(Springfield-jm) – The State of Illinois is now officially considered to be “unaffected” by the H5N1 strain of bird flu in dairy cattle, the Illinois Departments of Public Health and Agriculture announced on Friday. “Unaffected” is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as “ongoing testing and surveillance activities demonstrate absence of disease in dairy cattle in the state.” This means that as of Friday morning, no dairy cows in the state are infected with the H5N1 strain. H5N1, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, is a contagious illness found in waterfowl and other birds, and it can be transmitted to cattle or people who come into contact with an infected bird. The IDPH and IDOA began monitoring dairy operations for signs of H5N1 in the spring of last year.
(Undated-jm) – Multiple fire departments across Ford County responded to field fires Sunday. Piper City firefighters were called to a field fire early Sunday afternoon. It happened northwest of the village. The fire spread quickly into a standing corn and bean field. Multiple departments including Cullom and Gilman were called to assist. Elliott Fire had a ditch fire near 1000 East 700 north and a field fire 800 east at the county line. Paxton, Ludlow, Fisher and Gibson City were called to assist. A large fire broke out north of Piper City towards the Stelle area that brought departments as far as 50 miles away. Gibson City also had a field fire north of Route 9 near the Ford/McLean County line. That brought units from McLean County to help fight that fire. Field fires were also reported near Armstrong, St. Joseph, Beaverville, Ashkum and Philo.
(Undated-jm) – IDOT has released their list of road projects for 2026. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details on projects in Champaign and Vermilion Counties…
(Rantoul-jm) – A bus driver for Rantoul City Schools was given a ticket on Friday after they and their bus were involved in a close call with another vehicle while children were on board. The incident happened around 3 p.m. at Country Club and Veterans Drive. The bus on Country Club Drive pulled out onto Veterans Drive and failed to yield to an eastbound SUV. The collision was described as being minor, with the mirror of the bus clipping the SUV. Ambulances responded out of an abundance of caution since children were on the bus, but none of them were hurt.
(Urbana-jm) – A 19-year-old Chicago man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing a man who was riding a bike in Urbana Township Friday morning. At approximately 11:13 a.m. Friday, Champaign County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the report of a stabbing in the 1800 block of North Coler Drive. Upon arrival, deputies located a 45-year-old man suffering from a single stab wound to his back. The victim reported that he had been riding an electric bicycle westbound on Country Club Road when he encountered a man — later identified as 19-year-old Emmanuel Oginni of Chicago –walking eastbound.
Winter wheat production and yield projections are among the highlights found in USDA’s Small Grains Summary Report recently issued. Rod Bain has more information.
(St. Joseph-jm) – No one is hurt following Friday’s field fire near St. Joseph, fire officials said. The fire burned an estimated 30 to 45 acres of land before it was extinguished at around 3:30 p.m. Officials from the St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District said on Facebook that despite the dry conditions, standing corn and a breeze, firefighting efforts by first responders and farmers’ work to create firebreaks kept the fire from being any worse. The fire happened near the intersections of County Roads 1700 N and 2100 E. The fire departments and fire protection districts of St. Joseph, Edge-Scott, Gifford, Homer, Ogden-Royal and Thomasboro are among those who responded Friday afternoon.
(Buckley–jc) The WPXN Business of the Day is Christ Lutheran High School, and St John’s school, both based in Buckley. Christ Lutheran High School is a local Christian based school that has a 4 day per week class schedule on a Tuesday through Friday schedule. Christ Lutheran High School and St John’s Administrator Sandy Spitz talks about the privilege to bring God’s word to children along with a top education……
Sandy Spitz says its homecoming week at the high school…
Christ Lutheran High School and St Johns Lutheran School Administrator Sandy Spitz Christ Lutheran High School and St John’s Lutheran School in Buckley, the WPXN Business of the day, today
(Springfield-jm) – As the clock ticks closer to the start of the veto session, Central and Southern Illinois lawmakers are becoming skeptical of a massive energy plan. Some are concerned Democrats will pass the bill without considering how it will impact consumers. State lawmakers need to add more energy options to the grid. Democrats and clean energy advocates want to see more solar and wind projects brought online, along with battery storage and geothermal energy. However, Republicans argue Illinois needs to bring coal and gas plants back online and lift the moratorium on large nuclear plant construction. The Illinois Commerce Commission said rates are guaranteed to increase if the state does not plan ahead and know how to best approach energy needs. They note that Illinois is one of the few states without an integrated resource planning structure.
(Undated-jm) – IDOT has released their list of road projects for 2026. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details on projects in Ford and Iroquois Counties…
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man who was arrested less than a week ago was taken back into custody for allegedly violating federal probation, Champaign Police said. 44-year-old Benny Loveless of Champaign was arrested the night of September 27 on aggravated battery charges. Officers responded to the intersection of North Neil and West Church Streets for a report of a disruption and damage to property, and they took Loveless into custody. He was accused of cutting a person with a knife and striking someone else during that incident. On Friday, Champaign Police said on Facebook that on September 30, they were notified that a federal warrant had been issued for Loveless’ arrest due to violations of his federal probation. This information was shared with patrol officers, following standard procedure for wanted persons believed to reside in the community.
(Champaign-jm) – Just days after a bank on Champaign’s Neil Street was robbed, the Champaign Police Department is investigating another bank robbery in the same area. Both robberies happened in the 1000 block of Neil Street, and the latest happened at approximately 3:17 p.m. on Friday. Department officials said responding officers were told a suspect walked into a bank and demanded money while threatening staff. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and left the bank. This robbery happened just nine days after a near-identical robbery on the 1000 block of Neil. On September 24, a suspect entered the Clock Tower Community Bank and damaged security glass while demanding money and threatening staff. There was also no evidence in that investigation that a gun was displayed or fired.
(Gilman–dm)-Harvest is in full swing, and Ford/Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager Casey Claire has this report on harvest yields in Ford and Iroquois County.
Ford/Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager Casey Claire.
WPXN News notes…
The Ford County Public Health Department will host a flu clinic on Tuesday, October 7th from 9-noon at the Gibson City Telecare, Wednesday, October 8th from 8:30-11 at the Kempton American Legion and Thursday, October 9th from 9-11 at the American Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gibson City.
Gibson Area Hospital along with the Gibson Area Hospital Auxiliary will host a blood drive on Wednesday, October 8th from 9:30-4 at the Education Center in Gibson City. Call 1-800-733-2726 to schedule your appointment.
The nonprofit group Jeremiah 33:6 will sponsor a free produce pantry and health fair for all residents, regardless of income, from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, October 10, at the Roberts Gym. The health fair is being conducted by the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University. Blood pressure, vision, hearing and color blindness screenings will be offered, along with hemoglobin A1C testing and wellness education.
The Loda American Legion will hold their fish and chicken fry on Friday, October 10th from 4-6 pm.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, October 10th from 5-7 pm. Dinner includes spaghetti, salad and garlic bread for $10 per plate.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Grunge: The Sounds of Seattle on Friday, October 10th. Doors open at 6 with the show beginning at 8.
Paxton’s Fall Gathering sponsored by Paxton Main Street, is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 11, at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton. A pancake breakfast runs from 8 to 11 a.m., with the meal of pancakes, sausage and a drink costing $8 for people over age 10 and free for those age 10 and under. A vendor and artist show is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
