(Ashkum-jm) -- Illinois State Police are investigating an officer involved shooting in Iroquois County Friday. According to a release from the state police and Iroquois County Sheriff’s office, deputies were called to a rural Danforth residence around 9:40 Friday evening for a disturbance. The male suspect had left before deputies arrived but then returned and took actions that threatened officers and another person. The deputies discharged their weapons, injuring the suspect, who was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive. 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 7,558 new cases and 36 additional deaths. Champaign County reported 190 new cases. Vermilion County reported 108 new cases and 1 additional death. Ford County reported 49 new cases. Iroquois County did not have a report Friday.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- The Agriculture Secretary Friday gave an update on the process to implement pandemic assistance payments to biofuel producers. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A man who police said fired a gun at a woman in an argument in Champaign is behind bars.  20-year-old Kelvin K. Jones of Champaign is charged with two aggravated discharge of a firearm counts. They allege he shot at a woman's vehicle and in her direction Thursday.  Prosecutors reported the shooting was at about 6:20 a.m. Thursday in the 1400 block of Winding Lane. According to authorities, the woman went to this location to try and resolve an earlier argument with Jones. As they talked from their vehicles, which were parked next to each other, the argument became more intense. That's when Jones allegedly fired a gun.  

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- An area state representative has been appointed to a state committee on conservation. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City discusses his role on the committee…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul man who authorities said sexually molested a young girl is in Champaign County custody.  Edward Gonzalez-Guillen, 19, is charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. According to authorities, the sexual activity that happened between the suspect and victim was in October. Gonzalez-Guilllen knew the victim's family and was a guest in her home earlier in 2021, a Rantoul police report said. In mid-October, the mother saw the girl getting out of the suspect's car and pulling up her pants, the document added.  He faces 12 to 120 years in prison if he's found guilty. He is due back in court January 25th.

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton firefighters were called to a vehicle fire Saturday. Emergency personnel were called to the fire at the I-57 ramp at the Paxton exit just after 11 am. No injuries were reported.

 

(Washington-jm) -- Farmers are likely trying to plan now for how to protect themselves against possible moderating crop prices next year and much higher production costs. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Unit 4 district officials said someone made a claim a gun was involved in fights that occurred at Central High School, forcing a lockdown of the building.  An updated statement said there were "several fights" Friday morning at the school. A "very large group of students" rushed out of the school at one point and one student yelled that a gun was involved, the district said. No weapon was found.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul Township High School leaders are looking at fighting some property tax appeals. Superintendent Scott Amerio talks about why the district fights the appeals…

 

 

Rantoul Township High School Superintendent Scott Amerio.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Unemployment numbers in the area continued to fall in October. According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the unemployment rate in Champaign County fell from 4.9 percent to 3.7 percent. In Ford County, the unemployment rate fell from 4 percent to 3.2 percent. In Vermilion County, the unemployment rate fell from 6.7 percent to 5.1 percent. In Iroquois County the unemployment rate fell from 4.3 percent to 3.4 percent.

 

A Live Drive Thru Barn Nativity will be held Friday, December 10th and Saturday, December 11th from 5-9 pm at the Kaeb Farm located at 170 N 800 E near Loda.

 

Gibson City will hold a Christmas Salute on Friday, December 10th and Saturday, December 11th at North Park.