(Springfield-jm) – Illinois residents are required to register their assault weapons by January 1, 2024, but some law enforcement say the state has not done enough to let them know. Assault weapons can no longer be sold in Illinois, but ones bought in the past can remain legal if they are registered with the Illinois State Police. But those numbers are currently low. Illinois gun owners who don’t register their assault weapons by January 1st can face criminal penalties and potential jail time. So far, less than 3,000 people have done so, out of 2.4 million FOID card owners. Some in law enforcement say the state hasn’t told people about this new law well enough.

 

(Washington-jm) – What are the price prospects for the new U.S. soybean crop? Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College’s Collision Repair Program will begin giving students real life training through local businesses. Apprenticeships with collision repair shops will now account for half of their learning. The plan is to focus on work in the classroom for the first eight weeks. Next, the students will pair with garages so they can work on cars firsthand, 40 hours a week.

 

(Paxton-jm) – The 5 mapping sessions planning the future of Paxton over the next 10-30 years are over. The sessions were put on by Western Illinois University’s Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. Program Manager Gisela Hamm recaps the first session…

 

 

Mapping Program Manager Gisela Hamm. Tomorrow we will recap sessions two and three.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The State Farm Center is proud to announce the addition of late-night icon Jay Leno, with special guest Arsenio Hall, to its 2024 spring lineup. The duo will perform on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 pm. Tickets go on sale to the public this Friday, November 17 at noon.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Ford County Veterans Assistance Program is launching it’s help with the Marine Corp Toys-for-Tots program that will net new toys for area kids this Christmas. Ford County Veterans Assistance Program Director Rebecca Rutledge says they are collecting new toys today now through mid-December…

 

 

Ford County Veterans Assistance Program Director Rebbecca Rutledge.

 

(Gifford–jc)  It’s number 39. The 39th annual Gifford Community  Christmas Craft Show is set for this Saturday and Sunday at Gordyville USA just west of Gifford. Over 300 vendors will be ready for holiday shopping at the annual event. The Gifford Community Craft Show hours are Saturday from 8am until 5pm and Sunday from 9am until 3pm. A Harvest lunch will be provided starting at 11am each day and pictures with Santa will also be part of the two day event. 

 

(Undated–jm)  –The Rantoul village board and Paxton city councils both meet tonight. In Rantoul, village board members will consider a construction agreement for a new boat ramp at Heritage Lake, an engineering agreement for a shared use path along Veterans Parkway and a contract agreement for flock license plate readers. In Paxton, city council members will consider a new CAD system for the police department, hear updates on the new playground at Pells Park and rezone 27 properties.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Seven organizations have been awarded state Habitat Fund Project grants totaling nearly $667,000 from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This grant program enhances game and non-game wildlife habitat through projects developed by non-profit organizations and governmental entities. Funding for the Illinois Habitat Fund Special Wildlife Funds Grant Program comes from the sale of habitat stamps to sportsmen and sportswomen. Locally, Pheasants Forever – $100,000 to restore 20 wetland basins within prairie grassland habitat in northeast, east-central, and west-central Illinois counties. Grantee match is $215,955.20.

 

(Washington-jm) – Good weather speeds up corn and soybean harvesting. Gary Crawford reports…

 

(Vermilion County-jm) – Some Illinois environmental groups are raising concerns about a proposed expansion of a mountain bike trail at Kickapoo State Recreation Area.  They are asking the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to either cancel the project or move it to more suitable areas within the park. The Prairie Rivers Network and the Illinois Sierra Club says there are several endangered plants and dozens of bird species that breed in the area.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Paxton Progress is the name of the new group of citizens working to help the city grow and prosper from the recent “mapping” meetings in the city. Paxton City Councilman and Mapping Spokesperson Rob Pacey says now the Paxton Progress groups will meet and put some ideas into action…

 

 

Paxton City Councilman and Mapping spokesperson Rob Pacey.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding an ongoing homicide investigation. On November 17, 2014, at 10 p.m., Damian Henderson was believed to be shot and killed in the 100 block of Forsythia Drive in Champaign. The following morning at 8:13 a.m., officers were dispatched to this location for a welfare check where Henderson was found unresponsive in a vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound. Anyone with information is asked to call Champaign County Crimestoppers at 217-373-TIPS.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Three Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Members received a high award at the National Convention earlier this month in Indianapolis. Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Advisor Kirsten Wyatt says three have their “American Degree”...

 

 

Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Advisor Kirsten Wyatt.

 

(East Central–jc)  Mark your calendars for the 20-23 Ford County Santa Road Rally. Santa Claus will be stopping by some town halls and community centers in Ford County in mid-December. The event takes place on Saturday December 16th and starts in Elliott at 10-30am then moves to Sibley. The rally will be at Melvin at noon, Roberts at 12-25, then Piper City at 1pm. The rally has three more stops. Its Kempton at 2pm, Stelle at 2-35 and Cabery at 3pm  The rally is sponsored by Ford County E-M-A.