(Paxton-jm) – Northbound lanes of I-57 are back open following a semi accident and hazmat situation Wednesday. It happened around 4 am just north of the Paxton exit. The northbound lanes were shut down for over 16 hours. Traffic had to be re-routed through Paxton to Buckley.

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Fair's Governor's Sale of Champions highlighted the state's top youth livestock exhibitors, celebrating their dedication and excellence. WPXN”s Joel Cluver has the results…

 

(Paxton–jc)  – Several dozen people attended the Paxton Buckley Loda School board meeting last night at the high school. One concern for citizens is an ongoing case against a teacher in the district.  The PBL School board did go into an executive session at last night's meeting. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker announced last month he will be running for another term as Governor. This time however, he won’t have Juliana Stratton, the state’s current Lieutenant Governor, as his sidekick. Stratton announced she planned to run for the soon-to-be open U-S Senate seat held by retiring Senator Dick Durbin. Pritzker announced Democrat Christian Mitchell will be his running mate. Mitchell sat down with Capitol News Illinois where he was asked about making energy more affordable while trying to reach the Governor’s climate goals…

 

Illinois Lieutenant Governor candidate  DemocratChristian Mitchell.

 

(Ford county–jc)  Illinois State Police and Ford County authorities continue to search for a Gibson City man,  this morning, wanted in conjunction with an arson probe and the shooting of two policemen. Police are looking for 70 year old David Jordan of Gibson City. Efforts were near the Ford and McLean County line area west of Gibson City earlier Wednesday. Jordan is considered armed and dangerous. WPXN news will update this story as more information becomes available. 

 

(Paxton-bp) - The Paxton pool is open through the weekend. That will be the end of the season for the local attraction.  Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman hopes those in the area can enjoy the pool through Sunday… 

   

Paxton Park District Director Jordan Chapman…

 

(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man, who has been a registered sex offender for more than 20 years, was charged with aggravated sexual abuse of a 9-year-old for an incident that allegedly happened last week. 84-year-old Kimlong Nguyen was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 13 — a class 2 felony — for an incident that occurred on August 8. Nguyen was accused of making sexual contact with the child at a birthday party according to the Champaign County State’s Attorney's Office.

 

(Washington–jc0  What do the soybean acreage and numbers look like? The answer comes from U S D A Chief Economist Seth Meyer..

 

U S D A Chief Economist Seth Meyer

 

(The Center Square) – Beginning January First, a new Illinois law cracks down on predatory towing by letting the Illinois Commerce Commission impound unregistered trucks and suspend plates tied to unpaid fines. Senate Bill 2040 passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly unanimously and was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. 44th District  State Senator . Sally Turner, Republican from Beason, voted “yes” and said she sees it as a consumer protection measure.

 

(Springfield-jm) — Illinois State Police is starting a new taskforce dedicated to putting an end to human trafficking. The force will be called the Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group or ITEG; its partnership with State Police, the Decatur Police Department and the McLean County Sheriff’s office. The office is headquartered in Decatur. Last year, State Police arrested 31 of those perpetrators — a number they hope to increase with ITEG. The new task force cost nearly $1 million, according to State Police. All of that money, except for staffing costs, is covered by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

 

(Washington-jm) – Three Democratic candidates are vying to replace retiring U-S Senator Dick Durbin. One of those is Representative Robin Kelly, whose district extends from the southeast side of Chicago to all of Iroquois, most of Ford, the northern half of Vermilion and the northern third of Champaign Counties. Gun legislation has been a top priority for Kelly. With gun violence still such a prevalent issue, Kelly was asked during an interview with Capitol News Illinois, why voters should trust the Democratic Party on this issue…

 

U-S Senate candidate and current U-S Representative Robin Kelly. Her opponents in the primary are current Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and U-S Representative Raja Krishnamorthi.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton Buckley Loda School year begins Today. Teachers in the district, start the new year without a new collective bargaining agreement. With the school located in the city, Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the schools represent what is positive about a small town…

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

 

(Decatur-jm) – About one year after ADM allegedly violated its permit and failed to monitor an injection well, both the company and the EPA said steps have been taken to make corrections. Now, ADM plans to restart carbon dioxide injections in Decatur “in the coming days.”  The EPA issued a final order to ADM on Wednesday, which ensures the company is complying with the Safe Drinking Water Act when injecting carbon dioxide and other fluids into the ground.This stems from an alleged violation that took place in July last year. The EPA said ADM violated its permit when it failed to monitor the injection well and the injected fluid moved into an unauthorized space about 5,000 feet below ground. Then, about two months later, ADM paused carbon dioxide injections while they tested their carbon capture and storage deep monitoring wells.

 

(Illinois-bp) - Some schools are starting today and road safety is a top priority…WPXN”s Brayden Perzee has the details…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois bill could change harm reduction strategies across the state to help those addicted to opioids. The proposal would change homeless shelter rules. Any shelter that receives state funds would not be able to kick somebody out on the sole basis of a drug sobriety rule. State Representative Lindsey LaPointe, who is championing this bill, said Illinois needs to move away from further criminalizing people with opioid addiction disorder. The proposal would also change how the correctional system supports those with an opioid addiction.It would require prison and jail staff to have Naloxone readily available. It would also require correctional facilities to give out opioid use disorder medication.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

The 20-25 Cissna Park Old Settlers Reunion starts tonight in the park in Cissna Park. There is a talent show tonight at 7-30pm. Swyear Amusements are on the midway. Lots of food options. 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 Corn Belt Shrine Club will hold its annual Kids Day in Gibson City’s North Park on Sunday, August 17th. Prior to activities getting under way at the park from noon to 3 p.m., there will be a parade in downtown Gibson City at 11:30 a.m. At the park, there will be go kart rides, drinks, hot dogs, games, face painting, a jump house and more for 25 cents.

 

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.