(Chicago-jm) – As the National Democratic Convention is set to take place in Chicago next August, there are questions surrounding how the city will handle the convention while also dealing with an influx of thousands of non-citizen arrivals. About 15,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago over the past 13 months. Many have been left without adequate resources and the city is facing a lack of funding to properly care for the arrivals. On CBS's Face The Nation Sunday, Governor J-B Pritzker was asked if he thinks the city will be able to handle the convention in the middle of a migrant influx. Pritzker responded it will require federal assistance to help coordinate where migrants will go.
(Fisher–jc) – Fisher Village leaders are expected to vote on placing “no parking” signs in Heritage Estates when they meet tonight. Other agenda items include approving a TIF pre-development agreement, speed bumps around Matthews Lane and buying tires for the squad car. The Fisher Village board meets at 6 tonight at the Fisher Community Center.
(Washington-jm) – Red hot imports of foreign agricultural products are cooling down. Gary Crawford reports…
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were called to a semi vs farm equipment accident Wednesday evening. Crews were called to the accident on Route 9 at 1600 east just after 6pm. No injuries were reported.
(Rantoul–jc) The Community Service Center in Rantoul continues to gear up for their annual “Holiday Bureau.” The local service and civic group helps with the food pantry daily, but also looks to help during the upcoming holidays. Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford says new toys and dollars are needed to help families in Champaign County for Christmas…
Community Service Center of Rantoul Executive Director Cindy Crawford
(Mahomet-jm) – The Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve in Mahomet is getting $100,000 dollars for an upgrade. The state grant will be used to improve a portion of the bike trail. The bike trail was built in 1996. This is a project the Champaign County Forest Preserve District started in 2021. Officials say money ran out, so this new grant is helping them pick it back up. The section of the bike trail at Lake of the Woods in Mahomet, near mile marker 2.1, will soon look brand new. The $100,000 grant is coming from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources through the Bicycle Path Program.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Market Street Dental. Located at 140 Market Street in downtown Paxton, they offer a wide variety of dental services. They are accepting new patients, says Expanded Duty Dental Assistant Tisha Powers…
Powers says their services are offered in house…
Market Street Dental of Paxton Expanded Duty Dental Assistant Tisha Powers.
Market Street Dental of Paxton is the WPXN Business of the Day, today.
We will have more about Market Street Dental during the Noon News today.
(Springfield-jm) – A new report shows that Illinoisans continue to die from fentanyl overdoses. The organization Families Against Fentanyl analyzed data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that Illinois is ranked sixth in the country for the most fentanyl deaths from April 2022 through April of this year. Nearly 3,000 Illinois families lost loved ones to fentanyl poisonings. The CDC estimates that more than 111,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in the 12-month period ending in April, and more than 77,000 of those deaths involved fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Fentanyl continues to be the number one cause of death of Americans 18 to 45 and the new data from the CDC shows deaths are continuing to increase.
(Washington-jm) – U.S. agricultural exports will likely achieve USDA forecast. Gary Crawford reports…
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Police recovered three illegally-possessed guns in two separate cases this week. University Police officers encountered Mehdi Amrani of Urbana, on Tuesday night. Officers knew Amrani was wanted for questioning related to three burglary to motor vehicle cases in the campus area. Officers attempted to detain Amrani but he ran into a parking garage. As officers struggled to place him in handcuffs, Amrani told them he had a firearm in the satchel he was carrying. Two illegally-possessed, loaded guns were recovered, and multiple people were arrested Sunday after police were initially called to a motor vehicle burglary in progress. As they were detaining a person who was sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, an officer observed a firearm in the backseat of the car. After the suspect was safely detained, police found a second handgun under a seat. Through investigation, police determined that the guns allegedly belonged to Sidney Williams of Rantoul and Dontarion Jordan of Urbana.
(Paxton–jc) The Pumpkins are coming to Paxton. The Paxton Main Street Group with help from the local chamber are hosting a “Fall Gathering and Vendor Show on Saturday at the Veteran’s Square area just south of the Post Office in the city. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Dawn Stack says a pop up pumpkin patch is part of the day on Saturday…
Paxton Chamber of Commerce Vice President Dawn Stack
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man is facing robbery and aggravated battery charges after he allegedly robbed a gambling patron of their winnings. Luther Kimes is facing charges after he allegedly struck a man at a video gaming machine at the Mach 1 gas station in Champaign and stole his money voucher for $200. If convicted he faces probation to 3 to 14 years in prison.
WPXN News Notes…
The Ford County Public Health Department will hold a flu clinic today from 2-4 pm at the health department office in Paxton.
The Gibson City Police Department will open their shooting range to the public today from 5:30-8. Cost is $5.
The second mapping session for the city of Paxton is set for tonight. Community members are invited to attend the session in the PBL Junior High Commons starting at 5:30 pm.
