(Undated-jm) – Average gas prices in Illinois have fallen 7.5 cents per gallon, according to GasBuddy. According to GasBuddy's survey of 4,378 stations in Illinois, prices in Illinois are 5.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 37.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.
(Rantoul–jc) Those traveling on the west side of Rantoul along Champaign Avenue, near Interstate 57 can see a new growth of businesses, especially near the Rantoul Sports Complex. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says one of his visions for the village is to pursue additional neighborhood shopping areas for local businesses…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for help from the public in finding a suspected car burglar. The burglaries happened near the U of I campus the morning of May 6. Officials said that around 5 a.m., a man entered several cars parked near Third and Daniel Streets. He stole items from two of them; the value of the stolen items has not yet been determined. The suspect was captured on video; he was described as a light-skinned Black male who was wearing a black jacket over a gray hoodie. He was also wearing black pants and black shoes.
Paxton–jc) — A second lawsuit has been filed in Ford County Court that alleges inappropriate touching of students by a Paxton-Buckley-Loda teacher and former coach Rob Pacey. . The civil complaint was filed Monday by a Chicago civil rights attorney on behalf of “Jane Doe.”
(Undated-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci is hosting a Senior Fraud Seminar in Vermilion and Champaign County on July 18. The Vermilion County event is at CRIS Healthy Aging at 10 am in Danville. In Champaign County, it will take place at CRIS Healthy Aging in Champaign at 1:00 pm. Make your reservation for both locations by calling 217-443-2999.
(Washington–jc) –: What are some of the areas of interest within the recently signed federal budget law to the ag industry, producers, and agribusinesses? Rod Bain reports…
The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire outside a single-family residence in the 600 Block of North James Street, Monday afternoon around 4-30. Fire crews were able to quickly get the fire under control. Once on the scene, crews reported moderate smoke coming from the rear of the home. Firefighters deployed a single hose line and were able to quickly extinguish the fire before it extended into the home. The cause of this fire has not been determined. There were no firefighter or occupant injuries reported.
(Paxton–jc) The Ford County Sheriff's Committee is set to talk about how to spend ARPA funds when they meet on Wednesday morning in Paxton. Additional agenda items include a correctional healthcare plan for the Ford County Correctional Facility and a possible donation of a used truck to the Elliott Fire Department. The Ford County Sheriff’s Committee meeting comes to order at 9am Wednesday at the courthouse in Paxton.
CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign Police Department says a second victim in a June 29 shooting homicide tragically succumbed to his injuries on Monday morning. An active investigation into this incident remains ongoing, and Champaign Police continue to seek assistance from the community in identifying those responsible for this loss of life. At the request of the family, the name of the second juvenile victim is not being released. Officers were dispatched just after midnight on June 29th, to Holly Hill Drive following a report of a shooting with injuries. As officers searched the area, they quickly located two teens from Champaign unconscious in the front yard of a residence in the 1500 block of Holly Hill Drive with life-threatening gunshot wounds. Champaign Police continue to ask anyone who has any information on what happened in this incident to please call 217-351-4545 and share it with investigators.
(Springfield-jm) – People charged with their first weapon-related offense could soon have the ability to apply for a FOID card while they participate in a pretrial detention program. Current state law allows nonviolent offenders charged with their first offense to participate in divergence programs such as the First Time Weapons Offense Program in Chicago. Upon completion, the state's attorney dismisses the charges but the individual cannot apply for a FOID card until after the charges are dismissed. A bill on Governor JB Pritzker's desk could allow eligible first time offenders to apply for a FOID card much earlier. All of the current requirements for legal gun ownership in Illinois would remain the same. The Illinois State Police could also deny someone's application for a FOID card if they are ineligible.
(Channahon–jc) With the legislative session complete and a new budget in place, what does the summer look like for 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon. The local senator says it's touring the district, but also keeping some key legislation going…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon
(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that it will be joining a state-wide effort to increase traffic safety patrols. Sheriff Dustin Heuerman said in a news release that more than 200 local law enforcement agencies — along with the Illinois State Police — will increase patrols for speeding and other traffic violations throughout the month of July. In the past seven months, the Sheriff’s Office investigated 173 crashes — 51 of those crashes involved injuries. Heuerman added that five people died in three different fatal crashes. The patrols will increase in Champaign County — and the state — from July 8 to July 31.
(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois researchers are aiming to help farmers by improving production and irrigation. The team is developing ways to monitor soil and crop moisture with drones; the drones use a sensor that allows them to see through the plant and into the soil. Many farms in Illinois don’t have irrigation systems, which can negatively impact their crops. But if farmers can detect droughts early, then they can adjust and improve production. The Center for Digital Agriculture and the Prairie Research Institute teamed up to help fund the project. The research team also includes State Climatologist Trent Ford and a member of the US Forest Service.
(Fisher–jc) – There is a lot of activities set for the Fisher Community Fair this week. Today, it's Bingo in the afternoon, the fair dedication at 6pm and Karaoke in the commercial building and Redneck Rumble in the grandstands. Wednesday sees “Drone racing” with an I-T-P-A Tractor and Truck pull on Thursday. The national Country Concert with Jerrod Nieman is set for 7-30 Friday night and a demo derby on Saturday. Fisher Fair President Todd Cotter says throughout the run of the fair on the midway is Swyear Amusements…
Fisher Fair President Todd Cotter. WPXN will be broadcasting live at the fair on Wednesday morning at 9am during the kids’ games. It is Summer Fun Tour Stop number 8.
(Rantoul–jc) Rantoul village leaders will look to appoint Janet Gray as Village Freedom of Information Officer when they meet tonight in regular session. Village leaders are also expected to authorize a payment of 263 thousand dollars to design work for the ongoing Prospect substation project. Rantoul leaders may also approve a municipal grocery retailers tax and set fees for Electric Utility services.
Firefighters Whitney Shreves, Thomas Compere, Michael Lynch and Austn Hunter will also take the oath of office. The Rantoul Village Board meeting is set for 6pm Tuesday at the village offices on Tanner Street.
(Iroquois Co–dm)- If you live in Iroquois County, your first installment of your property taxes were due on Monday.There are several ways to pay your tax bill says Iroquois County Treasurer Kurt Albers….
Iroquois County Treasured Kurt Albers
(Danville–jc) Danville Area Community Colleges Board of Trustees will look at employment issues when they meet in a closed session on Wednesday afternoon. The meeting is at noon on Wednesday at Vermilion Hall on the DACC campus.
WPXN News notes…
The 84th annual Fisher Community Fair continues today through Saturday night. Today is Sywear amusement rides from 6-10 pm, along with Karaoke Night at 6:30 and Redneck Rumble in the grandstands at 7. On Wednesday, its children’s day with games beginning at 9:30 am, ice cream social from 6:30-8, petting zoo from 6-9, $30 armbands from 6-10 and drone racing in the grandstands at 8:30. On the 10th, its amusement rides from 6-10 pm and the ITPA tractor pulls at 7. On the 11th, its $30 armbands from 6-10pm with country artist Jerrod Niemann performing at 7:30. On the 12th, its the 5k at 7:30 am, mutt show at 9 am, amusement rides 1-10 pm and the demo derby at 6.
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.
The 2025 Kempton’s Day in the Park will take place on Saturday, July 12th with a tractor drive at 8 am, bounce house, lego show and vendor show at 10 am, kids water fight at noon, mechanical bull at 4pm, live music with Seasonal Disorder at 7 pm.
The Shop in the Park in Cissna Park will take place on Saturday, July 12th from 9-1. Activities include craft and vendors, live music and food.
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in L’Erable will hold their annual parish homecoming on Sunday, July 13th. Mass will begin at 11 am with chicken and pork chop dinner from noon to 5, kiddie tractor pulls and games start at 1. Raffles, bingo, crafts and food round out the days activities.
Impact Life will hold a blood drive on Thursday, July 17th from 3-6 pm at the First Lutheran Church in Paxton. To sign up email Kevin Hanson at emtcoor at hotmail dot com.
