(Paxton-jm) – Two men and a woman from Paxton were arrested by police after a search warrant executed on Tuesday found stolen property and drugs inside a home. Yesterday, the Paxton Police Department took a report of a residential burglary in the 600 block of East Patton Street, in which collector cards and fishing equipment were stolen. Additionally, on Monday, Paxton Police took a report of a residential burglary in the 500 block on N. Union Street, where Harley-Davidson parts were stolen. Then on Tuesday, officers executed a search warrant at a home in the 600 block of E. Center Street. During the search, they found stolen property that included Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, collector cards and fishing equipment, as well as multiple baggies of methamphetamine, cannabis, hydrocodone and digital scales. As a result of the search, three Paxton residents, 57-year-old James Hawk Jr., 31-year-old Megan Hawk and 50-year-old Chad Matherne were arrested.

 

(Fisher-bp)

The Fisher Community Fair starts on Sunday. Fisher Fair President Todd Cotter says the queen pageant  to kids games start the fair in Fisher 

 

Fisher Community Fair President Todd Cotter

 

(Champaign County-jm) – Champaign County employees represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees have moved closer to striking after sending a five-day notice of intent to strike to county management. This notice, required under Illinois state law, allows the union bargaining committee to call a strike once the period has elapsed. The employees are demanding fair wages that align with the rising cost of living and affordable health insurance. Despite a vote five weeks ago authorizing a strike, management has yet to agree to the union's terms for a new contract. The previous agreement expired at the end of 2024, and union members express growing frustration with what they describe as disrespectful wage and benefit proposals from management.

 

(Barrington Hills–jc)  52nd District State Representative Martin McLaughlin, Republican from Barrington Hills, slammed the latest round of tax increases that took effect this week. McLaughlin says Illinoisans can not afford the Billion dollars in more taxes and the Billions in more spending by the Democrats in Springfield…

 

52nd District State Representative Martin McLaughlin, Republican from Barrington Hills

 

(Paxton-bp)-- The City of Paxton “Old Fashioned 4th of July” Celebration is set for Friday in the city . Paxton Main Street Executive Director Donna Pepper says the full day of events starts with a 5-K Run and Walk..

   

Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper. 

WPXN will have kids games at 11-30 tomorrow morning at Pells Park

 

(Arcola-jm) – The most recent winner of America’s Got Talent is set to perform at this year’s Broomcorn Festival in Arcola. In a Facebook post, the Arcola Chamber of Commerce announced that Richard Goodall, the janitor turned singer, will be performing at the 54th Annual Broomcorn Festival. Goodall, who won season 19 of America’s Got Talent in September 2024, is set to perform on the Chamber of Commerce’s stage at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 7. The concert is family friendly and free for all attendees. The three-day festival will take place from Sept. 5-7 in Historic Downtown Arcola.

 

(Springfield–jc)  Illinois taxpayers who missed the April 15 deadline are reminded that it is not too late to file and minimize penalties and interest if a balance is owed.While the deadline was almost three months ago, the Illinois Department of Revenue grants an automatic six-month extension of time to file a return with the deadline being Oct. 15. 

 

(The Center Square) — The Trump administration Tuesday withheld $6.8 billion in federal funding from state education departments across the U.S. The freeze is affecting 10% of federal money for K-12 education. Programs like after-school initiatives, English language and professional development for teachers are usually funded by the federal government. Illinois Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders criticized the freeze of federal funds, saying the delay by the Trump administration in issuing federal education funding allocations is deeply disruptive, irresponsible and damaging to Illinois’ 1.9 million public school students,

 

(Urbana-jm) – The OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana is looking to discontinue some services, citing financial losses of more than $361 million, declines in the use of several services and the inability to recruit and retain specialty physicians. OSF HealthCare recently announced several changes to their services in Central Illinois, which were detailed in a 71-page application document filed with the Illinois Health Facilities and Review Board this week, The company would eliminate 85 medical/surgical beds, and the four-room cardiac catheterization service and open-heart surgery program would be discontinued. Following the closure of those units, inpatient care at the hospital would feature a 40-bed Acute Mental Illness service and 25 medical/surgical beds. All of these changes would be implemented in January  of next year, pending approval by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. 

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – A 31-year-old Champaign man was arrested on aggravated sexual assault and battery charges after police found a woman with injuries walking with him. An officer was on patrol in the area of Logan and Neil Streets and saw a woman with multiple apparent injuries walking alongside a man. As the officer spoke with the pair, the woman identified herself as the victim of a battery and attempted assault by the man she was with, identified as 31-year-old Shavone Gunby. Gunby was then arrested on the initial charges of aggravated sexual assault and two counts of aggravated battery. Earlier this week, Gunby waived his preliminary hearing, entered a plea of not guilty and requested a trial by jury. Gunby is also involved in three other ongoing cases in Champaign County, including burglary, possession of controlled substances and criminal damage to property, among other things.

 

(Fisher–jc)  Their will be three queens crowned in Fisher on Sunday as the community starts this year’s fair. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details…

 

(The Center Square) – As Congress weighs the “big, beautiful bill,” a proposed hike to the state and local tax deduction cap is drawing fire for favoring taxpayers in high-tax states, like Illinois. Taxpayers who itemize can deduct up to $10,000 in state and local taxes from their federal taxes—a cap set by the 2017 tax law. A provision in the legislation the U.S. Senate sent back over to the House yesterday would raise that cap to $40,000 for most people, but phase it out for those earning over $500,000. The bill is a tax savings for Illinois residents

 

(Rantoul-jc)  The village of Rantoul has fireworks tonight and a parade and more on Friday. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says its these types of events, that make Rantoul a great place to raise a family…

 

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

 

(Springfield–jc)  –102nd District Illinois State Representative  Adam Niemerg, Republican from -Dieterich, has introduced legislation to return control over solar energy projects to county governments. Niemerg said his constituents are frustrated that they have no say in solar developments in their backyard. House Bill 4078 would return solar regulation to county governments.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –  The Illinois Department of Transportation is joining state and local law enforcement agencies in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign this weekend.According to provisional IDOT data, 21 people died in 17 fatal crashes across the state during last year’s Independence Day weekend.Drivers are urged not to get behind the wheel if they use alcohol, cannabis or other drugs.

 

WPXN News notes…

Fisher will hold their 4th of July celebration this evening with food trucks from 5-8 pm, live music by Tony Lindsey and the Smoke Wagon from 6-8 and fireworks at dusk.

 

Rantoul will do their fireworks on tonight at 9pm with their parade at 10 am on Friday, July 4th.

 

The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County will host their annual charity golf outing on Friday, July 11th at Willow Pond Golf Course. Cost is $340 for a 4 person team. 

 

Paxton’s Old Fashioned 4th of July will take place on Friday, July 4th at Pells Park in Paxton. Activities include 5k at 8 am, community worship service at 9:45, car show 10-2, antique tractor show 11 am, bingo 11-1, kids games and zone 11:30–3, live music with Jake and Mikayla from 12-2, penny scavenger hunt 1-2.  Vendors open at Bixby Park from 6-9 pm, golf cart parade at 8:15 with fireworks at 9.

 

Sibley will host their 4th of July celebration on Friday, July 4th with a fishing derby at 9 am, petting zoo from 10-noon, parade at noon, climbing wall from 2-4, bingo from 3-5, kids games and inflatables from 4-7, live music at 6 and fireworks at dusk.

 

The Onarga Chamber of Commerce Independence Celebration will take place Friday, July 4th with food and live music starting at 5pm. Then Saturday, July 5th it kicks off with the parade at 11am, tractor pulls at noon, live music 12:30-6,  car show 1-3, inflatables 1-4, bingo 2-4, kiddie tractor pull at 3 and fireworks at dusk.

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout be