(Undated-jm) – A survey of gas stations found that the average price of gasoline increased by 12 cents in the past week. Gasoline prices are averaging $3.14, according to GasBuddy. Prices are 3.8 cents higher than last month, and 14.9 cents higher than a year ago. Nationally, the average price of gas has also gone up by 4.8 cents per gallon in the last week and is sitting at $3.03 on Monday.
(Champaign–jc) – The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a single-family home in the 1300 block of Williamsburg Drive on Monday night just past 10. Fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire. Firefighters responded to a report from an occupant, awoken by the smoke alarm, of a fire outside this single-story home. Once on the scene, crews found an exterior fire beginning to extend into the attic. Firefighters extinguished this small fire using a single hose lineThe cause of this fire is accidental and has been attributed to electrical. There were no firefighter or occupant injuries reported.
(Illinois–jc) –Republican candidate Darren Bailey has decided to stay in the race for Illinois governor. In a video posted on social media platforms Monday afternoon, Bailey said he and his wife Cindy decided to continue fighting for every family trying to make it in a state he said has lost its way. Bailey said President Donald Trump called and encouraged him to keep fighting, and Bailey said that is what he would do.
(Washingtondc–jc) –Illinois U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth differed as the Senate voted to advance a bill that could end the federal government’s partial shutdown. Durbin voted in favor of the measure that would guarantee a vote on the expiring Obamacare subsidies and reverse some of the Trump administration’s layoffs. Duckworth voted no, saying the agreement would not protect American families from what she called President Donald Trump’s “vindictive efforts” in exchange for a vague promise.
(Springfield–jc) With a majority in both the Illinois House and Illinois Senate, the democrats passed a measure that will take some expected road repair dollars from downstate Illinois to help bail out the Regional Transit Authority in the Chicago area. That is not sitting well with the Republican representatives at the state capital. 94th District State Representative Norrine Hammond Republican from McComb says the democrats raised additional money through more taxes and took some dollars from downstate Illinois…
94th District State Representative Norrine Hammond Republican from McComb
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking for public assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a robbery on October 9. At around 7:15 p.m., a female was robbed of her purse in the 500 block of South Mattis Ave. in Champaign. Although the purse was recovered, the victim's wallet and checkbook were missing. The suspect, described as a dark-skinned Black male, was last seen running towards Union St. from the Springfield and Mattis area. He was wearing a black hat, red and white windbreaker, and blue pants. Police urge anyone with information to contact Champaign County Crime Stoppers.
(Undated-jm) – Today is Veterans Day, a day to honor those who have served our country and those currently serving. It’s also a federal holiday, which means banks are closed and there will be no mail delivered.
(Paxton–jc) A free seminar and informational meeting is set for the Doctor E T Grove Civic room in downtown Paxton on Friday for a company providing information about a health product. The Provizion Company has a local representative in Denise Kunce of Paxton. Kunce says the product helps natural energy, reduces inflammation and also helps with mental clarity…
Provizion Company Affiliate Denise Kunce. The free reception and meeting is set for Friday from 6-30pm to 8-30pm in downtown Paxton at the Doctor E T Grove Civic Room and also on Saturday morning at the Cobblestone Hotel on Paxton’s west side
Champaign, IL…Country powerhouse, Randy Houser, and rising star, Carter Faith, are set to round out the line-up on the Champaign stop of Cody Johnson Live. Multi-platinum recording artist and recent CMA Awards Entertainer of the Year nominee, Cody Johnson, on the heels of his most recent release, “The Fall,” is excited to welcome Randy and Carter to State Farm Center in Champaign, IL on Friday, February 13th. Tickets are available at StateFarmCenter.com.
Champaign –jc) –Two Parkland organizations, Student Government Association and the Parkland College Police Department, are doing their part to overcome community food insecurity, part of this year’s Illinois Community Colleges Feed the Need Campus Food Drive. The groups have several green boxes located around Parkland’s campus for community members to donate nonperishable items. Please donate during the college's hours of Parkland College exterior operation. The Feed the Need Campus Food Drive will last until Monday, December 1. The Police Department is hosting their annual Stuff the Squad, Feed the Need and Serve and Protect event on Wednesday, November 12, from 12:30–1:30 p.m. at Community Education at Parkland College,
(Chicago-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is preparing to host a first-of-its-kind summit focused on how climate change and extreme weather events are already affecting public health—and how the state can better prepare for the challenges ahead.The “Weather and Public Health Response Summit” will take place November 12–13, 2025 at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Student Center West. The two-day event will bring together health leaders, state agencies, clinicians, emergency managers, and climate experts from across Illinois.
(Washingtondc–jc) – Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller has introduced the House companion to Indiana U.S. Sen. Jim Banks’, R-IN, Promoting Classical Learning Act. The bill would codify Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s directive requiring the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy to accept the Classic Learning Test for admissions. It also would mandate that federally operated secondary schools, including Department of Defense and Bureau of Indian Education schools, administer the C-L-T to all 11th-grade students.
(Springfield–jc) The word gerrymandering continues to be a topic of discussion throughout the state and nation. U S House Minority Leader Democrat Hakeem Jefferies was in Illinois recently pushing for the democratic party to re draw political maps. 73rd District State Representative Ryan Spain, Republican from Peoria, says maps in Illinois already are “gerrymandered in favor of democrats…
73rd District State Representative Ryan Spain, Republican from Peoria
(Undated-jm) – With winter fast approaching, state officials are reminding Illinois residents to prepare for snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures as part of National Winter Weather Preparedness Week. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security is partnering with the National Weather Service to encourage simple, proactive steps that can help families stay safe and reduce risks throughout the season. Officials encourage households to take time this week to review their winter plans, check supplies, and stay weather-aware as conditions begin to change across Illinois. For more winter safety guidance and updates, residents can visit Ready.Illinois.gov or follow the National Weather Service on social media.
(Undated-jm) – Today is Veterans Day, a day to honor those who have served our country and those currently serving. It’s also a federal holiday, which means banks are closed and there will be no mail delivered.
(Kankakee–jc) The Clove Alliance group is hosting one of its major fundraisers on Friday in Kankakee. It’s Cosmic Bingo 20-25 at the Kankakee County Fairgrounds says Clove Alliance C-E-O Tracy Noe Slah…
Clove Alliance C-E-O Tracy Noe Slah. Clove Alliance is a non profit group that helps survivors of sexual violence. Clove Alliance has offices in Paxton, Watseka and Kankakee. Tickets for the fundraiser are available on-line.
(Ford County–jc) There is a petition in Ford County asking the Ford County Zoning Board of Appeals to deny special-use permits for two proposed 5-megawatt commercial solar farms. The project would be set in the county north of Gibson City. To date, around 200 people have signed the petition. The Ford County Zoning Board of Appeals committee is set to meet again in early December. The results of the petition are expected to be part of that meeting.
(Illinois–jc) –A Mexican national has been arrested in connection with a shooting the Department of Homeland Security says was targeted at U.S. Border Patrol agents in Chicago.DHS said in a statement that the suspect was in the country illegally and had previous convictions for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon/vehicle and felony possession of a weapon. According to federal officials, nine people were arrested Saturday after attackers attempted to ram federal vehicles and threw bricks and paint cans at Border Patrol agents in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
(St Joseph–jc) Thanks to generous donors, the Stuttering Foundation has donated books and DVDs to public libraries across the country, including the St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library in Champaign County. More than three million Americans stutter, yet stuttering remains misunderstood by most people.
WPXN News notes…
The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley school district’s annual Veterans Day assembly, which is open to the public, will be at 9 a.m. today, in the gymnasium of GCMS High School. Prior to the assembly, veterans are invited to a coffee and pastry breakfast that begins at 8:20 a.m. in the school’s commons.
Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School’s annual community Veterans Day observance will be at 12:45 p.m. today, in the school’s gymnasium. Featuring music by the school’s band, the observance is open to the public.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Coffee and Connections on Wednesday, November 12th from 8-9 am.
The Circle of Friends Artisan Market will take place Friday, November 14th from 3-7 pm and Saturday, November 15th from 8-3 at the Rantoul Recreation Department.
St. Paul’s Lutheran School of Woodworth will hold their Woodworth Fish Fry on Friday, November 14th. Carryouts begin at 4 with dine in at 5. Cost is a free will donation.
Cissna Park FFA Chapter will hold their annual scholarship auction on Saturday, November 15th at 6pm at the Cissna Park High School.
The Cadillac in Paxton will hold Veterans Fest 2025 with Saving Abel, X-Krush and Josh Holland Band performing on Saturday, November 15th . The show starts at 7.
