(Rantoul-jm) – Scott Eisenhauer is back as Village Administrator in Rantoul amid domestic battery accusations. Eisenhauer was arrested and charged with domestic battery in June after he was accused of battering his wife. He tendered his resignation, but the village did not accept it. The village worked out a probationary agreement with Eisenhauer. As part of the agreement Eisenhauer must stay in counseling and if he is found guilty, he’ll be fired immediately.
(Springfield-jm) – As temperatures soar this week, the Illinois Department of Public Health is offering information about heat-related illnesses. The two most dangerous conditions are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. State Public Health Chief Medical Officer Dr Arti Barnes explains what to do if someone is suffering from heat exhaustion, and exhibiting symptoms like dizziness, headaches, nausea, shallow breathing and cool, clammy skin…
State Public Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Arti Barnes. Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke if left untreated. That’s when a person’s temperature reaches 104 degrees or higher, their skin is very hot and they may have confusion and a rapid pulse. In that case, Barnes says you should call 9-1-1.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security overpaid benefits by more than $5 billion between 2020 and 2022. According to the Illinois Auditor General, the massive number includes cases of fraud and identity theft, as well as mistaken payments. The auditor’s report found the state took steps that weakened fraud controls because of a surge in claims during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker has signed a law cracking down on crisis pregnancy centers that use misinformation and deception to steer women away from getting an abortion. These centers are often tied to pro-life or religious groups and have been known to give women inaccurate details about their options and risks of the procedure. It’s become a barrier to women seeking an abortion says Attorney General Kwame Raoul…
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. The new law subjects these centers to state consumer fraud laws, letting Raoul’s office investigate and prosecute if warranted.
(Urbana-jm) – The Champaign County Fair announced that the fair will not be opening until 4 p.m. today due to high temperatures. The vendors and exhibit hall will remain closed until 4 p.m. as well. The ticket window will open at 10 a.m. for anyone that would like to purchase event tickets, and the Brothers Osborne are still set to perform.
(Gifford–jc) A Dollar General Store is coming to one local community in Champaign County. A new store is being built in Gifford. Gifford Village President Adam Pannbacker says the store will be one of convenience for area citizens…
Gifford Village President Adam Pannbacker.
(Rantoul-jm) – A man from Rantoul has been identified as the driver of a stolen car that was involved in a deadly crash south of Rankin one month ago. Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden said the man was forensically identified as Moises Concepcion-Roman, 43 of Rantoul. She said that an autopsy was completed, and results are pending. Authorities said Concepcion-Roman stole a car from Rantoul on June 27 and led police on a chase through east Vermilion County. Still driving at high speed, he ran through a stop sign at the intersection of Illinois Route 49 at County Road 3550 North. The stolen car slammed into the side of an SUV that was driving through the intersection. Concepcion-Roman was killed in the crash, as well as the teenage couple inside the SUV: Joseph Stallone and Keegynn Martinek. The two were on their way home to Paxton after spending the day in Indianapolis.
(Loda–jc) The Loda Good Ole Days and Loda Truck and Tractor Pull Association are ready for a two day event in the village this weekend. The truck and tractor pull starts at noon on Sunday on the west side of the village. Registration starts at 8am and runs through 11-30. Event Spokesperson Darlene Starkey says a village parade, weed wackers, fireworks and music hilite the day on Saturday…
Loda Good Ole Days and Loda Truck and Tractor Pull Association Spokesperson Darlene Starkey. WPXN will be broadcasting live on Sunday morning with Jason Madden from the tractor pull starting at 11am. It’s part of our Summer Tour 20-23.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is reaffirming the state’s commitment to ending homelessness by signing a new law. An inter-agency task force united in fighting the problem, as well as increased funding and new programs are now a part of Illinois law. Governor Pritzker says everyone deserves access to safe shelter and the dignity that comes with housing…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Also new, is the state’s “Home Illinois” plan which expands affordable housing options, targets people at high risk of becoming homeless and provides support services.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois continues to be one of the worst states for vehicle theft, but authorities say they are fighting back. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Illinois ranks fifth in the country for the highest vehicle theft rate. Last year, 38,649 vehicles were reported stolen in the Land of Lincoln. Police say about half of these vehicle thefts occur due to driver error, which includes forgetting to lock doors and leaving keys in the ignition or on seats. If a vehicle is stolen, the odds of getting it back in one piece are slim. According to the most recent National Insurance Crime Bureau analysis, the average recovery rate for motor vehicles reported stolen within the first 24 hours is 34%.
(Springfield-jm) – Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is launching a new “skip-the-line” program at some of the busiest DMV’s in Illinois The change begins on September 1st, with appointments to get the real ID’s, regular driver’s license or ID card required at 44 DMV’s. That includes all Chicago and suburban locations, as well as some central and downstate facilities says Secretary Giannoulias…
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Additionally, all DMV’s statewide will be open longer and 16 facilities will be open six days a week. You can make an appointment and take care of things like renewing your license plate sticker online at: il sos dot gov.
(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci is urging agencies across Champaign and Vermilion Counties to apply for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants.The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be accepting applications for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, grants through August 31. The program offers state-financed funding assistance to local governmental agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and outdoor recreation areas. A total of $56 million is available for this round of OSLAD grants. In addition, IDNR will once again provide funding to cover 100% of eligible projects located in economically distressed communities.
(Undated-jm) – Medical officials are warning of the dangers of heat stroke with the pending high heat expected this week. With temperatures reaching the mid to upper 90s and heat index values over 100, many doctors including OSF’s Dr. Brian Curtis warn heat strokes can cause long lasting health problems…
OSF Dr. Brian Curtis.
(Mahomet-jm) – The Illinois Attorney General’s Office is taking a Mahomet contractor to court over accusations he committed fraud while installing pools and patios. Attorney General Kwame Raoul said his office has received several consumer complaints about John Litchfield Concrete. Raoul’s lawsuit claimed that Litchfield failed to buy supplies with the down payments as agreed to, failed to start or finish work or completed faulty work. The lawsuit also claimed that Litchfield then refused to issue refunds.
(Urbana–jc) The Brothers Osborne with Matt Stell will perform at the 20-23 Champaign County Fair tonight. Due to the heat, gates will not open until 4pm with the concert starting at 7-30 in the evening. Champaign County Fair Spokesperson Bill Alagna says tickets for the show continue to be available on line or you can walk up at the fair office to purchase you concert tickets…
Champaign County Fair Spokesperson Bill Alagna. The 20-23 Champaign County Fair runs through Saturday night at the grounds on North Coler Avenue in Urbana.
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The 2023 Champaign County Fair runs through Saturday at the fairgrounds in Urbana. Tonight, its country music stars the Brothers Osborne with Matt Stell at 7:30. Saturday, its first responder day with the ITPA tractor pull at noon, touch a truck from 1-4 and the IPA tractor and semi pull at 6.
The 16th annual TopGun Largecar shootout will take place tonight through Sunday at the Rantoul National Aviation Center. The parade of lights will take place Friday night. Saturday night is the Jake Brake competition and Sunday morning is the awards ceremony.
The National Wild Turkey Federation’s Ford County Turkey and Conservation Hunting Heritage Banquet will take place tonight at the Kruse Center in Gibson City. Doors open at 5:30pm. Tickets are $65 for couples and $50 for singles. For more information or to get your tickets, call Gary Reiners at 217-249-0514.
Rantoul will hold their Freedom Fridays tonight with Aces n Rhythms performing in downtown Rantoul. Other activities include bags tournament, free yard games, joyful bubbles, obstacle inflatables and more.
Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting the Class of 2027 on Saturday from 10-2.
The Rantoul Family Sports Complex will hold a touch a truck on Saturday from 10-1.
The 2023 Loda Good Ole Days Truck and Tractor Pull will take place Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday its a parade at 10, weedwacker puller association pulls at noon, bags tournament at 1, fireworks at dusk and live music by country music artist Mark Wills after the fireworks. Sunday the truck and tractor pulls begin at noon.
