(Rantoul-jm) – The Rantoul Police Department released on Thursday the names of two of its officers who shot and killed a 21-year-old man from Champaign on Monday. Rantoul Police officials said Officers Jose Aceves and Rikki McComas were investigating a stolen vehicle when shots were fired. Azaan Lee was hit by gunfire and was later pronounced dead at Carle Hospital in Urbana. The coroner determined he died from a gunshot wound that perforated the femoral artery in his leg. Officials added that Aceves and McComas were both hired by Rantoul Police after previously serving in other law enforcement agencies. Aceves was a police officer in Mattoon from 2019 to 2022 while McComas was a Correctional Officer in the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office from 2017 to 2019.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation is urging the public to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday responsibly. State and local police will be out looking for drunk drivers who may have partied too hard during the big game. IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel reminds there are plenty of options if you have been drinking…
IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. Wappel says if you’re hosting a party, it’s a good idea to stop serving drinks after the third quarter and break out the coffee.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Freedom Caucus is raising concerns about rising energy prices. The group blames new state clean energy policies for the rate hikes. Representative Blain Wilhour says their offices are getting calls from people and businesses who say bills have doubled or even tripled. He points to a grocery store in downstate Kincaid that recently closed because of energy costs…
State Representative Blain Wilhour. The Freedom Caucus says prices will continue to go up as the state reduces the use of natural gas, coal and oil. One member suggests Illinois lift a ban on building new nuclear plants to provide more power.
State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur says we cannot sustain our economy, we cannot move our country forward, we cannot meet the demands of keeping our country productive and safe without coal, oil and natural gas…
State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur.
They held a press conference, saying they are hearing from angry families and businesses. Representative Adam Niemerg of Dietrich…
State Representative Adam Niemerg of Dietrich. They say wind and solar power alone won’t produce enough power. State Representative Chris Miller of Oakland, chairman of the caucus…
State Representative Chris Miller of Oakland.
(Urbana-jm) – U of I Police said they’ve identified the person who was reportedly entering the women’s shower areas of a dorm hall Sunday morning. Police officials reported on Wednesday that they were informed of a man entering those areas in Oglesby Hall, part of the Florida Avenue Residence complex. The man viewed at least one female student showering before he was confronted by resident advisers. He subsequently left the area. Officials followed up that report on Thursday by saying the man had been identified as Pranav Chittharanjan, a 19-year-old U of I student. He was issued a state of Illinois notice to appear in court for disorderly conduct.
(St. Joseph-jm) – A Champaign man is in custody after the Champaign County Sheriff's says he fired a gun outside following an argument with his girlfriend in St. Joseph Wednesday. Hannibal Whitesell, 23, was arrested for aggravated discharge and reckless discharge of a firearm. Sheriff deputies were called to the 400 block of North Fourth Street just before 9 p.m. because several people reported hearing shots fired. Officials say that Whitesell and his girlfriend got into an argument and that he went outside and fired four to six shots.
(Roberts-jm) – There will be a craft and vendor fair this Saturday in Roberts. It’s a fundraiser for Living Word Church. Spokesperson Melanie Bauer says they have a variety of vendors lined up…
Living Word Church Craft and Vendor Fair Spokesperson Melanie Bauer. The event runs from 9 am to 2 pm.
(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul man is facing burglary charges for allegedly breaking into two vehicles. Police were called to the 500 block of South Tanner Avenue for a suspicious person with a hammer. Police allege Kevin Terrell broke into a vehicle and stole a wallet then broke into a Reynolds Towing truck and stole a reflective vest.
(Springfield-jm) – A bill recently introduced in the Illinois General Assembly would ensure children in the state’s care have legal representation. The legislation was filed by Senator Ann Gillespie of Arlington Heights who says it’s needed to help guide kids through complex proceedings…
State Senator Ann Gillespie of Arlington Heights. Gillespie says this has proven to be effective, with kids represented by specially trained legal counsel 40 percent more likely to leave the foster care system within the first six months.
(Champaign–jc) One local coop has grown to 20 locations over the past decade and has a wide area of service to area farmers. Premier Cooperative Energy Manager Garrett Bruns talks about the wide service area for Premier and United Prairie…
Premier Coop Energy Manager Garrett Bruns.
Hear more about Premier over the noon hour today with an interview with Bruns and our Gary Voss.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign County Coroner’s and Sheriff’s Offices are investigating after a man was found dead outside of Champaign Wednesday morning. County Coroner Duane Northrup said the man is 53-year-old Larry Adams of Champaign. Adams was discovered along a tree line on Hensley Road near Mattis Avenue just before 8 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Northrop said the preliminary investigation at the scene did not reveal any obvious trauma or cause of death. The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, meanwhile, is asking for help in locating a car Adams was known to have used prior to his death. The car is described as being a gray 2010 Chrysler Sebring with an Illinois license plate of Q897868. The car is also said to have a white fish-shaped car freshener in the rear window and a skeleton figurine in the front portion of the cabin.
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois High School Association is launching a March Madness app. The IHSA March Madness app features schedules, scores, brackets, conferences, rosters, ticketing, broadcast info and more. The app is currently available for download in the Apple App Store and will appear in the Android App Store in the coming days. The IHSA Girls Basketball State Series gets underway with regional games tomorrow, and culminates with the State Finals at Illinois State University campus on the first weekend in March.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign couple is facing charges of sexual abuse and the attempted cover up of the alleged crime. Jorge Mejas is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse while Judith Torres is charged with obstructing justice. Police say Mejas allegedly touched the girl inappropriately. Torres allegedly tried to persuade the girl to recant her statements about Mejas.
(Washington-jm) – New numbers show that U.S. agricultural product exporters did record business in 2022. Gary Crawford reports…
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The Loda American Legion Fish and Chicken Fry will take place today from 4-7 pm. Cost is $10 for adults, kids 6-12 is $5.
The Rankin Fire Department will hold their 28th annual pancake and sausage breakfast on Saturday from 6-1. Cost is $7 for adults, $4 for children, kids 6 and under are free.
The 34th annual Paxton Buckley Loda FFA Farm Toy Show will take place on Saturday from 9 to 2:30 at PBL High School.
The St. Joseph Ogden FFA Auction will be held on Saturday with a dinner and silent auction starting at 5 pm and the live auction at 6pm.
