(Decatur-jm) – Illinois state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, confirmed employees from the Logan County Correctional Center have started to transfer to Decatur. The Illinois Department of Corrections said they are not currently under a hiring freeze at the Logan County Correctional. Earlier this summer during a Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability hearing at Lincoln Junior High School, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 Deputy Director Mike Newman said the IDOC has given little consideration to announcing the closure and move of the Logan County facility years in advance. Caulkins fears that the department will change the standards female inmates must meet in order to transfer to the Decatur prison from the Logan prison. The Logan County Correctional Center is an intake prison where inmates are screened and then transferred to facilities around the state, Caulkins said. A female inmate has to meet certain standards in order to be transferred to the dormitory-style Decatur prison. The prison in Decatur is a minimum-security prison whereas Logan County Correction Center is a medium-security prison.
(Paxton–jc) Knowledge is key when placing a new business. From research and numbers, the group of investors placing a gas station on Paxton's west side have done their homework and more. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the group has the experience for the new gas station in Paxton...
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Sheldon-jm) – In updating our story yesterday on the officer involved shooting incident in Sheldon, the ISP issued an official report. On September 1, 2024 at approximately 8:45 p.m., the Iroquois County Sheriff's Department requested the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 5 to assist in an officer-involved shooting investigation. Preliminary reports indicate officers from the Iroquois County Sheriff's Department were engaged in a pursuit of an armed suspect with a hostage. The pursuit went into Indiana, at which time the Newton County Sheriff's Department became engaged in the pursuit. The pursuit came back into Illinois and the suspect crashed in Sheldon. The suspect exited his vehicle and gunfire was exchanged. During the exchange of gunfire, the suspect and a deputy from the Newton County Sheriff's Department were struck. The suspect, 37-year-old Andrew Roselius of Clifton, IL, was pronounced deceased on scene. The Newton County Deputy was transported to a regional hospital where he remains in critical condition. No hostage was located inside the vehicle.
(Loda-jc) There is still time to sign up for a Free Agri-Wellness Event in rural Loda for farmers and farm spouses. From free hearing checks, physical well-being, conservation practices and farm safety to a free catered lunch and door prizes are all part of the event. The event is on Saturday September 14th at noon at the Bachman farm in rural Loda. Organizer, Assistant Professor of Nursing at Illinois State University, Valarie Wright says to call the provided number to get registered by this Thursday...
Free Agri-Wellness Event Spokesperson Valarie Wright. That number is 309-438-2970
(Savoy-jm) – A man from Savoy has been sentenced to both jail time and probation for a hit-and-run incident outside a University of Illinois bar that went viral two years ago. Brendan Trumann was sentenced last week to one month of jail time and a concurrent 30 months of probation. A jury convicted him in November of aggravated DUI involving great bodily harm, aggravated reckless driving and aggravated leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. The jury also acquitted him of aggravated battery involving great bodily harm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery in a public place. The Champaign County State's Attorney's Office also dismissed an attempted murder charge before the trial.
(Springfield-jm) – One area lawmaker is raising concerns about a recent report showing how bad the state's economy is. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the report shows many families are struggling, thanks in part to the legislative policies of the Democratic Party...
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Urbana-jm) – Food and building service workers at the University of Illinois are preparing to strike. Their current contract expired Saturday after several months of negotiations. Union workers voted down the latest contract proposal, saying they must be paid more if they serve more students. The union, representing 763 workers, said the strike would begin September 15.
(Paxton–jc) – School has started for the year and that means homework and more. It also means extracurricular activities. Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Travis Duley says from football and volleyball to FFA, the "extras" mean a lot to students, faculty and the community...
Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Travis Duley
(Gibson City-jm) – The Gibson City Melvin Sibley school district is mourning the loss of a student. The district says 10 year old Ava Mead of Sibley died Saturday morning at OSF in Peoria. Mead had just started 5th grade at GCMS. Counselors will be available.
(Loda–jc) - The 6th annual Team Hope Walk and Golf tournament to raise awareness and find a cure for Huntington's Disease is set for Saturday at Lakeview Country Club in Loda. the golf tournament is full, but walkers can sign up to walk the "golf course." The walk starts at 8 on Saturday morning. Event organizer Samantha Cox says a dinner, and silent and live auction take place later in the day on Saturday...
6th Annual Team Hope Walk and Golf Tournament Spokesperson Samantha Cox
(Urbana-jm) – The Illini 4000 team has finished its cross-country ride to fight cancer, raising more than $60,000 for cancer research and patient support services. The non-profit organization was founded in 2006 and is dedicated to spreading awareness for the fight against cancer. A central part of the Illini 4000 is The Portraits Project, an on-going project since 2007 to document the American cancer experience. The 2024 Bike America riders left New York in late May, and their 4,000-mile journey across the United States ended in San Francisco in early August.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Foundations renovation project at the former city of Paxton Water tower continues to take shape. Paxton Foundation Spokesperson Royce Baier says the work that local businessman Stan Foster has done is absolutely amazing...
Paxton Foundation Spokesperson Royce Baier
WPXN News Notes...
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile today from 9-9:30 at the St. Joseph Library, 10-10:30 at the Ogden old high school ballpark, 11-11:30 at the Homer post office, 12:30-1 at the Sidney community building, 1:30-2 at the Philo village hall and 2:30-3 at The Oaks in Tolono.
Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth will hold their fall festival on Friday, September 6th and Super Saturday on Saturday, September 7th. Friday night will be the fish fry from 4-7 pm. Saturday there will be a car show, variety show, kiddie tractor pull, quilt auction and pork chop supper. Both days from 10-7 will be bounce houses, baked goods, carnival games, tractor show and more.
The Harvest Moon Twin Drive in in Gibson City will hold their first of three Frightfest weekends on Friday, September 6th and Saturday, September 7th.
