(Springfield-jm) – The federal government has awarded Illinois $193.4 million per year for five years to expand healthcare access in rural areas. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services outlined three key categories of initiatives for the federal taxpayer-funded Rural Healthcare Transformation Program fund: transforming rural healthcare delivery, overcoming geographic barriers of care, and building a resilient rural healthcare workforce.

 

(Springfield-jm) – January 1st marked the new year and a new challenge. Dry January. WPXN’s Jason Madden reports…

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) – An elderly Gibson City man has been arrested and charged with aggravated arson for allegedly setting fire to his apartment the day after Christmas. Ford County State’s Attorney Andrew Killian filed one count of aggravated arson, a Class X felony, against 71 year old Roger Leisure. Leisure, who listed an address at the Schoolhouse Apartments at 200 N. Melvin St. in Gibson City, allegedly committed arson at his apartment building on Friday, December 26, according to charging documents. The fire “partially damaged” the building and occurred while other elderly and disabled tenants of the building were inside, the documents noted. If convicted of the Class X felony, Leisure faces a mandatory sentence ranging from six to 30 years in prison, up to a $25,000 fine and possible restitution. Leisure is due back in Ford County Circuit Court for a preliminary hearing at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, before Judge Matt Fitton.

 

(Washington–jm) – Looking for ways to reuse or recycle your real Christmas tree after its holiday display? There are some creative ideas to consider, according to a Cooperative Extension expert. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Urbana-jm) – The man accused of killing a 22-year-old pedestrian and injuring a University of Illinois Police officer in a crash in Urbana in December will stay in jail while awaiting his trial. 31-year-old James Buford of Rantoul appeared in court for a detention hearing Wednesday. The day before, the State had filed a petition to keep Buford detained pre-trial; during the detention hearing the court found that the need for detention had been met. Buford is scheduled to appear in court again on January 27 for a pre-trial conference. Buford was arraigned on multiple charges, including driving the wrong way on a one-way, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, reckless homicide and possessing a weapon as a felon. The Urbana Police Department confirmed the charges are in relation to the deadly hit-and-run on December 20th on the U of I campus.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s National Financial Conditions Index decreased to –0.57 in the week ending Dec. 26, suggesting looser financial conditions where credit is considered to be easier and cheaper for businesses and consumers.  The index updates U.S. financial conditions in money markets, debt and equity markets, and traditional and “shadow” banking systems. The Chicago Fed’s district includes all of Iowa and most of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Yesterday was New Year’s Day. We asked area leaders to look ahead to 2026. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third.

 

(Champaign-jm) — A man accused of threatening to “shoot up” Champaign’s Kraft facility and choking a deputy as he was being arrested was granted pretrial release on Wednesday. 31-year-old Davante Gathings was arrested on December 8th. Gathings allegedly threatened to shoot up the Kraft plant after a security worker wouldn’t let him inside to make a food delivery. When law enforcement arrived on the scene, police said that Gathings was not cooperative and put a deputy in a choke hold. He was detained pretrial during a detention hearing on December 10th, but was told that he could file a motion to change that decision — which is what he did about three weeks later. On December 29th, Gathings’ attorneys filed a motion to reconsider pretrial release. The State’s Attorney’s Office petitioned to keep him detained but he was granted pretrial release with conditions on December 31st. The details of his pre-trial release were not immediately clear in court records. Gathings is charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, resisting a peace officer, threatening a public official and driving under the influence. He’s due back in court January 6th.

 

(Roberts-jm) – A non-compliant sex offender in Ford County is heading to prison. Edgar Hubner of Roberts was sentenced to four years in prison for violating the terms of his probation. According to the courts, Hubner failed to report to probation on two occasions and failing to engage in mental health services. 

 

(Washington-jm) – What were some of the threats of farm animal disease this year and what did it mean for various parts of the livestock industry? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Paxton-jm) – The City of Paxton will hold Christmas tree pickup on Monday, January 5th. The city asks residents to place their trees neatly near the alley or street.

 

WPXN News Notes…

 

The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night tonight from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.

 

The St Joseph-Swearingen Library announces its Winter Used Book Sale. The book sale will begin Monday, January 5th and will end Wednesday, January 28th.  All items are for sale by donation. Books, DVDs, music CDs and audio books will be available.

 

The American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 6th, at the First United Methodist Church, 210 W. Center St., Paxton. For an appointment to donate blood that day, people can call 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code “Paxton Community.”