(Urbana-jm) -- The Potomac man accused of firing shots at police during a chase that started in Urbana and ended in Vermilion County was in court Thursday. A Champaign County judge ordered John Bennett undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is fit to stand trial. Bennett’s bond was set at $2 million. He is due back in court March 25th.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,884 new Coronavirus cases and 32 additional deaths Thursday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,181,226 and deaths to 20,406. Locally, Ford County reported 2 new cases bringing their total to 1,566. Iroquois County reported 2 new cases bringing their total to 2,773. Champaign County reported 52 new cases bringing their total to 18,112. Vermilion County did not provide a report Thursday.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- An area state lawmaker says he’s not surprised former House Speaker Mike Madigan resigned. Madigan announced last week he was stepping down from his House seat after 50 years in the state legislature. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman talks about Madigan’s legacy…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- There is a push to increase voter turnout for the April consolidated election in Champaign County. Only 7.5 percent of the registered voters turned out for the primary. While the primary was for Champaign and Urbana only, voting advocates and Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons are pushing to remind people of the April 6th election. Early voting is underway across the area.

 

 

(Buckley-cf)-- Spring Guaranteed Prices for this year's Crop Insurance will be announced March 1. Premiums will also be higher for this crop season as commodities have risen 30 to 40 percent since last year say Diversified Insurance Agent Dylan Reetz…

 

 

Diversified Insurance Agent Dylan Reetz. You can visit the office in Buckley or contact Dylan at 815-822-5477.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- Iroquois County Mobile Home Privilege tax bills will be sent out in the coming days. Treasurer Kurt Albers says tax bills will be mailed out the first week of March. Anyone with questions is asked to call Albers office at 815-432-6985.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Agriculture released emergency administrative rules detailing additional restrictions for dicamba application on soybeans for the 2021 growing season. In October 2020, USEPA announced that it had renewed the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act registrations for three dicamba pesticides for growing seasons 2021-2025. Impacted registrations include: XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology, Engenia Herbicide and Tavium Plus VaporGrip Technology.

 

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. Chloe Smith from Rantoul High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

 

We were also able to talk with Fisher FFA member Dylan Zwilling

 

 

 

 

The Crescent-Iroquois Fire Department Pancake and Sausage Breakfast will take place on Saturday from 6 to 10:30 am. The breakfast will be drive thru only.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been sentenced to 9 years in prison for robbing a Champaign gaming establishment. Deshawn Burries-Brumfield received the sentence in Champaign County court after pleading guilty to aggravated robbery for putting an object to the head of a woman at Lacy’s Place back in March of last year and stealing cash from the register. In exchange for his plea, a more serious charge of armed robbery was dismissed.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,884 new Coronavirus cases and 32 additional deaths Thursday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,181,226 and deaths to 20,406. As for local active and recovered cases, Iroquois County reported 2,704 have been released from isolation, 9 are in isolation and 1 is hospitalized. Champaign County reported 17,524 have recovered, 460 are in isolation and 12 are hospitalized. 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The former Westlawn Elementary School in Paxton could see new life. A developer is interested in turning the old school into an apartment building which has some neighbors concerned. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says they are talking with neighbors to address their concerns and hope to make a decision in March…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Those who want to get a tour of the new Rantoul Family Sports Complex can do so in March. A tour was originally scheduled in February however due to inclement weather it was rescheduled for March 7th at 2 and 3pm. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 893-5731.

 

 

(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 Cissna Park ballot…

 

 

 

(St. Joseph-jm) -- The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce is announcing their Easter egg hunt has been canceled this year. It’s the second year in a row that the hunt has been canceled because of the pandemic. The chamber says they are unsure they would be able to conduct a socially distanced hunt but hope to bring it back next year.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Champaign County home sales marked their 8th consecutive month of positive sales in January. Home sales were up 15.27 percent in January with 151 homes sold. The median price in January was $155,000.

 

With FFA week being this week and we were able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Christina White from PBL High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

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We were also able to talk with Cissna Park FFA member Allison Wessels