(Urbana–jc) –Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer is releasing the name of an individual who has died as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash near Rantoul on Sunday night. Lance A. Baugher, 56 of Rantoul died at Carle Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. An autopsy has been scheduled.
The circumstances surrounding this crash continue to be investigated by Illinois State Police and the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
(Springfield–jc)Funeral services have been announced for former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar. The public can pay last respects this Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the rotunda of the state Capitol. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Central Baptist Church in Springfield.
(Chicago–jc) –Cook County health officials say some travelers at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago may have been exposed to measles. O’Hare’s Terminal 5 was identified as a place of public exposure between 7:30 and 11:00 a.m. last Thursday, Sept. 11. Officials believe a 4-year-old Cook County resident acquired measles during international travel.
(Springfield–jc) ICE agents and more federal agencies are going to the northern part of the state to look for illegal aliens, especially those who have broken additional laws. Reaction to the efforts from local State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Freedom Caucus has filed articles of impeachment against Governor J.B. Pritzker for what it says is his engaging in conduct that constitutes inciting violence. Part of the impeachment resolution in House Resolution 466 that the Illinois Freedom Caucus filed includes quotes from Pritzker’s State of the State speech on February 19th where he characterized the Trump administration as using an authoritarian playbook.The resolution says Pritzker “has issued inflammatory statements that incite violence against elected officials, citizens, and persons located in the United States and has failed to uphold the constitutional requirement to faithfully execute the laws of the State of Illinois.”
(Paxton–jc) City of Paxton leaders are taking a pro-active approach to one of the two water pumping wells with some scheduled repair work. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says work will be completed to upgrade one the wells located on the west side of Paxton…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Paxton–jc) Paxton area business owners are reminded about the next Business after Hours event this month. The event is set for Tuesday September 30th from 5pm to 7pm at the Hudz Family Zone in downtown Paxton. Those attending will hear chamber updates, and network with other businesses in the city. The event is sponsored by the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce.
(Washington–jc) How does the corn crop look, here and around the nation, heading into the start of harvest, locally. U S D A Meteorologist Brad rippey has the latest on the corn crop…
U S D A Meteorologist Brad rippey
(Springfield–jc) –College savings program continues to grow. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced record asset growth to more than 14 billion dollars for Illinois’ Bright Start 529 college savings plan. The news comes after the Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ Composite and S&P 500 all set record highs in recent days.
(The Center Square) – The leading Republican in the Illinois House is raising the alarm that Illinois taxpayers are on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars if the Pritzker administration doesn’t address the food subsidy error rate. Illinois’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program error rate hit nearly 12 percent, which is double the 6% threshold that triggers financial penalties. Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie said error rate has gotten worse under the Pritzker administration and if not fixed will cost taxpayers.
(Rantoul–jc) – The village of Rantoul will be planting several dozen new trees throughout town with a local landscaping company providing the work. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third talks about working with Dehm Landscaping on the approved project…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Paxton–jc) Bids for a three year lease for Ford County owned farm land parcels are now being accepted. The local Ford County board had looked at longer leases, but a vote for the process did not pass at a recent meeting. Bids for the three year leases are due at the end of business on Monday October13th and will be opened at that night’s Ford County Board meeting. If approved the leases would start in December.
(Springfield–jc) – 32nd District State Senator. Craig Wilcox, Republican from Woodstock, and his Senate Republican colleagues are inviting friends and families of war veterans to pay tribute to their loved ones at the Illinois State Capitol.
Wilcox encouraged loved ones to submit stories and photos for the Veterans Day Wall of Honor by October 24th. The Wall of Honor is scheduled to be on display from October 28th through November 13th
(Bloomington–jc) –The IHSA Board of Directors approved several state finals locations for various sports. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details…
(The Center Square) – Emergency rules from the Illinois Department of Corrections to scan inmate mail are under review by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, with supporters citing safety and critics warning of rights violations and lack of public input. The emergency rule discussed by the committee on Tuesday aimed to shift inmates to electronic mail, adjust how certain publications are delivered during visits and update procedures for legal correspondence. Supporters say the changes are a necessary step to enhance safety and prevent contraband in prisons..
(Urbana–jc) Two local state legislators are hosting a “town hall” meeting in Champaign. WPXN’s Brayden Perzee has the details…
(Paxton–jc) Paxton Buckley Loda school board members are set to look at grants when they meet tonight in monthly session. Budget issues are also on the agenda. The local board may also go into executive session to discuss the on-going collective bargaining issues with the district's teachers. The Paxton Buckley Loda School board meeting starts at 7 tonight at the high school
WPXN News notes…
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Thursday, September 18th from 9-930 at Edge Insurance in Buckley, 10-10:30 at Durham Park in Onarga, 11-11:30 at the Crescent City community center, 12:30-1 at the Watseka Trinity Church and 1:30-2 at the Milford post office.
The Nashville-based country music band Diamond Rio is the headlining musical act for the annual Paxton Swine ‘N’ Dine BBQ Contest & Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, in downtown Paxton. In addition to a free concert, the festival will feature a barbecue competition, a car cruise-in, vendors, a kids zone and a bags tournament.
The City of Paxton will hold brush pickup starting Monday, September 22nd and going from the west side of town to the east side.
The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine will hold their annual open house on Sunday, October 5th from 10-4 at the Vet Med Basic Sciences Building.
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Friday, September 19th from 9-930 across from the Piper City Community Center, 10-10:30 at the corner of Main and Melvin Streets in Thawville, 11-11:30 across from Melvin Convenient, 12:15-12:45 at the Gibson City city hall, 1-1:30 at the Elliott village hall and 2-2:30 at the north side of the Paxton fire station.
Downtown Gibson City will host its monthly Friday Night Car Cruise on Friday, September 19, featuring classic cars cruising and parked along Sangamon Avenue, plus live music by Jordan and Jill from 6-9 p.m. and food vendors throughout the evening.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their monthly breakfast on Saturday, September 20th starting at 6am. Cost is $8 and includes pancakes and sausage and your choice of orange juice or coffee.
