(Undated-jm) – Severe thunderstorms ripped through the area last night leaving behind a path of destruction. Gibson City and Elliott were among the hardest hit areas. Damage was also reported in several towns in the area. In Gibson City, street flooding and downed trees were reported. The 4 way stop sign in Gibson City also had issues during the storm. Some cosmetic damage was reported at the Harvest Moon Twin Drive Inn. They will be open for movies tonight. In Paxton, reports of downed trees and tree limbs. In Gifford, a House fire during the weather saw area fire departments called in to help with the blaze. Other area towns also reported some tree damage and some flooded streets.
(Kansas-jm) – Former University of Illinois basketball star Terrance Shannon Jr. was found not guilty of rape in Kansas. Shannon was charged in December following an alleged incident at a bar in September. He was suspended from the team before he sued the U of I to be reinstated. Shannon, who attended Lincoln Park High School, will be entering the NBA draft.
(Springfield-jm) – It’s been just over a week since Governor J-B Pritzker signed the largest budget in the state’s history. Republicans continue to criticize the budget which increases spending in the migrant crisis and includes nearly a billion dollars in tax increases. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Senate left Springfield last month without passing a bill to address the rise of deepfake images and AI-generated nude photos of students. House Democrats and Republicans believe the Illinois school code should be amended to include sexually explicit digital depictions of students under the definition of cyberbullying. House Bill 299 passed unanimously out of the House late last month. The Senate could vote on the legislation during the veto session this fall.
(Springfield-jm) – A legislative panel is considering Governor J-B Pritzker’s plan to shutter the Stateville Correctional Center near Joliet, as well as a women’s prison in Lincoln. Capitol News Illinois reports the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, also known as COGFA, will vote on an advisory recommendation on the plan. The commission is holding public hearings this week. Jennifer Vollen-Katz is director of the prison watchdog John Howard Association. She says prisons need to evolve and cannot be the economic engines they’ve been in the past…
John Howard Association Director Jennifer Vollen Katz. The union representing prison employees says the governor’s plan could cost hundreds of employees their jobs if it is mishandled. COGFA could vote on the plan as early as today in Springfield.
(Iroquois County-jm) – After a Special meeting of the Policy & Procedure committee this week, Iroquois County officials are suggesting a change in leadership at the Iroquois County Public Health Department. The recommended termination of Eric Ceci’s employment will be forwarded to the county's Board of Health, which oversees the health department. The Board of Health isn't scheduled to meet again until July 1.
(Melvin–jc) The Ford County Fair starts June 23rd. There are lots of food options too. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the tasty details…
(Washington-jm) – The USDA’s latest lowering of last year’s Brazil soybean production forecast led to changes in the June global supply and demand estimate. Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – A plan to protect certified pathologists from legal action is heading to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk. The bill requires counties to indemnify and hold harmless the medical professionals responsible for conducting autopsies. Sponsors and advocates said this would be a major change, as Cook County is the only county in Illinois that currently provides this protection. Advocates say the legislation could help address the drastic shortage of forensic pathologists in Illinois, since there are only three working south of I-80. The three professionals travel across large sections of the state to conduct autopsies for local coroners.
(Undated-jm)-Several area FFA members were recognized at the State FFA convention in Springfield. WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has the details…
(Springfield-jm) – A lawmaker blaming climate change for the flooding in the state created legislation that will mandate landlords inform prospective tenants if their property is in a high-risk flood zone. Senate Bill 2601 is on the governor's desk awaiting further action. State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, the bill’s sponsor, said a flood can be financially devastating and that this legislation will protect working families. Other opponents called the measure a “rules for thee but not for me” law for excluding the Illinois Department of Natural Resources from having to notify tenants with agriculture leases about flooding risks was signed by the governor.
(Sibley–dm)-The 20th annual Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Drive for Cancer is scheduled for July 6th. Event organizer Russ Tjarks tells us the route the tractors will be taking this year.
Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Drive for Cancer organizer Russ Tjarks. If you want more information on the tractor drive, you can call 217-249-2377
(Urbana-jm) – Several University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students are riding their bikes across the country for a good cause. The Illini 4,000 are riding around 4,800 miles from New York to California to raise awareness for cancer research. The Illini 4,000 are expected to finish their ride around August 11th by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in California.
(Rankin–dm)- As part of Rankin’s Independence Day Celebration, the Rankin Lions Club will host the 25th annual truck and tractor pull at Centennial Park on Friday June 28th. Tractor pull track announcer Tom Theesfield has information on the different classes that will be pulling.
Rankin tractor pull track announcer Tom Theesfield. If you would like more information about the tractor pull, you can contact Shane Diskin at 217-304-1920.
(Washington-jm) – Consumer meat prices are continuing to rise. Gary Crawford reports…
WPXN News Notes…
Onarga Townwide garage sales take place June 14th and 15th.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold their foodmobile on Friday, June 14th from 9-10 am at the Fountain Valley Mobile Home park in Rantoul and from 10:30-11 am at the Ludlow Community Center.
The 2024 Buckley Fun Day is set for Saturday, June 15th. The day begins with the Ladies Aid Bake Sale at 9, tractor show and vendor market from 10-2, live music 10:30-1, inflatables 10:30-1:30, kids games and golfing into the lake 10:30-2:30, 11-11:30 golf cart parade, food trucks 11-4, tractor parade 1-1:30, bingo and dunk donnie 1:30-2:30, bossie bingo at 2, kids tractor pull 3:30 and the duck race at 4:17.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting Hometown Heroes on Saturday, June 15th from 10-2.
