(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been arraigned on heroin charges in Champaign County court. 27-year-old Lavonte McWilliams was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. McWilliams was arrested on August 6th after a search of his home following a shooting in Champaign in late July. During the search, police found 10 grams of suspected heroin, a scale and packaging materials. His next court date is October 8th. If convicted of the most serious charge, he faces probation to up to 15 years in prison.
(Springfield--ba) Funding is available to help pay for school field trips to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and museum in Springfield. Schools where more than 30 percent of the students are low income are invited to apply for the Winnick family field trip grants. They cover the cost of admission and provide money for transportation says museum spokesperson Chris Wills.
Presidential Library and Museum spokesperson Chris Wills.
630am
(Springfield--ba) The Illinois Department of Labor is reminding the youngest members of the Illinois workforce that they need a work permit to be employed in Illinois after the number of permits the state issued to teen workers spiked in 2018. Fourteen-year-olds and 15-year-olds in Illinois must get an employment certificate before they can start a job. The Illinois Department of Labor used the start of the school year to remind young workers, and their employers, about the permits.
Illinois Department of Labor Director Michael Kleinik said the restrictions for the young workers were put in place for their protection.
(Loda-jm) -- The village of Loda is looking for answers after an audit by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency uncovered a significant amount of water usage could not be accounted for. The audit found that nearly 15 percent of the water used in the village could not be accounted for which prompted village leaders to install a water meter at the fire department.
(Springfield--jc) -- Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White reminds drivers to be careful as children head back to school. Last year, nationwide, 17 kids were fatally injured by motorists who failed to stop for a school bus. White says be aware of your surroundings…
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White
(Rantoul--jc) -- The 20-19 Half Century of Progress Show opens officially at 7 this morning. The flag raising ceremony begins at 8, along with the Half Century Tractor ride. Field demonstrations with broom corn, corn shelling, soybean combining and tillage work starts at 8-30. The tractor Ride returns to the grounds around 1 this afternoon. It’s back to field demonstrations in the afternoon. The popular band Back Paiges performs from 3pm to 6pm. A tractor pull starts at 4. WPXN will be broadcasting live over the noon hour today as part of our Summer Fun Tour. Its stop number 17.
(Springfield--jc) -- 3 new criminal justice reform laws are now on the books. 2 of the bills signed by the governor aim to engage more people in elections. Governor JB Pritzker says those who get out of prison will learn more about the voting process…
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
The 3rd law creates incentives for inmates serving long sentences to earn good time credit by taking college and life skills courses.
(Urbana-jm) -- The 2019 Urbana Sweetcorn Festival takes place this week. The two day festival takes place Friday and Saturday nights in downtown Urbana. Live music and hot corn hi-lite the activities. On the stage Friday night beginning at 5 pm is Feel Free, followed by The Nightcaps at 6:30, The Tons O’Fun Band at 8:15 and Wreckless Whiskey at 10:30. Saturday night, Bruiser and the Virtues kicks things off at 7 pm followed by Them Guilty Aces at 8:30 and Captain Rat and The Blind Rivets at 10:15.
(Melvin-jm) -- Officials believe lightning may have started a fire that destroyed a home near Melvin Wednesday. About 30 firefighters from Melvin, Roberts and Gibson City fire departments battled the blaze at 925 N 800 E. The home was vacant at the time and is a total loss.
(Springfield--ba) Governor JB Pritzker is signing a new law to better protect immigrant tenants. The law aims to make sure immigrants are safe from harassment by their landlords says Governor Pritzker.
Governor JB Pritzker
(Paxton-jm) -- Asbestos abatement is expected to begin soon at Eastlawn Elementary. Work is expected to begin Monday and should be completed by the end of October. Demolition of the oldest building in the Paxton-Buckley-Loda school district is expected to be completed by Christmas.
(Gifford-jm) -- The Gifford Fire Protection District will hold their spaghetti dinner fundraiser this Saturday. The fundraiser will run from 4-8 pm at the German Fall Festival Building in downtown Gifford. A golf cart raffle will also take place at 6pm.
(Washington-jm) -- USDA has begun processing payments for the first round of the Market Facilitation Program. Stephanie Ho reports…
(Rantoul--jc) Four days of agriculture start this morning in Rantoul. The village will see between 25 and 30 thousand people attending the Half Century of Progress each day says event Spokesperson JC Reitmeir…
Half Century of Progress Show Spokesperson JC Reitmeir
WPXN will be broadcast today from the event over the noon hour Its’ Summer Fun Tour Stop 17.
(Champaign--jc) -- The dog days of August are here. What can we expect over the next week in the weather department. Illinois Water Survey in Champaign Spokesperson Kevin Grady says higher temps and some additional precipitation…
Illinois Water Survey in Champaign Spokesperson Kevin Grady
