(Paxton--jc) The dedication of the overpass just south of Paxton, along Interstate 57 drew a huge crowd Monday morning at the Paxton Fire station. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold led the event and talked about the tragic events of April 7 1979 that took the lives of three men and wounded a fourth man. State Senator Jason Barickman and Illinois House member Tom Bennett were also in attendance, along with dozens of Illinois State Police troopers, Paxton City council members, family, friends and public. State Police Director Leo Schmitz says the process to get this project completed took the efforts of a lot of work by a lot of people...
State Police Director Leo Schmitz
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the hope of the city is the bridge serves as a reminder to honor those that serve our communities…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Melvin--ab) A hog roast is set to benefit Christian missions. The Melvin Hog roast is coming up on October 28th from 11 AM to 2 PM supporting Melvin United Methodist Church Youth Group’s Mission fund. Blake Nugent a High schooler from Heritage Prep says he sees a transition in attitude from fundraising to getting on location at the mission site.
Heritage Prep student Blake Nugent
(Washington-ba) Three federal agencies, including the Agriculture Department, pledged to continue work to reduce food waste by fifty per cent in our country by the year 2030. Rod Bain reports....
CHICAGO (AP) — Billionaire Democrat J.B. Pritzker has donated $15 million more to his campaign for Illinois governor, pushing his self-financing total to $161.5 million. Both Pritzker and multimillionaire Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner have been largely funding their own campaigns. The Chicago Tribune reports that Pritzker's campaign reported the new donation to state election officials Saturday. The Hyatt Hotel heir is outpacing Rauner, who has given about $68 million toward his re-election campaign.
(Bloomington--ba) Nominees are sought for the “mother” road.. WPXN’s
Braedon Arnett has the story.
(Undated--jc) Illinois is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a state. Here is today’s Bicentennial minute…
(Chicago--jc) ) --A group of 10 campaign workers who sued Democratic candidate for Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker over racial discrimination accusations in the political operation spoke out Monday in response to claims that they’re only after the billionaire's money.In the lawsuit, current and former campaign workers said that Pritzker’s campaign deliberately put minorities in dangerous offices and denied them promotions. The workers said they weren't taken seriously by campaign leaders until they filed the lawsuit. Attorney Jeanette Samuels, one of the attorneys representing the workers said at a news conference, that when career campaign workers from Selma Alabama come to Chicago and say they have experienced racism, you believe them. Another attorney representing the group is Shay T. Allen. Allen says his clients wouldn’t delve into the specifics of the discrimination claims in the lawsuit, but he said they felt compelled to speak out after criticism. Allen said there has been an effort to “smear these people's’ reputations.”
(Washington--ba) --If the latest winter weather forecast pans out, it could have important implications for agriculture. USDA Gary Crawford explains.
(Rantoul--jc) -- When Rantoul village leaders meet in a special session tonight, they will be asked to provide a new roof. Those with the Rantoul Public Library are looking for a loan of 170 thousand dollars for the project. If approved the loan would be paid back over the next 10 years. The interest rate would be set at three percent. The Rantoul Village board special meeting comes to order at 6 tonight in the municipal building on Tanner Street.
(Loda--jc) A major fire sent various area fire departments to the village of Loda late Monday night. Officials say the Owls nest building caught fire Monday night around 10. Loda Fire department volunteers with mutual aid from Paxton and Buckley. There were people in the building when the fire started. No one was injured. Details of the fire remain sketchy and no word on the cause of the blaze was made available. WPXN news will update this story as more official news becomes available.
(Rantoul--jc) One local Chamber is getting into the Halloween spirit. Officials with the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce had help with the window display in the downtown area of Rantoul. Rantoul Area Executive Director Belynda Allen continues to urge area businesses to work together to help the village and area grow. The window display features ghosts and pumpkins Chamber leaders continue to look for nominations for the annual banquet. That event is set for November 9th
(Springfield--jc) A recent Illinois law is behind solar farm proposals across the state. The Future Energy Jobs Act, which took effect last year, requires Illinois utilities to get 25 percent of their retail power from renewable sources like solar and wind by 2025. Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association, said the new interest is no coincidence. One area that has seen a spike in solar farm applications is Boone County in far northern Illinois. Karl Johnson, Boone County board chairman, says they’ve received more than a dozen proposals and already have approved a handful of them. Closer to home a solar project has been proposed for the Fisher area in Champaign County. Another solar project is underway in Kankakee County.
(Washington--ba) -- What is the reaction coming from the cattle on feed report. U-S-D- A Livestock Analyst Shayle Shagam has the numbers...
U-S-D-A Livestock Analyst Shayle Shagam
(Gifford--jc) One Champaign County junior high continues to look at a girls softball coop with two area schools. Gifford School leaders have met with those in the Armstrong and Potomac schools. The consensus of the meetings is there is a positive interest for girls softball. If approved, the sport would be part of activities offered at Gifford Grade school. More meetings at being planned on the subject
ATLANTA, Ill. (AP) — Organic farmers in Illinois are adapting their business practices due to a shift in the local market prompted in part by large grocers offering organic produce and meal-kit startups gaining popularity. Many small organic fruit and vegetable producers have traditionally relied on sales through community-supported agriculture programs, in which community members pay for a weekly box of vegetables .Hans and Katie Bishop run PrairiEarth Farm in Atlanta, Illinois southwest of Bloomington.. The Bishops said they're making many changes to how they run their business, such as expanding the company's wholesale business, partnering with other farms and allowing CSA members to select what goes into their boxes. Trimbles Farm Produce, home of Farmer Scotts Premium popcorn is another C-S-A option in Heyworth.
