(Undated-jm) – If you are watching television or listening to the radio at 1:18 PM today; you will notice a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. This test will include a test of the Wireless Emergency Alerts, and will be conducted in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission. The test will be sent to the entire United States and its territories.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois House Republicans, led by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie discussed problems brought forth last week by two Illinois Auditor General reports dealing with state agencies. Leader McCombie says she’s tired of hearing excuses and now is the time to address the issues…
House Republican Leader Tony McCombie.
(Champaign-jm) – A Chebanse man will spend the next 4 years in prison after he was busted in Champaign with meth. Aaron Smith received the sentence after pleading guilty to possession after police found 27 grams of meth in this vehicle back in December 2022.
(Paxton-jm) – The first mapping meeting for the city of Paxton was held last night. The program is through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. Mapping Program Director Gisela Hamm talks about last night’s session…
Mapping Program Director Gisela Hamm. The next mapping session will be Thursday, October 12th from 5:30-8:30 in the PBL Junior High Commons area. Additional upcoming sessions besides October 12th are October 17th, October 24th and November 2nd. All sessions will be from 5:30-8:30 in the PBL Junior High Commons. The community is invited to attend and share feedback.
(Ford County-jm) – The Ford County Sheriff’s Office has released their September activity report. During the month, deputies responded to 4 traffic accidents and issued 22 citations for speeding, 3 for no driver's license, 2 each for driving with a suspended registration, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving with a revoked license and 1 each for driving with a revoked license, driving on restricted time on a graduated drivers license, improper lane usage, no turn signal, no headlights when required and illegal parking. In addition, deputies responded to 10 civil complaints, 9 suspicious person reports, 6 domestic issues, 4 animal complaints, 3 each of harassment and suspicious vehicles, 2 each of theft and fraud and 1 each of abuse, custody dispute, civil dispute, fight in progress and trespassing.
(Paxton–jc) A pumpkin patch is coming to Paxton. The Paxton Main Street Group will host the “patch” area in Veteran’s Square just south of the Paxton Post Office in downtown Paxton. Paxton Main Street Group Executive Director Donna Pepper says the patch opens on Fall Festival Day on October 14th…
Paxton Main Street Group Executive Director Donna Pepper
(Milford-jm) – Milford High School has been ranked No. 6,764 in the nation among the 2023-2024 Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings evaluate more than 17,600 schools at the national, state, and local level. The school was also ranked No. 211 in Illinois.
(Gibson City–jc) Today’sWPXN Business of the Day is Ropps Flower Factory of Gibson City, Paxton and Mahomet. Owner Roger Cramer says they have all colors and various sizes of mums available…
Owner Roger Cramer says they are running a 10 inch mum sale, now…
Ropps Flower Factory Owner Roger Cramer. The Gibson City, Paxton and Mahomet locations are open 7 days a week for the fall season.
Ropps also offers a full line of fall plants like Pansies and more.
(Champaign jc)-- The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire at Memorial Stadium in the city just before 8 last night Fire crews worked to extinguish this fire that originated in a maintenance area of the stadium under the Horseshoe.
Once on the scene, fire crews reported heavy smoke coming from the south end of the structure and upgraded the incident to a second alarm working fire. Firefighters deployed multiple hose lines and located the fire in the maintenance area, where groundskeeping equipment is stored. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire. The cause of this fire has not been determined as investigators remain on the scene conducting their investigation. There was one firefighter treated on scene and transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.
(Springfield-jm) – Congressional members met in Chicago to discuss the rise in crime. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the discussion…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Urbana-jm) – Carle Health announced its upcoming Health and Wellness Expo, an annual event dedicated to the well-being of seniors in Champaign County and surrounding communities. Scheduled for Saturday, October 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the event will occur at the Carle at the Fields in Champaign. The Carle Health Wellness and Medicare Expo is tailor-made to empower individuals aged 64 and older, whether already enrolled in Medicare or will be soon.
(Paxton-jm) – The first Mapping the Future of Paxton was held last night at the PBL Junior High Commons. City leaders, business owners and community members gathered to begin the mapping discussion process. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis talks about the chamber's role in the mapping process…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis. The next mapping session is next Thursday, October 12th with additional sessions on October 17th, 24th and November 2nd. All sessions are from 5:30-8:30 in the PBL Junior High Commons and are open to the public to provide input.
(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City police have released their recent activity report. On September 18th, Anthony Freehill of Rantoul was arrested for making a bomb threat. On September 24th Weston Young of Gibson City was arrested for theft and resisting a peace officer. On September 25th, John Adams of Gibson City was arrested for domestic battery and an in-state warrant.
(Rantoul–jc) Rantoul leaders continue to look at possibilities for new areas to build homes in and near the village limits. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says one area could be near Murray Road and Grove Streets in town…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith
(Danville-jm) – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker will visit Danville Area Community College this morning, to pay tribute to the late State Senator Scott Bennett during the Memorial Tree Dedication ceremony at 11:00 am. The ceremony will take place on the lawn south of Prairie Hall. Additional speakers include former colleagues and members of the Senator’s family. The public is welcome.
