(Rantoul-jm) – Five families have been displaced after an apartment building caught fire Wednesday afternoon in Rantoul. Firefighters from nine different departments responded to the two-story apartment building around 1 p.m. There were 16 units inside the building, and eight of the units were damaged by fire. The entire building was condemned because of the smoke, fire and water damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but fire officials say it appears to be cooking related. Firefighters were able to clear the scene around 4:40 p.m. Paxton, Gifford, Sangamon Valley, Thomasboro, Eastern Prairie, Savoy, Cornbelt and Urbana firefighters provided mutual aid to Rantoul. Officials say the large response was due to the cold and windy weather and the size of the building.
(Springfield–jc) – Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker signed the SAFE-T Act into law in February 2021. Since then, three trailer bills have been added to the law, yet criminals are still not held accountable for crimes they commit due to the elimination of cash bail. 95th District State Representative Mike Coffey, Republican from Springfield says his constituents say the Safe-T Act has made communities less safer.
(Rantoul-jm) — A man from Rantoul was given a 100-year sentence for a knife attack on a Champaign couple that left one of them dead and the other seriously hurt, but alive to eventually testify against him. Alex Muanambuta, was in Champaign County court yesterday. The judge in the case convicted Muanambuta of first-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated battery. Muanambuta was sentenced on two of the counts — murder and attempted murder. The incident stems from an attack on Katy Lassy and Nathan Gudeman, both 22, in their apartment on Healey Street in what prosecutors called a jealous rage. Gudeman died after fleeing the apartment.
(Paxton–jc) Paxton officials are looking to sell a city-owned property on East Fulton Street. Paxton council members have approved the process and bids could be opened in February says Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Watseka-jm) – The Board of Directors of The First Trust and Savings Bank in Watseka is announcing the appointment of Neil Schippert as President and CEO.
Schippert brings 28 years of dedicated service to the bank and is a lifelong resident of the community. The bank directors are also pleased to share that former President Kerry Bell will continue to serve in a new capacity as Chairman of the Board. In this role, he will provide strategic guidance, continuity, and support for the leadership team of the bank.
(Gordyville–jc) The 20-26 Midwest Ag Expo has over 175 exhibitors presenting everything agriculture at Gordyville U S A . Double Y sales and service of Cissna Park has a huge display for Toro mowers and more with expo sales pricing says Double Y Sales and service Owner Tom Yergler…
Double Y Sales and Service of Cissna Park Owner Tom Yergler. Day two of the Midwest Ag Expo at Gordyville US A runs from 8-30am to 3pm on Thursday.
(Washington–jc) ) – Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, has introduced legislation to restrict large institutional investment firms from buying single-family homes. Following an executive order from President Donald Trump, the American Family Housing Act applies to companies with more than $100 billion in assets under management. Miller says the legislation will put an end to Wall Street firms driving up prices and pushing American families out of the housing market.
(Springfield–jc) –The State of Illinois is again calling on the United States Congress and the Trump administration to require year-round sales of E-15 fuel. Agriculture is the number one industry in Illinois. Under current law, E-15 access during the summer driving season has relied on temporary emergency waivers. These stopgap measures provide only brief relief and fall short of a stable, long-term solution. Illinois is the second largest producer of corn in the nation. With corn production at record highs,more use of E-15 fuel would help farmers around the country.
(Washington–jc) In the second of a series on the outlook for beef production and prices, World Outlook Chairman Mark Jekanowski looks at trends for 20-26…
World Outlook Chairman Mark Jekanowski
(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Fire Department responded to a house fire that was quickly extinguished. The department got called to the 900 block of N Gregory Street at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday. Crews arriving on scene saw light smoke showing and discovered a small fire inside the house. Units quickly got into the house and got the fire under control and extinguished in approximately 10 minutes. Urbana Fire crews are currently investigating the fire. Nobody was injured during this incident.
(Champaign–jm) – A Champaign teenager was arrested following reports of a stolen vehicle Wednesday morning.Champaign police say they were dispatched to the 100 block of Buena Vista Drive just after 8am Wednesday for a report of a stolen vehicle. Upon investigation, officers spotted a vehicle of the same description driving recklessly near Kirby Avenue and Duncan Road. The vehicle was seen passing traffic in the oncoming lane at a high rate of speed. The vehicle then crashed near Southwood Drive. The driver left the scene on foot, but was arrested in a nearby yard. 18-year-old Anaryon Smith-Jones of Champaign was arrested. Smith-Jones now faces initial charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding and driving without a license. No injuries were reported during this incident.
(St Joseph–jc) The Saint Joe Ogden F F A Chapter is hosting its annual chapter fundraiser in early February. St Joe Ogden F F A Chapter President Delaney Nekolny says the event is set for Saturday February 7th…
St Joe Ogden F F A Chapter President Delaney Nekolny. Doors open at 4-30 that afternoon with a dinner and silent auction at 5pm and a live auction at 6pm
(Champaign-jm) — The site of a former Champaign church will soon be home to new student housing at the University of Illinois. The 238-unit building will be at the corner of Wright and Stoughton Streets in Champaign at the site of the former University Place Christian Church, which was recently demolished. Developers said there will be enough space for 371 beds. And will have amenities like an outdoor terrace, fitness center and sky lounge. They said students should be able to move in by August, 2027.
(Gifford–jc) Gordyville U S A is the venue again for this year’s Midwest Ag Expo near Gifford. One exhibitor is the Gifford State Bank. Vice President of Ag and Commercial Loans Andy Buhr says the bank has its roots in East Central illinois…
Gifford State Bank Vice President of Ag and Commercial Loans Andy Buhr. The 20-26 Midwest Ag Expo runs today at Gordyville U S A near Gifford from 8-30am to 3pm
(Chicago–jc) –Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is the busiest airfield in the United States, according to preliminary data from the Federal Aviation Administration. In all, just over 857-thousand aircraft landed or took off from O’Hare in 2025. Chicago Midway ranked 38th in the nation for takeoffs and landings. Final global rankings and full passenger figures for 2025 are still pending.
WPXN News notes…
Euchre will be held at the former Federated Church in Paxton every Thursday from 1-3 pm.
Its day 2 of the 2026 Midwest Ag Expo at Gordyville USA. Over 175 vendors will be present. Free admission and free parking. Hours today are 8:30am to 3pm
The Elliott Amvets will hold their pork chop sandwich supper on Friday, January 23rd from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, January 24th from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.
The Gibson Area Food Pantry at the Hospital will hold a food distribution on Saturday, January 24th from 8 to noon.
The Champaign County Forest Preserve will host Raptors Up Close at the Lake of the Woods Pavilion on Saturday, January 24th from 10-11:30 am.
