Monticello Mayor Larry Stoner says 2017 should be a big year in their community in Piatt County. Mayor Stoner says a new brew-pub, construction beginning for a new waste-water treatment facility and development of open acreage for recreation are some of the things to come in 2017.

 

 

Law enforcement in Monticello is very active. Police Chief John Carter says they recently started their own 'Shop With A Cop' program, which is done internally and is fundraised for by the department. He hopes to continue to grow that program this year but also fully staff his department over the course of the year.

 

 

Director for Economic Development in Monticello, Callie McFarland explains downtown Monticello is garnering a lot of interest from potential business owners. She says that is a great thing, but the city will soon face the challenge getting their buildings up to code to allow economic development to happen there.

 

 

Monticello High School is one of the highest achieving schools in the area and their Principal, Tip Reedy says the community does a great job in supporting the school and making learning a priority for its youth.

 

 

Reedy adds the student body achieves beyond the classroom as well. This fall, the high school football squad was a win away from a state finals appearance. They lost to the eventual state-champs, Elmhurst IC Catholic.

 

Additionally, he points out the marching band had a wildly successful fall season and their cross country program, again, had a great season in 2016.