(Springfield-jm) – The latest Illinois school report card shows the highest graduation rate in a decade. More than 87 percent of students completed high school in the 2022 school year, with gains driven by an increase in minority grads, says State Superintendent Carmen Ayala…
The 2022 Illinois school report card shows an increase in chronic absenteeism among students. Although students resumed full in-person learning last year, there was a two percent drop in attendance rates. Additionally, State Schools Superintendent Carmen Ayala says 30 percent of students missed around 17 days or more…
State Schools Superintendent Carmen Ayala. Minority students were more likely to frequently miss school. Ayala says the State Board of Education is already working to address the problem through truancy intervention, counseling and home visits.The report card also shows student growth in English and Math and an increase in kids taking career and technical education or dual credit courses. Data for your child’s school is available online at: illinois report card dot com.
(Springfield-jm) – The State Board of Elections is working to answer questions about voting by mail. The board has updated the “frequently asked questions” section of its website, hoping to ease any confusion. Spokesperson Matt Dietrich says one question voters often ask is what do I do if I requested a mail-in ballot but have changed my mind?...
State Board of Elections Spokesperson Matt Dietrich. Dietrich says voters have until next Thursday to request a mail-in ballot. You can find answers to many questions about mail-in voting at: elections dot il dot gov.
(Champaign-jm) – Carle Health is offering two pop-up bivalent COVID-19 booster clinics for all eligible children ages five to 18 on Saturday, November 5 at two of its pediatric office locations in the Champaign-Urbana area. Bivalent boosters were most recently approved for the five to 11-year-old age group and provide protection from both the original strain of COVID-19 and the omicron variant. Flu vaccines will also be available for this age group. Appointments are required. The offices are located at Carle Champaign on Curtis and Carle Urbana on Windsor.
(Paxton jc) – The City of Paxton is the WPXN Business of the Day today. City leaders have been busy with the recent Streetscape program that provided new streets in the downtown area, vintage light poles, sidewalks and more. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingod says he has had several “looks like a Hallmark city,” conversations..
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Roberts–jc) One Thawville area family is dealing with some serious health issues with their two sons. Both sons of Daniel and Lindsey Flessner were diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. There is no cure, but efforts to find one continue. Daniel Flessner talks about the terrible disease…
Thawville area resident Daniel Flessner.
You have a chance to help raise money to find a cure and raise awareness with the Flessner Fall Festival on Saturday in Roberts. The event runs from noon to 7pm with music, food, bingo, and a silent auction. The Flessner Fall Festival at the Roberts Park Pavilion this Saturday.
(Springfield-jm) – State and local police are beefing up enforcement for Halloween weekend. More than one thousand people have died on Illinois roads so far this year, and the State Department of Transportation is hoping this weekend doesn’t bring about any more traffic deaths, says Spokesperson Paul Wappel…
IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. There will also be local roadside safety checks. Wappel urges Halloween partygoers to plan how they are going to get home ahead of time.
(Gilman-jm) – In updating our story from yesterday, at 8am on Wednesday, a nitric acid leak was discovered coming from a semi-tractor trailer that was parked at the Pilot Travel Center in Gilman. Emergency responders, led by Gilman Fire Protection District, were called to the scene and ensured the safety of all present. A private cleanup crew was called in to remediate the spill. Overnight, the cleanup crew suffered an equipment failure that led to more nitric acid being spilled. Private cleanup crews are working with Gilman Fire Protection District, Iroquois County EMA, Illinois EPA, and Pilot Travel Center to finish remediation. Throughout the event, there have been no injuries, and the only interruption to business was to bulk diesel fueling, which has since been restored to full operations.
(Paxton–jc) – The City of Paxton is our WPXN Business of the Day today. Phase One of the downtown Streetscape program is coming to an end. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says several items remain on the yet to be completed list…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. We have a full interview with the Mayor that will air during the Noon news today.
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
American Lutheran Church in Rantoul will host a trunk or treat today from 5:30-7.
The Loda Sportsman Club splatter board and trap shoot will take place on Saturday from 8 to noon.
The Cissna Park American Legion Auxiliary will hold their holiday bazaar on Saturday from 9-2.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the Loda Fireworks on Saturday from 10-2.
First Lutheran Church in Paxton will host a blood drive on Saturday from 10:30-2:30. Appointments are required by contacting Kevin Hanson at e-m-t-c-o-o-r at hotmail dot com.
The Flessner Fall Festival will take place Saturday from 12-7 at the Roberts Park Pavilion. Activities including live music, inflatables, racing simulator, 50/50 raffle, food trucks, kids games and more.
Fisher will hold their 2nd annual Trunk or Treat on Saturday at 6pm at the Fisher Fairgrounds.
Roberts will host their Halloween Festival on Sunday from 3-5 pm at the Roberts Gym.
