(Springfield-jm) — The Pritzker administration is giving roughly $10 million in grants to 47 small businesses across the state. Governor JB Pritzker said it is one way Illinois can help businesses affected by tariffs and other economic challenges. Businesses will be able to use the grants to improve infrastructure, acquire essential equipment, or purchase new property. They can also use the money for planning, land and building acquisition, additions, site improvements and rolling stock. Locally, the Hummingbird Cafe in Piper City was awarded $245,000.
(Pontiac–jc) – The Paxton Buckley Loda school system has a newly hired superintendent. He is Eric Bohm of Flannagan. Bohm is currently, principal at Pontiac High School and comes to the Paxton Buckley Loda School with a lot of experience. Bohm talks about his background…
New Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Eric Bohm. Bohm will officially take over the position on July 1st next year.
(Ludlow-jm) – Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer has identified the individual who died in a multi-vehicle crash on State Route 45 near Ludlow, on Friday. 91 year old Shirley Jones of Rantoul was pronounced dead at the scene. The Champaign County Coroner’s Office and Illinois State Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
(Gibson City-jm) – The first Narcan Box in Ford County is now up and available. The Ford County Public Health Department and Ford County Recovers posted that the Narcan box is up at Gibson City Laundromat. More locations will be coming soon. The box provides Narcan free of charge and is available 24/7, no questions asked.
(Bondville-jm) – One person was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash in Champaign County Saturday night after police said a truck crashed into a tree. Around 10:04 p.m., State Police troopers responded to a report of a single-vehicle fatal crash on IL Route 10 near Munroe Street in Bondville. A gray Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was heading westbound on IL Route 10, just west of Munroe Street in Bondville, when it drove off of the right side of the road and hit a tree. One person was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
(Gifford–dm)-The Gifford State Bank will be hosting a day of Christmas activities on December 7th. Included in the activities are a downtown open houses with businesses handing out goodies from 3-5pm and finishing off with a lighted Christmas parade starting at 5pm Gifford State Bank Marketing Director Stacey Huls has the details.
Gifford State Bank Marketing Director Stacey Huls.
The local bank sponsored another successful two day craft show over the weekend at Gordyville USA
Danville, IL- Vermilion County Coroner, Jane McFadden stated that the man discovered by Stoney Creek in the 400 block of E. Williams Street in Danville,on Wednesday afternoon, has been identified as Stephen R. Petmecky of Rantoul.
Petmecky’s family have been notified. An autopsy was scheduled this morning. The Danville Police Department and the Vermilion County Coroner’s office continue to investigate.
(Illinois–dm)-Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is no longer licensed to practice law in the Land of Lincoln. The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in favor of a motion to strike Madigan’s name from the state’s roll of licensed attorneys. Last month, the longtime speaker and former Democratic Party of Illinois chairman began serving a 7.5 year prison term for public corruption.
(Washington–jm) – When it comes to proper thawing of a frozen or fresh turkey meant for the Thanksgiving meal, differing food safety considerations are needed for each. Rod Bain reports…
(Undated-jm) – The holiday season is fast approaching and for many people, that means getting ready to pack up the car and head to see family and friends. Thankfully, new research shows that you may have less bumper-to-bumper traffic to navigate. There’s supposed to be a sharp decrease in the amount of people taking road trips. The latest survey found 60% of Americans plan to travel by car for this Thanksgiving compared to 72% last year. Gasbuddy said that’s despite forecasting a national average price of gas of $3.02 per gallon on Thanksgiving Day. They said that matches last year’s price and is one of the lowest averages since 2021. GasBuddy said most travelers plan to leave early to mid-morning on Wednesday and 66% plan to drive more than 100 miles.
(The Center Square) - After a short delay to finalize staffing and safety preparations, the new Monarch Center in Lincoln is now housing youth, marking a major milestone for the long-planned juvenile justice facility in central Illinois.
Officials say the brief gap between the grand opening and youth arrivals was due to routine preparations, with staff training, running safety drills, and finalizing educational plans before accepting youth.Logan Correctional Center in Logan County is slated for a major rebuild as part of a statewide effort to modernize aging prisons, but the facility’s future location and timeline remain uncertain, raising concerns among local leaders about jobs and economic impact. The current prison will stay open while plans for a new, modern facility are finalized.
(Ludlow-jm) – A man arrested after police said he admitted to having child sexual abuse material pleaded guilty to possession of the materials. Jayson Johns of Ludlow pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of child pornography, according to court records. Johns will serve a total of 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. He will also receive credit for the 44 days he previously served.
(Fisher-jm) – A Champaign County church said it’s closing its doors after almost two centuries of serving the community. The Shiloh United Methodist Church near Fisher says the once bustling congregation has dwindled to averaging five people on a Sunday, which is straining its finances. The final service will be December 28th at 1 p.m.
(Champaign County-jm) — State Police responded to a rollover crash on I-74 in Champaign County Sunday evening. Around 5:32 p.m., State Police troopers responded to the area of I-74 westbound near milepost 188 for a report of a two-vehicle rollover crash.
(Paxton–dm)-On December 4th Silver Tree Spirits will host a cocktail class featuring the Whiskey Czar Sam Vandergrift. Silver Tree Beer and Spirits Co-owner Will Glazik tells us what to expect.
Silver Tree Beer and Spirits Co-owner Will Glazek
(Gibson City–dm)-The Gibson City Council will hold their regular scheduled monthly meeting, tonight at 7pm. Items to be discussed include approval of the 2025-2026 Tax Levy Ordinance, consideration for updating electric and pump controls for the Jordan lift station not to exceed $20,000, replacing broken check valve for one of the main pumps and discussion recommendations from the zoning board for 316 N Melvin.
(The Center Square) – A new report says structural problems have led to record-high spending on public education in Illinois and across the United States.
Reason Foundation’s K-12 Education Spending Spotlight 2025 found that record-high funding of U.S. public schools is approaching $1 trillion. The report author, Reason Foundation Director of Education Reform Aaron Garth Smith, said the higher taxpayer costs are driven by structural problems with public education financing. Smith said teacher pension debt has caused a sharp increase in benefit spending, and empty school buildings are also a structural problem.Despite the higher spending, the report found that the average Illinois teacher’s inflation-adjusted salary dropped nearly 8% between 2002 and 2022.
(Washington-jm) – There are two methods that frozen, even partially, frozen turkeys should not be cooked from a food safety perspective at Thanksgiving, or any time. Rod Bain reports…
WPXN News notes…
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Hairbangers Ball on Wednesday, November 26th. Doors open at 6 with the show beginning at 8.
Ridgeland will perform at Murdocks in Loda on Wednesday, November 26th at 8pm.
Paxton’s annual tree-lighting ceremony will be at 7 p.m. Friday, November 28, at the intersection of State and Market streets.
The Cadillac in Paxton will host Freak on a Leash, a Korn tribute band and Faint, a Linkin Park tribute band on Friday, November 28th. Doors open at 6 with the show beginning at 8.
Cissna Park’s Small Town Christmas will take place Friday, November 28th and Saturday November 29th. On Friday night it's the tree lighting and christmas carols at 6 pm and live size candyland at 6:30. On Saturday, it's meet and greet with Santa from 10-2, craft show from 10-3, horse drawn carriage rides around the park from 11-3 and a lighted Christmas parade at 5.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold their final cookout of the season benefiting the Panther Paw Wrestling Club on Saturday, November 29th from 10-2.
Paxton’s annual Christmas Parade, , is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, November 29th on Market Street in downtown Paxton. The theme for this year’s parade is “Once Upon a Christmas.” WPXN will broadcast the parade live with Joel Cluver.
