(Springfield-jm) – The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal reminds Illinoisans to test, inspect, and replace broken or expired smoke alarms in their homes with new 10-year sealed battery alarms while they change the clocks this weekend. The National Fire Protection Association reports between 2014-2018, almost three out of every five home fire deaths in the U.S. resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or non-working smoke alarms. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. this Sunday.
(Champaign County–jc) Some 9-1-1 services were unavailable on Thursday night in Champaign and Ford Counties, among other areas close to those two counties. The Champaign County Metcad put out alarms on smartphones and facebook about the interruption in services. The 9-1-1 services were restored late last night. Local authorities are expected to address the reason for the interruption.
(Springfield-jm) – With the two-year anniversary of former Speaker Mike Madigan’s indictment coinciding with national ethics awareness month, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie is using the opportunity to advance ethics reform in the Illinois House this spring. Leader McCombie has continued to advocate for reform as federal indictments have rocked the state, and the majority party has refused to step up to tighten existing loopholes in current law or strengthen existing statutes. To address some of those shortcomings and restore faith in government, McCombie has filed a measure, HB4119, to prohibit elected officials from using political campaign donations to pay for criminal defense…
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced that the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.7% in January. The national unemployment rate was 3.7% in January, also unchanged from the previous month.
The number of unemployed workers was 305,500, up over 7% over the same month one year ago. In January, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains in Illinois included government and educational and health services.
(Watseka-dm)--The Primary Election in Illinois is just over one week away and most voters in Iroquois County will be casting votes for their favorite candidates. But voters in Northeast Iroquois County will have a school referendum to vote on.
Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver explains.
Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver. The Primary Election will be March 19th.
(Danville-jm) – Bresee Tower in Danville has received approval from the courts to be demolished. The tower has been unused and deemed as a safety hazard for years. Though, there is no set date for the demolition yet as the City of Danville and Vermillion County still need to work out an agreement.
(Gibson City–jc) – A ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Runnings Farm and Home store in Gibson City took place at 1 yesterday afternoon. The store's grand opening celebration started yesterday morning and runs through Saturday. Runnings Store Manager Jim Peters says the response to the new store from the community has been great and the Runnings store has a wide variety for the farm and home…
Runnings Farm and Home Store-Gibson City Manager Jim Peters. Giveaways and free gift cards to the first 100 customers will be available at the Gibson City, Watseka and Tilton stores, again, today and Saturday.
(Champaign-jm) – In order to hoist material onto the roof of 507 E. Green Street, Custom Service Crane will close Green Street between Fifth Street and Sixth Street. Eastbound and westbound Green Street traffic will be detoured in the area. The closure will occur between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
(Washington-jm) – The USDA is conducting farmer surveys for two major reports that will be released later this month. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois state commission has issued a report calculating that public universities in the state are underfunded by about $1.4 billion. The Commission on Equitable Public University Funding is comprised of 34 members, including legislators and university administrators. It found that dedicating an additional $100 million annually to schools would allow the state to bridge the funding gap in a decade.
(Springfield-jm) – Tax time is here and so is the increased risk of tax scams. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City shares some ways to protect yourself…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Springfield-jm) – State Senator Mattie Hunter is leading a measure to limit the out-of-pocket costs for prescription inhalers. Senate Bill 3203 limits the cost an individual with health insurance pays for an inhaler to $25 for a 30-day supply.
Under Hunter’s proposal, health insurance providers would be prohibited from denying or limiting coverage for prescription inhalers beginning Jan. 1, 2026. According to Illinois Department of Public Health data from 2018, more than 850,000 adults and 160,000 children in the state are diagnosed with asthma.
(Ford County—dm) Ford County residents will have a question on this year’s ballot, asking if the school districts in the county can levy a 1% sales tax on certain items. Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Travis Duley explains what will and will not see the 1% increase.
Paxton Buckley Loda school superintendent Travis Duley. The election is Tuesday, March 19th
(Champaign-jm) – One person was hurt Thursday morning in a two vehicle crash on I-72 in Champaign. Officials with the Illinois State Police said the crash happened near Country Fair Drive around 11:11 a.m. The driver of one vehicle was taken to an area hospital with injuries.
(Paxton—) Spring is just around the corner and that means it’s time to think about your garden. Scott Allen from Paxton Hardware and Rental tells us how you can start your garden inside.
Scott Allen from Paxton Hardware and Rental. You can hear more from Scott Saturday morning at 7:30 A.M. on Scott’s tips for success.
(Champaign-jm) – Nursing and engineering researchers at the University of Illinois and the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered how to use ultrasounds to predict premature births in pregnant women. The Centers for Disease Control says more than 10% of pregnancies in the U.S. resulted in premature births in 2022. Currently, there is no way of knowing whether a woman who is pregnant for the first time is at risk of having a premature delivery. This is because the only way to know if a woman is at risk, is if she has previously had a preterm birth. Now, researchers at the University of Illinois and the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a new risk assessment method to help pregnant mothers and their doctors prepare for a potentially early delivery.
(Washington-jm) – What does USDA say regarding milk production, product demand, and prices for this new year? Rod Bain reports…
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The St. Joseph American Legion will hold a fish fry to benefit Troop 40 this evening from 4:30-7 at the American Legion. Cost is $10 for a meal or $8 for just a sandwich.
The Elliot Amvets Dinner nite is set for today at the Post in Elliott. Shrimp, Chicken and Fish are on the menu. Dine in or carry out. Serving starts at 5pm.
St Pauls in Woodworth P-T-L Fish Fry is set for today at the school. Carryouts begin at 4pm. Serving at 5pm. There is also a bake sale.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host country singer Tyler Farr tonight. Doors open at 6 with the concert beginning at 7:30.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the Hands of Christ Food Pantry on Saturday from 10-2.
There will be an Electronic Recycling event held in Paxton on Saturday from 9-noon at 755 N. Railroad Avenue at the City Shed. This event is open to anyone. Fees may vary by item. Event will be held rain or shine.
The Danforth Blue Ribbon 4-H Club will hold their pork chop supper on Saturday from 5-7 pm at the Danforth Community Building. Cost is $10 for one chop and $12 for two chops. Meal includes pork chop, green bean, applesauce, potato salad, bread and butter, drink and pie.
