(Springfield-jm) – While the Illinois Supreme Court last week denied the ability for individuals to get public records about their Firearm Owners ID card revocation or denial, a board is set up to field appeals of such actions. During a recent Senate hearing, FOID Card Review Board member Erin Alexander said the board fields appeals from those with revoked or denied cards. Among the information they review comes from law enforcement reports. ISP recently said it has denied or revoked more than 4,000 FOID cards based on clear and present danger reports. There are more than 2.4 million FOID card holders in Illinois. Illinois State Police statistics show in November, nearly 1,000 were revoked. Of 14,300 applications, 1,300 were denied. To date, the board heard a total of 256 petitions, and continued 81. One-hundred and sixty-three petitioners have been granted relief and 12 have been denied,
(Washington-jm) – One expert says USDA's new 2023 farm income forecast raises some concerns for 2024 Gary Crawford reports…
(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Police Department has arrested a man from Woodland for sex crimes against children. The CHAOS Task Force, which the Paxton Police Department is a member of, announced that 39-year-old Kyle J. Condon was arrested on Saturday as part of an active investigation. Officials said Condon was communicating with a minor aged 15 or younger and arranged to meet with the child in Paxton. After traveling to the town on Saturday, he was arrested by Paxton Police. Condon was charged with indecent solicitation of a child, solicitation to meet a child and traveling to meet a child.
(Mahomet-jm) – The Sangamon County Coroner, Jim Allmon, has identified the man who died after being taken from the scene of a motor vehicle collision near North Dirksen Parkway and Sangamon Avenue in Springfield Friday night. Allmon says Chad Dial, 41, of Mahomet died at 9:17 p.m. shortly after arriving at HSHS St. John’s Hospital’s emergency room. An autopsy done on Monday suggests Dial died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the collision.
(Peoria–jc) –It’s finished and now is dedicated. Illinois Governor J B Pritzker was in Peoria Monday to dedicate the Bob Michaels bridge that connects East Peoria and Peoria over the Illinois river. Governor Pritzker says over 17 thousand people use the bridge and improvements were needed…
Illinois Governor J B Pritzker.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is looking for three women after officials said they stole from the city’s Meijer in two separate acts of theft. The thefts happened the night of November 25 between 6:45 and 7:30 p.m. Officials said that in the first theft, two women stuffed clothes into a backpack and then left the store. In the second theft, a third woman put clothes into a large bag, then tried on a coat and walked out wearing it. None of the women tried to pay for the clothes they took, which were valued at $800. All three women were recorded on camera as they walked out of Meijer. The suspects in the first theft are also said to have driven away in a silver car.
(Paxton–jc) – It’s the perspective on adding positives to the city. Paxton Main Street Executive Director Donna Pepper says new business in Paxton, streetscape, and investments continue to help Paxton grow…
Paxton Main Street Executive Director Donna Pepper.
(Springfield-jm) – Hospital systems in Illinois and around the country continue to be attacked by cyber criminals. According to the Institute for Security and Technology, about 300 hospitals have suffered ransomware attacks this year alone. Cyber experts say hackers typically see health care organizations as a prime target because hospitals are likely to pay ransom to keep critical health services up and running. The latest incident involved Ardent Health Services, which said the Thanksgiving day attack affected 30 hospitals and more than 200 health care sites across six states.
(Champaign-jm) – The University of Illinois will close down part of Kirby Avenue to remove a damaged streetlight today. The closure will occur between the hours of 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. During the closure, westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane on Kirby Avenue between First Street and Fourth Street.
(Paxton–jc)-- In our morning news Fantastic Local Finds for Christmas..We found…It’s the Bomb. The treats are made by local business owner Lori Knuth.
Knauth says she provides the treat and all you need is milk…
It's The Bomb Homemade Treats Owner Lori Knuth
WPXN news will feature gift shopping ideas and Fantastic Finds from the local area each weekday morning on the news this holiday season.
(Springfield-jm) – Two federal grants have been awarded to support the initiation and expansion of Full-Service Community Schools in Illinois. The United States Department of Education announced that the Afterschool for Children and Teens Now Coalition or ACT Now, an organization that supports after-school programs and community schools statewide, was awarded a five-year grant with an annual award for each grant of up to $9.4 million. This will total $94,204,000 for Illinois schools over five years. Full-service Community Schools are partnerships between schools and surrounding community resources, with a focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and family and community engagement.
(Washington-jm) – What kind of price can we expect to pay for this year's real Christmas tree? Gary Crawford reports…
(Urbana-jm) – A new pain and spine center is coming to Urbana. OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center is opening it on December 20. It’s attached to the hospital right off West Church Street and North Wright Street. Some of the services available will provide an alternative to surgery, like steroid injections and radiofrequency ablation. The center will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To make an appointment, call 217-337-3045.
(Urbana-jm) – Part of Race Street in Urbana will be closed off to traffic starting Wednesday morning, city officials announced. The northbound lane of the street between Elm and Main Streets will close at 7 a.m. Ameren crews are going to be replacing an electrical manhole, officials said, requiring the northbound lane to be closed for the remainder of Wednesday and most of Thursday. Northbound Race between Elm and Main will reopen at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
(Paxton–jc) When looking at Spring of 20-24, the city of Paxton has a playground equipment project. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the new equipment has been ordered and a plan is in place for the project at Pells Park…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Penfield-jm) – The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is aiming to make stargazing easier with the inclusion of a new trail at one of its forest preserve. Middle Fork River Forest Preserve was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2018, based on the exceptionally starry nights visible from the preserve and its nocturnal environment. Now, the district is planning a special trail to allow for better stargazing. The Forest Preserve District said the project will create an accessible trail that can be enjoyed day or night and all year long, allowing for greater access to the habitat restorations at Middle Fork River Forest Preserve. In addition, the trail will serve as the home for dark sky education and programming. The Forest Preserve District received a grant from the Illinois Department of Recreation to cover half of the project’s $800,000 cost. They are asking for donations from the public to help cover the other half.
(Gibson City–jc) Gibson Area Hospitals’ Auxiliary fundraising group is in their December “Love Lights a Tree” campaign. Gibson Area Hospital Auxiliary Co-Vice Chair Connie Reum (reem) says the efforts raised 23 thousand last year and they hope to break that mark this month…
Gibson Area Hospital Auxiliary Co-Vice Chair Connie Reum. Anyone wishing to help light a tree on the second floor of the new medical building at Gibson Area Hospital can go on line to donate or call the hospital to find out more.
(Illinois–jc) –A German renewable energy company plans to file applications to construct a multi-county wind farm in Central Illinois. The company would build about 60 wind turbines in Sangamon and Montgomery counties over the next several years. The total project would eventually create 350 megawatts of electricity. That amount is equivalent to about half of Springfield's power needs.
(Danville-jm) – Danville’s VA Illiana Health Care is hosting a town hall and resource fair for women Veterans on December 9 in Urbana. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University of Illinois’ Chez Veterans Center. The event will allow women Veterans to enroll for VA health care benefits, learn about women-specific VA services, and get vaccinated for the flu or receive a COVID-19 booster. Nutrition, massage therapy, and women’s health programs will be available. The event will also offer snacks, a raffle and children’s activities.
