(Ludlow-jm) -- A man wanted for attempted murder in Kentucky escaped from U-S Marshals Friday who tried to arrest him in Ludlow. Agents from the U-S Marshals office attempted to arrest Justin Hardin at his mother’s house around 8 am. Hardin escaped and a six hour manhunt ensued with 15 officers from the U-S Marshals office setting up a perimeter around the village looking for him. He is described as a white male approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds with brown hair and a medium build. Anyone with information on his whereabouts are asked to call 9-1-1.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton firefighters were called to a house fire Saturday evening. Firefighters were called to a porch on fire in the 300 block of West Pine Street just after 10 pm. No injuries were reported.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)-- At the June Council Meeting for the City of Paxton, the city was able to secure a grant for the “Rebuild Illinois” project. The grant can be used to repair city streets as well as sidewalks saysPaxton  Mayor Bill Ingold… 

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 147,251 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 7,020 deaths. Friday the state reported 868 new cases and 18 additional deaths, Saturday 862 new cases and 10 deaths and Sunday 639 new cases and 6 deaths. We will have the latest numbers tonight on our news at 4 and 5.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- As for cases in area communities. As of Sunday, 198 in Rantoul, 59 in Mahomet, 52 in Clifton, 20 in Watseka, 16 each in Chebanse and Onarga, 13 each in Paxton, Fisher and St. Joseph, 11 in Ashkum, 10 in Gibson City, 9 in Hoopeston, 8 in Gilman, 7 in Crescent City, 6 each in Ludlow, Danforth and Milford, 3 in Thomasboro, 2 in Foosland and 1 each in Gifford and Penfield.

 

 

(Fisher-cf)-- This year’s Fisher Fair will have a different twist. In place of the fair, postponed by the COVID-19 Pandemic, there will be a parade throughout the village. There will be a sidewalk chalk contest along with the parade, and entries will be judged, and winners will receive a season pass to the 2021 Fisher Fair says Fisher Fair Secretary Jill Hardesty…

 

 

Fisher Fair Secretary Jill Hardesty.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Could a family entertainment venue be coming to Rantoul? And could a hair salon in the village get a new home? Those answers depend on if the village will provide $1 million in loans. The village's EDA loan committee will meet Monday afternoon where they will consider a request for a  $500,000 loan to build a family entertainment venue on the village's west side that would feature miniature golf and arcade among other attractions. The second request, also for $500,000, would go to Shear Excellence. The hair salon is looking to use the money to purchase and renovate a building in the village allowing the salon to expand its services.

(Urbana-jm) -- One person is dead after an accident on I-74 in Champaign County early Saturday morning. Illinois State Police say 24 year old Caleb Sullivan of Urbana walked onto the interstate from the right shoulder and was struck by a vehicle driven by a woman from northern Illinois. The woman was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Sullivan was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Communities have until July 20th to apply for the state’s Restore, Reinvest and Renew Program. The “R-3” Program offers grants for initiatives in areas disproportionately affected by the war on drugs. The money comes from tax revenue generated by the sale of recreational marijuana and can be used to address several needs, says Quinn Rallins with the Lieutenant Governor’s office…

 

 

Quinn Rallins with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. Groups interested in applying for a grant should visit: r3 dot illinois dot gov. A map is available listing which areas are eligible.

 

 

(Champaign-cf)-- The State of Illinois has now moved into the 4th phase of the Rebuild Illinois Plan. Mayor of Champaign Deb Feinen discussed some of the protocols  implemented at bars and restaurants in Champaign…

 

 

Mayor of Champaign Deb Feinen. 

 

 

(Vermilion County-jm) -- Vermilion Circuit Clerk Chief Deputy Missy Quick was appointed to Vermilion County Circuit Clerk. Quick replaced Denny Gardner following his retirement on June 30. Gardner was serving his third and final term as Vermilion County Circuit Clerk. Quick has been with the office for more than 29 years. 

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  Downtown Rantoul is a destination on Friday nights. Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amanda Vickery says music, games and more started this past Friday…

 

 

Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amanda Vickery

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- Champaign County is seeking people to fill several vacant positions. The county is seeking appointments to drainage districts and to fill unfilled positions on cemetery associations and boards, community action board, county board of health, developmental disability board and zoning board of appeals. Anyone interested can fill out an application on the county’s website.