Click Here for details.
Save Save Save Save
TAYLORVILLE — The newspaper business has been constantly evolving ever since the first newspaper was published in the United States back in 1704 in Boston. The evolution of the newspaper business in Taylorville and Christian County takes its next step near the end of the month when the Breeze- Courier will increase its presence on the internet daily and go to printing a weekly newspaper.
"The change is being driven by consumer demand," Tom Latonis, Breeze-Courier Editor said. "More and more, people turn to the internet for news sources and we are looking to fill that need on a local level in Taylorville and Christian County."
The change is effective following the publishing of the newspaper on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. The first weekly publication is slated to be on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.
The decision was made by the Better Newspapers, Inc. President, Scott Hoskins, due to rising costs and reduced demand for printed publications.
While ending the daily print newspaper, the Breeze- Courier will continue to deliver local news via its website with a "Daily Digital" version of the newspaper. The Breeze- Courier can be accessed at, www.breezecourier.com as well as to all our social media accounts, including Facebook and Instagram.
In addition, there are plans to expand the on-line presence of the newspaper with video and audio versions of our stories and podcasts.
Subscribers to the print version already have access to the website. Future subscribers to the weekly newspaper will also get access to the web. There is also the option of having a digital-only subscription.
Current print subscribers will have their subscriptions extended. A new subscription rate schedule will be released shortly.
Nothing else is changing. The Breeze-Courier office will still be open five days a week, Monday through Friday. News and advertising items can be brought in or sent via e-mail, breezecourier@breezecourier.com.
This change will also bring an end to the newspaper being distributed by newspaper carriers. All newspapers will be delivered by mail beginning in December.
"We have had the good fortune of having dedicated carriers who made sure the Breeze-Courier was on people's doorsteps under all kinds of conditions - heat, cold, rain, snow they did their jobs without complaint." Latonis said. 'The are a dedicated group for sure. I know many subscribers reward that dedication with a gift prior to Christmas. I would urge you to make that reward prior to Thanksgiving this year."
"This decision was not made lightly, but it does allow us to dedicate all of our resources on remaining a Local First news source", said Hoskins. 'This change will allow us to focus on reporting local content that is important to our community."
According to report from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Approximately 2.900 local newspapers have closed their doors since 2005. They found that nearly 2.5 newspapers per week either closed or limiting print editions in 2022.
The Breeze Courier has been a daily newspaper for the last 131 years, publishing its first issue in July 1893.
"I would like to thank the community for supporting our newspaper, and even though we will not be able to publish a print edition on a daily basis, we look forward to serving the community for another 131 years," said Hoskins.
View all Illinois public notices 24 hours a day - publicnoticeillinois.com
Member Log-In + Contact Us + Events + PressLines + Job Bank + Advertising Toolbox + Upload Pages
Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: Powered by FeedBurner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 25, 2026 Contact Information: Betsy McCloskey/Plaid Swan Inc. (563) 513-9499 betsy@plaidswan.com
Elgin, IL and Santa Rosa, CA — Corporate American Family Credit Union (CAFCU) and North Bay Credit Union (NBCU) announced today that their merger will become effective March 1, 2026. Together, the two organizations have formed a stronger, more versatile, and community-driven financial institution serving members across the Midwest and Northern California. The merger reflects a partnership built on shared values: exceptional member service, deep community commitment, and a mutual vision for long-term sustainable growth. “We are excited about the opportunity to bring our organizations together in a way that amplifies what both credit unions do best,” said Stefanie Rupert, president & CEO of CAFCU. “North Bay has built something special; our teams are aligned in mission and mindset. By combining our strengths, innovative technology, personalized service, and strong community presence, we believe we can deliver even greater value for all members.” Based on the most recent financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, North Bay Credit Union reported just over $114 million in assets. The combined organization benefits from greater scale, expanded product offerings, enhanced digital capabilities, and increased operational efficiencies. This transaction was completed as an assisted merger, following extensive collaboration, regulatory coordination, due diligence, and thoughtful planning by leadership teams. “North Bay Credit Union has always centered its work around the needs of our local communities, and the decision to pursue this merger was made intentionally to elevate that commitment with long-term stability, resilience, and growth,” said Darlene Brown, interim CEO of North Bay Credit Union. “Partnering with CAFCU allows us to strengthen our foundation, expand our reach, and enhance the services we can provide while staying rooted in our mission. Through Greenbax Marketplace, we also bring a unique and compliant line of business that complements CAFCU’s offerings. Both organizations are stronger together, and we look forward to what this new chapter will bring.” CAFCU’s continued expansion strengthens its presence in California while reinforcing its long-standing commitment to sustainable growth and community-focused service. Both institutions emphasized that the merger is the result of extensive collaboration and careful planning designed to ensure a seamless transition for members and employees. “This partnership reflects a shared belief in building a stronger future for our members, our teams, and the communities we proudly serve,” the organizations said in a joint statement. About Corporate American Family Credit Union (CAFCU) Corporate American Family Credit Union (CAFCU) is a long-standing, member-focused credit union headquartered in Elgin, IL. Built on decades of trust, service, and community commitment, CAFCU continues to expand its reach and capabilities through strategic growth initiatives. CAFCU remains dedicated to strengthening members’ financial well-being through accessible products, personalized service, and a people first philosophy. About North Bay Credit Union (NBCU) Founded in 1948, North Bay Credit Union has grown into a trusted community financial institution with just over $114 million in assets as of December 31, 2025. NBCU remains committed to empowering individuals, families, and local businesses with accessible, people-first financial solutions rooted in local common bonds and community values. NBCU offers compliant cannabis banking services and payment solutions through its subsidiary, Greenbax Marketplace.
####
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 17, 2026 Contact Information: Katie Lewis (217) 525-8012 katie@ioaweb.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2026 Media Contact Information: Carrie Skogsberg carrie.skogsberg@countryfinancial.com
COUNTRY Financial and the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) are providing an opportunity for local high schools to win $5,000 to benefit their athletic department and student athletes through the “Sport Your School Giveaway.” Individuals can enter their school to win through May 30, 2026. This is the second time COUNTRY has held the Sport Your School Giveaway. Staunton High School was the winner of the first giveaway, which ran during the first half of the 2025-2026 school year. COUNTRY has been a sponsor of the IHSA for more than 50 years and is the presenting sponsor for 40 IHSA state championships for various high school sports throughout the 2025-2026 school year. “COUNTRY has a highly valued, longstanding relationship with the IHSA,” said Nikki Johnson, vice president of marketing at COUNTRY. “Schools are the lifeblood of our communities, and we are proud to be part of bringing championship opportunities to students and communities throughout the state.” Learn more and enter your school to win. Learn more about the partnership between COUNTRY and the IHSA.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2026 Media Contact Information: Bob Hubberts (847) 508-4995 bhubberts@firstillinoisrobotics.org
Chicago, Illinois – Creativity and science will come together this Saturday at the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge Illinois State Championship at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, Illinois, where 56 teams of 9- to 14-year-old students and coaches will demonstrate their problem-solving skills, creative thinking, teamwork, competitive play, sportsmanship, and sense of community. The tournament is open to the public. The robot table competition portion of the event starts at Noon on Saturday, February 14th. More than 650,000 students in over 75 countries will participate in the FIRST® UNEARTHED season. Teams will have to program robots, using LEGO Education technology, to solve a set of missions on an obstacle course set on a thematic playing surface. For the UNEARTHED challenge students will unearth hidden treasures and piece together the past as they embark on this thrilling journey of discovery. Students will identify and research a problem related to the season theme and then design and create a possible solution. They will also identify a mission strategy and design, create, and code a robot to complete missions during a 2.5-minute Robot Game. The competition is judged in three areas: innovation project; robot design, and core values, which embody aspects of teamwork and good sportsmanship. Top robot game scores are also honored. FIRST LEGO League is an international program for 9- to 14-year-olds (ages vary by country) created in a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Group in 1998 to get students excited about science and technology – and teach them valuable career and life skills. Using LEGO® Education technologies and materials, students work alongside adult mentors to design, build, and program autonomous robots and create an innovative solution to a problem as part of their research project. After several intense weeks, the competition season culminates at high-energy, sports-like tournaments. Like any other organized “sport,” teams also fundraise, create a team identity, and go on field trips. The tournament is being run by FIRST Illinois Robotics, a 501 c3 organization focused on delivering FIRST programs in Illinois. Contact us for a list of the area schools and youth organizations with teams participating in the competition. About FIRST® FIRST® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school, in structured after-school programs or by other organizations or groups of parents. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges. An international not-for-profit organization founded in 1989, FIRST has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.
### To learn more about FIRST programs in Illinois, go to www.firstillinoisrobotics.org.
Click Image to Find the IPA Disaster Checklist!