(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police said that one person was hurt in a shooting that happened Wednesday morning. Officers were dispatched to the area of McKinley and Beardsley avenues at 11:30 a.m. for a report of shots being fired. They found multiple shell casings at the scene and found a car had also been hit. Shortly after, a man arrived at an area hospital with a gunshot wound to the torso. He is expected to survive. The preliminary investigation indicated that two people were walking on McKinley when they were shot at by someone in a car driving down Beardsley. The driver of that car got out and was picked up by another car, which left the scene.
(Springfield-jm) – May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is encouraging more families to sign up. Foster parents help provide a stable home to children in trouble, but more are always needed, says DCFS Spokesperson Deborah Lopez…
DCFS Spokesperson Deborah Lopez. Lopez says becoming a foster parent is a serious commitment and the process can take up to six months. Those approved receive support including a monthly stipend for a child’s basic needs. Visit the DCFS website for further details.
(UI Campus-jm) – Ameren and Champaign firefighters got a call Wednesday in response to a report of a possible gas leak. Ameren employees went to the reported location and discovered gas in the Ice Arena. They said it seemed to be from an underground gas leak from the south of the building. The cause of the gas leak is unknown.
(Rantoul-jm) – Rantoul village leaders will continue discussions next week on whether to allow a public referendum on lifting a ban on marijuana dispensaries. The village placed a ban on dispensary licenses three years ago and discussed the issue at this week's study session. However, they were unable to reach a decision with a split vote 3-3. The Rantoul village board will meet Tuesday night at 6 pm.
(Pontiac-jm) – Two area lawmakers will be hosting a town hall next week to discuss the Pontiac Correctional Center. The town hall on Tuesday will feature Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington and State Representative Tom Bennett. Bennett says they are looking for some answers…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City. The town hall will take place at 6:30 pm at Pontiac High School.
(Gibson City-jm) – The Gibson City Melvin Sibley School Board approved a nearly $619,000 bid to construct a new maintenance shed. The 60 by 100 foot shed replaces the previous building that was damaged by the August flood. Work is expected to be completed by mid-December.
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton’s electric aggregation program is on hold. Homefield Energy, the company contracted by the city for aggregation, sent a letter to the city saying Ameren Illinois’ rate is cheaper than theirs.
(Onarga–jc) – Several area fire departments were called to a barn fire in rural Iroquois County early this morning. The barn was located at 13-25 East 12-hundred north in rural Onarga. No other details are available at this time
(Springfield-jm) – This is Arson Awareness Week. The Office of the State Fire Marshal is trying to raise awareness about the cost of arson and the toll it takes on communities. Spokesperson J-C Fultz says everyone needs to do their part…
State Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. The Illinois Fire Marshal’s Office offers some tips for helping reduce the risk of arson including keeping the doors and windows of unoccupied buildings locked and boarding up abandoned buildings. Fultz says you should also lock up any flammable liquids.
(Urbana-jm) – The Carle Center for Rural Health and Farm Safety and local school districts are hosting Progressive Agriculture Safety Days to teach more than 600 students about health and safety skills. The educational events will offer age-appropriate information to make sure even the youngest people understand how to be safe around farms and farm equipment.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign leaders have approved hiring a security firm to help police with patrols as law enforcement deals with staffing issues. Police leaders have said they need temporary help to be sure the city is safe. With the approved contract, AGB Investigative Services will send trained security guards to patrol the downtown part of Champaign on weekends and during special events. There will be four guards and one supervisor present on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights downtown. To address council concerns about transparency, the AGB officers will be required to have on body cameras. They will not be armed with a firearm, stun gun or pepper spray.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois primary is set for June 28th with the midterm elections in November. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington expects four main topics on the minds of voters…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
(St. Joseph-jm) – The village of St. Joseph will dedicate streets in honor of two village residents. The village board approved naming streets in honor of former mayor BJ Hackler and U of I Police Lieutenant Aaron Landers. The dedications will take place on May 14th.
(Rantoul-jm) – The Rantoul City School board has a new member. Katherine Johnson was sworn in as the newest member. Johnson is a 2006 graduate of the district.
