(Springfield-jm) -- The number of people eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1B expands this week. The change is expected to go into effect on Thursday, allowing those with conditions like cancer, diabetes, COPD and obesity to get vaccinated, regardless of age. At an unrelated press conference, Governor J-B Pritzker was asked if those seeking the shot will have to show proof…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor says health care workers administering the vaccine can ask people about their conditions to make sure they are eligible under Phase 1-B.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,665 new Coronavirus cases and 27 additional deaths Tuesday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,177,561 and deaths to 20,330. Champaign County reported 23 new cases and 1 additional death bringing their total number of cases to 18,001 and deaths to 128. Iroquois County reported no new cases leaving their total at 2,768. Ford and Vermilion Counties did not provide a report Tuesday.
(Paxton-jm) -- An old school in Paxton could get new life. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says a person is interested in turning the former Westlawn School into an apartment building…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. Ingold says there were some concerns addressed by neighbors. The issue will likely be discussed and voted on at the March meeting.
(Urbana-jm) -- The Carle Illinois College of Medicine has been granted provisional accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education following an in-depth review of educational and program quality standards. Provisional accreditation moves the college’s engineering-based M.D. degree program one step closer to full accreditation in 2022.
(Paxton-cf)-- If you fall under the Phase 1-B guidelines in the vaccination process, and have already signed up for your first dose, you don’t need to re-register. The FCPHD is encouraging all Ford County residents to sign up on their website, says Ford County Public Health Department Community Educator Megan Ruetter…
Ford County Public Health Department Community Educator Megan Ruetter.
(Champaign-jm) -- A man wanted for a fatal shooting in Mississippi has been arrested in Champaign. 19 year old John Morton was taken into custody by U-S Marshals. Three people were killed and another wounded in the shooting at a nightclub in Benoit, Mississippi. Another suspect was arrested in Mississippi.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Those who need assistance paying their utility bills can get assistance in Gibson City. Assistance will be available at the Moyer District Library on Thursday from 9:30-3:30. Appointments are needed and can be made by calling 217-497-2979.
Over 670,000 FFA students will be participating in FFA Week across the country. WPXN was able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Christina White from Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today...
We were also able to talk with Fisher FFA member Connor Diorio
(Springfield-jm) -- This is Grain Bin Safety Week. Joe Small with the Illinois Department of Agriculture says it’s easy for farmers to become complacent when working in and around grain bins, but that conditions can quickly become dangerous. Small says this can occur when the condition of the grain is poor and clumping…
Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Joe Small. Small says farmers should always have someone with them, wear a harness with a properly secured rope, and break up crusted grain from outside the bin with a long pole if possible.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,665 new Coronavirus cases and 27 additional deaths Tuesday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,177,561 and deaths to 20,330. As for local active and recovered cases, 17,369 have recovered, 504 are in isolation and 11 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 2,689 have been released from isolation, 21 remain in isolation and 1 is hospitalized. Ford and Vermilion Counties did not provide a report.
(Paxton-cf)-- The COVID-19 vaccine will be available to independent pharmacies in phase two of the distribution process. Hudson Drug and Hallmark Owner Andy Hudson has the details of what the vaccine process will look like at his pharmacy…
Hudson Drug and Hallmark Owner Andy Hudson.
(Mahomet-jm) -- The Village of Mahomet's Board of Trustees is hoping to adopt a village-wide statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This comes after months of action in the community in response to protests and wanting to make a change. The village has been working with several community leaders, condemning all forms of racism.
(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 ballot…
(Champaign-jm) -- A Champaign man has been sentenced to 2 years in prison for a counterfeit check scheme. Tommie Slayton received the sentence in federal court after pleading guilty to seven counts of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy. Slayton and a co-defendant wrote over 120 fraudulent checks at businesses in Champaign and Bloomington totaling over $100,000.
(Mahomet-jm) -- There will be a pair of candidate forums for the Mahomet Seymour school board. The Mahomet Chamber of Commerce will host the first candidate forum on Thursday from 6-8 pm on their facebook page. The second candidate forum will take place on Sunday, March 7th at 2pm at the Mahomet Public Library.
With FFA week being this week and we were able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Drew Walder from Cissna Park High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.
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We were also able to talk with Rantoul FFA member Sophie Ramme
Stay tuned to our local newscasts as we will have more from our FFA students all week.
