(Leverett-jm) – Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer has confirmed the identity of a man killed by a train in Leverett back in July. 33-year-old Kyle Clevenger of Rantoul died from injuries he received after the collision with an Amtrak. It happened on July 27 on Leverett Road in Champaign County. After the crash the sheriff’s office said preliminary information indicated that a vehicle driving eastbound moved around activated crossing gates and was hit by an Amtrak train driving northbound. The impact caused the vehicle to catch fire, the sheriff’s office said. No injuries were reported among the train passengers or crew members.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign County Coroner has identified the Mahomet man who died after a motorcycle crash in Champaign over the weekend. Laurie Brauer said 37-year-old Matthew Mayberry was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital at 8:19 p.m. on Saturday. Brauer said an autopsy has been scheduled. The crash happened near the intersection of Bloomington Road and Mattis Avenue.
(USDA–dm)-USDA’s August domestic corn outlook includes how a projected record crop this year fits into the latest U.S. corn balance sheet. Rod Bain has more information
(Gibson City-jm) – A Gibson City home was damaged by fire Friday night. Crews responded just before midnight to the 300 block of North Melvin Street. When they arrived they found smoke coming out of multiple openings. The cause is unknown but fire officials say wood finishing activities were taking place in the home. Gibson City firefighters were assisted by Elliott firefighters.
(Urbana-jm) – 16 months after a clash between police and pro-Palestine protestors on the University of Illinois campus, the last person facing charges in connection with the unrest pleaded guilty on Friday. Christoper Zelle of Champaign, reached a deal with prosecutors in June. The deal included Zelle pleading guilty to a misdemeanor of obstructing a peace officer, while felony charges of mob action and aggravated battery to a peace officer were dismissed. He was then sentenced to 12 months of conditional discharge and 100 hours of community service.
(Paxton–dm)-If you have a student going to College for the first time, you might want some ideas on what to take for your dorm room. Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen has a few suggestions
Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott, Saturday Mornings at 730 on Scott’s Tips for Success
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s law banning utility shutoffs during extreme heat and cold is sparking concerns over rising electric bills across Illinois.
Signed a few years ago, the law prohibits utility companies from disconnecting residential electric and gas service when temperatures reach 90°F or above, or drop to freezing and below, aiming to protect vulnerable residents during dangerous weather. State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said that while the measure was well-intentioned, it may have unintended consequences. Halbrook said that somebody’s got to eat that cost,.If utility companies aren’t turning off power to customers who don’t pay their bills, those costs show up somewhere, usually in surcharges on everyone else’s bills.”
(ST. JOSEPH –dm)- The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that repairs to the County Road 2500E bridge over Interstate 74, just east of St. Joseph in Champaign County, begin today. The project will close CR 2500E over I-74 for four weeks. Also The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that repairs to the County Highway 29 (Turkey Farm Road) bridge over Interstate 74 in Mahomet begin today. The project will close CH 29 over I-74 until the end of October.
(St. Joseph-jm) – Ten fire departments responded to a fire in St. Joseph Sunday afternoon. The fire broke out at Roch's restaurant in downtown St. Joseph. A separate and unrelated kitchen fire occurred at the El Toro restaurant across the street. It’s unknown how much damage was done to either restaurant.
(Paxton-jm) – No injuries were reported from a two vehicle accident in Paxton early Sunday afternoon. It happened at the intersection of Pells and Railroad around 1pm.
(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. Affordability and the economy are key issues Republicans capitalized on during the last election. Kelly was asked during an interview with Capitol News Illinois, about the economy and why voters should trust the Democratic Party on this issue…
U-S Senate candidate and current U-S Representative Robin Kelly. Opponents say the Big Beautiful Bill helps cut taxes and creates new opportunities for Americans
Her democrat opponents in the primary are current Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and U-S Representative Raja Krishnamorthi.
(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Fire Department is investigating a fire at a mobile home Sunday morning. It happened just after 1 a.m. in the 1700 block of Wilson Road. Firefighters said a shed caught fire and spread to a nearby mobile home. Nobody was hurt and fire crews said the residents were not displaced. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
(Champaign-jm) – A fire in a single-story Champaign home displaced one resident Saturday morning. It happened in the 300 block of South Fair Street around 10:43 a.m. The Champaign Fire Department said they put out the fire quickly and nobody was injured. According to firefighters, the fire started in a bedroom. Crews are still investigating how it started.
(Rantoul–dm)-The 2025 Half Century of Progress show in Rantoul, Illinois, is scheduled for August 21-24. The event will be held at the Rantoul National Aviation Center. It’s known as the largest vintage farm equipment show in the United States. Half Century of Progress Spokesperson J.C. Reitmeir has more information.
Half Century of Progress Spokesperson J.C. Reitmeir
(Illinois–dm)-Construction is set to begin later this year on 380 miles of high voltage transmission lines across 13 counties in the Ameren Illinois service territory including Ford, Iroquois, Champaign and McClain counties. Once complete in 2029, the project will support lower supply costs by opening new energy delivery pathways to millions of residential and business customers.
(Illinois–dm)-The fall semester begins today at Illinois State University in Normal and at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and Edwardsville. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, move-in week starts today and continues through Aug. 24. Aug. 25 is the first day of classes at U of I and several other state schools.
WPXN News notes…
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.
Local farmers and their spouses are invited to gather for an Agri- Wellness event at noon Saturday, August 23, at the Bachman Farm at 1773 E. Iroquois County Road 800 North in rural Loda. Guests will enjoy a free barbecue lunch and can enter to win door prizes donated by area businesses. More information found by calling 309-438- 2970.
Melvin Fun Day will be Saturday, August 23, at the Melvin Village Hall featuring free entry and activities that include bouncy houses, face painting, a cake walk, bingo, food trucks and live music. Free hot dogs will be available from noon to 2 p.m. The band begins performing at 6 p.m.
