(Rantoul--jc) -- From humble beginnings to national notoriety, the World Championship Punkin Chunkin is an event that has always cultivated an odd, challenging, and competitive quest for distance that, in turn, inspires creativity, ingenuity, teamwork, and passion. On November 2nd and 3rd, the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association will carry on a tradition started more than 35 years ago when they bring their signature pumpkin-launching event to the Rantoul Airport area in Rantoul. With the huge change in venue, the group is planning a two day event on November 2nd and 3rd, rather than a normal 3 day event. This is the first time the World Championships have been held outside the state of Delaware. A two day ticket for the event is 20 dollars and daily tickets are 10 dollars, when purchased before the event.
(Springfield-jm) -- It was a hot and fairly dry week for Illinois fields as we hear in the weekly crop report. Rain was slightly below normal this past week and temperatures were more than 10 degrees above normal. U-S-D-A Heartland Field Office Deputy Regional Director Steve Maliszewski (mal-eh-sheski) says 77 percent of corn has reached the dent stage…
U-S-D-A Heartland Field Office Deputy Regional Director Steve Maliszewski. 53 percent of soybeans are turning colors and 14 percent are dropping leaves. 43 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. The third cutting of alfalfa is 91 percent complete. Average statewide topsoil is rated at 11 percent very short, 22 percent short, 59 percent adequate and eight percent surplus.
(Paxton--jc) -- An initial look at the possibilities. That is what those attending an information meeting on the Paxton Streetscape last night at city hall. Dozens of local citizens saw the vision of local leaders for the downtown area of the city. The project will begin with bids later this year and the start of work in the first part of 20-20.
CHICAGO (AP) — Attorneys have subpoenaed former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn in a federal civil rights lawsuit over his 2015 decision to commute the sentence of man convicted in an Illinois Institute of Technology student’s murder. On his final day in office, Quinn commuted the sentence of Tyrone Hood, who’d already served 22 years. Charges were dismissed.
(Springfield-jm) -- House lawmakers and state officials are discussing how to address the vaping crisis in Illinois. Governor J-B Pritzker and several others are pushing legislation banning flavored nicotine in hopes of curbing use by teens. But Attorney General Kwame Raoul says that won’t be enough…
State Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Raoul says his office is also looking into the e-cig black market. 69 cases of serious respiratory illness related to vaping have been confirmed in Illinois with another 13 still under investigation. One person has died.
(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 began circulating their petitions on September 3rd. Paperwork can be filed with the Iroquois County Clerk's office between November 25th and December 2nd.
(Paxton-jm) -- A new event for the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce will be held in October. The chamber will hold a wine and chocolate walk on October 5th from 11 to 4:30 says Chamber President Alan Meyer...
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer.
(Springfield-jm) -- It was a hot and fairly dry week for Illinois fields as we hear in the weekly crop report. Temperatures were more than 10 degrees above normal this past week and rain was down a bit. 26 percent of corn is now mature and two percent has been harvested, with 45 percent in good to excellent condition. U-S-D-A Heartland Field Office Deputy Regional Director Steve Maliszewski (mal-eh-sheski) turns to soybeans…
U-S-D-A Heartland Field Office Deputy Regional Director Steve Maliszewski. Winter wheat planting has begun with one percent complete. Average statewide topsoil moisture is rated as 11 percent very short, 22 percent short, 59 percent adequate and eight percent surplus.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A special event in central Illinois will dig into the facts and fiction showcased in some of Hollywood’s best known war films. Mark DePue, oral historian for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, is the featured speaker for Thursday night’s event at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. Reservations to the free event can be made online . Attendees also get access to an exhibit featuring World War II artists and documents.
(Springfield-jm) -- It’s officially fall and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding that state parks offer beautiful fall foliage. As the leaves change color the state parks really come alive says D-N-R Spokesperson Rachel Torbert. She says areas in northern Illinois will be the first to get a real taste of fall…
D-N-R Spokesperson Rachel Torbert. There’s also the popular Starved Rock State Park on the Illinois River Bluff with 18 canyons and Giant City State Park near Carbondale which offers hiking, rock climbing and horseback riding. Explore the state’s parks at dnr dot illinois dot gov.
(Hoopeston-jm) -- Hoopeston city leaders have approved spending $175,000 to help relocate a restaurant in order to build a new truck stop. The Subway restaurant on Route 1 would move to the former First Farmers Bank and Trust building so the new truck stop could come into the southeast corner of Routes 1 and 9. The money would come from the city’s tax increment financing district.
(Washington-jm) -- The deadline to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage is extended to September 27th, but will that affect the start date for the 2020 DMC sign-up next month? Rod Bain reports…
