephewsand cousins who will continue to carry her memory in their hearts.

Linda attended Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School and spent many years working as a dedicated home healthcare worker, as well as an aide at TCRC, where she touched the lives of many with her compassion and care.

Above all else, Linda treasured her family. She found joy in spending time with those she loved, fishing and peacefully watching the deer outside. She had a gentle spirit and a kind heart and her faith in God brought her comfort and strength throughout her life.

Though she is no longer with us, we take comfort in knowing she has been welcomed home by the Lord and is at peace. Her warmth, kindness and quiet strength will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.