(Rantoul-jm) – A Champaign man was arrested in Rantoul after a robbery Thursday afternoon. Rantoul Police confirmed the Community Plus Federal Credit Union on East Champaign Avenue was robbed just after 1 p.m. Bank employees said the robber had implied he had a weapon but did not display it. Staff at the bank gave METCAD a description of the suspect. As an officer arrived at the scene, they found a subject matching the description who ran away as the officer approached. Police arrested 40-year-old Troy Burke from Champaign for aggravated robbery, and he is currently being held in Champaign County Correctional Center.
(Springfield-jm) – A measure that allows for your driver's license to be digitalized is on its way to the governor for his signature. State Representative Kam Buckner, carried House Bill 4592, an initiative of the Illinois Secretary of State. The measure would allow the Secretary of State to issue digital ID cards and driver’s licenses that can be stored on someone’s smartphone. Buckner expressed that physical IDs tend to be doctored and manipulated and digitizing could help correct that problem. House Republicans raised concerns about law enforcement abusing their authority and illegally searching and seizing cell phones that house digital IDs.
(Washington-jm) – The U.S. has just released an updated Climate Adaptation Plan. Gary Crawford reports…
(Gibson City-jm) – The Gibson City Pool has reopened, even earlier than pool management thought. The pool closed for one week while work was done to rebuild the pool’s pump, which was damaged by severe weather last Thursday. The pool will be open for regular hours for the remainder of the summer.
(Normal–jc) – The IHSA Girls state finals will remain at Illinois State University. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department responded to a car crash Thursday afternoon. The crash happened near the intersection of South Neil Street & Fox Drive around 3 p.m. One car did not stop at a red light and struck a second car in the intersection to flip it on its side. The car then landed on another vehicle. One person was taken to the hospital for minor injuries. A driver was ticketed for failing to stop at a traffic signal.
(Arlington–dm)-Serving at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is both an honor and privilege. One Iroquois County resident did just that during his tenure in the U S Army. Gilman resident Matt Kreeb says the time at the tomb was a daily job of commitment and joy. Kreeb provides some insight to what the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier represents…
Gilman resident and former Guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Matt Kreeb
(Gibson City–jc) One Ford County city is hosting its first annual Food Truck Festival on Saturday. The event is set for North Park along Lott Boulevard in Gibson City. Gibson City Food Truck Event Spokesperson Kelsey Wingler says food trucks vendors, kids games and more hilite Saturday’s 10am to 7pm event…
Gibson City Food Truck Event Spokesperson Kelsey Wingler
(Springfield-jm) – A bill on Governor J.B. Pritzker's desk would allow for electrified security fence construction without the need for local government permission. House Bill 2154 prohibits local governments from requiring a permit before installing a battery-charged fence on nonresidential property. The measure, if enacted, would apply to both electrified fencing for agricultural use and electrified security fencing to prevent trespassing. Opponents say they worry the legislature is stepping on local governments' toes.
(Washington-jm) – USDA's latest outlook for milk production, trade, and prices show similar, month-over-month upward trends. Rod Bain reports…
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is investigating after a large group was broken up during a fight at a gas station overnight Thursday. Police say that at 1:18 a.m. on Thursday, officers were dispatched to the Circle K at University Avenue and Wright Street for a reported fight. When they arrived, they found a large crowd watching the fight take place between multiple people. The people watching the fight immediately began running away from the scene once police arrived. Three people were taken to the hospital as a precaution with only minor injuries.
(Onarga–dm)-The Village of Onarga will be celebrating Independence Day Friday July 5th and Saturday July 6th. Onarga Chamber of Commerce president Randy Lizzio tells us what's going on Saturday Afternoon.
Onarga Chamber of Commerce President Randy Lizzio. The Parade steps off at 11AM Saturday morning.
(Vermilion County-jm) – With temperatures reaching toward the mid-90s in many parts of Central Illinois, it can be risky to sport long sleeves — much less a coat of fur. Staff with the Vermilion County Animal Shelter are in a sticky situation as they currently battle an air conditioning outage in parts of the building. Shelter staff said about 200 animals are currently impacted by the indoor humidity. Many cats and dogs are overheating and panting. Currently, the Vermilion County Animal Shelter is mostly in need of foster homes — even for a weekend or a week — while the situation gets sorted out.
(Champaign–dm)- Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay says he’s lucky to be alive and well after a recent bicycle crash that left him with a big bruise on his midsection.Now Ramsay is joining health care providers in urging people to ride safely this summer.Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more from a local doctor.
All ages should wear a helmet when riding, and kids should wear elbow and knee pads.And in general, less bare skin is better in case you fall and get road rash.For more tips, visit the OSF Newsroom.
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold their foodmobile today from 9-930 am at the Piper City Community Center, 10-10:30 at Living Word Church in Roberts, 11-11:30 across from Melvin Convenient, 12:15-12:45 at the Gibson City city hall, 1-1:30 at Elliott village hall and from 2-2:30 at Paxton Hardware and Rental.
The Elliott Amvets spaghetti dinner will take place this evening from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10 per plate.
The Gibson City third Friday car cruises will take place this evening with cruising starting at 5 and live music by the Bubble City Playboys from 6-9 pm.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting Bayles Lake Auxiliary on Saturday from 10-2.
Gibson City will hold their 1st annual food truck festival on Saturday from 10-7 at North Park in Gibson City.
The 2024 Ford County Fair kicks off Sunday and runs through Saturday, June 29th.
