(Washington-jm) -- President Donald Trump signed the U-S- Japan Trade Agreement Monday at the White House. President Trump called the deal a game changer for farmers providing them with significantly enhanced access to a critical foreign market. Under the agreement, Japan will expand access to many US food and ag products including corn, poultry, beef, pork, soybeans and wheat. 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- A new survey has found more residents feel the state is heading in the right direction and the state’s economy is improving. 28 percent of people surveyed feel the state is heading in the right direction compared to 14 percent in 2018. The survey also measured Governor J-B Pritzker’s approval rating. 59 percent of people surveyed believed the Governor was doing a good job. Despite the optimism, 61 percent of those surveyed said they are considering leaving the state. The majority of those were in the 18 to 34 year old age group and cited taxes and government policy for reasons to leave.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker says a new tax incentive will attract data center construction to Illinois. The incentive is offered to large data center projects, allowing for an exemption from sales taxes. There’s also a 20 percent income tax credit against wages if the center is located in an underserved area. Governor Pritzker says this will boost the state’s economy…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Pritzker says companies are already expressing an interest in locating to Illinois because of the new credit. 

 

 

(LeRoy-jm) -- Police in McLean County are looking for a Rankin man. LeRoy police stopped Wayne Yeary over the weekend at I-74 and U-S 136 for suspected driving under the influence. Yeary escaped into a corn field and has not been caught. Yeary is facing charges of aggravated DUI, driving on a revoked license and resisting arrest.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Changes could be coming to Paxtons burning ordinance. The city council will discuss changes to the ordinance at tonight's city council meeting. The council approved the ban of burning last fall. In addition, council members will be asked to approve sewer extensions on Jack Street, discussing putting up yield signs at Maple and Center, discuss and possibly approve a solar panel ordinance and year their annual audit report from Kemper CPA. The Paxton City Council meeting gets underway at 7 pm.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Harvest progress lags behind as we hear in the weekly crop report. 91 percent of corn has reached the dent stage, and 59 percent is mature says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 65 percent of soybeans are dropping leaves and 11 percent has been harvested. That compares to 40 percent harvested by now normally. Average statewide topsoil moisture held steady at eight percent very short, 15 percent short, 57 percent adequate and 20 percent surplus. 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- Crews working on the MCORE Project struck a gas line on the University of Illinois campus Monday. Fire crews were called to the area near the English Building and Lincoln Hall just before noon. 

 

 

(Thomasboro--jc)  --When Thomasboro School leaders meet next week, they are expected to continue to look a cost saving ideas for the district. The projection for the local school is several hundred thousand dollars in the red. With the later than usual tax bills sent out, some money will appear in the next year’s coffers. The Thomasboro School board meets on October 15th at the school.

 

 

(Paxton-jc)  -- The ghosts and goblins will again appear on Market Street in Paxton at the end of the month. The annual Paxton Halloween parade steps off at 4pm on Thursday October 31st from the Carnegie Library on Market street in the city. Those attending will parade to the fire house where they will receive a goody bag from WPXN and then also trick or treat in the downtown area of Paxton.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Law enforcement agencies from around the state are in Springfield training on investigating crashes involving motorcycles. The training is put on by the Illinois Association of Technical Accident Investigations. 10 to 20 percent of all accidents in Illinois involve motorcycles.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The American Red Cross is encouraging people to donate blood during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women. 268,000 women are expected to be diagnosed this year. The American Red Cross says many will need blood transfusions as well as platelet transfusions. For a list of blood donation locations visit red cross dot org.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Lottery is launching the latest “Ticket for the Cure” instant game, benefiting the fight against breast cancer. The revamped speciality ticket is now available and goes to a good cause says Lottery Spokesperson Jason Schaumburg…

 

 

Illinois Lottery Spokesperson Jason Schaumburg. The Ticket for a Cure costs three dollars to play and has a top prize of 50 thousand dollars. 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Some area emergency management agencies are receiving federal grant money. The U-S Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration awarded the state’s emergency management agency more than $600,000 to focus on the state’s response capabilities when dealing with hazardous materials related transportation incidents. Locally, Champaign County EMA will receive over $6,900, Douglas County EMA $20,000, Kankakee County EMA over $11,800 and the Illinois Fire Service Institute over $178,000.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul village board leaders are expected to approve a construction contract for a new 20 million dollar sports complex at tonight’s village board meeting. Village trustees will be asked to approve the contract with Byrne and Jones Construction for the project on the villages west side. In addition to the sports complex, village trustees will be asked to approve the purchase of three new police interceptors and an engineering agreement for a phosphorus removal feasibility study and discharge optimization plan. The Rantoul village board meeting gets underway at 6 pm.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Harvest progress lags behind as we hear in the weekly crop report. 59 percent of corn is mature and 13 percent of the crop has now been harvested. That compares to 61 percent harvested at this time last year. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 88 percent of soybeans are turning color…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 19 percent of winter wheat has been planted, matching the average pace and 94 percent of the third cutting of alfalfa is complete. Average statewide topsoil moisture stayed about the same with eight percent rated very short, 15 percent short, 57 percent adequate and 20 percent surplus. 

 

 

(Paxton-jc)  -- If you need fruit, one local F F A Chapter has the goods. The Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Chapter is offering fruit for sale now through October 23rd. More information is found by contacting the group at the high school in Paxton. 

 

 

(Danville-jm) -- The Vermilion County State’s Attorneys office is helping victims of domestic violence by holding a supply drive. The office is collecting items such as towels, pillows and food at Vermilion County McDonald’s locations. Items collected will benefit Crosspoint at the Y Domestic Violence and Transitional shelter.

 

 

(Rantoul--jc) In Rantoul, the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will host the first trick or treat-trunk event from 5pm to 7pm on Halloween in the downtown area. A costume contest also hilites the event. The chamber is inviting all business and civic members to bring a vehicle to downtown Rantoul that evening and hand out goodies to the Halloween goers in Rantoul.