(Undated-jm) -- Illinois reported the highest single day of COVID cases in months after 6,119 positive cases were reported Wednesday. Champaign County reported 169 new cases. Vermilion County reported 87 new cases and 4 additional deaths.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul will officially kick off the holiday season tomorrow with a parade and other activities downtown. Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Vickery talks about the parade…

 

 

Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Vickery. Becky Puetz will be broadcasting the parade live tomorrow evening. The parade steps off at 6pm

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the ramp from southbound Interstate 57 to eastbound Interstate 74 will close for an indefinite amount of time starting yesterday. People driving southbound on I-57 wanting to get on eastbound I-74 will be directed to pass the I-57/I-74 interchange and exit on Curtis Road Exit 232. Drivers will be directed to get on northbound I-57 at Curtis, drive back to the interchange and get on eastbound I-74 using the northbound I-57 ramp. IDOT said the closure is necessary to complete a new, temporary connection between the highways as well as the construction of embankments and bridge piers for a new flyover bridge. The upcoming closure is part of a larger reconstruction of the interchange.

 

 

(Paxton-tr) -- Plans are being set in motion in Paxton for a much needed update to the water treatment plant south of town. After 57 years, Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold is looking to take the steps to modernize the treatment plant…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.

 

(Champaign-jm) -- A long-running tradition at the University of Illinois is returning to phones next week. From December 9 to December 15, University Housing will host its annual Dial-A-Carol, an on-demand Christmas caroling service performed by University Housing residents, faculty and staff originating from Snyder Hall. Dial-A-Carol is University Housing’s longest tradition; 2021 is the 61st year it is happening. People can call 217-332-1882 starting at 12:01 a.m. on December 9 to request a carol. The hotline will be active for 24 hours a day until 11:59 p.m. on December 15.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- The final farm income picture for 2021 is shaping up even better than had been expected. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Santa will be making a visit to the village of Rantoul tomorrow evening. The village’s Christmas parade kicks off at 6pm. Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Vickery says there will be plenty of other activities taking place in downtown…

 

 

Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Vickery. You can hear the parade tomorrow evening at 6 here on WPXN.

 

 

(Vermilion County-jm) -- A Vermilion County man is facing child pornography charges. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office says Mark Kerkering of Henning is facing three counts of dissemination of child pornography and 10 counts of possession of child pornography. If convicted Kerkering faces 48 to 250 years in prison.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The Rantoul Township High School district approved their tentative tax levy in November. Superintendent Scott Amerio says there is some good news for taxpayers in the district…

 

 

Rantoul Township High School Superintendent Scott Amerio. The board is expected to approve the final levy numbers at this month's meeting.

 

(Ford County-jm) -- A proposal to allow recreational cannabis businesses to set up shop in unincorporated areas of Ford County will be considered by the Ford County Zoning Board of Appeals this month. The group will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. Monday, December 6, in the conference room in the basement of the sheriff’s office in Paxton regarding the proposal.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Farmers this year are getting a much smaller share of their income from direct government payments. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

The Ford County Public Health Department will hold a Medicare Open Enrollment Assistance event at the Piper City Library today from 10 to noon.

 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Gibson Area Hospital on Friday from 9:30-2:30.

 

Rantoul’s lighted Christmas parade will take place on Friday at 6 pm.