(Springfield-jm) – Marc Smith, the director of the Department of Children and Family Services, is being held in contempt of court for the ninth time. This new order involves a 15-year-old boy who has been kept in a psychiatric hospital for more than two and a half months since he was ready to be discharged. According to the cook county public guardian, the courts ordered DCFS that the boy be discharged to an appropriate placement by March 25. Smith faces fines of $1,000 per day until he is properly placed.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recommends you stop using bird feeders and bird baths for now. The goal is to prevent the spread of the highly infectious avian flu says Department of Natural Resources Chris Jacques (jakes)...
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Chris Jacques. Jacques says while you’re at it, go ahead and clean the bird feeders and baths with a water and bleach solution and remove any spilled bird seed at the base of the feeder.
(Fisher-jm) – The Champaign County coroner identified two men killed in a crash on Thursday night. The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. on Illinois Route 47, west of Fisher. Two vehicles hit head-on, according to Coroner Duane Northrup. Northrup said 50-year-old Christopher Lonis–of Aurora, and 78-year-old Gordon Bane Jr.–of Downs, were both pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Both died from blunt force injuries they received during the crash. Both Lonis and Bane were the only people in their vehicles. The crash is still under investigation.
(Roberts-tr) – The village of Roberts is currently facing a series of water issues. Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughan says that every avenue of state and federal funding has been looked at, but to no avail…
Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughan.
(Urbana-jm) – If you are driving around Urbana, you may need to find another route in some parts of town. Officials with the City of Urbana said starting this past Saturday, there will be new lane closures on the northbound side of Lincoln Avenue. Those closures will run from Springfield Avenue to University Avenue. One lane will remain open at all times. On southbound Lincoln Avenue between Springfield and University, the left lane will be closed. The road closure at Main Street continues at the intersection with Lincoln, on the east side of Lincoln.
(Paxton-tr) – The Paxton Buckley Loda school district is in the process of sending out summer schedules to parents in the district featuring summer classes and a camp. Credit Recovery information is out at this time but PBL Superintendent Cliff McClure says additional summer information will be in the hands of parents soon..
PBL Superintendent Cliff McClure.
(Thomasboro–jc) Hoveln Heating Cooling and Plumbing of Thomasboro is the WPXN business of the day today. Owner Shari Hoveln says one marketing idea that captures the essence of the family business is their advertising jingle…
Shari Hoveln of Hoveln Heating Cooling and Plumbing of Thomasboro. You can hear more about the business on newscasts today and an interview during the Noon news.
(Hoopeston-jm) – Hoopeston firefighters are investigating two structure fires. The first one happened in the 200 block of East Main Street. When they arrived they found an abandoned property on fire. The second fire happened in the 600 block of East McCracken. That residence was unoccupied at the time. Both fires remain under investigation.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association is suing the state over a gas tax sticker requirement. In the state budget, a provision makes it so a sticker will now have to be displayed on gas pumps to explain why prices are cheaper. If gas stations don't comply, they could face a $500 fine each day starting on July 1, 2022.
(Springfield-jm) – Cases of COVID-19 in Illinois increased by 39 percent this past week. State Public Health officials report more than 19 thousand new infections. That does not include those who only tested positive with an at-home kit. But there is some good news, says Governor J-B Pritzker…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Most of the state remains at low risk for transmission, although four counties: DuPage, Champaign, McLean and Piatt are considered at medium risk. It’s advised that the elderly and immunocompromised wear a mask in indoor public settings in those areas.
(Thomasboro–jc) – Hoveln Heating Cooling and Plumbing of Thomasboro is the WPXN Business of the Day today. Owner Shari Hoveln says the company has had experience in the industry since 1977…
Shari Hoveln of Hoveln Heating Cooling and Plumbing of Thomasboro. You can hear more about the business on newscasts today and an interview during the Noon news.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police are concerned about a “destructive” social media challenge that has spread to the area. At 10 p.m. Thursday night, officers responded to an incident related to the “Door Kick Challenge,” which occurred at a home on Valley Road. In these videos, people on TikTok are featured aggressively kicking in the front door of a residence, often late at night. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found that another door nearby had been kicked in, though they were able to identify the young suspect involved. The individual was detained for questioning before being later released to their parents. This case is still under investigation. Police are encouraging parents to talk to their children about the danger of destructive internet trends, and the criminal charges they may face for partaking in such activities.
(Gibson City-tr) – Many businesses in Gibson City are partnering together for the Sip and Shop Wine Hop, going on April 30th from 11am - 3pm. Gibson City Restoration Association President Sharon Heavlin says there are over 200 tickets for the event being sold…
Gibson City Restoration Association President Sharon Heavlin.
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois is receiving two major awards from the National Science Foundation. The awards, which are used for research and development, total $40 million. In fiscal year 2021, the university had research and development expenditures of more than $731 million.
(Ford County-tr) – Next Saturday, April 30th, is National Drug Takeback Day. In observance of this day, the Ford County Public Health Department is hosting a Prescription Medication Take Back Opportunity Friday April 29th from 12-3pm at the Moyer District Library in Gibson City. FCPHD Community Health Educator Kami Garrison details the event…
Ford County Public Health Department Community Health Educator Kami Garrison.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign registered sex offender will spend half a decade in prison for violating the terms of his probation. Calvin Rexroad was sentenced to five years in prison. Rexroad admitted he violated the terms of his probation by living near a daycare.
