(Springfield-jm) – Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the COVID-19 vaccine being available in Illinois. More than 18 million doses have been administered in Illinois over the past year, and 63 percent of all state residents are now fully vaccinated. Still, we can do better, says State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike…

 

 

State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. Ezike urges those who haven’t gotten their shots to talk to their doctor about any concerns. On average, more than 67 thousand doses are administered each day. Illinois reported 9,784 new cases and 79 additional deaths Wednesday. Locally, Champaign County reported 270 new cases and 1 additional death. Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion Counties did not have a report.

 

(Ford County-tr) – A local family and friends will be rallying this Saturday, December 18th at the PBL High School parking lot for what they call the 2021 Santa Road Rally. The group of family and friends will travel throughout Ford County. Santa Road Rally Spokesperson Tim Nuss has more…

 

 

Ford County Santa Road Rally Spokesperson Tim Nuss. 

 

 

(Buckley-jm) -- The Buckley Fire and Ambulance Department is looking for more volunteers. The department will host an EMT class starting January 20th and running Mondays and Thursdays from 6-9 pm until May. The class will be held at Christ Lutheran High School. For more information call 217-249-4888.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- High inflation is impacting every aspect of our lives. Besides affecting individuals it's also affecting the state says 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City...

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) – Carle health is giving employees until January 4th to get their first COVID vaccine dose and have their second one scheduled or face losing their job. A memo sent down from hospital leadership says those that don’t comply will have two unpaid weeks in which they will be ineligible to work. If they still decline the vaccine they will be out of a job.

 

 

(Washington-jm) – What is behind USDA's forecasted reduction of milk production for 2021 and 2022? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College will soon launch a new career-skills pathway for area high school students. Trustees also approved a new career pathway for the college's Early College and Career Academy, culminating in the new Precision Agriculture Fundamentals certificate. This six-credit hour certificate will prepare graduating high school seniors for internships or entry-level employment in precision agriculture, and will allow stacking with other Parkland agriculture credentials such as the Precision Agriculture Technology certificate or the Precision Agriculture associate's degree.

 

(Onarga-tr) -- Onarga residents are celebrating the holidays this year by organizing with Gilman residents as both towns host Christmas parades back to back on Saturday. Onarga Christmas Parade Spokesperson Fred Walraven details how this came about…

 

 

Onarga Christmas Parade Spokesperson Fred Walraven, For more details or to inquire about parade entry, call Fred at 815-471-4576.

 

(Undated-jm) – The Illinois State Board of Education recently released their 2020-2021 report card. One of the data points released in the report is how much each district spends per student on average. Looking at schools in the WPXN listening area: Armstrong Ellis $17,000 per student, Armstrong Township High School $30,000, Champaign $14,000, Cissna Park $12,000, Fisher $11,000, GCMS $14,000, Gifford Grade $10,000, Hoopeston Area $13,000, Ludlow Grade $20,000, Mahomet Seymour $9,600, Milford $14,000, PBL $12,000, Potomac $12,000, Rantoul City Schools $13,000, Rantoul Township High School $15,000, St. Joseph Ogden High School $11,000, St. Joseph Grade School $9,700, Thomasboro $16,000 and Urbana $15,000.

 

(Washington-jm) – What adjustments were made to USDA's beef production and price forecasts for this month? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper tonight from 5-7 pm at their building located at 134 W. State Street. Meal includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread dessert and drink for $10.

 

Chatsworth’s Lighted Christmas parade will take place tonight starting at 6 pm.