(Undated-jm) – The IL Corn Growers Association is reacting after President Trump levied a 25 percent tariff on products from Canada and Mexico this weekend, as well as a 10 percent tariff on China. IL Corn Growers Association President and Waterloo, Illinois farmer Garrett Hawkins said each of these countries is an important market for U.S. corn farmers, especially Canada and Mexico who are the largest market for ethanol and corn. Late Monday, the president paused the tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days after meeting with the leaders of both countries.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  City of Paxton leaders continue to look for grants and more to complete downtown and other projects for Paxton. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says they are pursuing several options…

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Undated-jm) – The University of Washington Board of Regents on Monday announced that Robert Jones, who is currently concluding a nine-year tenure as Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has been selected as the 34th President of the University of Washington.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Multiple households have been displaced, and one person was given medical care for smoke inhalation at a fire in Urbana Monday. The flames coming out the third floor of the building, located in the 2000 block Philo Road, were noticed by a construction crew nearby who called it in.

 

(Ford County–dm)-Another election day is coming up on April 1st. Ford County Clerk Amy Frederek tells us what is on the ballots….

Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick.

 

(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Department of Public Health is announcing a month-long focus on heart health during American Heart Month in February. The annual observance serves as a reminder to the public about the dangers of cardiovascular disease and the resources that are available to help people maintain heart health.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department and Champaign County Crime Stoppers are asking for help in identifying three people who stole more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from Meijer. The theft happened the night of January 17. Officials said the trio walked into the store, split up and separately picked out items. The suspects were described as being: Black male, 5′ 10″ to 6′ 2″ tall, 26 to 35 years old, wearing a black hat, jacket and shirt and blue jeans, a Black male, 5′ 3″ to 5′ 9″ tall, 26 to 35 years old, wearing a black hat, black puffy coat and black pants and a White female, 5′ 3″ to 5′ 9″ tall, 26 to 35 years old, wearing a gray hoodie with a pink design and blue jeans.

 

(Springfield-jm) — Small businesses and contractors often struggle with delayed payments and limited job growth due to state retainage policies. Lawmakers could pass a plan this spring to end the practice of withholding payments for contractors and adopt federal standards for project payment. Democratic lawmakers argue the state should adopt federal standards that impose retainage only when certain project issues arise. This change would only apply to state agencies and public universities. However, advocates said it is critical for thousands of workers and businesses.

 

(Paxton–dm)-The Paxton Park District youth basketball season is close to wrapping up for the year.   Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman tells us about “black-out family day”.

Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman.  The Youth basketball games are played at the PBL Jr. High Gym.

 

(Savoy-jm) – After years of discussion, the anticipated underpass in Savoy just got a new price tag.  The Village Board of Savoy proposed a new underpass at E Curtis Road and N Dunlap Ave. The project total has gone up from nearly $40 million to more than $54 million. This is due to inflation. Savoy is working with several local, state and federal agencies to help cover this increase of $14 million dollars. They hope to start the project in 2027. It will take roughly two years until completion.

 

(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have fallen 2.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.21/g, according to GasBuddy's survey. Prices in Illinois are 1.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The 36th annual Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Toy Show is set for Saturday at the high school in Paxton. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says the event draws people of all ages from a wide area…

Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper. The event starts at 9am on Saturday at Paxton Buckley Loda High School. 

 

(The Center Square) – While the White House rescinded its federal funding freeze, an Illinois lawmaker is echoing the comments president Donald Trump made about the order. Trump said the freeze didn’t affect Social Security and Medicaid. Rather, his administration was looking at parts of the “big bureaucracy” where there has been waste and abuse. Illinois state Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, said one of the reasons why the administration walked it back is because of what he called the dishonest media and “fear mongering politicians” like U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-IL.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Board of Education is looking for help from across the state in ensuring that children have access to meals over the summer. Last year, Illinois had 144 sponsors and 1,585 meal sites. An additional 187 sponsors with 379 sites participated through the Seamless Summer Option, a similar program for school districts already operating the National School Lunch Program. The program served more than 4.3 million meals and snacks last year, a 12% increase from 2023.

 

WPXN News notes…

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Today 4th from 9-930 at the St. Joseph library, 10-10:30 at the old high school ballpark in Ogden, 11-11:30 at the Homer post office, 12:30-1 at the Sidney community building, 1:30-2 at the Philo village office and from 2:30-3pm at The Oaks at Tolono.

CU at Home will host their One Winter Night on Friday, February 7th.

 

The Loda American Legion will hold their fish or chicken fry on Friday, February 7th from 4-7 pm. Cost is $10. 

 

Grace Baptist Church in Paxton will hold their Men’s Rally on Saturday, February 8th from 8:30-4:30 pm.

 

The PBL FFA will host the 36th Annual Toy Show Saturday February 8th from 9-2:30pm

 

Living Word Church will hold a craft and vendor show for their summer camp fundraiser on Saturday, February 8th from 9-3 at The Cadillac in Paxton. For more information about the show or to reserve your booth space call Melanie Bauer at 217-379-7852.

 

The Loda United Methodist Church will host a Valentine’s Senior Meal on Monday, February 10th at 10:30 am.