(Undated-jm) -- Indoor dining is allowed again across the WPXN listening area with some capacity restrictions. Governor J-B Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health announced Monday, Region 6 which includes Ford, Iroquois, Champaign and Vermilion Counties, reached the metrics needed to move to Tier 1. Restrictions include indoor dining at 25 percent capacity, gatherings of 25 or less and indoor group fitness classes are permitted.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- House Republicans are coming up with their own proposals to handle the delays in the renewal of FOID cards. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City is among those offering up proposals. He talks about some of those proposals…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- In an update to a story we brought to you yesterday morning, a Champaign County Judge has ruled in favor of County Executive Darlene Kloeppel’s lawsuit. Kloeppel’s suit argued she had the authority to make appointments to elected positions, not the county board chairs. The dispute came about after a resignation on the county board.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Nicor is extending pay arrangements for struggling small businesses during the Coronavirus pandemic. The company is offering emergency relief grants of up to $500. For more information, contact Nicor.

 

 

(Ford County-jm) -- The Ford County Public Health Department is preparing for the rollout of the COVID vaccine to the public and answering questions. The health department already has a waiting list going and will be utilizing several methods of communication in updating the vaccination process says Ford County Public Health Department Community Educator Megan Reutter…

 

 

Ford County Public Health Department Community Educator Megan Reutter.

 

 

(Hoopeston-jm) -- A Hoopeston animal shelter is expanding. The Hoopeston Animal Rescue Team is expanding their area for dogs. The new expansion will allow for 20 more spaces.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- There have been big changes in USDA's forecasts for corn. Stephanie Ho reports…

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The state announced Region 6 which includes Ford, Iroquois, Vermilion and Champaign Counties can move to Tier 1 in the COVID mitigations which means the return of indoor dining at 25 percent capacity. So what is the next mitigation step? A region can move to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan if they meet the following metrics: a test positivity rate equal to or less than 6.5 percent for three consecutive days as measured by the 7 day rolling average, 20 percent or greater available staffed ICU hospital beds for three consecutive days, on a 7-day rolling average and no sustained increase in the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 for seven out of 10 days, on a 7-day average.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)-- A big question or concern with the COVID vaccination is the cost associated with the two doses. The federal government has made the vaccination free for everyone including those without health insurance. Hudson Drug and Hallmark Owner Andy Hudson has the details… 

 

 

Hudson Drug and Hallmark Owner Andy Hudson. 

 

 

(St. Joseph-jm) -- The calendar may say its January but one area community is announcing dates for spring garage sales. Townwide garage sales will take place April 8th through the 10th in St. Joseph.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- A Gibson City business is moving. Drummer Creek Catering is opening at the Railside Golf Club. The business will also run the banquet room at the club.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The consolidated election will take place April 6th but several area races are taking shape. WPXN’s Jason Madden takes a look at who is on the Elliott ballot…

 

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul police are investigating a weekend shooting that left 1 person injured and 5 people behind bars. Police say they were called to the 1300 block of Doolittle Boulevard just after 9:30 Saturday evening for a report of shots fired. While there they received a report that a victim from the shooting was in Champaign with wounds to his back, hip and hand. The investigation led police to a residence on Doolittle where a search warrant was executed and 4 guns were located. Arrested were 24 year old Draylin Turner, 20 year old Donnell L. Robinson, 26 year old Sarah Carroll and 20 year old McKinze Hawk all of Rantoul and 18 year old Dontrell Robinson of Humboldt, Tennessee. All five subjects were interviewed and transported to the Champaign County Correctional Center for weapons offenses.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- What is the world picture for soybeans? Stephanie Ho has the details…