(Springfield-jm) – Gas prices are on the decline in Illinois. The average price of a gallon of gasoline in the state is at $3.66, two cents more than the national average. Prices are down 11 cents from last week, and about 30 cents from last month. The highest prices are in western Illinois where motorists are still paying nearly $4 a gallon. The lowest prices are in the southern part of the state. For example, drivers in Effingham County are paying $3.11 for a gallon of gas.
(Champaign–jc) Champaign Police and University of Illinois Police are investigating a “shots fired” incident that happened last night The alert was given at 10-45 Monday night. An all clear was given around 11-30pm Monday. No other information was provided. WPXN news will update this story as more official news becomes available.
(Springfield-jm) – The director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is stepping down at the end of the year. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the department and the Governor failed many children…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Bloomington-jm) – The Bloomington area is seeing a spike in overdoses as the fentanyl crisis continues to affect Illinois communities large and small. A Facebook post by the Bloomington Police Department states that there have been nine reported overdoses and three deaths in the past two weeks alone. Police advise anyone who witnesses an overdose to call 911 immediately. Illinois has a drug overdose immunity law, which provides immunity from arrest and prosecution for many drug possession crimes if a person calls 911 to assist an overdose victim.
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton’s first mapping meeting is in the books with 4 more sessions scheduled to come. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis was at the meeting and looks at the chamber’s perspective…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Austin Curtis. The next session put on by Western Illinois University’s Institute for Rural Affairs is Thursday, October 12th from 5:30-8:30 pm in the PBL Junior High Commons. Additional upcoming sessions are October 17th, October 24th and November 2nd.
(Rantoul-jm) – A Champaign woman filed an Order of Protection against Village of Rantoul Administrator, Scott Eisenhauer, back on July 28th according to Fox Illinois in Champaign. This comes as he’s already facing domestic battery charges and has been allowed to return to work. She claimed Eisenhauer was stalking and harassing her on several occasions dating back to September 2022. Both parties will be back in court on December 4th.
(Champaign-jm) – Carle Health’s AirLife program is celebrating 20 years. The helicopter and doctors on board help bring patients from one hospital to another or go directly to the emergency scene if needed.
(Paxton–jc) – The WPXN Business of the Day is Paxton’s Fall Gathering Event sponsored by the Paxton Main Street Group. The event is set for Saturday October 14th. The day starts with a pancake and sausage breakfast in the recently renovated former Paxton Legion building. Paxton Main Street Executive Director Donna Pepper says the day will also feature a vendor and craft show to pumpkins and more…
She says the day will also feature the opening of their pumpkin patch……
Paxton Main Street Group Executive Director Donna Pepper.
35 vendors have signed up for the event and the pumpkin patch will open on Saturday at Veterans Square.
Springfield-jm) – This is fire prevention week and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is reminding everyone about the importance of creating a home fire escape plan and practicing that plan with the entire family so everyone knows what to do if the smoke alarm sounds. DCFS launched a free statewide program in October 2019 to provide smoke alarms to families served by the department. Illinois law requires every household to have smoke alarms within 15 feet of every bedroom and at least one on each floor of the home.
(Springfield-jm) – Fall turkey hunting season is underway. Archery hunting got underway October 1st with the firearm season getting underway later this month. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Jayette Billinski reminds hunters they must report their harvest the day they take the turkey…
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Jayette Billinski.
(Danville-jm) – The Vermilion County Health Department will hold an electronics collection event from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 14 in the north parking lot of Danville Area Community College, 2000 East Main Street in Danville for all county residents. The event is free but donations to Keep Vermilion County Beautiful are greatly appreciated. Residents are encouraged to bring their broken, obsolete or unwanted televisions, monitors and other electronic items to the collection events so they can be recycled.
(Ford County-jm) – An area group is raising awareness about farm legacy. Cheryl Mitchell with Impacting Farm Legacy what impacting farm legacy means…
Impacting Farm Legacy Spokesperson Cheryl Mitchell. The group will be holding a session November 16th at Engelbrecht Farms in rural Paxton.
(Rantoul-jm) – Two Rantoul brothers have each been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a 2021 shooting. Donnell and Dontroll Robinson received the sentence in Champaign County court. Donnell Robinson was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon while Dontroll Robinson was charged with aggravated discharge of a weapon. Prosecutors say police were called to a report of shots fired in January 2021. They later learned a Champaign man had arrived at Carle Hospital with gunshot wounds to his back, hip and hand.
(Undated-jm) – A 4-generation farmer from Livingston County is announcing his intent to seek the Republican nomination for the Senate seat now held by Tom Bennett. Mike Kirkton is a veteran, farmer and businessman. In a press release, Kirkton says he'll focus on addressing challenges and concerns of the people living and working in the 53rd District. Kirkton is expected to be one of several candidates seeking the office. He joins already-announced candidates Paul Ducat of Clifton in Iroquois County and Chris Bulkima of Grundy County. Kirkton has served the Livingston County Board. Tom Bennett has announced he will not seek another term when his seat expires in 2025. The 53rd Senate District includes all or parts of Iroquois, Ford, Livingston, LaSalle, Bureau, Grundy, Marshall, McLean, Peoria, Putnam. Tazewell, Will and Woodford counties.
WPXN News Notes this Week…
The Rantoul Fire Department will host an open house as part of Fire Safety Week on Wednesday from 6-8 pm at fire station 1 in downtown Rantoul.
The Ford County Public Health Department will hold a flu clinic on Thursday from 2-4 pm at the health department office in Paxton.
The Gibson City Police Department will open their shooting range to the public on Thursday from 5:30-8. Cost is $5.
