(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police say 3 people were shot including one fatally yesterday evening. It happened in the 1100 block of 3rd Street just before 6pm. A 25 year old from Champaign was shot multiple times and taken to the hospital where he later died. Two others showed up at the hospital with non life threatening injuries. Three vehicles and a building were also struck by gunfire.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning the public about hurricane ravage cars potentially being sold in Illinois. The Attorney General says it’s not uncommon for vehicles that have been through a severe weather event like Hurricane Ian to be cleaned up and listed for sale in other states. Raoul says scam artists don’t disclose the water damage…

 

 

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. If you’re in the market for a car, Raoul says you can protect yourself by having it inspected by a mechanic you trust, obtaining a vehicle report, asking the seller if the vehicle has any weather damage and getting the answer in writing.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Board of Education is asking members of the public to give their input on state funding for public education. ISBE is accepting testimony in writing online. After submitting a request online, individuals can attend one of three budget hearings during the month of October. The public’s input will inform the funding recommendation ISBE will provide to lawmakers for fiscal year 2024.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The state climatologist says it’s been a dry and mild start to fall so far in Illinois. Last month’s statewide average temperature came in at nearly 67 degrees, making it the 57th warmest September on record in Illinois. State Climatologist Trent Ford says temps varied quite a bit though…

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford. Despite heavy rains in early September, average total precipitation last month was more than half an inch below normal. Ford says while the dry weather has been good for harvesting, the risk of field fires has increased.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College in Champaign celebrated Manufacturing Month with a new program for high school students. The school partnered with several Champaign County agencies, including the Chamber of Commerce, to launch this program. On Tuesday, they hosted the first student manufacturing day. Students were given tours around area manufacturing companies. They learned about the economic impact of manufacturing and jobs offered in the field.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Come January 1st, the state will eliminate cash bail. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City gives an update on how we got here…

 

 

Bennett goes on to talk about what Illinoisans can do to stop it…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County will once again be hosting their amnesty week coming up later this month. Amnesty Week will take place October 11-21st for those delinquent on paying their tickets or fines.

 

(Ford County-jm) – The Ford County Sheriff’s Office has released their September activity report. During the month of September, deputies responded to 5 traffic accidents and issued 14 citations for speeding and 1 each for driving on a suspended license, illegal transportation of alcohol, reckless driving, improper left turn and disregarding a stop sign. Deputies also responded to 13 domestic issues, 8 reports of suspicious persons, 5 welfare checks, 3 reports of fraud, 2 each of custody disputes and theft and 1 each for trespassing and criminal damage.

 

(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois House committee is looking at ways to teach more college students about managing their finances. At a recent hearing, lawmakers listened to university representatives from several schools to discuss efforts to improve financial literacy. Sol Jensen with Northern Illinois University says they launched a financial advising office last year…

 

 

Northern Illinois University’s Sol Jensen. Representatives from Wintrust Bank talked about the need to start early, saying they offer workshops for young children through college age, covering topics like saving for something special, opening a checking account and tracking expenses.

 

(Springfield-jm) – There are no members appointed to the board that is set to field appeals from Illinoisans who have had their gun privileges revoked by the state. Illinois law requires anyone who wants to buy or own guns or ammo to have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification card issued by Illinois State Police. Governor J-B Pritzker said state police have been busy confiscating FOID cards from those the state determines can’t have one. State law says an aggrieved party can appeal to the ISP director. Starting January 1, 2023, they can appeal to the FOID Card Review Board. The board was created by state statute January 1, 2022. But nobody has been appointed to the board.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Duck hunting may be a little more challenging this year. Drought conditions in the Canadian Prairies, where most Illinois ducks breed, have been the worst in decades. That’s led to a decline in the duck population, says State Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Chief Mike Wefer (wee-fer)...

 

 

State Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Chief Mike Wefer. Wefer says that may mean hunters need to be a little tighter on their calling and really brush in their blinds. For more information about specific waterfowl season, limits and requirements, visit the website: hunt illinois dot org.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The City of Champaign announced on Tuesday that routine sewer maintenance will result in a pair of lane closures on one street later this week. The closures will take place on Kirby Avenue between Crescent Drive and Mattis Avenue. Work is planned for the hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday.

 

(Watseka-jm) – A teacher from Watseka has been arrested on felony sexual assault charges. Stephanie Harmon allegedly admitted to Watseka police that she had sexual relations with a student from an Iroquois County school. Police say the assault did not occur at the school and that Harmon was not teaching at a school in Watseka. 

 

(Paxton–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business  of the Day is Monical's Pizza of Paxton. Monicals Pizza’s business positioning  statement is “Home of the Family Pleaser.” Monicals Pizza Paxton Store Manager Jason Mills says one weekly special at the Paxton location is an up to 4 toppings pizza on Monday nights…

 

 

Pizzas are always at the top of the menu, says Monical’s Pizza Manager Jason Mills, but sandwiches are a popular option, with school and harvest …

 

Monical’s Pizza of Paxton Manager Jason Mills

 

(Rantoul–jc) A Ribbon Cutting ceremony is set for 10-30 this morning on Rantoul’s west side near the Sports Complex and Walmart. 

 

(Rantoul-jm) – The American Lutheran Church in Rantoul is hosting a Trunk or Treat event at the church, Friday October 29th from 5-30pm to 7pm Volunteers are needed along with businesses to host a trunk full of treats. Contact the church for more information.