(Springfield-jc) – The measles outbreak in Southern Illinois is over. The Illinois Department of Public Health said there have been no new cases since May 22. The agency credits rapid responses from state and local health officials they say kept the virus spread to a minimum. Health officials said immunization against measles is the best protection for children and adults.

 

(Undated-jm) – Two Democratic members of Congress running for U-S Senate visited central Illinois last week to discuss federal spending cuts to social service programs. Capitol News Illinois reports that Democrats  Robin Kelly and Raja (rah-jah) Krishnamoorthi (krish-nuh-more-thee) say everyone will feel impacts from the cuts, no matter how much money they make. Projections show some rural hospitals in Illinois could close because of Medicaid cuts that will begin next year. Krishnamoorthi says it's important to let people in Illinois know how these cuts will affect them…

   

Democrat Illinois U S Senate candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi. Robin Kelly says it’s the part of President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill that concerns her the most…

   

2nd District Congressman and Illinois Senate candidate Robin Kelly.

 

(Undated-jc) – Ninety-five troopers graduated to join the Illinois State Police Friday. The agency announced the Springfield ceremony was the largest cadet class in 25 years. The class included traditional cadets who complete a 29-week program and a lateral class of 52 cadets who completed a 12-week program for certified police previously graduating from an accredited academy with two years of full-time as an officer.  

 

(St. Joseph-jm) – Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer has identified the victim of a fatal single-vehicle crash as Samuel Shonkwiler, an 18-year-old from St. Joseph. The crash occurred on Thursday, near County Road 1380 North and County Road 2400 East at approximately 10:30 p.m. Preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle struck a utility pole at a high rate of speed. Shonkwiler was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy has been scheduled. The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office and the Champaign County Coroner’s Office are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

 

(Washington–jc)  Ag Producers with eligible crop losses due to natural disaster over the past two years can now sign up for a new U-S-D-A disaster assistance program. Farm Service Agency Administrator Bill Beam has the details…

 

Farm Service Agency Administrator Bill Beam

 

(Savoy-jm) – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth announced that the University of Illinois Willard Airport will receive $400,000 in federal funding. The funds, provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Authority, are earmarked for runway rehabilitation.

 

(Paxton–dm)-With the dry hot weather you might not be mowing your yard as much.  If your lawn is brown, but you need to “even” the grass, you might want to make sure your mower blades are sharp.  Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen has more.

   

Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen.  You can hear more from Scott Saturday morning at 730 on Scott’s Tips for Success.

 

(Gibson City–jc)  –  Gibson City leaders will look at an improvement project for the Gibson City Police Department building when they meet tonight. The council is expected to approve a special liquor license for the annual Harvest Fest and will look to approve the 20-25 to 2-20-26 appropriation ordinance. The Gibson City, City council meeting comes to order at 7 pm on tonight in the council chambers. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois urban search and rescue team went to Texas overnight on Friday to help with operations after deadly flooding killed over 100 people and left hundreds more missing. The group consists of 39 rescuers from various fire departments. Governor JB Pritzker authorized the help by directing the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security to activate the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The EMAC is an agreement among states to provide help across state lines during emergencies and disasters. The team will be in Texas for up to 14 days.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois leaders are sharing concerns over SNAP benefit changes as part of President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill. During a press conference Friday, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton says she is sounding the alarm on the cuts coming to Illinois…

   

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton.

Republicans have countered that we are 36 trillion dollars in debt and the effort is to take off the waste, fraud and abuse of such benefits. 

 

(Urbana-jm) – Another person charged in connection with the unrest during a pro-Palestinian protest on the University of Illinois campus last year has pleaded guilty. Sachi Roy, 22, was in court for a pretrial hearing on charges of felony mob action and misdemeanor obstruction of a police officer. They were identical charges to what eight other people were or are facing in connection to the protest that took place at Alma Mater on April 26, 2024. During that pretrial hearing, Roy agreed to a plea deal that saw her plead guilty to the obstruction count while the mob action count was dismissed. Accepting the guilty plea, Roy was sentenced to a year of conditional discharge and 100 hours of community service.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Buckley loda School Board is set to meet in an executive session this afternoon at the high school in Paxton. The release stated just a closed session to talk about personnel. 

 

(Champaign–dm)-  Here’s another Tik-Tok health trend that’ll raise your eyebrow: does a McDonald's snack cure a migraine? Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare put it to the test.

   

 If your headache is sudden and severe...or if the constant headaches prevent you from daily activities...see a health care provider.

 

(Champaign County-jm) – Champaign County workers officially voted to ratify a new union contract on Saturday. The workers represented by the AFSCME Local 900 union struck a tentative agreement with the county on Tuesday, just a day before their Wednesday morning strike deadline. 94% of votes were in favor of ratifying the agreement. The union says the minimum wage for full-time employees will increase from less than $16 an hour to $18 an hour. Other benefits include lowered health insurance premiums and free rabies vaccines for Animal Control employees.

 

(Iroquois Co–dm)-It’s County Fair season and the Iroquois County Fair is just around the corner.  Competitive Exhibits Coordinator Deb Krones talks about entries and more

 

Competitive Exhibits Coordinator Deb Krones.  Other Tuesday activities include the 4-H food sale at 2pm and the midway is open from 6 to 10pm.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Ford County Board members will look to set the Ford County Public Defenders salary when they meet today. A printer contract and some engineering services are on the agenda. The Ford County Board meeting starts at 6 on Monday night in the Ford County Sheriff’s Board room at the jail. 

WPXN News notes…

 

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.

 

The 2025 Champaign County Fair will take place July 18-26 at the fairgrounds in Urbana. On the 18th its the Pro Rodeo at 7. On the 19th its the demolition derby at 5. On the 20th its the draft horse pulls at noon and draft horse show at 4. On the 22nd its harness racing at 5. On the 23rd its the monster truck show at 7. On the 24th its motocross racing at 7. On the 25th its country music artist Travis Tritt at 7:30. On the 26th its the IPA tractor pulls at noon and the ITPA tractor pulls at 6pm.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the LIA Bass Club on Saturday, July 19th from 10-2.

 

The City of Paxton will hold brush pickup starting Monday, July 21st and going from the west side of town to the east side.

 

The Iroquois County Public Health Department will hold a safe sitter class on Tuesday, July 22nd and Wednesday, July 23rd from 9-noon for kids grades 9-12. Registration is $50. Call 815-432-2483 to sign up.

 

The East Central Illinois Community Action Agency will hold their 5th annual golf fundraiser on Friday, July 25th at Rivercrest Golf Club in Covington, Indiana.