(Undated-jm) -- Students and parents are being warned about the latest Tiktok challenge that may get their student into serious trouble. School districts are saying the latest challenge asks students to calmly walk up to their teacher, slap them and run away, making sure they capture the whole thing on camera. Many districts say they have zero tolerance for this type of behavior.
(Springfield-jm) -- The deadline is approaching for small businesses to apply for state recovery grants. 24 million dollars in Back to Business Grants have already been awarded, with another 226 million in funding still available says Governor J-B Pritzker…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The deadline to apply is October 13th. Visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s website for more details.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 3,344 new and probable COVID 19 cases and 42 additional deaths. The seven day positivity rate is down to 2.8 percent. Locally, Vermilion County reported 47 new cases. Champaign County reported 55 new cases. Ford and Iroquois Counties did not have a report.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul Township High School leaders are looking at capital projects over the next few years. One project would be adding HVAC to the only portion not currently climate controlled while another project would be to redo the track. Both look to be done this upcoming summer. But Superintendent Scott Amerio says the district is looking at an even bigger project potentially in 2023…
Rantoul Township High School Superintendent Scott Amerio.
(Champaign County-jm) -- One person is dead and three people have serious injuries after a Champaign County crash. State police said the crash occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Route 150 at Champaign County 2550 East near Ogden. It was a head-on crash involving two vehicles.
(Champaign-jm) -- Champaign Police arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection to a shots fired investigation near Centennial High School. Officers are also continuing to search for another suspect they said is involved in the situation. In a news release, police officials said a warrant was issued September 25 for the teenager on aggravated discharge of a firearm. He was arrested Thursday morning near Sheffield and West Lock Raven roads in Champaign. The boy was taken to the Champaign County Juvenile Detention Center. His name has not been released. On September 15, Champaign Police responded to an area near Jefferson Middle School and Centennial High School for a report of shots fired.
(Paxton-jm) -- The 3rd annual Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Wine and Chocolate Walk is set for this Saturday from 11 to 4:30. Those participating will be eligible to win several small prizes and a grand prize, says Chamber President Alan Meyer…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer. WPXN radio is one of the many stops on the tour on Saturday in Paxton
(Undated-jm) -- If you have an important letter to send in a hurry, make sure to send it early. Starting today, new service standards are being implemented for First-Class Mail and periodicals. The United States Postal Service says it will take an extra day or two to deliver the mail that's traveling longer distances. First-Class Mail being sent locally will still only take about two days.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County Soil and Water Conservation District will once again be holding their fall tree sale. Tree orders are due by October 8th. To place your order call 217-379-4388.
(Washington-jm) -- USDA's quarterly stock forecasts revealed a surprise regarding ending stocks for corn and soybeans, compared to industry projections. Rod Bain reports…
(Champaign-jm) -- A 17-year-old boy has died after he was shot in the torso while sitting alongside the roadway in the 1500 block of West Kirby Avenue on Thursday around 5:30 p.m. When Champaign police officers were called to the scene, they found the victim in the roadway suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound to his torso. Officers rendered medical aid until the victim was rushed to a local hospital. The victim died from his injuries a short time later.
(Springfield-jm) -- The CDC is strongly recommending that pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine. Less than one third of pregnant women are fully vaccinated, reports the CDC, which is calling for urgent action to boost those numbers. On a recent virtual call with COVID ambassadors in Illinois, State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike was asked about this very issue…
State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. Ezike says pregnant women who contract COVID are more susceptible to complications from the virus and are at higher risk of delivering their baby too early.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton’s streetscape project is temporarily on hold. Mayor Bill Ingold says they plan to start moving forward with the project soon....
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Rantoul-jm) -- According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 130 people die every day from suicide. 4URantoul has seen an increase in the number of suicidal calls. The group, which includes an officer with the village police department, believes the increase in COVID cases and people isolating themselves from others.
(Undated-jm) -- Two opportunities to receive the COVID-19 Pfizer booster vaccination are coming to Iroquois County and Champaign. To combat this effort the Iroquois County Public Health Department as well as the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, will each host COVID-19 Pfizer booster vaccination clinics. The Iroquois County Health Department will be offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster/third dose to eligible individuals by appointment Monday-Friday; 9 - 3:30. To schedule an appointment call 815- 432-2483. Eligible individuals are those who received Pfizer for their initial COVID-19 vaccine. The CUPHD, in partnership with Carle Health, OSF HealthCare, Christie Clinic, Promise Healthcare, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will be hosting community-based COVID-19 Pfizer booster vaccination clinics beginning in October. A clinic will be held at the iHotel and Conference Center from October 5-7 from 9 – 4. Champaign will also offer a second clinic located at Kohl’s Plaza October 5–7, 12–14, and 19–21 from 10 – 5:30. Appointments can be made through MyCarle and at carle.org/covid-19.
(Rantoul-jm) -- The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County, located in Rantoul is celebrating 50 years with a celebration at Wabash Park tonight. Community Service Center Director Andy Kulczycki has been with the group for a long time. Kulczycki talks about how the need has grown for all types of services…
Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County Director Andy Kulczycki.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Buckley Loda School District is considering bringing in a school resource officer. The officer would be from the Paxton Police Department. The school district and City of Paxton will continue discussions.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Water rates in the western Ford County community of Gibson City will be going up. Council members approved the increase recently. A family of four is expected to see their rates increase $10.85 a month.
(Washington-jm) -- Extreme drought conditions in various wheat growing regions are contributing to lower wheat production forecasts compared to the previous year. Rod Bain reports…
***News nws 2798wheat***
Lake Iroquois will have garage sales today and tomorrow from 8-5.
Maps will be available at the Front gate
The Ford County Public Health Department will host a flu shot clinic today from 9-11 am at the Gibson schoolhouse apartments.
The 2021 Harvest Days will take place today through Sunday at the Old Courthouse Museum in Watseka.
Paxton IGA will be hosting their cookout benefiting the United Methodist Women on Saturday from 10 to 2.
The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce’s 3rd annual Wine and Chocolate Walk will take place on Saturday from 11 to 4:30. Only 200 tickets will be sold and can be purchased at the chamber office, Mom and Pops Kettle Korn and Hudson Drug and Hallmark.
The Melvin Community Hall will host Wes Wheeler and Battle Creek Country Band on Saturday at 7pm. Cost is $10 per person, 13 and over. Food will be available from the Melvin Women’s Club.
The First Christian Church of Gibson City will hold a free concert featuring the Bree Gordon Band from Chicago on Sunday from 4-6 pm.
