(Kankakee-jm) – A flood watch has been issued for residents along the Kankakee River due to the potential of ice jams. The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for the river near Momence, effective until further notice. The alert warns of possible flooding from an ice jam forming, which could affect those living along the riverbanks and upstream to the Indiana-Illinois state line. An ice jam occurs when floating ice accumulates and obstructs the river’s flow, often near bends, tributaries, dams or bridges.
(Gibson City–jc) Several area fire departments were called to a house fire in Gibson City this morning. The call came around 3 this morning to a home in the 300 block of North Lott Boulevard. Fire departments from Gibson City, Elliott, Sibley, Roberts, Melvin and Paxton were called in to assist. No information was provided on damages or injuries. WPXN news will update this story as more information becomes available.
(Urbana-jm) – An early-morning accident leaves one woman dead and police searching for the driver. Urbana Police were called to the intersection of University Ave. and Coler Ave. just before 2 a.m. Sunday. Police said, the 20 year old woman was one of five people in a Honda Civic that was rear-ended by a Mitsubishi SUV at the intersection near Carle Foundation Hospital emergency entrance. Two other passengers are still in the hospital, one is in critical condition. The other two passengers had minor injuries and were released from the hospital. Police are looking for the driver of the SUV who ran south on Coler Ave.
(Rantoul–jc) A Danville woman was fatally injured in a car versus pedestrian accident in Rantoul last week. Police say 40 year old Kristina M. Sherman,of Danville was fatally injured after being struck by a motor vehicle on Liberty Avenue near Chandler Road in Rantoul. The accident happened late Thursday night. METCAD received a report of a female walking south in the southbound lanes of Liberty Avenue and that person was wearing all dark clothing. The driver of the vehicle, also called METCAD. Rantoul Police and personnel from the Rantoul Fire Department arrived on scene and provided medical care.Sherman was pronounced deceased at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. An investigation is on-going.
Springfield, IL– 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose , Republican from Mahomet introduced a bill to improve election security in Illinois on Friday. The legislation would require voters to present photo identification at the polls, make so-called "ballot harvesting" illegal, eliminate the use of drop boxes for ballot submissions and make several other changes to enhance the security of elections and ensure that illegal aliens are not voting in Illinois elections. Senator Rose says requiring a photo ID to vote is just plain common sense.
SPRINGFIELD – Preparations are underway for Illinois to join in the nation’s celebration of 250 years of independence in 2026, and the Illinois America 250 Commission is encouraging people across the Prairie State to get involved in planning festivities and educational opportunities to mark the historic moment. Celebrations marking the nation’s independence are expected to take place across the country in 2026, culminating on July 4 of that year. The Illinois America 250 Commission is encouraging communities, libraries, schools, historical societies, cultural institutions, and individuals of all ages to be part of efforts to develop an inclusive commemoration of the founding of the United States and Illinois’ vital role in the nation’s history and development.
(Crescent City-jm) – E.R.H. Enterprises, Inc. has cleared the Village of Crescent City from the earlier issued boil order. The boil order was lifted effective Sunday. The boil order was put in effect after a broken pipe was discovered near their water tower.
(Paxton-jm) — A St. Joseph man accused of crimes against children in Ford County has taken a plea deal with prosecutors. Tyler McElwee was facing two charges that included traveling to meet a minor and indecent solicitation of a minor. The Paxton Police Department, which arrested McElwee last month, said he was communicating with someone he believed was a teenager and arranged to meet them for sexual purposes. McElwee pleaded guilty to the traveling to meet a minor count; in return, the indecent solicitation charge was dismissed. McElwee has been ordered to complete a sex offender evaluation ahead of his sentencing, which is scheduled for March 11.
(Illinois–jc) Illinois is enduring a blast of cold arctic air this week and as residents turn up their thermostats to stay warm, the risk of a home heating fire or carbon monoxide incident increases.The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal encourages residents to have their furnaces checked, change furnace filters, and make sure carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are functioning properly.
(Rockford–jc) An Illinois city has been named the hottest housing market in the country. According to Realtor.com, Rockford ranked No. 1 on the list in December. In Rockford, with a median list price of just $242,000 last month, homes are moving quickly, typically spending just 43 days on the market. Other Illinois cities making the top-20 include Springfield at No. 12, and Peoria at No. 20.
(Bloomington–jc) A family that owns several pawn shops throughout Central Illinois is being charged by the Illinois Attorney General for allegedly running an organized retail crime enterprise. Attorney General Kwame Raoul alleges that the Pierce family in Bloomington ran an organized retail crime operation at numerous Monster Pawn locations in McLean County and in Springfield. According to Raoul’s office, the merchandise was represented as being proceeds of retail theft, which the defendants would purchase well below market value. The Pierce family and their employees then allegedly sold those items online.
(Normal-jm) – Electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive said it has finalized a $6.6 billion loan agreement with the federal government just days before the Trump Administration takes over. The loan will help Rivian speed-up construction of a plant in Georgia in which the company plans to make second and third generation electric vehicles. Currently, EVs are only made at Rivian’s factory in Normal.
(Washington–dm)-Weather conditions in the Nation's Capital for Inauguration Day Monday could potentially resemble arctic cold during swearing in ceremonies four decades ago. The Decision has already been made to have this year's inauguration inside the Capital Rotunda because of the weather forecast
(Mahomet-jm) – People in Mahomet won’t be getting a proposed truck stop that would’ve pumped tax revenue into the community. WCIA reports the application to build a Travel America has been withdrawn and building one will no longer be considered by the village board.
