Oct. 25, 1924: Remarks by several aldermen at last night’s council meeting prompted a brief but animated discussion that developed into agitation for a change in the cell quarters and that may ultimately result in a proposal for a new city hall building. Aldermen Hayes and Donovan described poor lighting, ventilation and sewage disposal conditions. 

Oct. 25, 1949: The grade school in Chenoa is another of hundreds of schools in Central Illinois that just opened a school cafeteria for the first time. So far, an average of 150 meals are served daily by the staff, one full-time and three part-time workers. Three other rooms are used by students who bring their own cold lunches. Meals cost 35 cents each.

Oct. 25, 1974: President Gerald Ford visited the Ford County village of Melvin on Thursday (Oct. 24), addressing a crowd of about 6,000 to praise his friend, outgoing U.S. Rep. Leslie C. Arends. The longtime Republican whip has served in Congress since 1934. "Les gave 110% to all of you, this congressional district, this country," Ford told the crowd. 

Oct. 25, 1999: Gov. George Ryan attended Sunday mass and toured the city of Havana as part of a five-day humanitarian aid mission aimed at distributing nearly $2 million in medical aid, school supplies and food. With political support slowly weakening for the long U.S. embargo against Cuba, Ryan — the first Illinois governor to visit the nation since 1959 — has said he hopes to use the trip to position Illinois to become an exporter of agricultural and other goods to the island if trade barriers are removed.