(Undated-jm) – The National Weather Service has officially declared yesterday's severe storms as a derecho (deh-REY-cho). A derecho is defined as a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms, with a damage swath of at least 240 miles and gusts of at least 58 mph. The storms left damage across the area with trees and power lines down. A 62 mph gust was reported in Paxton, Willard Airport reported a 79 mph gust while Lake of the Woods in Mahomet reported an 82 mph gust.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs is highlighting a 24 hour helpline for struggling vets. It’s called the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program, which offers a free and confidential service for vets facing a variety of issues. State Veterans’ Affairs Director Terry Prince says it’s a “warm helpline”...
State Veterans’ Affairs Director Terry Prince. Callers will be directed toward the appropriate resources with the help of a case manager. The number is 877-455-IWAP. Veterans can also visit the website: illinois warrior dot org.
(Springfield-jm) – Today, as required by the Illinois state fiscal year 2023 budget, the final deposit will be made into the Budget Stabilization Fund, and the state of Illinois’ Fiscal Year 2024 budget will deposit an additional $138 million. That will boost the fund to over $2 billion, the highest balance in state history. Illinois created the Budget Stabilization Fund in 2001 with the intent to use it as a ‘rainy-day’ fund for future fiscal emergencies or economic downturns.
(Melvin–jc) It’s the Roots and Boots Country concert tonight at the Ford County Fair in Melvin. Tickets are available for the show says Ford County Fair President Steve Meenen…
Ford County Fair President Steve Meenen.
Roots and Boots with Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin and Collin Raye and also Halle Kearns.The concert starts at 7-30pm
(Springfield-jm) – Drivers can expect to see increased police patrols through the 4th of July holiday. State and local police are boosting patrols to help keep the public safe out on the roads says Illinois Department of Transportation Spokesperson Paul Wappel…
IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. Over last year’s 4th of July holiday in Illinois, there were 19 crashes leaving 20 people dead.
(Rantoul-jm) – Rantoul’s embattled Village Administrator was in court earlier this week to face domestic battery charges. Scott Eisenhauer is facing three counts that include domestic battery and unlawful interference with the reporting of domestic violence. He pleaded not guilty and requested a trial by jury. Eisenhauer was placed on administrative leave by the village of Rantoul immediately after his arrest. He submitted his resignation after his arraignment the following day, but the Village Board declined it pending the trial’s outcome. Eisenhauer is due back in court again next month.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County area home sales dipped lower for the second month in a row in May, while home sale prices continue to gain traction, according to the Champaign County Association of REALTORS®. May home sales totaled 250 units, down 19.09 percent from 309 sales in May 2022. The monthly median home sale price in May was $195,250 up 2.76 percent from $190,000 in May of 2022. The median is the typical market price where half the homes sold for more and half for less. The average home sale price for May 2023 was $251,185, up 15.79 percent from $216,925 in May 2022.
(Iroquois County–jc) –Due to the current extreme drought conditions throughout Iroquois County, we are issuing a strong recommendation that all citizens refrain from any type of burning including the use of consumer grade fireworks until further notice. At the present time, conditions are very favorable for the outbreak of wildfires and other uncontrolled events. Any rainfall in the near future is not anticipated to have any effect on the drought conditions.The Fire Chiefs in the county, with the authority granted by Illinois Statute, have approved a ban to prohibit any type of burning including the use of consumer grade fireworks. This ban will remain in effect until drought conditions have abated sufficiently.
(Onarga–jc) The Onarga 4th of July Celebration starts tomorrow night and runs through Sunday. On Saturday July 1st, it’s the annual parade and Onarga parade Organizer Paula Warmbir says this year’s parade has lots of entries so far…
Onarga parade Organizer Paula Warmbir. The parade will be live on WPXN on Saturday. It’s summer fun tour stop number 5. The broadcast is set for 11am on Saturday.
(Melvin–jc) – What to eat when you go to the Ford County Fair in Melvin. What is your go to food. For some its Elephant Ears, for others it’s baked potato fries. For Owen Procter of Paxton it’s cotton candy…
Owen Procter of Paxton and Joel Cluver at the Ford County Fair on Thursday.
(Washington-jm) – A familiar voice to many viewers and listeners is concluding an illustrious forty plus year career covering agriculture on television and radio. Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Board of Higher Education says Thursday's U-S Supreme Court ruling is a step backwards for racial equity at colleges and universities. The court essentially struck down affirmative action, saying race should not be a specific consideration in the college admissions process. Jose Garcia with the State Board of Higher Education says they are disappointed…
State Board of Education’s Jose Garcia. Governor J-B Pritzker issued a statement saying the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action is a travesty.
(Chicago-jm) – The city of Chicago has spent more than $100 million to provide services to the thousands of migrants who arrived in the city since last August. The cost breakdown came during a hearing run by the City Council Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Of that total, over $72 million was spent on staffing the migrant shelters that are run by the city but rely on outside nonprofits for day-to-day operations. More than 10,000 migrants have arrived in the Chicago area since the crisis began 10 months ago.
(Chicago-jm) – The Illinois Tollway is gearing up for a busy 4th of July holiday weekend. The tollway expects more than 9 million vehicles to travel the system between today and the 4th of July. Spokesperson Dan Rozek says they are taking steps to help ease traffic headaches…
Illinois Tollway Spokesperson Dan Rozek. Rozek says they really want the public to slow down and not drive distracted, especially through work zones. Police are beefing up patrols for the weekend.
(Mahomet-jm) – A Mahomet man has been sentenced to 3 years in prison for damaging vehicles at a mobile home park in the village. Tyler Walker received the sentence after pleading guilty to 2 counts of criminal damage to property.
(gifford–jc) – The village of Gifford is celebrating the 4th of July on Saturday. Gifford Village President Adam Pannbacker says a 5-K starts the day and fireworks will conclude the day. A full day of events is set for Gifford…
Gifford Village President Adam Pannbacker. WPXN will be broadcasting the parade live on Saturday with Jason Madden. It’s Summer Fun Tour stop number 5
(Springfield-jm) – There’s a shortage of teachers in the state of Illinois, but that’s not the only industry needing help. The country is seeing a shortage of nurses. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City shares just how bad the shortage is in Illinois…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College in partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will host a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Career Exploration and Symposium Wednesday, July 26 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the University of Illinois campus in the Illini Union.
(Sibley-jm) – The Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Club will be holding their annual tractor drive Saturday benefiting cancer research. Spokesperson Russ Tjarks talks about the route for this year's ride…
Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Club Spokesperson Russ Tjarks. Registration is from 7:30-8:30 am at the Sibley Lake Bar with the start of the ride beginning shortly after.
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
Tonight at the Ford County Fair its Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin and Collin Raye performing, Saturday, final night of the fair its the demolition derby.
Onarga will hold their 4th of July celebration at Durham Park tonight through Sunday. Tonight from 4- midnight its food and live music in the beer tent. Saturday its the parade at 11, food stands and vendors open at 11:30, inflatables and water slides from 12:30-4:30, horse and pony rides from 1-4, talent show at 1, kids games 2-5, Bingo 2-7 and fireworks at dusk. Sunday from 1-3 its the 11th annual Lazy Daze car and motorcycle show in downtown Onarga.
Rankin will hold their 4th of July celebration tonight and tomorrow. Tonight its the truck and tractor pulls. Saturday at 11 its the parade, car show 12-4:30, cake walk 2-3, kids water ball fight and games at 3 and fireworks at dusk.
The Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Club will hold their annual tractor drive on Saturday.
The 2023 Gifford Community Celebration will take place on Saturday. A 5k takes place at 7 am, parade at 10 am, activities and food trucks at Werner Roessler Park from 11-3, car show 1-5, bags tournament at 3 and fireworks at Dusk.
Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting the Paxton Masonic Lodge 416 on Saturday from 10-2.
Gibson City will hold their first Red, White and Tunes on Saturday from 3-11 in downtown Gibson City with live music, food and vendors.
