(Springfield-jm) – With extreme temperatures and increasing humidity in the forecast across Illinois, IDOT is warning drivers to look out for pavement failures. Pavement failures or blowouts occur in extreme heat due to thermal expansion, the tendency of matter to change size when subjected to prolonged high temperatures. Precipitation and high humidity increase the potential for buckling, IDOT said. The result is an uneven roadway that buckles upward, which can prove hazardous to cars.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Robert Dinkins, the former GCMS School District employee accused of sexual abuse, is back in Ford County and made his first appearance in court on Monday. During that appearance, he was denied pretrial release. Dinkins is charged with six counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, which stem from investigations by a special prosecutor and the GCMS School District. Those investigations found that Dinkins sent inappropriate messages to students, met alone with students at his house and was physically affectionate with students. A preliminary hearing and pretrial hearing were scheduled for July 9.

 

(Crescent city–jc)  –The Illinois Department of Transportation says that Illinois route 49 at the T-P &W Railroad crossing in Crescent City in Iroquois County is closed for repairs. The crossing is located just north north of U.S. 24. The work is anticipated to be completed by sometime on Friday. There are posted detours in that area..

 

(Melvin–jc)  – The 20-25 Miss Ford County Fair Queen Pageant was held last night in Melvin. WPXN’s Becky Puetz was there…

 

(Illinois–jc)  Members of Illinois’ congressional delegation continue to keep an eye on conflict in the Middle East after Iran retaliated by attempting to strike U.S. targets in Qatar. Illinois U.S. Representative. Jonathan Jackson said he’s grateful no lives were lost and to “Let peace be our priority.” Illinois Senator, Democrat,. Dick Durbin criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of terrorism prevention.

Iran’s strike Monday follows Trump’s order to strike Iran nuclear facilities Saturday. The Trump Administration helped broker a cease fire that started earlier today.

 

(Springfield–jc) The impact on taxpayers is starting to show in Illinois as a massive 55 point 2 Billion dollar budget was signed into law earlier this month. 52nd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon says it represents 2 billion dollars more in spending and additional taxes and continues to burden taxpayers in the state…

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is asking for help through Crime Stoppers in solving another retail theft in their city. The theft happened at the Going, Going Gone location of Dick’s Sporting Goods, located at 63 East Marketview Drive. Officials said that at approximately 2:52 p.m. on June 1, a woman walked into the store, concealed items in her purse and walked out with no attempt to pay for the items she picked out. The stolen merchandise was valued at nearly $900. She appeared to be white and was wearing a white tank top under an orange long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, tan sandals and glasses.

 

(Rankin–dm)-The Village of Rankin will have their Independence Day Celebration this weekend Friday June 27th and Saturday June 28th. Rankin Lions Club Spokesperson Diana Fanning tells us about some of the activities going on.

   

Rankin Lions Club Spokesperson Diana Fanning.  Other activities on Saturday include a bags tournament, the Reed family car show, lots of free kids games.  Also food stands and vendors and a beer tent.  The day wraps up with a fireworks display at dusk. 

 

(Southern Illinois–jc)  – A former Republican candidate for lieutenant governor is challenging the state lawmaker who proposed new reporting mandates on homeschool families earlier this year. Stephanie Trussell announced her candidacy for state representative in Illinois’ 42nd House District, which is currently held by Democratic state Rep. Terra Costa Howard. Trussell was Darren Bailey’s running mate for lieutenant governor in 2022.

Updated from pm mon

(Urbana–jc)  It’s hot, but is it too hot for mosquitoes? Do mosquitoes find you? O-S-F’s Tim Ditman has the story…

 

(Undated-jm) – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have remained stable over the past week, holding at $3.41 per gallon, according to a survey conducted by GasBuddy across 4,378 stations in the state. This marks a slight decrease of 1.2 cents per gallon compared to last month and a significant drop of 39.3 cents per gallon from the same time last year. In contrast, the national average price of gasoline has increased by 9.7 cents per gallon over the last week, now averaging $3.18 per gallon. Despite this rise, the national average remains unchanged from a month ago and is 23.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, GasBuddy data revealed.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  The Village of Rantoul has named Brandon Denton as the new Rantoul Family Sports Complex Director.  Denton, who came to the Rantoul in 2024, will continue his duties as Operations Manager, while also taking over responsibilities for field rentals, financing, and overall oversight of the facility.

Denton served as Assistant General Manager of the Southland Center in Lynwood for ten years, including Director of Baseball Operations beginning in 2019. He is a graduate of Governors State University. Denton started in the new position on Monday. 

 

(Undated–jc)  It’s summer and the summer heat is here. A heat advisory remains in effect through the end of the day today. Tuesday is much of the same with heat indexes in the 103 to 104 range for the WPXN listening area. Cooling centers will remain open in area counties. Public Health Department officials say to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks if you are working outside. Also, a reminder is to check on the elderly and those with health issues during the extreme hot weather. Local veterinarians also say to check on livestock and pets during this time.  WPXN’s Brayden Perzee tells us about the cooling centers available in Iroquois county

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign’s former Deputy Fire Chief is coming out of retirement to serve as the city’s interim Fire Chief. On Monday, Champaign announced that City Manager Joan Walls appointed Tyler Funk to the position, beginning July 14. He previously served the city for 26 years, before retiring in 2023. Funk will take over after Chief Andy Quarnstrom retires in July. The recruitment to hire a new Fire Chief will begin later this summer, according to the City of Champaign.

 

(Melvin–jc)  20-25 Paxton Buckley Loda High School Graduate Charlie Ulrich is your new Miss Ford County Fair Queen. Ulrich was selected from the contestants at the pageant last night at the Ford County Fair in Melvin. Aubrey Sawyer, also a 20-25 Graduate of Paxton Buckley Loda High School was named Miss Congeniality. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  – Expect tough subjects about finances with Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s new podcast. Mendoza’s office announced The Mendoza Podcast - Financial Talk that Makes Cents that will cover topics like budgeting, investing and saving for college.New episodes will launch every Monday on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and coming soon to Spotify.

 

(Springfield–jc)--  A winner of the online lottery snagged an $800,000 jackpot this week. The Illinois lottery announced the Lucky Day Lotto jackpot drawing went to someone who purchased the ticket via iLottery on the internet. Altogether, more than 17,000 winning tickets were sold Sunday for the Lucky Day Lotto, an Illinois-only game with twice daily drawings.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –   Illinois’ pension debt is among the worst in the country with 140 Billion Dollars in unfunded liability for the state’s five pension funds. With the fiscal year 2026 state budget,  "safe harbor" standards require pensions to be an adequate replacement for Social Security benefits. Illinois Governor J B Pritzker says the state needs to put more money into this system…

Illinois Governor J B Pritzker. 63rd District State Representative Steven Reick (‘R’eye’ck) of Woodstock disagrees and says the new money will not help solve the pension crisis in the state…

63rd District State Representative Steven Reick, Republican from Woodstock

 

(Sibley–jc)  –The annual Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Drive will be held on Sunday, The annual event is  in memory of cancer survivors, loved ones and veterans, with proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society. Registration starts at 7:30, Sunday morning, at the Down by the Lake Bar in Sibley. Several raffles will be held in conjunction with the event. Sibley Burr Oaks Antique Tractor Chairman  Russ Tjarks tells us they were not planning for this to be an annual event.

Sibley Burr Oaks Antique Tractor Spokesperson Russ Tjarks

 

(Springfield–jc)  Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker has appointed Alicia Atkinson to serve as Statewide 911 Administrator.b Atkinson has held numerous positions, including deputy director, at 911 centers during nearly two decades of experience.Atkinson’s appointment takes effect July 1, pending approval by the Illinois Senate.

 

WPXN News Notes…

 

It’s Family Night tonight at the Ford County Fair in Melvin. $15 armbands for the first 400 people then its $25 armbands for the rest.  The Little Mister and Miss Pageant begins at 5-30pm

 

The City of Paxton will continue brush pickup going from the west side of town to the east side. 

 

The Iroquois County Public Health Department will hold a safe sitter class today and tomorrow from 9-noon for kids grades 6-8. Registration is $50. Call 815-432-2483 to sign up.