(Mahomet–jc)  In another update from Thursday, Berwyn police has released a statement that a male subject was fatally shot just before midnight Wednesday night, that they say was a suspect in a triple homicide that occurred in Mahomet on Wednesday.  He was identified as 24 year old John Lyons of Westchester. While on foot, Berwyn authorities say Lyons disobeyed verbal warnings to stop and also  fired shots at police officers. The officers returned fire and fatally injured Lyons. On Thursday, Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer identified the names of the three people who died as a result of a shooting at South Riverside Court in the village of Mahomet late Wednesday night. Sara Mason, 26 was pronounced dead at the scene. Janis Mason, 61 and Caleb Mason, 23 were pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Carle Foundation Hospital. WPXN news will continue to update this story as more official news becomes available.

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois State Board of Education has announced it has been awarded a nearly 20 million dollar grant from the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program. The board will distribute grant funds to nine Illinois school districts to replace 70 internal combustion engine school buses with electric buses, install 70 electric charging stations, and offer workforce training to support new technologies. Electric bus maker Lion Electric, which recently laid off hundreds of employees from its Joliet plant, has obtained creditor protection and plans to restructure. 

(Springfield–jc)  –For the first time in a decade, Illinois' population increased in the year ending July 1st, this year, ending a decade of decline. Numbers released by the U.S. Census show Illinois gained nearly 68,000. The increase was driven by international migration into Illinois. In the past year, total net international migration into Illinois was nearly 113,000. Illinois' population is now estimated at 12.7 million.

(Rantoul–jc)  Rantoul citizens were invited to a public meeting to learn more about the downtown Rantoul streetscape program. The open house was held on Thursday at the municipal building. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the hopes for the project would include building investment in downtown and new business types for the village...

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

The Rantoul downtown Streetscape program continues in the spring of 20-25.

(Loda-jm) – A Loda woman has received a new vehicle as part of a local television station promotion. Sarah Hornback received the keys to a brand new 2024 Jeep Compass by Sam Leman Auto in Champaign through the 2024 WAND Renew-A-Ride.

(Gibson City–jc)  The fall veto session in Springfield was completed in early November, but 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City has one more session to serve in the General Assembly before he retires. Bennett says both Illinois houses will be called back in early January...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City

(Chicago–jc)  –The Illinois Commerce Commission  approved Ameren Illinois' refiled multi-year grid plan . The Commission approved 356 million dollars in investments and system improvements needed to strengthen power grid reliability and support the ongoing electrification of the state's power system. Ameren had asked for 1 Billion dollars. The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act did required electric utilities to file multi-year grid plans designed to accelerate progress for Illinois' clean energy goals The I-C-C also approved 3-point-3 Billion dollars for CommonWealth Edison

(Danville-jc)  –The City of Danville is among the 100 recipients of Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants distributed through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, State Senator Paul Faraci announced Thursday.

More than $55 million in state grants are being awarded for 100 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. In Faraci's district, Garfield Park in Danville is set to receive $600,000 through the OSLAD program for revitalization efforts. Established by the General Assembly in 1986, OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that helps communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. 

(Onarga–dm)-Onarga's Christmas Tree Lane continues today and tomorrow in the Iroquois County town.  Onarga American Legion Auxiliary spokesperson Deb Talbert has more information.

Onarga American Legion Auxiliary spokesperson Deb Talbert.

(Danville-jm) – Vermilion County Chief Judge Thomas O'Shaughnessy yesterday announced the appointment of Danville attorney Lindsay Starwalt as an associate judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, filling the vacancy which resulted from the election of Mark Goodwin as a resident circuit judge during the November General Election. Starwalt was elected by vote of the Circuit's twelve circuit judges from eight applicants

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced Thursday the selection of Southwest Illinois as the location for Avina Clean Hydrogen's 820 million dollar investment for a sustainable aviation fuel project. This taxpayer-funded investment will support the development of a facility capable of producing up to 120 million gallons of fuel annually. The project is estimated to create at least 150 full-time jobs in Illinois along with 1,000 construction jobs. 

(Springfield–jc)  Several new specialty license plates are being added to 16 existing designs in the new year for Illinois. Separate laws going into effect January First, create the Sons of the American Legion plate, Air Force Combat Action Medal plate and a Defense Distinguished Service and Defense Superior plate.  Another law allows specialty plates to be issued for motorcycles.

(Paxton–jc)  It's free carriage rides in downtown Paxton tomorrow. It's courtesy of the Paxton Christmas Parade Committee. Paxton Christmas Parade Committee Chairperson Dawn Glad says the rides take place from 10am until 2pm on Saturday...

Paxton Christmas Parade Committee Chairperson Dawn Glad

(Champaign–jc)  –A Chicago man is in custody following an investigation into a homicide in southwest Champaign.  Heaven Hope of Champaign was fatally shot on December 9th in the 24-hundred block of West Springfield Avenue. Hope and another man were entering a business when the Chicago man opened fire.Upon investigation, 24 year old Carl Tribble Junior of Chicago, was taken into custody in Missouri and will be transported back to Champaign County to face first degree murder charges. An investigation continues and Champaign police ask that anyone with information call the police department at 217-351-4545 or Champaign County Crime Stoppers.

(USDA–dm)-There are many holiday party foods that can be dangerous for your pets. Gary Crawford has this report.

(The Center Square) – Jurors are off until next year at the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain. The court is in recess until December 30th, when Judge John Robert Blakey scheduled a charge conference for attorneys and parties. Blakey instructed the jury to return on January 2nd.

(Illinois–dm)Attorney General Raoul urges residents to be vigilant when seeking GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.  WPXN's Dan Mushrush has the story

(Springfield–jc)  –First responders will now be trained on how to access critical health data on someone's cell phone in emergency situations. Beginning January First, a new law will require all E-M-S personnel, state police and police officers to be trained on a cellphone's built-in medical identification information that is accessible without the owner's passcode.

WPXN news notes.

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile today from 9-9:30 at the Piper City Community Center, 10-10:30 at Living Word Church in Roberts, 11-11:30 at the Melvin Convenient, 12:15-12:45 at the Gibson City city hall, 1-1:30 at the Elliott village hall and from 2-2:30 at Paxton Hardware and Rental.

The Onarga American Legion will hold their fish fry on today from 4:30-7pm

The 2024 Ford County Santa Rally will take place on Saturday, December 21st. The rally will start in Sibley at 11:15 am, Melvin at noon, Piper City at 1pm, Kempton at 2 pm, Stelle at 2:35 pm and Cabery at 3. Santa will visit children at each community's town hall or community center.

The Onarga Sons of the American Legion will hold pancakes with Santa on Saturday, December 21st from 7:30-11 am at the legion hall at Durham Park

The Paxton Covenant Church will hold a free Christmas meal on Christmas Day from 11-1. Call Amanda Nelson at 217-415-6376 or the church at 217-379-3554 to reserve your meal.