ST. LOUIS (AP) — Schnuck Markets Incorporated, one of the Midwest’s largest grocery store chains, will stop selling cigarettes, chewing tobacco and other tobacco products as of January first. The company operates 115 stores overall 5 area states. Schnucks has 3 locations in Champaign County and 2 in McLean County locally. The privately-held company already does not sell e-cigarettes or vaping products.
(Paxton-jm) -- A new event for the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce will be held tomorrow. The chamber will hold a wine and chocolate walk tomorrow from 11 to 4:30 says Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer.
(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul teen will be tried as an adult after police found a loaded gun and drugs in his backpack. 17-year-old Kristopher Mockbee faces charges of armed violence, aggravated unlawful use of weapons and possession with intent to deliver cocaine. Mockbee was arrested last month after police were notified by a family member that he had a gun. When he was arrested police found a loaded handgun which had been reported stolen, cocaine and scales. He was on probation for a 2018 burglary in the village. Bond was set at $150,000. Mockbee is due back in court November 19th.
(Undated-jm) -- National retailer Bed Bath and Beyond is announcing the closure of more stores than initially anticipated. Originally the company announced the closure of 40 stores however, Thursday, the company announced 60 stores will close after the holiday season. The company has not announced what stores will be closed. The company has stores locally in Champaign, Normal and Bourbonnais.
(Cissna Park--jc) -- You can get a great meal and also help support a local volunteer fire department on Sunday. The annual Cissna Park Volunteer Fire Department’s chicken fry is set for the fire station along route 49 in the village from 11am until 5pm. Money raised goes to new equipment and upgrading equipment at the fire department. Carry outs are available. The group have several prizes to award including a 55 inch Phillips television, a clock made from wood of the 18-84 water tower and some cash prizes.
(Fisher-jm) -- An area organization is holding a ride for a Gibson City girl battling scoliosis. 6-year-old Braylee Horn is in St. Louis for treatments and Just an Angel will hold a Cruise for Braylee to help cover some of the expenses. Just an Angel Spokesperson Dale Puls says the day starts with registration at the Wild Hare in Fisher with stops in LeRoy, Towanda, Lexington, Colfax and Sibley…
Just An Angel Spokesperson Dale Puls of Paxton
(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City residents may notice a rusty color to their water. The city’s water department will be flushing hydrants starting Sunday night and continuing through October 25th. Flushing will be done overnight and will begin on the northwest side of town.
(Springfield--jc) -- Reduced investment returns during a future recession won't cripple state budgets, but state policy decisions ahead of a future recession might, according to a new report. Credit rating agency S&P said many U.S. states have learned lessons about fiscal discipline when it comes to public retiree costs. State governments have made changes in the past decade that will help shield their budgets from a future recession, according to S&P analysts.
(Livingston County-jm) -- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Livingston County Health Department is hoping to turn porch lights pink. The health department is selling pink light bulbs for $4 and is encouraging everyone to light their porches pink to serve as a reminder to women to get breast exams and mammograms as recommended. Proceeds from the sale go to the Livingston County Cancer Fund.
(Washington-jm) -- The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service is looking to hire new food safety inspectors. Gary Crawford has the details…
(Urbana-jm) -- A Champaign County judge has ruled the county must grant OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center’s tax exemption while it is appealed with the state continues. The judge gave the county’s board of review 14 days to correct the assessments of the properties and county treasurer Laurel Prussing an additional 14 days after that to correct the more than $1.4 million tax bill. In a separate ruling, the judge denied the counties request to dismiss a lawsuit by Peoria-based OSF Healthcare. The hospital filed the lawsuit claiming the treasurer lacked the authority to send a tax bill stating the Illinois Department of Revenue determined most of the Urbana properties were tax exempt. Champaign County officials are challenging the tax exemption.
(Springfield-jm) -- A new report from the legislative inspector general has concluded that Kevin Quinn, a former top aide to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan did sexually harass a former political consultant. However, it was before certain provisions were put in place. In February, Alaina Hampton accused Quinn of sexual harassment dating back to 2016 and continued for 5 months. Hampton filed a lawsuit claiming Madigan’s staff ignored her complaints and retaliated against her. Quinn had worked in Madigan’s office for nearly 20 years.
(Champaign-jm) -- Champaign-Urbana will be celebrating Oktoberfest this Saturday from 3pm to midnight in downtown. Activities include live German music and several local breweries with beer tastings. Admission is $5.
(Urbana-jm) -- The annual Walk to End Alzheimers will take place this Saturday at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana. Registration begins at 8:30 with a Promise Garden Ceremony at 9:30 and the walk at 10. Alzheimers is the 6th leading cause of death in the U-S affecting 5 million Americans. In Illinois, 230,000 people are affected by Alzheimers.
(Buckley-jm) -- Buckley will hold their Movie in the Park this Saturday at Buckley Lake. The movie that will be shown is Monsters Inc. Showtime begins at 6:30 pm.
(Loda--jc) A volleyball tournament, bags tournament silent auction start Saturday morning at the Isles Sportsbar in rural Buckley on Saturday. The reason is a benefit for a local woman diagnosed with cancer. Ellen Cabbage Lee is a nurse who is originally from Thawville and lives in Paxton. The fundraiser will help with medical bills. The public is invited to the Ellen’s Focus on the Fight event at the Isles on Saturday.
