(Iroquois County-jm) – Iroquois County Sheriff’s police are investigating a shooting that took place over the weekend near Sheldon. According to the Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received multiple calls of shots being fired at a large gathering on a property in rural Sheldon early Sunday morning. On scene they learned the offenders had left the scene and no injuries were reported. Yesterday deputies and U-S Marshals arrested a 17 year old from Watseka and 19 year old Zakkaree Stano also of Watseka on charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm. Both remain in custody.
(Springfield-jm) – Despite an objection motion from the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules being approved, permanent rules for Illinois’ gun ban and registry filed by Illinois State Police are now in place. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules met Tuesday in Springfield at the start of the spring 2024 legislative session. Among the rules they reviewed were rules about the state’s year-old gun ban and registry. Illinois State Police filed emergency rules for the registry on Sept. 15. The registry opened based on those rules on Oct. 1. The deadline for those with banned firearms owned before the Jan. 10, 2023, enactment date of the Protect Illinois Communities Act to register the now banned guns was Jan. 1, 2024.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the creation of the Pretrial Release Appeals Task Force. As a result of the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act in September 2023, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of appeals from pretrial release decisions by the circuit courts. The task force will convene to review pretrial release appeals and their impact on the caseloads in each of the five districts of the Illinois Appellate Courts.
(Springfield-jm) – State Representative Brandun Schweizer of Danville, a retired U.S.M.C. Master Sergeant and current City of Danville Code Enforcement Inspector, spent his first day Tuesday at the Illinois State Capitol as the State Representative of the 104th District. Schweizer was introduced to House members by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie. Schweizer took the opportunity to briefly address his new colleagues…
104th District State Representative Brandun Schweizer of Danville. Schweizer replaced former Representative Mike Marron who stepped down last year to become president of Vermilion Advantage.
(Iroquois County-jm) – The new year will bring Iroquois County's effort to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan. An updated version of the plan seeks to reduce damage caused by severe weather, including thunderstorms, floods, snow and ice storms, tornados and other events. The first of a series of planning meetings is scheduled for Thursday, January 18. The 6:30 pm meeting is at the MABAS 37 Building, 103 1/2 Main Street, Crescent City. The meeting is open to the public. All County, Township and Municipal officials are encouraged to attend and provide input. Other necessary stakeholders include schools, fire protection districts, healthcare services and technical partners. Input gathered during working sessions will be used to update the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The series of committee meetings welcomes residents to ask questions.
(Wilmington-jm) – The frigid temperatures in Illinois are causing flooding concerns. Chunks of ice have built up along the Kankakee River near Wilmington, causing the water to rise in some areas. A flood warning was issued for the area for the remainder of the week. Flood waters have surrounded homes as river waters continue to flow beneath the ice. Temperatures are not expected to get back to normal until next week.
(Washington-jm) – How does the USDA latest numbers on U.S. soybean production translate into supply and demand estimates for this month? Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – On Tuesday, Attorney General Kwame Raoul submitted a letter urging the Biden administration to complete its review and swiftly implement proposed regulations prohibiting the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.
Raoul and the 21 other attorneys general argue that the proposed FDA Rules, which are supported by ample evidence, are years overdue.
(Springfield-jm) – A group of state legislators is joining forces with the Illinois Manufacturers' Association to address issues plaguing one of the state's largest industries. Lawmakers from both parties will form the first-ever Illinois Manufacturing Caucus, including state Rep. Amy Elik, R-Alton, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, and state Sen. Patrick Joyce, D-Essex. The group seeks to highlight the role manufacturing plays in the state's economy, according to Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association.
(Springfield-jm) – Legal challenges to the state’s gun ban continue in the courts. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City shares the latest…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Urbana-jm) – The East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council is partnering with Urbana leaders to provide application help to those interested in a career with area unions. A hiring expo is set for 3 p.m. Sunday at UA Local 149, 1003 N. Dunlap Ave. in Savoy. Twenty local labor unions will be represented, some with immediate opportunities for experienced workers and others currently accepting applications for apprentice classes.
(Vermilion County-jm) – The construction on I-74 in Vermilion County is expected to start back up in late March. The Illinois Department of Transportation said they’re waiting until the weather gets warmer to finish things up. They will be patching the streets and placing asphalt when the temperature changes.
(Washington-jm) – The news of Brazilian production and how it impacted the global supply and demand balance sheet were among the news of note in USDA’s soybean estimates. Rod Bain reports…
WPXN News Notes…
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank’s Foodmobile will be in the following communities on Thursday: Abbe Insurance Buckley from 9-9:30, Durham Park in Onarga from 10-10:30, Crescent City Community Center from 11-11:30, RP Home and Harvest in Watseka from 12:30-1 and Milford Town and Country from 1:30-2.
The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper on Thursday from 4:30-6:30 pm. Cost is $11 for adults, kids 6-13 $6. Meal includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and drink. Deliveries are available in town by calling 217-202-6441.
