(Paxton-dg)-The Paxton Fire department was called out to a single rollover accident with entrapment this morning at 200 north 1600 east just after 2am. Rantoul Fire was called to assist. A person was taken to the hospital with unkown injuries. 

(Springfield-jm) – Ahead of Illinois’ Nov. 5 election, state legislators approved a measure Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted into law that contains multiple provisions impacting elections. One provision impacts how parties can spend campaign money. The law allows for political parties, like the Democrat Party of Illinois and the Illinois House Republican Organization, to funnel unlimited campaign dollars into candidates’ war chests for both primary and general elections. Prior to House Bill 4488, campaign contribution caps were only applied to primary races. Now both primaries and general election candidates can receive unlimited funds from their political parties. The law takes effect immediately.

(Chicago–jc)  –The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced an expanded list of high-risk ZIP codes, increasing mandatory testing for lead exposure of children who live within those areas. Representing parts of 60 Illinois counties, 148 new zip codes have been added to the list this year, bringing the total of high-risk ZIP codes to almost 1,200. Under Illinois law, any child residing in a high-risk ZIP code is to be tested automatically at 12, 24, and 36 months.

(Paxton–jc)  –  There is a free concert in downtown Paxton tonight. Paxton Main Street will hold their July 1st Fridays concert tonight from 7-9 pm at Veterans Square. Paxton MainStreet Executive Director Donna Pepper talks about the group called– The Travelling Radio Show …

Paxton MainStreet Executive Director Donna Pepper. Concessions open at 6pm. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for the free concert. 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign City Manager Dorothy Ann David has appointed Terry Lusby, Jr. to serve as the city’s next Public Works Director. He was selected following a nationwide search and succeeded former Public Works Director Khalil Zaied who resigned in March 2024. Lusby currently serves as the Interim Public Works Director for the Village of Schiller Park, Illinois.

(Bloomington–jc)  The former CEO of Reditus Laboratories has been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for defrauding his former employers, Central Illinois Orthopedic Surgery in Bloomington, out of more than 1 million dollars . The legal troubles for Aaron Rossi, 40, are not over. He also faces charges of healthcare fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud for allegedly defrauding the state of Illinois and public and private health insurance companies out of hundreds of thousands of dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Rantoul–jc)  –  The vision for the Village of Rantoul continues to grow and village leaders say so are the  conversations on “new” housing projects. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says its a conversation on new homes and subdivisions…

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

(Watseka-jc) – The Iroquois County Board of Health is set to meet later this month to continue to look at its contract with current Iroquois County Health Department Administrator Eric Ceci. An Iroquois County Board committee met last month and had a negative recommendation on Ceci’s contract. Ceci’s contract was renewed by the board of health in May. A July 22nd meet is set on the topic.

(Springfield-jm) – A farming program in Illinois aims to improve farm incomes and environmental outcomes.  Precision Conservation Management recently released a summary of nine years worth of in-field data from Illinois farms. Farmers enrolled in PCM receive annual data analysis for their farm in addition to access to conservation experts and guidance on cost-share programs available to farmers. Through their data analysis, the program aims to identify conservation practices that effectively address environmental issues without risking the farmers’ bottom line. According to PCM data, the most frequently observed tillage systems on the most profitable acres were one-pass light tillage for corn and no-till for soybeans. PCM surveyed enrolled farmers in 2024 and found that 64% of farmers who don’t already use reduced tillage practices agree that they are likely to reduce or eliminate tillage due to information they have received from PCM. Reducing tillage can also have a significant impact on soil erosion and water quality.

(Pesotum-jm) – First responders were on the scene at a hit-and-run crash on I-57 northbound Thursday. Illinois State Police said they responded to a two-car hit-and-run crash at milepost 220, near Pesotum. According to police, a black passenger car left the scene after a red Tesla left the roadway and became disabled. No injuries were reported on scene.

(Onarga–jc)  4th of July events continue today  and Saturday in some area communities. Onarga’s Independence Day  celebration starts this afternoon and evening with music entertainment and a beer tent. On Saturday it’s the annual parade at 11am along with a car show, tractor pull says Onarga Independence Day Celebration Spokesperson Randy Lizzio…

Onarga Independence Day Celebration Spokesperson Randy Lizzio. WPXN will be broadcasting the parade live on Saturday at 11am. Its’ Summer Fun Tour Stop number 7. 

(Champaign County–jc)  –Champaign County Coroner Stephen E. Thuney has released the name of an Arcola, Illinois man who has died of injuries sustained after being struck by a train west of Philo on Wednesday. 32 year old. Michael J. Dixon, of Arcola, was pronounced dead by a Champaign County Deputy Coroner at 3:30PM Wednesday at the scene of the accident. Preliminary information indicated  Dixon was walking west bound along the railroad tracks when he was struck by the train locomotive. Witnesses indicated Mr. Dixon did not react to the train horn sounding prior to being struck. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday and an inquest may be held at a later date. 

(Rantoul–jc)  Rantoul Township High School board members will look to approve a contract for a resource officer with the village when they meet on Monday night. A look and approval of the employee handbook and a purchase of an Open-Get Weapons Detection System are also on the agenda. The Rantoul Township High School Board of Education meets on Monday night at 6pm in the Rantoul High School Cafetorium

WPXN Weekend News Notes…

Paxton Main Street will hold their 1st Fridays concert series tonight from 7-9 pm at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton with The Travelling Radio Show performing.

Rantoul will hold their first Freedom Friday tonight with the band In Bloom performing in downtown Rantoul. There’s also inflatables, bags tournament, food and drinks.

Rantoul will have their 4th of July parade on Saturday at 9:30 am.

Onarga will have their 4th of July celebration on Saturday with the parade at 11, games and activities at Durham Park throughout the day and fireworks at 9.

Erica Neal will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday at 7pm. Cost is $10 for those 13 and older. Food will be available starting at 5:30.

The 2024 Fisher Community Fair will take place July 7th-13th. On the 8th its the queen pageant at 6. On the 9th its $2 amusement rides starting at 6 and the redneck games at 7. On the 10th its children’s day all day, armband night on the midway at 6 at the ITPA pulls at 6:30. On the 11th its Bingo at 6:30 along with the Philo Country Music Show also at 6:30 and ITPA pulls at 7. On the 12th its $25 armband special starting at 6 and country music group Sawyer Brown at 7. On the 13th, its the 5k at 8 am, mutt show at 9, car show at 11, drone racing from 1-3 and demolition derby at 6.