(Gibson City-jm) – Two police officers were shot, multiple structures burned and the search for the suspect continues. It all happened early Saturday morning in Gibson City. Gibson City and Ford County Sheriff’s police responded to the 100 block of Ash Street around 2:30 Saturday morning for a naked man, identified as 70 year old David Jordan. Upon attempting to make contact with Jordan at his residence shots were fired striking the Gibson officer and the Sheriff’s deputy. Shortly after the house caught fire. The fire extended to a neighboring garage and house. The garage and the house that the fire originated in were completely destroyed while the other home received some damage. The two officers shot were taken to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. Illinois State Police say they are unsure of Jordan’s whereabouts but he is considered armed and dangerous.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Freedom Caucus members are the latest lawmakers calling for action amid the summer of skyrocketing electric bills. The Eastern Illinois Republicans want to repeal clean energy laws and get coal back on the grid. Many families and businesses are facing difficult choices this summer as they see electric bills rise 20-40% higher than average. The Illinois Freedom Caucus said the prices customers are seeing are the result of failed policies passed by Democrats in Illinois and Washington, D.C.

 

(The Center Square) – U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested criminals who would still be on the streets if Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson had their way. Noem spoke at a Homeland Security facility in Lombard on Friday and highlighted four noncitizen migrants charged or convicted of multiple crimes arrested by ICE in Illinois. The secretary said 70% of the noncitizen migrants ICE officials arrested in the last seven months have pending charges or criminal convictions against them. She said the others have final orders of removal.  According to Noem, elected leaders in Illinois are ignoring the law.

 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

 

(Iroquois County-jm) – Two 40-year-old men from Indiana were arrested on Wednesday after over 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine, other drugs and a pair of brass knuckles were located in Iroquois County. On August 6, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested 40-year-old Branden Harrison of Rensselaer and 40-year-old William Merrill Jr. of Indianapolis. According to police reports, Harrison and Merrill were initially stopped by deputies for operating a 2003 Jaguar with expired registration plates. During the investigation, contraband suspected to be meth was located on Merrill, who was the driver of the vehicle and held a suspended driver’s license. The discovery of the suspected meth led to a probable cause search of the vehicle. While the search was happening, deputies discovered even more suspected meth in both the vehicle and on Harrison when he was later searched incident to arrest. The total amount of suspected meth discovered was approximately 53 grams. Additionally, suspected psilocybin mushrooms and a set of brass knuckles were located in the Jaguar. Both Harrison and Merrill were taken into custody, transported to the Iroquois County Jail and charged with the following: Manufacture and delivery of meth 15 to 100 grams, Possession of meth 15 to 100 grams, Possession of a controlled substance less than 15 grams and Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Interstate 57 northbound was partially shut down in Champaign County after a truck tractor semi-trailer overturned. The Illinois State Police said it happened around milepost 236 just before 12:15 p.m. Sunday. No injuries were reported.

 

(USDA–dm)-USDA's August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates are scheduled for release Tuesday, August 12 at Noon Eastern Time. The first farmer surveys on this year’s crops will be a main piece of information in USDA’s latest supply and demand estimate report. Rod Bain has the report

   

(The Center Square) – With Illinois now being home to the highest property tax rates in the country, state Representative . Dan Ugaste is pushing legislation aimed at alleviating part of the load now being heaped on stressed out taxpayers. New data highlighted by Illinois Policy Institute shows as recently as 2023, homeowners across the state paid an effective property tax rate of 1.83%, or in the neighborhood of $4,584 annually on a median-priced home of $250,000. Some argue high taxes are spurring a still ongoing exodus from the state as taxpayers seek refuge in places where rates are significantly lower.With most of the tax money being collected locally earmarked for local pension liability as opposed to essential services, Ugaste has introduced House Bill 9 as a potential solution. The legislation is crafted to set aside a part of the state budget for a grant fund to be given to school districts as part of a goal of lowering overall property taxes.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Rantoul Township High School leaders are set to approve a school resource officer with the village when they meet tonight. School board members may also hire an Intervention Coordinator. Approving the annual teacher’s handbook and accepting the teachers salary report is also a topic. The Rantoul Township High School Board meets at 6 on Monday at the high school cafetorium. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Attorney General of Illinois and his counterparts across the nation are taking new action to combat robocalls. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the launch of Operation Robocall Roundup. As part of this initiative, Raoul and 50 other attorneys general are sending letters to 37 voice providers demanding immediate action to stop illegal robocalls being routed through their networks. The recipients of these letters, Raoul said, have failed to comply with FCC rules on responding to government traceback requests. They also failed to register in the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Database or to file a plan describing how they will reduce illegal robocalls on their network.

 

(Cissna Park–dm)-For approximately 130 years the Village of Cissna Park has celebrated their Old Settlers Reunion.  This year’s reunion starts Thursday August 14th and runs through Saturday August 16th.Old Settler’s Spokesperson Dick Swing tells us about the prize drawings they have each night.

 

 

Cissna Park Old Settler’s Spokesperson Dick Swing.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Fire Department is investigating after a single-family home caught fire Sunday morning. Fire crews responded to the 400 block of West Eureka Street just before 4 a.m. after a neighbor called 911. The fire department said the house was vacant. Investigators are still determining the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported.

 

(Iroquois County-jm) – Iroquois Memorial Hospice and Iroquois Home Health have both earned national recognition as recipients of the 2024 SHPBest “Superior Performer” Award.  The recognitions come from Strategic Healthcare Programs. The distinction places both programs in the top 20% of healthcare providers nationwide for excellence in patient and caregiver satisfaction. Iroquois Memorial Hospice received this award based on outstanding feedback from the loved ones of hospice patients. IMH Hospice has served patients and families across Iroquois, Ford, Livingston, Kankakee, Vermilion, and parts of Champaign counties for nearly 30 years. Iroquois Home Health received accolades for achieving top-tier patient satisfaction in home health services. 

 

(Paxton–)-If you have a concrete drive, and it has some cracks in it, Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen has some tips on how to make repairs.

 

 

Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen.  You can hear more from Scott Saturday Mornings at 730 on Scott’s tips for success.

 

(Illinois-dm)-Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says she is ordering a third round of pension pre-payments. Mendoza said more than $1.3 billion in payments to the state’s five retirement systems will include $428 million in pre-payments, allowing the pension systems to keep more money in their portfolios and earn more in returns.

 

WPXN News notes…

The Onarga American Legion will host a blood drive on Tuesday, August 12th from 1-6 pm.

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Coffee and Connections on Wednesday, August 13th from 8-9 am.

The 2025 Cissna Park Old Settlers Reunion will take place August 14th-16th. Swyear Amusements on the midway, the annual parade is set for noon on Saturday and someone will win a brand new car on Saturday night. 

Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services Summer Bash will take place on Saturday, August 16th in downtown Gibson City. Rock Band Foreigner will headline the event. Tickets for the concert are $10.

Buckley St. John's Ladies Aid/LWML will be having an Ice Cream Social on Sunday, August 17th  from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm in the school lunchroom.  Menu includes hot beef, ham, open face cheese sandwiches, pie, cake and ice cream.

 

The 2025 Half Century of Progress will be in Rantoul August 21st through the 24th.

 

The 2025 Mahomet Music Festival will take place Friday, August 22nd with 2025 American Idol contestant, Mahomet native Lexi and 2023 The Voice Season 23 winner, Paxton native Gina Miles performing. On Saturday, August 23rd, its Lakeview and country group Parmalee performing.