(Undated-jm) – A consumer watchdog group is calling on the Illinois Commerce Commission to take a stand on the kinds of profits People’s Gas has been enjoying and not give the utility the rate increase it wants. An administrative law judge recommends People’s Gas be given a $350 million rate increase, not the more than $400 million increase the utility wants, but the Citizens Utility Board said People’s Gas shouldn’t even get that much of a hike. CUB estimates the average natural gas bill in Chicago would rise $120 per year if the ICC approved the rate increase.
(Paxton-jm) – The second mapping meeting for the city of Paxton took place last night. The sessions are put on by Western Illinois University’s Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. Program Manager Gisele Hamm talks about last night’s session…
Mapping Program Manager Gisele Hamm. The next session is Tuesday, October 17th from 5:30-8:30 pm in the PBL Junior High Commons.
(Urbana-jm) – As war rages in Israel and Gaza, Palestinian students at the University of Illinois found an ally to rally with as they called for freedom from oppression. The UIUC chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine organized a rally at Alma Mater on Thursday in the wake of the conflict, and it drew hundreds of people.
(Paxton–jc) A Fall Gathering and Vendor Show is set for tomorrow in Paxton. The day starts with a pancake and sausage breakfast, says Paxton Main Street Executive Director Donna Pepper…
Paxton Main Street Executive Director Donna Pepper. 35 vendors will be at Veterans Square on Saturday from 8am to 4pm Food, Music and a Pop-up-Pumpkin Patch will also open on Saturday in downtown Paxton.
(Iroquois County-jm) – There's now at least four candidates seeking the Republican nomination for the Illinois Senate seat being vacated by Tom Bennett. Watseka resident Susan Wynn Bence announced her candidacy. She was Bennett's Chief of Staff, initially, when he served in the Illinois House of Representatives. Wynn Bence has a GOP voice on several fronts, including serving as legislative liaison for former Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti. During that time, Bence was appointed to the Rural Affairs Council where she worked on policy in areas of workforce development,economic development, rural health and education. Bence is currently President of the Watseka Area Chamber of Commerce, President of Watseka Kiwanis Club and Chairman for Illinois Rural Partners. Bence was also elected three times to the Iroquois County Board.
(Paxton–jc) A Blood Drive in Paxton is set for tomorrow at the First Lutheran Church. Local Blood Drive Coordinator Kevin Hanson says 7 more donors are needed for the Impact Life drive…
Local Impact Life Blood Drive Coordinator Kevin Hanson.
Those wanting to donate can go-on line at blood-center-dot-org for more information.
(Washington-jm) – How did markets initially respond to USDA’s latest crop production report reflecting lower yields for both corn and soybeans? Rod Bain reports…
(Hoopeston–jc) – Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Lithgow MotorSports of Hoopeston. Lithgow Motorsports is a family owned business that started in 1997 says owner Phil Lithgow…
l Lithgow says they also have Dixie Chopper lawn mowers …
Lithgow Motorsports Owner Phil Lithgow.
They have Can-Am A-T-Vs and also have Ski-Doo and Sea-Doo sport machines in stock.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs has announced that his office will invest $10 million in Israel in response to Hamas’ attack on the country last week. This investment is the latest that Frerichs' office has made since he became the treasurer in 2015, totaling over $100 million. The state treasurer said the investment diversifies the state’s portfolio, draws attention to the partnership between the state’s economy and Israel, and achieves a good return from what he described as a safe investment.
(Urbana-jm) – A man from Texas is charged in Urbana with burglary after police said he was caught with stolen property from two separate burglaries. Urbana Police officials said that on Monday, officers responded to a burglary alarm at a business on Cunningham Avenue near Interstate 74. Officers discovered a hole in the wall and approximately $3,500 worth of property stolen from the business. Investigation into the burglary revealed Daniel Solis, 41, to be a suspect. He was located the following day and arrested after a brief foot chase with officers. Officials added that Solis is also a suspect in another burglary that happened at Perkins Road and Carroll Avenue, in a residential area of Urbana. Investigators recovered $6,000 worth of stolen property for the victim in the Perkins Road robbery, along with the property related to the Cunningham Avenue burglary. He is being held behind bars and is due back in court November 28th.
(Undated–jc) A partial solar eclipse is set for Saturday. All are reminded, not to look directly at the sun during the event. Adler Planetarium has provided some solar viewing kits at the Paxton Carnegie Library and are free, says Library Director Deb Mason…
Paxton Carnegie Library Director Deb Mason.
(Springfield-jm) – Grants for water and wastewater treatment for rural areas are now available. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(River–jc) – Water levels in the Mississippi River fell to an all-time low this week. Data from the National Weather Service shows the water level at Memphis fell to an elevation of minus 11.5 feet on Wednesday. Several other records were set along the river, including at Cairo with a level of 4.5 feet. The low levels have disrupted barge traffic and have allowed salt water to move up the Mississippi River in Louisiana.
(Washington-jm) – USDA has lowered production expectations for corn, cotton and soybeans. Gary Crawford reports…
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
Paxton Main Street’s Pancake and Sausage breakfast will take place on Saturday from 8-11 at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton. Cost is $8 for adults, kids 10 and under are free. The Fall Gathering and Vendor Show with 35 different vendors, pumpkins, music and more starts at 9am tomorrow at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton.
The Vermilion County Health Department will hold an electronics collection event from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday in the north parking lot of Danville Area Community College, 2000 East Main Street in Danville for all county residents.
Paxton IGA will hold a cookout benefiting LIA on Saturday from 10-2.
The Danville Symphony Orchestra will host two maestros on Saturday at 7 pm in the Dick Van Dyke Auditorium at Danville High School.
Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will hold a drive thru pork chop dinner on Sunday from 10:30-12:30.
