(Paxton–dm)-...HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT until MIDNIGHT TONIGHT..for Ford and IROQUOIS COUNTIES.Heat index values of 100 to 105 degrees are expected. .Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses..Heat impacts will be worsened by consecutive days of hot and humid conditions, with overnight lows in the mid 70s providing little relief. If you need some relief from the heat, Ford County Emergency Management Agency Director Terry Whitebird has a list of cooling centers in Ford County.
Ford County EMA Director Terry Whitebird. Cooling centers in the local area will also be available in Iroquois, Vermilion and Champaign counties
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs slammed a Democrat governor who sent out a mass email falsely claiming that veterans could be denied care based on how they voted, even after the initial report had been changed and both the VA and the White House said it was false. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker toldstate agencies to "take every available action to protect veterans' access to care" after "reports that the Trump administration is proposing rules that would allow VA providers to deny military veterans healthcare ."VA officials said those reports were incorrect. Three days before Pritzker ordered state officials to take action, VA Secretary Doug Collins had publicly said the report was wrong.
(Hoopeston–jc0 Two Hoopeston teenagers were arrested on Saturday for aggravated battery and drug charges, a 19 year old teenager was arrested on the drug and battery charge and the other was arrested for possession of an illegal drug with intent to deliver
(Melvin–dm)-The Ford County Fair started yesterday and runs through Saturday June 28th. The Queen Pageant is this evening, and there are grandstand events every night. You can also visit the various 4 H exhibits. Ford County Fair Spokesperson Kirsten Wyatt explains.
Ford County Fair Spokesperson Kirsten Wyatt
WPXN will have a facebook live tonight and an interview with the new queen on the Becky Puetz morning show on Tuesday.
(Champaign–dm)-The Champaign City Council will hold a special regular meeting and post council study session on Tuesday June 24th at 7pm. Items on the agenda include appointments of members to various boards and commissions. The board will then hold a study session on Incremental Development Updates. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7pm.
(Springfield–jc0 –Illinois’ unemployment rate in May was 4.8%, higher than the national average of 4.2%. The Illinois Department of Employment Security said compared to a year ago, total jobs increased 21,200 with private education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and government jobs increasing. Manufacturing jobs decreased by 5,300 for the year.
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Chamber of Commerce has taken note of the state’s unresolved legislative issues in its annual End of Session Report. The 33-page document outlines 2025 legislative activity and the chamber’s engagement in seven core areas: employment, energy, environment, healthcare, infrastructure, tax and technology. Illinois Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lou Sandoval said the $55.2 billion budget passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker this week left critical issues unresolved.
(GIbson City–jc) Gibson City leaders will take a look at summer street projects when they meet tonight at 7. Local council members will also talk about the Gibson City Farmers Market on Monday. Several Tax Increment Financing District projects in downtown Gibson City are on the agenda. The Gibson City council may go into executive session to discuss an employee. The Gibson City, City Council, comes to order tonight at 7 in the city council chambers.
(Melvin–jc) Today at the Ford County Fair in Melvin
8:00am – Jr. Class Hog Show, Open Show following Jr. Show
8:00am-10:45am – Home EC Entries Received – Home EC Bldg.
Noon – Judging Home EC, Junior and Ag Products
6:00pm – Rides Open
7:00pm – Queen Pageant
(Champaign–jc) Champaign police located the family of a young girl who was alone at Hessel Park in the city on Sunday. Channel 3 reported that authorities were looking for the girl's family around 5 on Sunday. The girl had been in the park for several hours. Champaign police reported they located family members last night and the girl is safe
(Undated–jc) Today is the first Monday in Summer and today brings the first Heat Advisory of summer. Heat Indexes are expected to be in the 103 to 105 degree area today. Local health departments, police agencies and health professionals say to limit your time in the sun and outdoors, if possible. Getting plenty of water to keep cool and also check on the elderly and those with health issues today. The extreme heat is expected in the forecast throughout the week . cooling centers will be open in all area counties.
(Springfield-jc) –Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is touting a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration from withholding federal transportation money for immigration enforcement. The injunction was issued by a federal district judge in Rhode Island.Raoul joined attorneys general from California, New Jersey and Rhode Island, among others. Last year, Illinois was awarded more than $2 billion in DOT grant money for infrastructure projects.
(Melvin–dm)-The Ford County Fair continues today with the Miss Ford County Fair Queen Pageant taking place tonight at 700. WPXN news had a chance to talk with reigning 2024 Miss Ford County Fair Queen Kate Wilson about some of the activities she took part in this past year…
2024 Miss Ford County Queen Kate Wilson.
(Gilman–jc) - Iroquois West School leaders will look at a budget amendment when they meet tonight in monthly session Board members are expected to approve the use of the football field in gGilman for the Iroquois West Youth football team starting in August. Other agenda items include insurance and fuel bids for the district. The Iroquois West School board meets tonight at 7 in Gilman
(Chicago–jc) – Changes are coming to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 19 Friday.Supporters of the measure say it expands victims rights with petitions in front of the PRB and increases professionalism and proficiencies of the board. Opponents said the measure is watered down from a measure last year that didn’t advance.
(Danville–jc) – City of Danville authorities continue to investigate a fatal shooting from Saturday. The shooting happened around 10 Saturday night at Winter Park in the city Police had received several calls for shots fired at the park. Three people were shot and one was fatal The female 19 year old died at an area hospital. Two others were also transported to a Danville hospital, one was listed in serious condition on Sandy and the other was treated and released. Danville police are asking the public for any information on these crimes. The investigation continues this morning.
(Paxton–dm)-It’s pool season and having your own swimming pool is nice, there is some work involved to keep your pool nice and clean. Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen talks about “shocking” your pool.
Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott Saturday mornings on Scott’s Tips for Success.
(The Center Square) – Analysis by the Consumer Energy Alliance says a potential natural gas ban in Illinois would cost the average homeowner tens of thousands of dollars. In 2024, state Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, proposed a bill to ban natural gas in new buildings. A Chicago alderman, Maria Hadden, introduced similar legislation backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson around the same time.
Marc Brown, vice president of state affairs for the Consumer Energy Alliance, said forced electrification would cost $55,000 for the average single-family home.
(Rantoul–jc) The P T B Open baseball tournament and Midwest Championship FastPitch softball tournament highlighted this past weekend at the Rantoul Sports Complex. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Reid says the new Culvers, more hotels and also a new O S F Clinic are parts of the future…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Reid
(The Center Square) – Commercial Driver’s License sold to untested, undocumented immigrants in Florida has sparked national outrage. Now Illinois’ “non-domicile” program is in the hot seat. In Florida, DMV workers were arrested for allegedly selling CDLs to undocumented immigrants without tests or training. Officials say the licenses were bought, not earned, putting untrained drivers on the road. At a recent news conference, Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier said law enforcement uncovered hundreds of non-citizens illegally obtaining driver’s licenses without testing, breaking the law and putting unqualified drivers on the road, endangering public safety.The Illinois Secretary of State said any claims saying the state is engaging in giving CDLs to unqualified individuals is “ridiculous and completely false.”
WPXN News notes…
The City of Paxton will hold brush pickup starting today, going from the west side of town to the east side.
Jeremiah 33:6 will be holding a free produce pantry and health fair on Friday, June 27th from 3-5 pm at the Roberts Village Gym.
The 2025 Rankin Celebration will take place Friday, June 27th and Saturday, June 28th. On Friday night its the tractor pulls at 6pm. Saturday it kicks off at 8 am with the 5k run walk, church service at 10 am, vendors 11-8, kids games 12:30-1:30, car show 1-4, bags tournament at 1, cake walk 1:30, live music 2-8, kids water ball competition 2:30, petting zoo at 4 and fireworks at dusk.
The annual Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Drive will be held Sunday, June 29, in memory of cancer survivors, loved ones and veterans, with proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society. Registration runs from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Down by the Lake Bar in Sibley. To pre-register or buy advance tickets, people can call Russ Tjarks at 217-249-2377.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Tuesday, July 1st 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.
Fisher will hold their 4th of July celebration on Thursday, July 3rd with food trucks from 5-8 pm, live music by Tony Lindsey and the Smoke Wagon from 6-8 and fireworks at dusk.
