(Paxton–jc)  Local emergency officials were called to Interstate 57 this morning. A semi truck going south along Interstate 57 near Paxton struck a I-Dot truck. Paxton Firefighters and E-M-S were called to the scene. The accident happened around 3am and  slowed traffic in the area. The accident scene has been cleared and traffic is moving again. No word of any injuries was given. 

 

(Undated-jm) – Just as parts of Illinois dig out from a winter storm this week, another is on the way. Blizzard conditions are expected in many parts of the state today. At its worst, beginning this morning, blizzard-like conditions with heavy snowfall and strong winds are possible. The heaviest amounts of snow are forecast to fall in the morning near and north of Interstate 80. A total of 8 to 12 inches of snow could fall in many parts of the state by Saturday morning. Bitter cold temperatures are expected in Illinois this weekend.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  Rantoul Village Leaders continue to look at ways to fund a major upgrade to the village's sewer and water upgrade on its west side. The village prepared to invest around 11 million dollars for the Prospect Pump station to help with economic growth on the west side of town near Interstate 57. Bids, though, came in higher. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the new total for the project is now 16 million dollars…

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has announced that adult use cannabis sales set a new annual record in 2023, exceeding $1.6 billion. Records were also set in sales to in-state residents and the number of items sold, with that total increasing more than 15% compared to 2022. The Illinois Department of Revenue reports sales taxes collected at Illinois adult use cannabis dispensaries totaled over $417 million in 2023. There are currently 177 adult-use cannabis dispensaries in Illinois.

 

(Washington-jm) – Wheat traders are looking forward to this week's USDA report on winter wheat plantings. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Undated-jm) – Illinois Farm Bureau and COUNTRY Financial are partnering to host four “Emergency Planning on Your Farm” seminars around the state in February to help farm families and businesses prepare for crisis situations and farm emergencies. Seminars will provide attendees with information and questions that are essential to being prepared if a farm emergency occurs. The seminars will take place Feb. 8-12 in Rock Island, Edwardsville, Effingham and virtually online.

 

(Paxton–dm)-- Even though the weather outside is bitterly cold, you need to keep your indoor plants at a constant temperature.  Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen has the tips...

 

 

Paxton Hardware and Rental Store owner Scott Allen  Scott has a Tips for Success Show on   Saturday Morning at 7:30.

 

(Washington–jc)  –The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin accepting applications for the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program  signup tomorrow. USDA’s Farm Service Agency  encourages agricultural producers and landowners interested in conservation opportunities for their land in exchange for yearly rental payments to consider the enrollment options available through the various programs, offered by FSA partners. Additionally, producers participating in CRP can apply to re-enroll beginning on Friday if their contracts will expire this year.    

To submit an offer, producers should contact the FSA at their local office by the end of July in order to have an offer effective by October of this yeart. 30, 2024, can offer acres for re-enrollment beginning Jan.12, 2024. A producer can both enroll new acres into Continuous CRP and re-enroll any acres expiring Sept.30, 2024.  

 

(Hoopeston–jc)  –  The Hoopeston Area High School F F A Alumni are hosting their annual Scholarship Auction on Saturday January 27th at the Hoopeston American Legion. Hoopeston Area High School F F A Chapter Reporter Nolan Lee says a wide variety of items will be part of the silent and live auction at the event…

Hoopeston Area High School F F A Chapter Reporter Nolan Lee

The 20-24 Hoopeston Area F F A Alumni Scholarship Auction Saturday January 27th starting at 4pm at the Hoopeston American Legion.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J.B. Pritzker says Illinois will work on the state’s gun ban registry in the weeks ahead as the law continues to face legal challenges. While 1.22% of Illinois’ Firearm Owners ID card holders have registered now banned items with Illinois State Police by the Jan. 1 deadline, Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois board member Dan Eldridge estimates the gun ban registry compliance rate could be between 4% and 8% when considering other statistics of gun ownership rates.

 

(Urbana–jc)  Making sure that voting remains secure with voting option expansion is  a topic for the upcoming Illinois Primary and General election this fall. Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons spoke at a state legislative hearing this week and praised some of the ways Illinoisans can vote…

Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons

One measure expected to come before the Illinois General Assembly next week is House bill 41-98 which would allow actual ballots be sent to qualified voters rather than just a notice to receive a ballot by mail. The Illinois House reconvenes on Tuesday in Springfield. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is asking Illinoisans to make a New Year's resolution: Don't come to the DMV. In 2023, more than 560,000 individuals visited a DMV facility when they didn't need to. Now, they are encouraging Illinoisans to use online services rather than visit the facilities in person. Several features will now be available online, including license and ID renewals, appointment portals and text message notifications, and a new phone helpline for senior drivers. They will also be expanding DMV facilities for seniors and behind-the-wheel tests.

 

(Washington-jm) – U.S. agricultural exports are still trailing exports of a year ago. Gary Crawford reports…

 

(Undated-jm) – American Red Cross Illinois says blood donations are desperately needed as the country faces its most severe blood supply shortage in 20 years. Officials report the number of blood donors has fallen by 40% over the past couple of decades. They add that blood donations in recent weeks have been given to hospitals faster than they are coming in. Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, Red Cross officials said there was a nearly 7,000-unit shortfall when it came to blood donations.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The deadline for a pair of grants through the state is fast approaching. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City. Visit d-c-e-o- dot- illinois dot- gov for more information or to sign up.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The subject of “districts” with I-H-S-A football is expected to continue as the issue is brought to schools. Competition among schools with the football playoffs, school expenses to the future of conference football are among the ideas from schools. In the second of a  three day series, WPXN news will continue to look at “District Football.” Paxton Buckley Loda Athletic Director Brock Niebuhr says several conferences continue to push the idea and the issue needs to be refined with a look at potential district models…

 

 

Paxton Buckley Loda High School Athletic Director Brock Niebuhr

The three part series continues on Monday morning.

 

(The Center Square) – As communities across the state continue to evaluate how to deal with the prospect of buses dropping off migrants from the southern border, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritkzer says the state is limited in what it can do. Governor J B Pritzker says the state has a strategy to oppose buses and planes from Texas…

 

 

Illinois Governor J B Pritzker. A patchwork of ordinances across the state either regulate buses and hotel stays to deter migrant arrivals, or declare non-sanctuary status.

 

(Washington-jm) – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth Thursday announced $14,962,506 has been awarded to Illinois through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program (CFI Program) to install community charging sites to fill gaps in access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure across 273 locations.

 

WPXN News Notes…

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank’s Foodmobile will be in Rantoul this morning from 9-10 am at the Fountain Valley mobile home park basketball courts.

 

The Illinois Elks Association is offering several college scholarships for those high school seniors going into the Physical and Occupational Therapy fields in college. Applications are available on line at Illinois-Elks-c-c-c-c-dot-org

Deadline to apply is March First