(Gibson City-jm) – Severe weather came through the area Tuesday evening bringing heavy rain and tornadoes. A confirmed tornado touched down southeast of Gibson City causing damage to two homesteads. Tornadoes were also reported in Sangamon, Logan, Macon and Christian Counties. A Total of 6 tornadoes were reported on Tuesday evening. Some property damage was reported south east of Gibson City in Ford County and also near Maroa in Macon County.
(Springfield-jm) – This is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The State Department of Children and Family Services reminds that human trafficking does occur to children here in Illinois, at an average age of 14. Governor J-B Pritzker urges the public to familiarize themselves with the warning signs…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. If you suspect a child is in trouble, call 9-1-1 and the DCFS child abuse hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE.
(Champaign County-jm) – Champaign County Democrats will decide who will fill the late senator Scott Bennett’s seat by the end of this week. Champaign County Democratic Party Chair Mike Ingram joined the list of candidates for the seat. Others vying for the seat include State Representative Carol Ammons, Lawyer Cristina Manuel, Cynthia Cunningham, who lost to Representative Mike Marron in last year’s election, David Palmer, who lost in the Democratic primary for the Illinois 13th Congressional District, Champaign School Board Member Gianina Baker, Champaign County Board Chair Kyle Patterson, Former Prosecutor Matt Sullard, Therapist Mickensy Ellis-White, City of Champaign Township Supervisor Andy Quarnstrom and Champaign County Township Assessor Paul Faraci. Today, each candidate will present their case to the Vermilion County Party Chair, the Champaign County Vice Chair and the 16-person advisory committee.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers are asking the public for help in locating a Champaign woman with a warrant for aggravated discharge of a firearm. Police said the suspect is 47-year-old Angelia J. Gant. They described her as a 5’08” black female, weighing 233 lbs with black hair and brown eyes. The suspect’s last known address is the 1300 block of Clock Street in Champaign. A bond is set at $50,000.
(Paxton–jc) The Flock Safety Company is expected to be in attendance with Paxton city leaders when they meet this month. The topic of license plate readers and their potential use in the city is on the agenda. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold and several councilmen and members of the Paxton police department have been gathering information about a license plate reader program for months and the next meeting is to further inform local citizens about the program, says Mayor Ingold…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police were dispatched at 1:54 a.m. Tuesday morning, to the 2400 Block of N. Neil Street for a report of a Shooting with Injury. Upon arrival, officers located a 40-year-old Champaign man with a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound to the abdomen. He remains in critical condition. The initial investigation indicates that the victim was talking with a neighbor when an argument ensued. The argument quickly escalated when the suspect produced a firearm, shooting the victim one time before fleeing the scene. Officers processed the scene for physical evidence and continue to canvass the surrounding area for witnesses and video footage that may be of investigative assistance. Any resident or business in the nearby area with exterior surveillance camera systems is encouraged to notify the police department. No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation is ongoing. It was the third shooting since New Year’s Eve.
(Rantoul-jm) – Could solar panels be coming to Rantoul Township High School? The school board will hear a formal proposal this Thursday on the nearly one million dollar project that would put solar panels on the east wing. The district is looking at credits and grants to help pay for the project. A decision on whether or not to move forward with the project could come as early as their January 9th meeting.
(Rantoul–jc) Motocross racing is growing in the village of Rantoul The B-52 Hanger MX Racing Group is operating in Hanger 2 in the village. The hanger was part of the former Chanute Air Force Base that closed in 1993. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says hundreds of participants and fans head to the facility each week…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith. The facility is open tonight from 5pm to 9pm and also Fridays through Sundays. That is the set schedule for the tracks this winter.
(Springfield-jm) – A new study out of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine finds a national increase in the number of kids ingesting edible marijuana products. Researchers looked at data from 2017 to 2021, noting the number of reported cases of a child younger than 6 eating a cannabis product shot up by more than 1000 percent. SUI Med Schools Dr Marit Tweet…
SIU Med Schools Dr Marit Tweet. Over 7 thousand cases were confirmed during the five year time period and nearly a quarter of those kids ended up in the hospital. Most incidents occurred in a home.
(Rantoul-jm) – Big changes are on the way to one area of Rantoul. Improvements that officials said have been in the works for months. Tuesday night, the Village Board is meeting to approve an engineering agreement. That way, a group can come in, take surveys and start getting ready for construction. Village leaders hope the $4.8 million project will encourage more people to spend more time in the 4-block area. The money for the project would come from the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program grant and the city’s ARPA funds. They hope to start the underground infrastructure work later this year and finish streetscaping by 2025.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a man suspected of theft and credit card fraud. The suspect stole a wallet from a purse while distracting a customer at Hobby Lobby on North Neil Street in Champaign on December 9. The suspect then used the victim’s credit cards to purchase over $10,000 worth of gift cards at Sam’s Club located nearby. Police say the suspect was captured on video and was described as a middle-aged white male, last seen wearing a camouflage jacket and baseball cap.
(Rantoul–jc) Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce officials are working on events to raise money for a Dog Park in the village. Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amanda Vickery says a Glo Bingo event is set for January 14th at the Knights of Columbus on North Ohio Street…
Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amanda Vickery
The event starts at 6-30pm on the 14th with the Glo Bingo beginning at 7pm.
(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City police have released their recent activity report. On December 23rd, 54 year old James Bailey of Rockdale, Illinois was arrested for aggravated assault and resisting a peace officer. On December 31st, 49 year old Shane May of Gibson City was arrested for aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery on a police officer and resisting a peace officer.
(Watseka-jm) – Iroquois County Sheriff's Police report the arrest of 31-year-old Kirby Lacy of Urbana for manufacturing and delivery of cocaine. Lacy was jailed over the weekend for failure to appear on the charges. Deputies returned from the Cook County Jail with Lacy.
(Washington-jm) – Incomes for dairy operators increased in 2022, but what's the outlook for this year? Gary Crawford reports…
