(Paxton-jm) – Paxton is the latest community to announce fireworks are postponed. Late Wednesday night Paxton city officials made the decision to postpone the annual display to an undetermined date due to the dry weather. Activities at Pells Park will continue as planned. Hoopeston in Vermilion County has also postponed their fireworks portion of their 4th of July celebration. Check your event through social media for the latest changes in local celebrations. 

 

(Paxton–jc) – Local Health Department officials continue to monitor the air quality in the area due to the large Canadian fires. Ford County Public Health Department Administrator Lana Sample says they follow several websites and reporting agencies…

 

 

Ford County Health Department Administrator Lana Sample

 

(Rantoul-jm) – The Rantoul Police Department on Wednesday released reports, recordings of radio traffic, and body-worn camera video from an officer-involved shooting incident on June 7, 2023. Jordan A. Richardson, 18, of Champaign, was fatally shot by one bullet from Sergeant Jerry King’s duty weapon after he failed to comply with officers’ commands to drop his gun. According to the Champaign County Multi-Jurisdictional Investigative Team, led by the Illinois State Police, Richardson turned towards Sergeant King with the gun still in his hand. Rantoul Sergeant King fired two shots from his duty weapon after he feared he was going to be shot by Richardson. Also on Wednesday, Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz made a preliminary ruling that the officer’s use of force was justified based on the  independent investigation. With the ruling, Sergeant King will be removed from paid administrative leave status and return to full duty.

 

(Ludlow–jc)  The 4th of July will be celebrated in the village of Ludlow in Northern Champaign County Alpha Dog Laser tag for kids is set for 1pm, a parade steps off at 4-30. A street dance takes place from 5pm to 9pm with DJ Scott Lackey.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Poor air quality continues today in Illinois. Expect another day of hazy skies as smoke from Canadian wildfires permeates the state. Kim Biggs with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency says this can impact people with respiratory problems and even healthy, active individuals…

 

 

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Kim Biggs. She recommends checking the website: air now dot gov for current conditions in your area.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The challenge to Illinois’ gun and magazine ban, and similar bans on local levels, is set for oral arguments this morning in a federal appeals court. Cases from the Southern District were consolidated with cases from the Northern District. The state argues the banned semi-automatic firearms are dangerous and recent mass shootings require the bans. Plaintiffs say governments can not violate the Second Amendment by banning commonly owned firearms. A ruling isn’t expected for months.

 

(Mahomet-jm) – Fire investigators are looking into a fire in Mahomet after a mobile home burned to the ground Tuesday night. The fire happened near the intersection of Carroll and Piatt streets just before midnight. Crews from the Cornbelt Fire Protection District arrived to see the home fully engulfed in flames. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the investigation.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Community members came together in Rantoul last night to bridge the gap in divisive politics. WPXN’s Jason Madden was there and has the details…

 

 

 

(Undated-jm) – Circle K, is back with another Fuel Day! After a successful celebrated National Fuel Day, the global convenience store chain is cooling down gas prices in the American Heartland just in time for Fourth of July weekend festivities. Circle K will host a Fuel Day Pop-Up, today, at more than 300 stores throughout Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, customers will save 40 cents per gallon of fuel at the pump between 3 and 6 p.m.?

 

(Washington-jm) – A lack of moisture in many parts of the Corn Belt is leading to increasing concern for how this year’s corn crop might fare during the remainder of the growing season. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Melvin–jc)  On the schedule today at the Ford County Fair in Melvin include two tractor pulls. One for adults and another for kids, says Ford County Fair President Steve Meenen…

 

 

Ford County Fair President Steve Meenen.

WPXN will be broadcasting live over the noon hour today as part of our Summer Fun Tour 20-23.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Fireworks will not be going up in Paxton, at least not on July 4th. The city announced late Wednesday the annual fireworks display is postponed due to the dry weather. The annual Old Fashioned 4th of July at Pells Park will continue as planned with added activities.

 

(Rankin-dg)-Illinois State Police investigated a fatal accident that happened 5 miles south of Rankin Tuesday evening. The accident involved a stolen car from Rantoul that claimed the lives of three people. A stolen Toyota Camry ran a stop sign at Vermillion county road 3550 east near Route 49 and hit a jeep on the driver’s side. A report from Rantoul police said the car had been stolen on Monday and was spotted in Rantoul. The car sped off when an officer gave chase. Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden identified the two people in the Jeep as 19 year old Joseph Stallone and 17 year old Keegynn Martinek of Paxton. The identity of the driver of the Camry has not yet been released.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Some new laws and increases take effect July 1st. Starting Saturday, the one percent sales tax on groceries returns and a delayed three cent increase in the motor fuel tax will be implemented. Putting off these fees for a while helped families struggling with rising prices, says Governor J-B Pritzker…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. A few new laws take effect on the 1st. One marks September 17th, Constitution Day, a commemorative holiday at school. A second will help youth leaving the care of the Department of Children and Family Services locate former foster parents and siblings. 

 

(Champaign–jc)  It’s a normal mix of corn and soybeans on farms throughout Champaign County for crop year 20-23. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady says its a 50-50 split, but rain is needed…

 

 

Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady

 

(Undated-jm) – Wildfire smoke from Canada is lingering around Illinois longer than expected. An Air Quality Alert has been extended for many parts of Illinois through Thursday. The alert was originally supposed to come to an end at midnight Wednesday. Those with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid strenuous outdoor activities. By Friday, air quality should be back to normal.

 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) – A building at a recycling center in Urbana was reduced to ruins on Tuesday night when it caught fire. The fire happened at Mack’s Twin City Recycling Center. It’s the third time firefighters have responded to a fire at the facility. The building that caught fire Tuesday night was the replacement of a building that caught fire once before. The cause is under investigation.

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA's upcoming report on acreage will give us more than just what farmers have planted this season. Gary Crawford reports…