(Washington-jm) – President Donald Trump approved major disaster declarations for Alaska, Nebraska, North Dakota and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe late Wednesday, while denying requests from Vermont, Illinois and Maryland and leaving other states still waiting for answers. The disaster declarations authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support recipients with federal financial assistance to repair public infrastructure damaged by disasters and, in some cases, provide survivors money for repairs and temporary housing.
(Springfield–jc) With the projected revenues not meeting what was placed in the current budget, some in Springfield are dedicated to raising more taxes on things like haircare, and tax of 1 dollar 50 cents on all packages delivered to all Illinois residents. Dean Abbott has more with State Representative Norrine Hammond, Republican from McComb…
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is marking Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 19-25, by urging parents and caregivers to understand and prevent lead exposure in children. Illinois continues expanding childhood lead testing, moving toward universal screening by 2026. More information on prevention and testing is available online at: dph dot illinois dot gov.
(Buckley–jc) One program at two schools based in Buckley continues to grow and some more instruments are needed. Participation in the Bell Choir program at Christ Lutheran High School and St John’s Grade School is growing and Executive Director Sandy Spitz says there is a need for additional “bells”...
Christ Lutheran High School and St Johns School Executive Director Sandy Spitz
(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Circuit Clerk's office is hosting Amnesty Week through October 31st. During this period, individuals with outstanding balances on criminal, traffic, DUI, ordinance, or conservation violations can pay their dues minus any late or collection fees. Participants can request a quote on their case by emailing cccircuitclerk@co.champaign.il.us, including their full name, address, phone number, email address, and case number(s). Payments can be made in person at the Circuit Clerk's Office at 101 E Main St, Urbana, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during Amnesty Week.
(Paxton–dm)-Prairieland CEO Is hosting a fall fest this Sunday October 26th from 2-6pm at Clara Peterson Elementary School in Paxton. Prairieland CEO Facilitator Sara Mussman explains.
Prairieland CEO Facilitator Sara Mussman
(Champaign–jc) University of Illinois police along with other Champaign County authorities and State Police responded to a warrant search at 57 East Springfield Avenue in Champaign. A Champaign police SWAT team was also dispatched to the scene. Authorities closed off several surrounding streets in anticipation of dealing with weapons at the location. From the incident 8 people were detained by local authorities.
(Kankakee–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the day is Clove Alliance. The group serves residents of Ford Iroquois and Kankakee Counties with offices in Paxton Watseka and Kankakee. Clove Alliance is a non profit group that provides hope and healing and assists in recovery of those affected by sexual violence. The group has For anyone affected by sexual violence, they have a 24 hour crisis line and that number is 815-932-3322. They are hosting one of their biggest fundraisers of the year in November. It’s Cosmic Bingo on Friday, November 14th, at the Expo Center, Kankakee Fairgrounds. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Individual tickets are 35 dollars.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order on Thursday forming a commission tasked with keeping track of the actions of federal law enforcement agents and recommending actions to hold them accountable amid the country’s immigration crackdown. The order establishes the Illinois Accountability Commission. According to a news release sent by Pritzker’s office, it’s an “independent board tasked with capturing and creating a public record of the conduct of federal law enforcement agents and recommending actions to hold the federal government accountable as they continue conducting military-style operations” throughout the state. Pritzker said the commission will collect testimony, hold hearings and gather information. Then, their findings and recommendations will be reported to him. The report will also be made publicly available.
(Rantoul–jc) The downtown “Streetscape” program in the village of Rantoul continues with a completion date of late November. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says the streetlights are in and also some accessories…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Elliott-jm) – A Ford County village found higher levels of arsenic in one of its wells. The Village of Elliott said that routine testing in one of their wells found slightly higher arsenic levels than what was allowed on September 30th. According to the EPA, the standard for arsenic in drinking water is 10 parts per billion. In the village, testing found that the level was 11.9 ppb in one of the wells. Those impacted were notified October 1st. Community members were told that they do not need to use an alternative water supply, but those with specific health concerns are encouraged to consult their doctors.
(Gibson City–dm)-On Sunday November 2nd the Gibson City Restoration Association will be holding a fundraiser. Gibson City Restoration Association board member Dawn Klintworth says they will be auctioning off designer purses filled with goodies and desserts…
Gibson City Restoration Association board Member Dawn Klintworth
(illinois–bp)-Illinois Community College fall Enrollment continues to rise. WPXN’s Brayden Perzee has the story
(Springfield-jm) — A local state senator said she wants to lower property taxes by having wind and solar energy companies pay their fair share. Senator Sally Turner of Lincoln told WAND News that tax formulas for energy projects are not keeping up with the industry's growth. Turner wants to increase the real property cost basis used to assess wind and solar systems, which determines how the properties are taxed.The base value for wind projects is currently set at $360,000 per megawatt of capacity and solar systems pay $218,000. Her bill would raise the tax to $588,000 for wind and $446,000 for solar. Turner said Illinois families should not be carrying the tax load for renewable energy companies using some of the best farmland in the country.
WPXN Weekend News Notes…
The Elliott Amvets will hold their pork chop sandwich dinner tonight from 5-7 pm. Dinner includes the sandwich and a side for $8.
The Cissna Park Library will hold a Halloween Fun Night tonight from 4:30-6 pm. Activities include games, prizes and more for kids pre-k through 4th grade.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Howl 2 Go Dueling Pianos tonight at 7pm.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold a cookout benefiting York Rite of Paxton on Saturday from 10-2.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Decade of Decadence on Saturday, October 25th. Doors open at 6 with the show beginning at 8.
Prairieland CEO will host a fall fest on Sunday, October 26th from 2-6 pm at Clara Peterson Elementary School in Paxton. Admission is $10. Activities include food, pumpkin carving and painting, Halloween movies, games and a silent auction.
The Iroquois West FCCLA will hold a trunk or treat on Sunday, October 26th from 3-5 pm at the Iroquois West High School.
American Lutheran Church in Rantoul will hold a trunk or treat on Sunday, October 26th from 3-5 pm.
St Peter Free Lutheran Church in Melvin will hold their Annual Brat Fest on Sunday, October 26th from 4-6:30 pm. Cost is a free will donation.
Fisher will hold a trunk or treat at the Fisher High School parking lot on Sunday, October 26th from 6-8 pm.
