(Loda–jc)  Firefighters in Loda responded to a structure fire in the village. Authorities say the fire happened in the 100 block of South Poplar. No other details have been released on this incident. WPXN news will continue to update this story on later newscasts today. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois Auditor General report shows that the Illinois Department of Corrections has failed to keep other law enforcement agencies current on sex offenders in their towns. The compliance audit looks at the department for two years ending June 30, 2022. In total, there were 46 findings and 40 repeat findings. The findings include a failure to notify victims and local law enforcement after releasing sex offenders, including those who committed a predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault, certain offenses of aggravated child pornography or manufacture or dissemination of child pornography.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The license plate readers have been in operation for around a month in the city of Paxton. The readers are not for local traffic violations. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says they are used as a safety tool for local police…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Washington-jm) – The Senate Agriculture Committee has held a hearing on foreign purchases and ownership of U.S. farmland and other farm-related businesses. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – Five people were taken into custody over the last two weeks during the investigation into a gunfire exchange near Booker T. Washington Academy in Champaign, police announced. Four of the arrestees are between the ages of 15 and 18 and are believed to have taken part in the shooting. The fifth, an 11-year-old boy, is not believed to have taken part, but charges are pending after officers found guns and bullets in his bookbag. The investigation into the shooting revealed that near dismissal time at Booker T. Washington on September 14, a group of four people encountered a separate pair of people at Wright Street and Eads Street. The groups started shooting at each other and at least 10 shots were fired by four shooters, police said.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Those needing help paying their energy bills can start getting assistance soon. Starting October 2nd, seniors 60 and older, those with disabilities and those with kids under the age of 6 years old can apply. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City has the dates others can apply…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Danville-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that construction on the Interstate 74 bridges over Griffin Street and Stoney Creek in Danville begins October 4. The project involves replacing the I-74 bridge over Griffin Street and rehabilitation of wearing surfaces on the bridge over Stoney Creek and will reduce both bridges to one lane in each direction through December 2024.

 

(Rantouljc)  Rantoul village leaders continue to look to repairing and repaving streets in the community. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says it’s all part of a 5 year plan…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

 

(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Thrift Shop Semi-annual Bag Sale starts today through Saturday, September 30.  Closed Wednesday October 4 through October 7 and reopen on October 11 with Fall and Winter clothing and other items.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Hudson Drug and Hallmark Shop downtown Paxton. Owner Andy Hudson says he is the third generation owner of the business that started with his grandfather and dad…

 

 

  Owner Andy Hudson says  the pharmacy continues to expand to serve Paxton and a wide area in East Central Illinois…

 

 

Hudson Drug and Hallmark Shop of Paxton owner. Andy Hudson.

 You can hear more about the store with a full interview with Andy Hudson during our noon news today

 

(Springfield-jm) – House Speaker Chris Welch, has filed legislation that would, for the first time in Illinois, authorize legislative staff to form a union and engage in collective bargaining. House Bill 4148, creating the Legislative Employee Labor Relations Act, comes in response to a monthslong effort by Democratic staff in the speaker’s office to unionize and negotiate wages, hours and other working conditions. In Illinois, private-sector unions are governed by the National Labor Relations Board while public-sector unions are governed by the Illinois Labor Relations Board. But the law creating that board and outlining its powers specifically excludes employees of the General Assembly from the definition of “public employee.” Last year, however, the General Assembly passed, and Illinois voters approved, a Workers’ Rights Amendment to the state constitution that that declares employees “shall have the fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions, and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work.”

 

(Washington-jm) – Tracking foreign purchases of U.S. farmland is currently a very complex undertaking. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College trustees approved a multi-million dollar construction bid for the new AGCO Training Center at Parkland College. The board approved the bid to build the new AGCO Training Center at Parkland College at a cost of $5,433,500 from Petry-Kuhne Company of Champaign, Illinois. This is made possible by a $5 million donation by AGCO Corporation, a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of agriculture machinery and precision agriculture technology. This new training center will have three classrooms, faculty offices, and an 18,000 square feet of equipment laboratory space.

 

(Paxton–jc) Work on the Downtown speaker system project continues in the city of Paxton. The computers and programming have been set for the city hall block this month. Work on several other areas will continue in the fall and the system also comes with a security camera system that will help with safety and security, says Pride in Paxton’s Dawn Glad…

 

 

Pride in Paxton’s Dawn Glad

 

(Danville-jm) – The Vermilion County Health Department has appointed a new Public Health Administrator. Dr. Prince Danso Odei comes from the Florida Department of Health, where he was an administrator and Disease Prevention and Control manager. He will start in Vermilion County on November 1.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois harvest is running slightly behind compared to previous years. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 10% of the state’s corn crop had been harvested compared to the 5-year average of 13%. The condition of the corn crop has improved to 55% good. That is compared to 51% last week. The condition of soybeans also improved in the past seven days.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Main Street Group and local chamber continue to plan more events for local and area residents to enjoy. The Chamber has a Wine and Chocolate Walk set for October 7th and a new event,  Paxton’s Fall Gathering and Vendor Show is set for October 14th. Paxton Main Street Group Executive Director Donna Pepper says doing local events like these are popular for local residents…

 

 

Paxton Main Street Group Executive Director Donna Pepper.

Only 250 tickets will be sold for the Wine and Chocolate Walk. Around 150 have been sold so far. Tickets are available at Hudson Drug and Hallmark and at the Chamber office or on line.