(Watseka–jc)  In updating our story about a fatal shooting in Iroquois county from Monday, Iroquois County authorities have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting. He is 38 year old Nicholas Gregory of Milford. Police say he was involved in an altercation with 57 year old Angela Taylor of Donovan. Taylor was shot and later died at a Kankakee area hospital. Gregory fled the scene of the incident and was later arrested in Indiana. Gregory was in Iroquois County Court on Tuesday and was charged with First Degree Murder. The investigation on the fatal shooting continues. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  –The Illinois Department of Public Health  is reporting that the first mosquito pool of the year to test positive for West Nile virus  this year was collected on May 9 in Rockford by the Winnebago County Health Department. The specimen tested positive for west nile on Monday of this week.Last year in Illinois, IDPH reported that 72 counties around the state reported positive tests for WNV in mosquitos, birds, horses or humans. There were 69 confirmed human cases of WNV according to IDPH data and 13 human deaths, the highest number since 17 deaths were recorded in 2018.   State Department officials urge the public to Fight the Bite by practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel, and report.

 

(Danville, IL–jc)  –- A Danville man was fatally injured on Monday afternoon in a semi versus pedestrian accident. The Vermilion County Coroner’s office says the accident happened along East Main Street in the city. The victim was identified as 51-year-old  Christopher  Dyszkewicz.  An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. The Danville Police and the Vermilion County Coroner’s office continue to investigate.

 

(Washington–jc)  –Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Damera Corporation and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity today announced the company will open its first U.S. assembly plant in the Greater Peoria region. Damera Corporation  plans to make a capital investment of more than 31 and a half million over four years with support from a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois  agreement, which will enable the company to expand into Illinois and create 90 new full-time jobs. The announcement was made with Governor Pritzker and Damera leadership in Washington DC as part of a larger business development trip.

 

(Watseka–jc)  –  The Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation has announced its scholarship winners. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the list…

 

(Washington–jc)  –More than 15,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture employees have taken one of the Trump administration’s two financial incentive offers to leave the agency, according to a readout from a USDA briefing with congressional staff. The sum represents about 15% of the USDA’s total workforce. President Donald Trump’s administration has offered federal employees several months of pay and benefits if they opt to leave their jobs as part of his effort to shrink the federal workforce.

 

(Paxton–jc) – The 20-24 to 20-25 school year is coming to a close. Several schools in the area have graduations this weekend. For the Paxton Buckley Loda School system, graduation is set for Friday May 23rd. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the Paxton Buckley Loda school system is the number one asset for the city and district…

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(The Center Square) – A new Illinois bill would require all public school boards, including charter schools, to adopt policies restricting student phone use during instructional time by the 2026–2027 school year, with limited exceptions.Moms for Liberty Lake County chair Marsha McClary supports the bill and said she thinks the decision-making should be left largely to local school districts.One area of concern for McClary is the language in the bill about “secure and accessible storage” of devices. Senate Bill 2427 would require schools to restrict student cell phone use during class, with exceptions for medical needs, learning plans, and English learners. Some critics say the bill responds to students sharing controversial classroom content online, raising concerns it could limit transparency.

 

(Washington–jc)  How is the corn planting progress going in the area, state and nation. U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippy has the numbers..

U S D A Meteorologist Brad rippey

 

(Springfield–jc)  –  Country music hitmaker Jake Owen will headline the Illinois State Fair Grandstand on Friday, August 8th. With 10 No. 1 singles and more than 2.5 billion U.S. on-demand streams, Owen is a standout performer in the country music scene. His laid-back style and chart-topping songs like “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “Beachin’,” and “The One That Got Away” have made him a household name. August 8th is Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair. Tickets for Jake Owen will go on sale Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The 2025 Draggin 'Main Day in Paxton is full of a variety of events. They include 4 open houses that share a history of the city. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper says one of those is the Old Ford County Sheriff’s residence and jail…

 

Paxton MainStreet Executive Director Donna Pepper

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  Paxton City leaders  had their reorganization meeting last night at city hall. Mayor Bill Ingold, along with aldermen…Eric Evans, Joseph Reinhart, Matt Greenberg,  and Kristen Lawson took their oath of office at the meeting.

The council looked to  amend the annual appropriation ordinance  and look to fill the paxton City clerk position.  WPXN news will have more from the meeting on later newscasts today.

 

(Springfield–jc)  With a few weeks left of legislative session, House Republican members held a press conference in Springfield Tuesday to discuss wasteful spending cuts and DOGE opportunities in Illinois. 101st District State Representative Chris Miller, Republican from -Hindsboro says a likely vote on the largest budget in the history of the state of Illinois at $55-billion plus.   That, according to the representative, is 40% higher than it was just 6 short years ago when Governor JB Pritzker came into office.

101st District State Representative Chris Miller, Republican from Hindsboro

 The 101st District Representative said at this point in time House Republicans and most Democrats have no idea what is in the budget.

 

(Danville-jc)  Results of autopsies are pending for two Vermilion County residents  killed in a shooting in Danville on Friday. Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden says the victims were 67 year old William Rudy and 32 year old Lacy Williams. Autopsies were performed on Sunday. Danville police and Vermilion County authorities continue to investigate the shootings.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  One Rantoul non-profit received a charitable trust grant from the state of Illinois. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details…

 

 

(Illinois–jc)  –With warmer weather comes “tick season” and the annual observance of National Lyme Disease Awareness Month throughout the month of May. The Illinois Department of Public Health is urging the public to learn how to protect themselves from ticks and Lyme disease. Officials said the most important thing people can do to “Fight the Bite” is to diligently check themselves, their pets and children for ticks after spending time in areas where ticks live, such as in and near wooded areas, tall grass and brush.

 

(Springfield–jc) To meet a 55 Billion dollar budget and a current budget deficit of nearly 4 Billion dollars, one proposal in Springfield is to raise taxes by around 6 Billion dollars. That is Governor J B Pritzkers and the democrats plan says 53rd district State Senator Chris Balkema, republican from Channahon…

 

53rd District State Senator Christ Balkema Republican from Channahon

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Officials with Busey Bank Corporation are  pleased to announce that construction is underway on Busey’s new Rantoul banking center—a major milestone that reinforces continued investment in the region and commitment to delivering extraordinary client and associate experiences. The new full-service center—which will be located at 700 Champaign Avenue and is anticipated to open early in 2026—will feature modern amenities and state-of-the-art technology, and will be the cornerstone for Busey’s operations in the Rantoul community.  Operations at the current Rantoul branch, located at 1231 East Grove Avenue, will continue throughout construction of the new facility, but that location will close when the new banking center is complete.

 

 

(Watseka–jc It’s the same people helping, but in a different location. The Iroquois County E-C-I-C-A-A office is now located at 114 N. 3rd St. in Watseka.

Same staff, same phone number, same office hours. The agency offers programs like Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Weatherization Programs.

 

(Washington–jc)  How is the soybean planting progressing? U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the details..
      

U S D A Meteorologist  Brad Rippey

 

WPXN News notes…

Iroquois Memorial Hospital’s Know Your Numbers Fair will take place May 12th-17th from 7-10 am each day. Cost is $65. No appointments are necessary.

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Coffee and Connections on this morning from 8-9 am.

 

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Thursday, May 15th from 9-930 at Edge Insurance in Buckley, 10-10:30 at Durham Park in Onarga, 11-11:30 at the Crescent City community center, 12:30-1 at the Watseka Trinity Church and 1:30-2 at the Milford post office.