(Springfield-jm) – After severe storms blew through the state last week, the Illinois State Fair has announced that the livestock entry deadline for the fair has been extended to Friday, July 7. Officials said because many areas of the state were impacted by severe weather, including various post offices experiencing power outages and the overall impact to Illinois families and communities, the Illinois State Fair is providing the grace period for 2023 livestock entries. The Illinois State Fair runs from August 10-20 in Springfield.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker has signed a law protecting hotel workers from unruly guests. The bill came at the request of the industry. Michael Jacobson, President of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association said earlier this year that anger towards employees has been a problem…
Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association President Michael Jacobson. The law, which takes effect in about two months, let's hotels toss out guests who refuse to pay, are exhibiting troubling behavior like using a room to let minors drink alcohol or who pose a safety risk.
(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce held their Little Mr and Miss contest last night at Pells Park. Eiraden Schwing was named Little Mr while Summer Cox was named Little Miss.
(Champaign–jc) Knee high by the 4th of July has been a crop measure for decades. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady says knee high is here but also crop stress…
Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady
(Undated-jm) – Some areas are still without power after last week’s derecho. The strong winds estimated with winds of 80-100 mph caused significant damage to the power grid. Parts of Champaign and Vermilion Counties are still without power. Ameren does not have an estimated time for when those customers will receive service.
(Springfield-jm) – The condition of the Illinois corn and soybean crop improved this past week. The late June rains that swept across parts of the state helped thirsty crops says Statistician Mark Schleusener. 25 percent of soybeans are blooming and one percent of acres are setting pods. 30 percent of the soybean crop is rated in good to excellent condition, up from 25 percent the previous week. Looking at corn…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Winter wheat conditions improved as well, with 77 percent now in good to excellent condition. 82 percent of the crop has been harvested. Average statewide topsoil moisture increased significantly to 19 percent very short, 13 percent short, 62 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help in solving a credit card theft that happened two weeks ago. Officials said that on June 21, someone stole a wallet containing credit cards from a purse at Champaign’s Meijer. Within minutes, the credit cards were used at the nearby Sam’s Club to buy a large amount of gift cards. Two people believed to be responsible for the purchases were recorded on Sam’s security cameras. One suspect appeared to be a White male wearing a black t-shirt reading “Jordan,” light-colored jeans and a black baseball cap. He was also carrying a black backpack. The second suspect appeared to be a White female with long, dark hair and wearing glasses and a white pinstripe long sleeve shirt.
(Washington-jm) – Most holiday grillers are seeing supermarket prices that are lower than last year for one popular meat product. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – In an effort to modernize collection of turkey sighting reports, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has switched from paper postcards to a web-based survey, making the process simpler for the volunteer citizen scientists who submit turkey sighting information to wildlife biologists. Officials said the data collected from turkey brood surveys is the department’s best way to estimate reproductive success each year for Illinois’ wild turkey population. The survey period runs June 1 through August 31.
(Springfield-jm) – June weather was slightly cooler and definitely drier than normal in Illinois. The preliminary statewide average temperatures last month was 71 degrees. That’s about a degree below normal. State Climatologist Trent Ford says usually when the weather is so dry, temps are pretty hot…
State Climatologist Trent Ford. June precipitation totals are still being calculated because of last week’s storms that swept across the central portion of the state. The National Weather Service has so far confirmed five tornadoes on June 29th. Even with that much needed rain, Ford says overall, last month will likely be one of the top 10 driest June’s on record in Illinois and many areas are still facing significant drought conditions.
(Savoy-jm) – The Village of Savoy is getting millions of dollars to fix roads and limit traffic. The village is getting more than $22 million in grant money to jumpstart a project that’s been in the works for decades. The $40 million plan will widen Curtis Road from Prospect Avenue to First Street. It will also add an underpass to carry traffic below the railroad tracks running parallel to Dunlap Avenue. The project is currently in phase two of engineering. Roadwork will begin in 2026 and the project is expected to finish in 2028.
(Paxton–jc) The annual Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Car Show starts at 9 this morning with registration. Paxton 4th of July Celebration Spokesperson Alan Meyer says the show grows every year…
Paxton Old Fashioned 4th of July event Spokesperson Alan Meyer.
(St. Joseph-jm) – St. Joseph residents will have a new garbage hauler. Appl Sanitary announced they have merged with Republics starting later this month. Republics will take over the routes Appl Sanitary handles and will keep Appl’s rates.
(Springfield-jm) – The condition of the Illinois corn and soybean crop improved this past week. Parts of the state finally saw some rain this past week, raising average statewide topsoil moisture to 19 percent very short, 13 percent short, 62 percent adequate and six percent surplus. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says five percent of corn is now silking, compared to 13 percent normally. 36 percent of the corn crop is rated in good to excellent condition, up 10 points. He turns to soybeans…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 82 percent of the winter wheat crop has been harvested and the second cutting of alfalfa is now halfway done.
(Champaign-jm) – No one is hurt after an armed individual fired several shots during a robbery attempt at a Champaign business Monday morning. Champaign Police officials said the robbery happened just after 11 a.m. in the area of East University Avenue and 3rd Street. The incident occurred at a Speed Lube auto shop with the back of the shop cordoned off. There were six shell casings near the back garage doors of the shop. Officials said several cars and a building were damaged, but no one was hurt. The investigation is ongoing and so far, no one has been arrested.
(Washington-jm) – Beef for the grill is costing more than last summer. Gary Crawford reports…
WPXN 4th of July News Notes…
Paxton will hold their Old Fashioned 4th of July at Pells Park with a 5k at 8 am, car show 9-3, community worship service at 9:45, antique tractor show starts at 11, bingo 11-1, kids games at 11:30, kids zone with bounce houses 11:30-3, Back Paiges performs 12-2, penny scavenger hunt 1-2 and a lighted golf cart parade at 9pm.
Sibley will hold their 4th of July celebration beginning with a fishing derby at 8:30 am, parade at 11:30 followed by face painting, inflatables, live music and fireworks at 9.
The Champaign County Freedom Celebration will take place today with a youth run at 8:30 am, 5k run/walk at 9:05, parade at 11:05, evening entertainment at 7 and fireworks at 9.
Buckley will hold their 4th of July parade at 10 am.
Rantoul’s 4th of July parade will take place at 9:30 am.
The Village of Ludlow holds its 4th of July celebration from 3pm to 9pm today
