(Undated-jm) – Voters go to the polls today for the consolidated election. In Vermilion County, Rankin voters there will choose 3 candidates for village trustee between Roxane Hasting, Vernon Lee Hofer, Larry Palomo and Alyssa Duncan. Potomac school board voters will choose 3 candidates from Keri Newnum, Amanda Markwalder, Danielle Hoskins, Jenny Tholl and Beau Action. Armstrong Township school board 4 year term voters will choose 3 candidates Andrew Cler, Jason Frerichs, John Gordon and Hannah Catherine Dorsey. Vermilion county voters will also be asked to approve a 1 percent sales tax for schools in the county. In Iroquois County there is only one contested race and that is for the Iroquois West School Board where 5 candidates are vying for 4 spots on the board. They include Rodger Bennett, Bradford Howe, Amy Jo Schunke, Adam Vice and James Schnurr.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ Office is launching a new organ and tissue donor campaign. The gist of the radio and tv ads is that it doesn’t matter what color or gender you are, or which sports team you love, your pledge to give the gift of life can save lives…
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Secretary Giannoulias says a single donor can save or improve the lives of up to 25 people. You can sign up on the website: life goes on dot com.
(Springfield-jm) – A salmonella outbreak linked to flour in Illinois and 10 other states is being investigated by federal health officials. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported at least three people have been hospitalized. The CDC said most people reported eating raw cookie dough or batter made with flour before they got sick. Illinois is the only state where more than one person became ill.
(Springfield-jm) – The weekly crop report is back with a first look at the season. Even with Friday’s storms, this past week ended up being both colder and drier than normal, says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. As of Sunday, soil temperatures ranged from the mid-30’s in northern Illinois to the mid-40’s in southern areas. 56 percent of the winter wheat crop is rated in good to excellent condition.
(Paxton-jm) – To honor former Mayor Jim Kingston, the City of Paxton created a street sign in his name. Kingston passed away in February of 2022. He served as an Alderman, a Police Officer, and Mayor, dedicating over 30 years to the City of Paxton. The sign is at the corner of Pells and Market.
(Springfield-jm) – More grants for businesses that were affected by the COVID pandemic will be opening this week. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the grants are through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Paxton-jm) – The Paxton Park District is beginning discussions on a potential tax referendum. The park district would use the funds for the pool or constructing a community building. The park district will continue considering and discussing the tax referendum over the next few months.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Baier Family Funeral Service of Paxton, Buckley and Flatville. The Baier Family has owned the business since 1949. Baier Family Funeral Service Owner Royce Baier Baier talks about local family service in a corporate world…
The funeral home has served the area since 1870. Owner Royce Baier talks about local service from a local business…
Baier Family Funeral Service Owner Royce Baier.
You can hear more from Royce Baier in a noon interview today.
(Undated-jm) – Voters head to the polls today for the consolidated election. There are several contested races throughout Ford County. Gibson City ward 2 voters will choose between Wayne Link and Ray Hankes. While in Paxton ward 2 voters will choose between incumbent Paul Crutcher and newcomer Joe Reinhart for a 2 year unexpired term. Ward 4 voters in Paxton will choose between incumbent Jonas Hoedebecke and newcomer Kristen Larson. Melvin will have a new village president as Austin Fancher faces Glen Netherton to replace Harold Forbes. In Robert's 4 people are vying for 3 spots on the village board: Sharon King, John Viner, Janet Walker and Cassandra Ehman. For the GCMS school board 4 candidates are vying for 3 spots for a 4 year term: Emily Tucker Davis, Adam Mussman, Adam Elder and Miranda Leonard. In Champaign County, for Foosland, 4 people are vying for 3 spots on the village board: Shawn Scott Lucas, Paul Volker, Dale Aldrich and Pricilla Wallis. In Rantoul for district 4 voters will choose from Gary Wilson and Debbra Sweat while voters in district 6 will choose between former trustee Terry Workman and Mark Wilkerson. In St. Joseph 5 candidates are vying for 3 spots on the village board: R Daniel Davis, Arthur Rapp, James Wagner, Kelly Miller Skinner and Alexis West-Henkelman. 5 people are running for 4 spots on the Fisher school board: Bradley Zwilling, Ryan Logsdon, Travis Tedlock, Dustin Frandle and Janice Douglas. For the Gifford school board 4 candidates are vying for 3 spots: Traci Harris, Benjamin Steven Bangert, Justin Rademacher and Caroline Franzen. Mahomet voters will have an advisory question on the ballot asking if the village should issue $28 million in bonds for an indoor recreation facility and outdoor pool.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation is out with its annual “Think Before You Throw” anti-littering campaign. Littering on the state's 150 thousand miles of road is unsightly, bad for the environment and expensive, says IDOT Spokesperson Maria Castaneda…
IDOT Spokesperson Maria Castaneda. IDOT reminds that littering is illegal and carries a fine of up to 15 hundred dollars.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Freedom Caucus is calling for an ethics investigation into the recent House floor voting controversy. During debate March 24, the Democratic leadership attempted to shut off the opportunity for opposing speakers to discuss legislation. Shortly after this, the group said it became apparent that many members of the Democratic Caucus were absent from the House Floor, and in fact were absent from the Capitol Complex entirely and were still voting on legislation. A verification showed at least four votes were cast on the motion which could not be verified.
(Springfield-jm) – The weekly crop report is back with a first look at the season. Temperatures were nearly three degrees below normal this past week and rainfall was slightly below the statewide average. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says just one point seven days were suitable for fieldwork. He details some other stats…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Average statewide topsoil moisture was rated one percent very short, four percent short, 51 percent adequate and 44 percent surplus.
(Urbana-jm) – Starting today, Carle Health patients will see radiology reports interpreted for them in plain language through the MyCarle account or the MyCarle app. The new software, ScanSlated, uses artificial intelligence to translate the original language submitted by Carle clinical experts in radiology and also highlight key terms in the report. It provides easy-to-understand definitions as well as an anatomical illustration.
(Urbana–jc) Illinois Senator Dick Durbin was at O-S-F Healthcare in Urbana Monday to talk about a new cap on insulin for Medicare recipients. Senator Durbin says marketing by the big pharmaceutical companies is driving up the cost of medicines..
U S Senator Dick Durbin. Congress has passed legislation to cap insulin costs to 35 dollars monthly for those on Medicare.
(Undated-jm) – An area hardware store has been sold. The Ace Hardware in Mahomet and Gibson City has been sold to the Amir family from the Hood family. The Amir’s operate 4 other Ace Hardware stores in Illinois. The Ace Hardware in Gibson City is expected to reopen in April following a fire next door last summer.
(Washington-jm) – How close do the intended planted acreage numbers reported in late March usually line up with what actually gets planted? Gary Crawford reports…
