(urbana—jc)  Illinois State Police  special agents issued a Notice to Appear in Champaign County  Tuesday to 40-year-old Matthew Stuckey, for Theft of Property between 10 and 100 thousand dollars. In November of last year, special agents initiated an investigation into allegations of misuse of funds made to the 10-78 Foundation (Back the Blue Champaign County). After a thorough investigation, special agents found evidence of transactions consistent with personal use by Stuckey, one of the organizers of the 10-78 Foundation. Stuckey is currently a Champaign County Sheriff’s Deputy. The investigation is ongoing 

 

(Thompson–jc)  At least 17 correctional officers were sent to the hospital after being exposed to narcotics at the federal penitentiary in Thomson. Officials said all were exposed in the mail room. A spokesman for the union said mail is coming into the prison soaked in narcotics, and they are asking that all mail stop coming into the prison for the time being to keep employees from being exposed.

 

(Paxton–jc)   Three complaints of inappropriate touching and sexual assault surfaced against a Paxton-Buckley-Loda District  teacher and  coach on Thursday. Officials with the Paxton Buckley Loda School system released documents to the media, including WCIA and the Ford County Chronicle, against teacher Robert Pacey. 

 

Springfield–dm)-Two companies have announced plans to build warehouses in central Illinois. Amazon will be opening a warehouse fulfillment center in Springfield and is already under construction. Frito-Lay is also building a warehouse. Officials said the two projects will bring 400 jobs to Springfield.

 

(Thawville–jc)  – It all starts at 5-30am on Saturday morning in Thawville with the 53rd annual Thawville Community Sale. Sale spokesperson Becky Warlow says buyer numbers are two dollars…

Thawville Community Sale Spokesperson Becky Warlow. Money raised by the sale goes to charities and scholarships.

 

(Chicago–dm)-Months after President Donald Trump pardoned more than 1,500 defendants accused or convicted in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack of the U.S. Capitol, the Chicago City Council will now prohibit those individuals from getting city jobs. The ordinance directs the Commissioner of Human Resources to reject any applicant for employment who was convicted in connection to the sometimes violent protests, which caused dozens of injuries. Gov. J.B. Pritzker had previously issued an executive order prohibiting the state from hiring individuals who were convicted in the attack.  

 

(Roberts–dm)- Jeremiah 33:6 is sponsoring a free health fair at the Roberts Village Gym later today. Jeremiah 33:6 President Dr. Valerie Wright talks about the testing offered…

 

Jerimiah 33:6 President Dr. Valerie Wright.  In addition to the health fair there will be a free produce pantry. The produce pantry and health fair will start at  3:30 and will be open till 5:30.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  The WIllow Pond Golf Course and Restaurant has new owners. The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday. The public is invited in to see the new owners during lunch and dinner hours and the 20-25 golf season has begun. More information and tee times are available by calling 217-893-9000

 

(Springfield–jc)  The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Thursday that nonfarm payrolls increased nearly 15,000 over-the-month to a record high of 6,172,300 in March. The industry sector with the largest over-the-month job increases was government. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.8 percent in March. The national unemployment rate is 4.2%.

 

(Crescent City–dm)-Every five years since 1985 the Village of Crescent City holds their FireBall Festival.  Fireball festival Chairperson Grace Seggebruch provides insight into the celebration...

 

 

Fireball Festival Chairperson Grace Seggebruch.  The weekend will be filled with activities and food.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation that would require schools to cover the costs of testing and mitigation for high levels of radon.

The Illinois Senate Education Committee passed an amended version of Senate Bill 2438 last week. The measure was then assigned to the Rules Committee along with a companion measure, House Bill 3691. The legislation would require schools to test for radon by Jan. 1, 2029, and then re-test every five years.  State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, noted that SB 2438 provides no appropriations for testing or mitigation. Republicans in the legislature have for years criticized majority Democrats for passing unfunded mandates on schools.

(Rantoul–dm)-The Rantoul Recreation Dept. will have their Youth Summer Camp starting June 2nd running through August 1st. Youth Center Director Paxton Davis has more information.

 

 

Rantoul Youth Center Director Paxton Davis.  Registration begins May 1st.  To register you can call 217-893-5700

 

(Buckley–jc) Volunteers from Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will be at the Thawville Community Sale on Saturday. Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz says they will have a lunch stand to support Christian education at Christ Lutheran…

 

Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz

 

(Gurnee–jc)   Six Flags Great America in Gurnee opens for the 2025 season today.

Wrath of Rakshasa, a record-breaking dive coaster, has been added to the park’s thrill-ride roster, but will not be ready for riders on opening weekend.

Additionally, Six Flags officials reminded patrons that no cannabis or derived products are allowed to be possessed, smoked or consumed anywhere on park property.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  The WPXN Business of the day, today  is Paxton Redi Mix Plant. Paxton Redi Mix has been in operation since 1955. They are going into their third generation of family ownership and operation, says Paxton Redi Mix Co-Owner Carol Whitcomb…

 

Paxton Redi Mix Co-Owner Carol Whitcomb says they have concrete, rock, and sand for contractors for home projects, to road projects in the area

 

Paxton Redi Mix Co Owner Carol Whitcomb

The Paxton Redi Mix service area is  35 miles around the city of Paxton.

Paxton Redi Mix is the WPXN Business of the Day, today. 

 

WPXN News notes…

Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth will hold an Easter Egg Hunt on Friday, April 18th at 10 am.

 

The Gibson City Lions Club will hold their Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19th at 9 am at North Park. Age groups are 0-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12 years of age.

 

The Hoopeston Jaycees will hold an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19th at 10:30 am at McFerren Park

 

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.

 

Monster Truck Wars will take place on Saturday, May 10th at the Champaign County Fairgrounds. Showtimes are at noon and 6pm.