(Foosland-jm) – A fully engulfed corn crib fire spread to nearby fields in Champaign County Friday afternoon, and a number of fire departments responded to the scene. According to the Sangamon Valley Fire Protection District, at approximately 12:19 p.m., their crews were dispatched to the area of County Roads 3200 North and 300 East, southeast of Foosland, for a reported structure fire. This fire was initially discovered by a local farmer. Upon arrival, fire crews found a corn crib fully involved, with surrounding grass also burning. Strong winds quickly spread the fire into nearby fields to the north.
(Paxton-jm) – Thousands of people packed downtown Paxton Saturday despite some rain to enjoy the annual Swine and Dine. Live music was performed by Lexi Tieffel, the Feudin Hillbillys and Diamond Rio. For the BBQ competition, Jay and Jay BBQ won first place beans, best sauce went to Bad Man BBQ, ribs went to Slingin Q and chicken went to Who Wants Smoke. Reserve Champion was Servin Stout and the Grand Champion Slingin Q BBQ.
(Paxton–jc) Motor Fuel Tax road dollars will be put to good use in the city of Paxton early this fall. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says city leaders added a few new streets for the projects…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Saybrook-jm) – A fatality has been confirmed in a Saybrook house fire that happened on Friday. According to the Saybrook-Arrowsmith Fire Protection, crews received a call of a reported house fire in Saybrook at 3 p.m. on Friday. No other details are available at this time.
(Champaign-jm) – A staple event in Champaign is no more. Chaz Ebert, the co-founder of Ebertfest, and Tracy Sulkin, Dean of the University of Illinois College of Media, announced on Friday that this year’s edition of the Ebertfest was its last in Champaign. They said that “financial considerations facing both universities and film festivals” led them to conclude that the festival could not continue in its present form.
(Rantoul–jc) the downtown Streetscape program is going as planned for the village of Rantoul. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the third says the project is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Iroquois County-jm) – Two railroad crossings in Iroquois County will be getting an upgrade, the Illinois Commerce Commission announced. The ICC approved funds to install automatic flashing light signals with gates and constant warning time circuitry at two crossings on County Road East 1300 North.
(Paxton–dm)-If you are thinking about getting a new grill Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen tells us about the Napoleon grill and the Royal King grills
Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott, Saturday Mornings on Scott’s Tips for Success.
(Rantoul-jm) – The traffic lights at one Rantoul intersection will be turned off for the next three months as part of a study to see if they can be removed permanently. Starting today, the Illinois Department of Transportation will turn off and cover the traffic lights at the intersection U.S. Route 45 and Sangamon Avenue. East and westbound cars on Sangamon will have to stop, but heavy traffic on U.S. Route 45 won’t have to slow down. The study will last for 90 days, and if the change is successful, it will be permanent.
(Ford County-jm) – Several fire departments battled a hog barn fire Sunday morning in western Ford County. It happened near 900 north 800 east around 11:30 am. Roberts Melvin, Gibson City and Elliott fire departments were among the ones called to battle the blaze.
(Ford County-jm) – The Ford County Public Health Department will be holding flu clinics around the county. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…
(Urbana-jm) – The Bromley Companies and the University of Illinois have announced plans for a new 400-bed residence hall. Bromley Companies said in a press release that Bromley Commons will be a suite-style residence hall for first-year students and will be located blocks away from the main quad. The company added that the hall is expected to open ahead of the fall 2027 semester, and will feature a full-service dining hall, and other amenities, including study lounges, fitness facilities and outdoor activity spaces. The news comes after the University of Illinois System set fall enrollment records, with over 101,000 new students between its campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield.
(Loda-jm) – Firefighters from Loda, Buckley and Paxton battled a fire in Loda Saturday morning. They were called to the 200 block of South Locust around 7:30. There’s no word on the cause of the fire.
(USDA–dm)-World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski provides this month's price forecasts for steers and hogs for both 2025 and 2026.
(Vermilion County-jm) – The Vermilion County Farm Bureau Building, on Route 150 West in Danville, will be the location for this Wednesday afternoon’s “Danville Area Regional Roundtable” on educating the future workforce in the area. From the business side; the agenda will include Illinois Economic Development Council president Christy George, Vermilion Advantage CEO Mike Marron, and Vermilion County Farm Bureau executive director Kerry Wienke. From the education side; the agenda includes Danville High School principal Jacob Bretz, Danville Area Community College president Dr. Randall Fletcher, and Vermilion Advantage Workforce Education Director Jodie Ingram. Wednesday’s Danville Area Regional Roundtable at the Farm Bureau is scheduled for 1 to 3:15 PM.
(Champaign–dm)-Harvest is under way, and there are some serious drought conditions. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady has some safety tips should an emergency arise.
Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Bailey Conrady
