(Paxton-jm) – Two men from Champaign-Urbana were arrested in Ford County after police said an online sale turned into an armed robbery last weekend. Our partners at the Ford County Chronicle reported that the Paxton Police Department announced the arrests on Thursday. Devin Starkey of Champaign, and Steffonce Moffitt of Urbana, were arrested on charges of armed robbery. Police said the robbery happened Saturday. The victim was selling two pairs of shoes online and they were contacted by Starkey, who offered to buy them. The victim met Starkey at Fulton Park, and he allegedly displayed a gun. He took the two pairs of shoes that the victim was selling and $120. Moffitt, meanwhile, is accused of demanding money from other people who were in the victim’s car. The pair allegedly fled south in a gray Hyundai Sonata. Using automated license plate readers, authorities were able to use the Sonata to identify Starkey and Moffitt as suspects.
(The Center Square) – A Republican state legislator advanced a measure out of the Illinois House Gun Violence Prevention Committee. State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Murrayville, proposed House Bill 1316 in response to a situation in his district where a student threatened another student that they would shoot them. A school staffer waited until the next morning to notify others about the alleged threat. Davidsmeyer said the immediate reporting ensures the child does not have access to a firearm. Despite the measure clearing the committee, Davidsmeyer said he has an amendment to take law enforcement out of the equation and work with school officials around the state to get to an agreed bill.
State Representative CD Davidsmeyer, R-Murrayville
(Springfield-jm) – A new measure in the Illinois General Assembly would remove move-in fees from renters. Currently, landlords are allowed to charge a move-in fee in addition to a security deposit. State Rep. Nabeela Syed said many of the junk fees imposed on renters are unnecessary. The bill passed out of the Housing Committee and now heads to the House floor.
(The Center Square) – Democratic lawmakers are attempting to place more restrictions on Illinois police agencies, this time involving warrants. State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, has introduced House Bill 1611 that would prevent the use of no-knock warrants on drug offenders unless there is evidence that they are dealers. Buckner said he was inspired by an incident in 2019 when Chicago police served a no-knock warrant at the home of Anjanette Young. Young was handcuffed while police searched her residence. It was revealed that police had the wrong address.
State Rep. Kam Buckner D. Chicago
(Springfield-jm) – After school program providers, legislators, and families continue to call on the governor to release millions of dollars appropriated in the Illinois state budget for after school programs. The Afterschool for Children and Teens Now coalition, known as ACT Now, is asking for the Illinois State Board of Education and Gov. J.B. Pritzker to distribute the funding to after-school providers as soon as possible. The Illinois State Board of Education said the agency is waiting for guidance from the General Assembly regarding the distribution of the funds.
(Paxton–dm)-If you and your dog frequent the Paxton Dog Park, you have noticed that it has been closed. Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman tells us why it has been closed, and when they plan to reopen the dog park.
Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Board of Trustees met on Thursday, and approved fee increases for prospective and current students. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign the board approved an increase in the domestic undergraduate application fee from $50 to $75 and an increase in the domestic graduate application fee from $70 to $90. Current students in Champaign-Urbana will see a minor fee increase. The board approved an increase in student health insurance rates for the 2025-26 school year. The cost will increase $28 per semester for undergraduate students and $37 per semester for graduate/professional students.
(Rantoul-jm) – The number of cadets arrested after a fight at Lincoln’s Challenge Academy in Rantoul is up to five as the investigation continues. Police say it started over a vape pen, which the cadets weren’t even supposed to have to begin with. There were two separate groups or “teams” involved in the fight. Three of the 5 are juveniles who could not be identified. Two are 18 years old. Those cadets are Michael McKay of Zion and Anthony Williams of Peoria. Both were arrested for aggravated battery and mob action. In addition, McKay is facing a charge of criminal damage to property because Brown said he damaged the inside of a squad car once he was placed there. The fight happened Wednesday evening and involved 70 to 80 cadets.
(The Center Square) – An effort underway in Springfield aims to better identify victims of human trafficking. Based on recommendations from the Joint Human Trafficking Working Group, with input from over 60 stakeholders and state agencies, proposed legislation in Senate Bill 2323 would establish a strategic plan to build a network of services for trafficking survivors. The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Lake Forest, said human trafficking is happening all around
Illinois.
State Sen Julie Morrison D-Lake Forest.
(Springfield-jm) – In signing an executive order Thursday to close the U.S. Department of Education, President Donald Trump is putting to rest concerns raised by Illinois Democrats. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been critical of the anticipated move, warning the move could mean more than $3 billion fewer federal tax dollars for Illinois special education and other programs. Before signing the order Thursday, Trump said Democrats’ concerns about programs are unfounded.
(The Center Square) – Illinois Republican lawmakers are urging their colleagues to join them in “stopping” illegal immigration while suggesting Gov. J.B. Pritzker is “shifting his view” on the issue. State Rep. Paul Jacobs, R-Pomona, introduced House Bill 1345 to repeal the Illinois TRUST act and end the state’s sanctuary status.
State Rep.Paul Jacobs, R-Pomona
(Undated-jm) – A bill moving through the Illinois General Assembly would help protect the Mahomet Aquifer from carbon sequestration. The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Chapin Rose of Mahomet and Paul Faraci of Champaign. The Mahomet Aquifer – a vital sole-source aquifer supplies clean drinking water to approximately 800,000 people across 15 counties in East Central Illinois.
(Watseka–dm)- The consolidated election is April 1st, and if you have moved or changed your name you will have to do grace period voting. Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver explains.
Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver
(Champaign County-jm) – If you’re looking to break into the criminal justice field — there’s new opportunities in Champaign County. The Sheriff’s Office is making a push to hire about a dozen people in their corrections department to fill an increased need. The department says they need more people to effectively open the renovated Champaign County jail. Inmates who are currently in other counties will be moving back in soon. Which means more correctional officers and behind the scenes personnel will be needed.
(Paxton–dm) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Paxton Hardware and Rental.
If you are seeding your lawn or just patching in bare spots, taking care of the lawn is fairly simple, says Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen…
Rental is part of their name and they have everything from backhoes to tents
says Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen…
Paxton Hardware and Rental is the WPXN Business of the Day, today
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile today from 9-930 across from the Piper City Community Center, 10-10:30 at the corner of Main and Melvin Streets in Thawville, 11-11:30 across from Melvin Convenient, 12:15-12:45 at the Gibson City city hall, 1-1:30 at the Elliott village hall and 2-2:30 at the north side of the Paxton fire station.
The Iroquois County Public Health Department will hold a safe sitter class on Saturday from 9-3:30. Cost is $40. Registration is required by calling 815-432-2483.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout fundraiser benefiting the Upper Room Bible Church on Saturday from 10-2.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their Mountain Oysters on Saturday from 12-2 for $15.
The Gifford Lion’s Club will have a chicken dinner on Sunday from 10:30-1pm at the Gifford Fall Festival Building. Cost is $17 for adults. $12 for kids 10 and under. Drive thru available at the south door.
