(Watseka-jm) -- An informational meeting on a proposed swine facility near Stockland will be held in Watseka on September 5th at 8 pm. Officials with the Illinois Department of Agriculture will be present to take questions from the public. The proposed 1800 swine facility would be built one point three six miles southeast of Stockland.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul’s code enforcement has a new vehicle. The village board approved purchasing a 2019 Ford pickup from Shields for almost $25,000. The new vehicle will be able to pull a trailer that will move lawn mowing equipment and other items. The old vehicle will be scrapped.

 

NOVI, Mich. (AP) — A gathering next year in Michigan will seek to identify and explore solutions to water infrastructure challenges faced by the Great Lakes region. The state of Michigan is lining up speakers for the Great Lakes Water Infrastructure Conference, which runs April 28-30 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi in suburban Detroit. Topics are expected to include funding, water affordability, environmental health, water planning, green infrastructure and cybersecurity.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A cancer walk will be held this Saturday in Rantoul. The I made a Difference the Luke Remington Cancer Walk will take place at the Rantoul Township High School track. Spokesperson Sue Sawyer talks about the walk…

 

Luke Remington Cancer Walk Spokesperson Sue Sawyer.

 

(Undated--jc)  -- Some workers with Eastern Illini Electric Coop based in Paxton are in the Florida area helping with Hurricane Dorian. They have joined hundreds of other workers restoring power in the path of the slow moving hurricane that has hit a portion of the Florida coastline.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual golf outing will take on a glowing theme this year. The theme for the annual golf outing is Glow in the Dark and will be held at Brook Hill Golf Course on N. Maplewood Drive. Cost is $50 per person. For more information or to sign your team up, call the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce at 893-1200.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- The USDA is forecasting an increase in farm income for 2019. Stephanie Ho has the details…

 

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is helping out the Paxton Christmas Parade again this year. The local chamber is donating 500 dollars in cash and prizes for this year’s event which is set at the Saturday following Thanksgiving at 1-30pm. Some of the donation will be used for prizes for those putting an entry in the parade. 

 

(Bloomington--jc)  -- Illinois tax payers are paying some of the highest property taxes in the nation. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has appointed a task force to look into how to ease the burden on taxpayers in the state. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman, Republican of Bloomington, says he continues to have a wait-and-see attitude, if that task force will come up with any solutions…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman, Republican from Bloomington

 

(Iroquois County-jm) -- Several offices will be up for election in the March primary in Iroquois County. Seats up include circuit clerk, coroner and states attorney. Also up are 10 county board members and 37 precinct committeemen. Those seeking nominations can begin circulating their petitions today. Paperwork can be filed with the Iroquois County Clerk's office between November 25th and December 2nd.

 

(Undated--jc)  An environmental organization in Springfield lauded the signing of legislation that redefines local foods in Illinois into law.Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 2505 earlier this month. Eliot Clay, agriculture and water programs director with the Illinois Environmental Council, said that the council pushed the legislation, known as House Bill 25-05.

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- Today is the due date for the second installment of 2018, payable in 2019, Champaign County Real Estate Taxes. The county treasurers office has extended hours from 7:30 to 5 today. Payments can be dropped off at the Brookens Administrative Center in Urbana, by mail or online at w-w-w-dot-c-o-dot-champaign-dot-il-dot-us-slash-treasurer. Mailed in payments must be postmarked by today in order for it to not be considered late. 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton’s Swine n Dine BBQ Competition is coming up on Saturday, September 21st in downtown Paxton. Activities at this year’s event includes kids inflatables, a bags tournament, remote controlled cars for kids and live music featuring Nashville recording artist Jerrod Niemann. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer says this year you can be a judge for the BBQ competition…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer.

 

 

(Fisher-jm) -- A blood drive will be held in Fisher Thursday. The blood drive will be held at the River Valley Church of Christ from 4 to 8 pm.

 

(Washington-jm) -- Part of the USDA's program to help farmers hurt by trade disputes also is helping low income families with their food needs. Gary Crawford has the details from Washington…

 

 

 

(Gibson City--jc) One Ford County city has fall garage sale times this week. Gibson City townwide fall-time garage sales start on Thursday and run through Saturday. Maps of sales will be available through the Gibson Area Chamber of Commerce