(Undated-jm) – Winter weather is making its way through the area today. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the entire WPXN listening area for freezing rain. Check getting around illinois dot com for the latest road conditions.
(Decatur-jm) – Archer Daniels Midland will reduce its global workforce by 600 to 700 people in 2025. The company announced the layoffs in a quarterly and year-end financial report Tuesday. The reduction, along with other cost-cutting measures, is intended to save the company between $500 - $750 million in the next three to five years. ADM cited ongoing market challenges and global uncertainty for its cost-cutting measures.
(Springfield–jc) –In an Illinois House Republican press conference Tuesday, members met with the media to discuss immigration and the impact on residents throughout the State of Illinois. Republican House Minority Leader Tony McCombie of Savanna says Illinois families deserve transparency and accountability in the face of a migrant crisis that the governor and Chicago mayor Johnson recklessly invited into the state.
Illinois House Minority Leader Republican Tony McCombie from Savannah. McCombie said the governor irresponsibly claimed that ICE was targeting schools in Chicago, a statement that was completely false.
(Urbana-jm) – A man was arrested by University of Illinois Police after reports that he had a gun at Joe’s Brewery. 19-year-old David Ugalde was found with a pistol, two loaded magazines and a pocketknife on him. Ugalde was arrested for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated assault, violation of an order of protection, resisting and obstructing a peace officer and a FOID card violation.
(Iroquois County-jm) – The Iroquois County Republican Women's Club is awarding a $500 scholarship to a resident of Iroquois County. Applications are now available. The scholarship is open to a graduating high school senior. The monetary gift, it's hoped, will enrich lives and encourage young men and women to become future Republican leaders. Applications are judged on submitted responses along with Republican Party activities, leadership activities, school activities, community/church and scholastic achievement. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, resident of Iroquois County,a registered voter of Iroquois County if 18 or older. Applicant must also be a current graduating high school senior. Completed applications must be postmarked by April 3, 2025. Direct them to Deb Monk... 1864 N 400 East Road... Gilman, IL 60938.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois is seeing an uptick in respiratory viruses with a notable increase in hospital admissions for flu. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, hospital visits for the week ending Jan. 25 show that flu is circulating more widely than other respiratory illnesses. Health officials report five pediatric deaths have been recorded in Illinois from the flu, along with three from COVID-19 and one from RSV.
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Tuesday, announced a Vermilion County judge sentenced a Kankakee County man to prison for his role in the shooting deaths of two Danville, Illinois men in September of 2021. Attorney General Raoul’s office prosecuted Gregory Burns, 26, of Kankakee, Illinois, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison by Vermilion County Circuit Court Judge Mark Goodwin. Burns had been found guilty of murder for the death of Leslie Fisher, 20, of Danville
(Rantoul-jm) – A former Rantoul police chief has passed away. The department announced on Facebook Paul Farber passed away in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Farber served as chief from 2005 until he retired in 2015. Services will be February 15th at 11 am at the Faith United Methodist Church in Humboldt, Iowa.
(Washington–jc) What are some things to know regarding takeout or delivery food and how to keep it safe from food borne bacteria while available during your Super Bowl event? Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois’ retail industry brings in $112 billion dollars in economic investments every year. That’s based on data from a study from the University of Cincinnati Economics Center. The retail sector includes businesses like restaurants, clothing stores, pharmacies and health businesses, along with stores that sell building material and garden supplies. Data from the report, which is from 2022, shows that retail businesses bring in more than $7 billion dollars in income and sales tax revenue annually. In Champaign-Urbana, it generates more than $69 million in income and sales tax.
(Rantoul–dm)-The Community Service Center in Rantoul has some fundraisers coming up. Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford tells us about some of the upcoming events.
Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign city councilman who posted a swastika on social media last week has apologized. The City of Champaign released a statement from Davion Williams Tuesday, in which he wrote a “sincere and heartfelt” apology. He said it was never his intention to cause harm, but he acknowledged the pain he caused and said he takes full responsibility for the impact of his words.
(Gibson City-jm) – Four people were arrested on felony meth charges Monday during a drug bust led by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office. Our partners with the Ford County Chronicle reported that police seized about a half pound of meth. The four people arrested were allegedly involved in a major drug distribution ring in Gibson City at North Park. Those taken into custody include: Allen Burgin of Loda on three counts of meth delivery and one count of delivery or possession with intent to deliver meth, Kenenth Koltveit of Gibson City on one count of possession of less than five grams of meth and two counts of meth delivery, Tara Kall of Gibson City on one count each of possession of less than five grams of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia and Angela Rutledge of Hoopeston on two counts each of meth delivery and delivery or possession with intent to deliver meth.
(Paxton–jc) The 36th annual Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Toy Show is set for Saturday at Paxton Buckley Loda High School. Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Vice President Allie Wright says with the displays and toy sales there are a variety of things to do at the event…
Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Vice President Allie Wright
The PBL FFA Toy Show runs from 9am to 2-30pm on Saturday at the high school
(Chicago–jc) Northwestern is one of five universities that are being accused of "tolerating widespread anti-Semitic harassment.” Pro-Palestinian encampments were set up across college campuses last year in response to the Israel-Hamas War. Northwestern University officials met with students and faculty and eventually reached an agreement to end the encampment. Last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order vowing to take aggressive action to fight antisemitism on college campuses.
WPXN News notes…
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 ACT Theatre Company in Gibson City will hold their Valentine Mystery Dinner on Saturday, February 8th at 6pm at the Countryside Event Center. Tickets are available on their facebook page.
The Loda United Methodist Church will host a Valentine’s Senior Meal on Monday, February 10th at 10:30 am.
A Red Cross Blood Drive is set for today. The drive is at the Cissna Park American Legion Post 527.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Friday, February 14th from 9-10 at 185 W. Sangamon Avenue in Rantoul and 10:30-11 at the Ludlow Community Center.
The Cissna Park Development Board will host Dueling Pianos at the Cissna Park American Legion on Saturday, February 15th. Social hour begins at 5pm, dinner at 6pm with dueling pianos from 6:30-9:30. Cost is $65 per person or $500 for a table of 8. Call Rachel Bauer at 815-954-4806 for tickets.
The Rantoul Exchange Club will hold their Tropical Evening fundraiser on Saturday, February 15th from 6:30-10 at the Linden Banquet Center in Rantoul. Tickets are $35 each. More information is available by calling Janet Brotherton at 217-893-0703.
