Noon update

(Paxton--jc/jm) Two people are dead following a 3 vehicle crash on Interstate 57 near Loda this morning. Illinois State Police say a 26 year old from Onarga and a 21 year old female from Pembroke Township were pronounced dead at the scene. A 19 year old from Rantoul, a 21 year old from Beaverville and a 33 year old from Eagle Pass Texas were taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries. A 3 week old infant from Beaverville was airlifted to the hospital with life threatening injuries. Police say the driver from Onarga was traveling southbound when he crossed the median and struck another vehicle head on. The third vehicle, a semi struck one of the vehicles causing the infant and 21 year old passenger to be ejected. 

 

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(Urbana-jm) -- A University of Illinois student is facing weapon charges after police say he had a gun in his dorm room. Police say Joshua Gray made concerning posts on social media. A search of his dorm room uncovered a gun and ammunition. Gray was recently arrested for spray painting near the Alma Mater.

 

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 (Thomasboro-jm) -- Thomasboro police are warning residents to lock their vehicles after a string of break ins. The latest occurred Sunday morning when 5 vehicles in the area of S. John, Shelly and Jacobsen streets were illegally entered and items stolen or moved around. Thomasboro police reported a handgun was stolen from one of the vehicles Sunday. Anyone with information is asked to call Thomasboro police or the Champaign County Sheriff’s office.

 

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(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City’s west park will be getting a new addition. Mayor Dan Dickey says it came from a request from the area girl scouts…

 

 

 

Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey.

 

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(Onarga-jm) -- Drivers in Onarga will be down a railroad crossing next week. Canadian National Railroad posted the Seminary Street crossing will be closed starting Monday and will be closed for 7 days.

 

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(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Masonic Lodge has made a donation to a local group. The lodge donated to the Prairieland CEO program. The Prairieland CEO program partners with local businesses and organizations to provide unique entrepreneur opportunities. The program features students in the PBL, GCMS and Fisher school districts.

 

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(Paxton-cf)-- The PBL FFA Chapter will be hosting Discover Ag Day Camps over the next coming weeks. Sign ups have come and gone, but the camp will include a lot of lessons and activities. PBL FFA member Chirstina White has the details of what the first lesson will be… 

 

 

 

PBL FFA Member Christina White. The first lesson will take place Thursday October 22.

 

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(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has released the annual Consumer Lending Trends Report between 2012 and 2019. In 2019, payday loans were 13.4 percent higher than they were in 2012. Small consumer loans were 7.8 percent higher in 2019 compared to 2012. Title loans were 4.3 percent lower than in 2012. Title loan defaults were at 28.8 percent.

 

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(Undated-jm) -- The Trump Administration is announcing up to $100 million to increase American biofuel sales. The higher blends infrastructure incentive program is available in 14 states including Illinois and several surrounding states.

 

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(Springfield-jm) -- Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are calling for public hearings of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. This comes as frustrations continue to mount from politicians and Illinoisans who can't get through to the department. Both Democrats and Republicans are tired of the lack of transparency from the agency and want answers from the department and Governor J-B Pritzker through public hearings.

 

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(Springfield-jm) -- Thousands of voters have already turned in their ballots, and while it’s OK to share that you voted, snapping a picture of your ballot could get you into some trouble. While it isn’t a federal crime to take a selfie with or a picture of your ballot, it does violate what is in the Illinois Election Code. Illinois State Board of Election officials are discouraging voters from taking a selfie with their ballot because the general rule states the ballot should be a secret. As far as prosecuting those that violate this code, it comes down to the state's attorney in a specific election authority. 

 

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(Undated-jm) -- Halloween is just around the corner, so you may be stocking up on Halloween candy for trick-or-treaters.  A new report says the most popular candy among Illinoisans is first sour, then it's sweet. CandyStore.com released an interactive map showing the favorite Halloween candies of each state. According to the map, in Illinois, the most popular candy is Sour Patch Kids. Last year, Kit Kats were considered the most popular candy in the state. This year, they came in second place. Starburst is listed as the third-most popular candy in Illinois.

 

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(Springfield-jm) --  Just days before the state deadline, the Illinois State Board of Education is changing course when it comes to students meeting the state deadline for turning in immunization records. Meeting the October 15 deadline is still required by Illinois State law, even during a pandemic, but there are new options for those that fail to turn it in. Originally, the Illinois State Board of Education said schools would have to exclude kids from school until they showed proof. However, there was no language distinguishing remote learning vs on site learning. Yesterday, they announced kids can do remote learning.