(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were called to a two vehicle accident Friday evening. Crews were called to the accident at Route 9 and Route 115 around 6 pm. There’s no word on if there were any injuries.
(Homer-jm) – Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup confirmed the names of three people involved in a single motor vehicle crash near Homer Saturday night. Police reported the driver, Daniel Albers, age 38, of Fairmount, and passengers Lucas Bohlen, age 36, of Ogden, and Matthew Drake, age 38, of St Joseph, were traveling north on Homer Lake Road. Their vehicle left the roadway and struck a building and a tree near the 2500 block of Homer Lake Road North. All three men were pronounced dead at the scene at 6:41 p.m. on Oct. 29. A fourth passenger in the vehicle was taken to Carle Hospital in Urbana.
(Bradley-jm) – The Illinois State Police has made another arrest in connection to the murder of Bradley Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic. Prosecutors believe that 23-year-old Jaron M. Shannon of Kankakee took part in a “straw purchase” of a gun that was used in a December 29 shooting that left Rittmanic dead and Officer Tyler Bailey seriously hurt. This means that Shannon is accused of buying the gun and then giving it to accused killers Darius Sullivan and Xandria Harris, who could not legally purchase a gun themselves. He was charged with two felony counts of unlawful sale of a firearm and 10 misdemeanor counts of failure to maintain records of a firearm sale. Bond was set at $500,000.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting an uptick of COVID-19 cases. More than 13 thousand new cases of COVID have been logged over the past week, and that doesn’t count those who tested positive at home and never went to the doctor. Additionally, 38 Illinois counties are at an elevated risk for transmission of the virus says State Public Health Director Dr Sameer Vohra…
State Public Health Director Dr Sameer Vohra. Vohra urges everyone to make sure they are up to date on their vaccines before the holidays. That includes COVID and flu shots, which can be given at the same time.
(Springfield-jm) – llinois law prohibits all sex offenders who committed a crime against a child from distributing candy on Halloween. This means they cannot hand out candy or attend events geared towards kids. In addition to event attendance, child sex offenders are not allowed to leave their porch lights on during trick-or-treating hours. Law enforcement also recommends checking out the Illinois Sex Offender Registry.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is offering some Halloween safety tips. For starters, don’t use candles in your carved pumpkin; opt for a flashlight or glow stick instead, says Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz…
State Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. Fultz says parents should make sure kids wearing Halloween masks can see through the eye holes and give them a flashlight or glow stick to carry.
(Paxton–jc) -Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is A Picket Fence Florist downtown Paxton. The store features fresh flowers and floral arrangements to inspirational gifts, signs to stocking ;stuffers for the holidays. Owner Teri Hancock says a holiday “sneak peek” sale is coming this weekend at A Picket Fence Florist in Paxton…
A Picket Fence Florist Owner Teri Hancock
We have an interview with the gang at A Picket Fence Florist during our noon news today.
(Champaign-jm) – On Saturday at 7:48 p.m Champaign Police were dispatched to the 500 block of West Washington Street for a report of a shooting with injuries. Upon arrival, officers located a 17-year-old male from Champaign with a gunshot wound to the back. Police officers immediately rendered medical aid with assistance from the Champaign Fire Department until the victim could be transported to an area hospital. He remains in stable condition. The initial investigation indicated even though the victim was located on Washington Street, the shooting was reported to have taken place in the 700 block of North Elm Street. The investigation remains ongoing.
(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois Police are investigating a pair of weekend sexual assaults on campus. A student was sexually assaulted early Friday morning at a fraternity house in Champaign. University of Illinois Police confirmed that the victim did not know the offender. Sunday morning police received another report of a sexual assault, this time between Sherman and Allen halls. Police say the student was walking between the two locations when she encountered a man who led her inside a building and assaulted her.
(Kankakee-jm) – On Friday Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group Agents, assisted by the Illinois State Police SWAT and the Bradley Police Department, arrested 36-year-old Antonio Paige of Kankakee. Paige was arrested following a search warrant at this residence. The search warrant execution resulted in the seizure of one loaded handgun, approximately 54 grams of suspected crack cocaine, approximately 17 grams of suspected cocaine, approximately 3.2 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and United States Currency. Paige, who is currently on parole with the Illinois Department of Corrections, has been initially charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance between 15 and 100 grams, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver within 500 Feet of a Park, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and Possession of a Firearm by a Gang Member.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Community College Board is reporting an increase in fall enrollment for the first time in more than a decade. Overall, enrollment grew by one and a half percent compared to last fall, with 28 community colleges reporting a rise in students. 20 schools saw a decrease over the year. Board Executive Director Brian Durham…
Illinois Community College Board Executive Director Brian Durham. There was a 30 percent increase in adult learners this fall compared to the previous year. More career and technical students are coming back as well, since much of their work must be done in-person.
(Undated-jm) – Doctors are urging safety and practicing safe hygiene this Halloween as cases of RSV continue to rise. As youngsters head out tonight for trick or treating doctors are urging caution. They recommend people handing out candy to have it in bags instead of letting kids reach into a bucket to get the candy. They also recommend using hand sanitizer frequently and if your kid is sick, to keep them at home.
(Springfield-jm) – A University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign professor looks at why we love horror movies and what makes a good film. English Professor Jim Hansen teaches a course on the subject and says for him, a successful horror movie plays upon our fears of a monster, ghost or bad guy trying to get into what we consider a safe space. For example, much of the Exorcist takes place in young Regan’s room as she is possessed by a demon…
University of Illinois English Professor Jim Hansen. Hansen says there may be several reasons people like horror movies, such as asking themselves if they would be able to survive the scenario or just tapping into a little masochistic pleasure.
(Paxton–jc) -Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is A Picket Fence Florist downtown Paxton. It’s more than just fresh flowers and floral arrangements offered in the store and delivered everyday. A Picket Fence Florist also features gifts for all occasions, and now are taking orders for Poinsettias for Christmas. With a “Sneak Peek” Holiday Shopping event coming this Friday Saturday and Sunday, A Picket Fence Designer Dawn Glad says the colors of the season are featured and ready at the store in Paxton…
A Picket Fence of Paxton Florist Designer Dawn Glad
Paxton’s Halloween parade is back this afternoon at 4. The parade will kick off at the library and go down Market Street to the firehouse.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will host a trick or treat in downtown Rantoul on Monday, October 31st.
Trick or Treat Hours around the area…
Buckley 4-7
Elliott 5-8
Gibson City 5-8
Loda 5-8
Melvin 5-7
Paxton 5-8
Piper City 5-7
Roberts 4-7
Sibley 5-7
Crescent City 4:30-7:30
Gilman 4-7
Hoopeston 5-7:30
Onarga 5-7
Thawville 4-7
Rantoul 6-8
St. Joseph 6-8
Mahomet 6-8
Champaign and Urbana 6-8
Gifford 6-8
Ludlow 5-8
Fisher 5-8
