(Paxton–jc) The Paxton, Rantoul and Hoopeston communities have lost a great radio man and friend in  the death of Paxton resident Dan Daugherity. Daugherity was originally from Streator.  Dan was instrumental in the early days of local radio in the 1960s  with WRTL in Rantoul and then went to help start two other radio stations with WHPO in Hoopeston and WPXN radio in Paxton in the 1980s.Dan was selected for the IBCA Basketball Hall of Fame in 20-21. Dan was a mentor, educator, sports broadcaster, a Christian, family man and friend. He will be missed.

 

(Washington-jm) — U.S. Representative Mike Bost Thursday joined U.S. Representatives Mary Miller and Darin LaHood in introducing a House resolution honoring the life and legacy of conservative leader and Illinois native Charlie Kirk. Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday during an event in Utah.

 

(Streator-bp) - One local state representative is helping with a paper shredding event. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting says the free event is set for Streator…

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington

 

(Chicago-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker believes this week's U.S. Supreme Court decision is allowing White House Border Czar Tom Homan and ICE to racially profile people in Chicago, but the Trump administration said they are committed to getting criminals off the street. President Donald Trump is apparently stopping his plans to bring the National Guard into Chicago, but the Department of Homeland Security is still moving forward with Operation Midway Blitz. Pritzker is concerned that the Trump administration is attacking Latino communities across the country and causing chaos in Illinois. The governor is furious that ICE is now stationed outside of courthouses in an attempt to detain people while they are seeking asylum through the legal process.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  Village of Rantoul officials are working on several state grants to provide funding for upgrades on streets where school children walk to school. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says the village board gave their “goahead” to apply for a grant…

 

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Associated Firefighters of Illinois are calling for statewide safety measures after two Champaign firefighters and an Arrow EMT were stabbed during a mental wellness call. The group is calling for a statewide plan to keep first responders safe including requiring law enforcement presence for all mental wellness calls. The firefighters were released from the hospital and are home recovering. Trevor Lewis is facing attempted first degree murder charges. A judge ordered Lewis to remain in custody and undergo a physiatric evaluation. He’s due back in court October 1.

 

(Danville-jm) — The Illiana VA health Care System will receive infrastructure improvements after the Department of Veterans Affairs realigned an additional $800 million this fiscal year to repair and update aging technology. The extra money will be spent on a variety of improvement projects at VA health care facilities across the U.S., including Danville's facility. Improvements include replacing air handler units, EHRM infrastructure upgrades and project support services.

 

(Roberts–dm)-The 4th annual Flessner Fall Fest takes place this Saturday September 13th in Roberts. The annual event is a fundraiser for Mason and Dawson Flessner, both who are battling Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy We recently talked with Flessner Fall Fest organizer Lindsey Flessner in Arkansas where one of their sons was receiving gene therapy treatments, and she tells us where the funds go from the fall fest.

   

Flessner Fall Fest Organizer Linsdey Flessner.  Proceeds also go to support  Muscular Dystrophy research.  The Fall Fest Activities starts at 8am and goes thru 3pm at the Roberts gym

 

(Gibson City–jc)  – A pre bidding process for a state-of-the art pool in Gibson City is set for later this month. Gibson City pool committee members say bidding will take place at 10am on Wednesday September 24th at city hall.Bids will then be opened on October 13th. Gibson City leaders have also applied for an Oslad grant. The group has 247 thousand dollars in the pool fund, to date.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois law will allow people to have easier access to sterile hypodermic needles and syringes. The law will require pharmacies to sell sterile syringes and needles to patients with prescriptions if they are in stock. Sponsors said pharmacists will be able to use their professional judgement to sell the equipment to any customer for proper administration of medications. This plan was filed after a constituent was unable to receive the equipment from their pharmacist.

 

(Springfield-jm) – School districts will soon be required to include suicide prevention contact information on the back of school employee IDs. Illinois currently requires districts to include this information on identification cards for students in grades 6 through 12. A new state law will ensure teachers and other school staff have the same information readily available.

 

(USDA–dm)-The Agriculture Secretary says ag will be a key part of a strategy announced this week to improve national nutrition and child chronic disease prevention. Rod Bain has the story.

 

(Undated-jm) – The latest U-S Drought Monitor has been released. Southern Ford, most of Vermilion and Iroquois Counties are in abnormally dry conditions. Most of Champaign County and the southwestern part of Ford County are in moderate drought conditions. Parts of west-central Champaign County and northern Piatt Counties are in severe drought. The forecast shows temps in the upper 80s low 90s through early next week with little to no rain in the forecast..

 

(Cissna Park-bp) - The Cissna Park FFA is hosting their annual Pumpkins In The Park. The event is set for  Saturday October 4th. Cissna park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton  says the day starts with a pancake breakfast, but there is much more…

 

Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College unveiled for the first time Tuesday its brand new mobile education unit called the "Cobra Pathfinder." Inside the Pathfinder, career carts allow students to try out what it would be like to work in a certain profession. The goal is to help high schoolers and middle schoolers find their interests as early as possible. The unit will stop at different high schools and middle schools in the area to give students a chance to try out different jobs.

 

(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci and State Representative Carol Ammons will host a joint town hall at the Illinois Terminal located in Champaign. The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. next Thursday on the 4th floor of the Illinois Terminal in Champaign. Consisting of two informational panels – one focused on education, housing and Medicaid cuts, and one focused on utility issues – the town hall will provide constituents with an opportunity to learn more from elected officials and industry experts on rising energy costs and the impact of the federal government’s cuts to social services.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –Yesterday was Patriot Day around the United States. If you are old enough, do you remember where you were 24 years ago. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says even through the first weekend in 20-01 there was a national feeling for the lives taken in 9-11…

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Urbana–jc)-- A motorcycle driver was fatally injured Wednesday night in Champaign County.  The crash happened on Cunningham Avenue near the on-ramp to eastbound I-74. The Urbana Police Department said in a news release that a semi-truck was making a left turn when the driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic. He hit two motorcycles that were driving northbound on Cunningham. The other motorcyclist suffered minor injuries, was treated at the hospital and released. The driver of the semi-truck was given a ticket for failing to yield to traffic.

 

(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois Freedom Caucus says members are “devastated and horrified” by the murder of conservative radio and podcast host Charlie Kirk. Caucus members say Kirk was a Christian, a husband, a father and a patriot who helped advance conservatism in his home state. Kirk was born in Illinois and launched Turning Point USA in the Land of Lincoln.

 

WPXN Weekend News Notes…

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner tonight from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10 per plate and includes salad and garlic bread.

 

The Shop in the Park in Cissna Park will take place on Saturday from 9-1. Activities include craft and vendors, live music and food.

 

Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting the Methodist Women of Paxton on Saturday from 10-2.

 

The Grammy-nominated rock band Fuel is the headlining musical act for the annual Gibson City Harvest Fest on Saturday in downtown Gibson City. Opening for Fuel is the Champaign-based party band X-Krush. General admission to the concert is free. 

 

The annual Flessner Fall Fest is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, at 118 Weldon St. in Roberts, featuring a pancake and sausage breakfast, kids inflatables, a corn pit, live music, food trucks, a silent auction, raffles and a 5K family run/walk starting at 9 a.m. To register for the 5K, people can visit runsignup.com/race/il/ roberts/nottodaydmd. The annual event is a fundraiser for Mason and Dawson Flessner, who are battling Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.