(Undated-jm) — Severe weather including damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes could impact the WPXN listening area this afternoon and evening and into the overnight hours. The National Weather Service says there could be two waves of storms. The first wave could bring hail 2 inches or larger and tornadoes including some strong twisters. The second wave could bring damaging winds and torrential rainfall that could lead to flooding. The weather service reminds people to be weather aware and have a weather radio.

 

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(Undated-jm) — Champaign may be thousands of miles away from the ongoing war in the Middle East, but the region’s oil-rich status and a strategic choke point in the global oil trade mean the war is hitting home in the form of higher gas prices. GasBuddy reported that in the last week, the price of gasoline in the Champaign area skyrocketed by an average of about 56 cents, going from $2.89 to $3.45 per gallon. The last time the city saw the price of gas this high was in April of last year. Champaign isn’t alone. Peoria saw a 43-cent increase in the last week, the statewide average is up 46 cents, Indiana saw a 69-cent increase and the nationwide average rose 51 cents.

 

(Ford County–dm)-March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month.  Ford County EMA Director Terry Whitebird tells us what to do if warnings have been issued.

   

Ford County EMA Director Terry Whitebird

 

(Paxton-jm) – Illinois State Police say injuries were reported following a collision between a semi and an SUV in Paxton. The accident happened around 12:45pm. The roadway was shut down for a period of time while troopers investigated the crash.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  Motor Fuel Tax projects will be on the minds of Paxton City Council members when they meet tonight in the monthly session. Staffing decisions in the Paxton Police Department,a communication system upgrade and a donation to the Pheasants Forever group are also topics for the meeting. The Paxton City council meets at 7 tonight on the second floor of city hall

 

(Ford/Iroquois–dm)-The Ford-Iroquois 4H is awarding two types of scholarships this year.  One scholarship is designated for students enrolling in a college or junior college, while the second is intended for those attending a trade school. Ford-Iroquois 4H Foundation President Nita Dubble has details on how to qualify for a scholarship.

   

Ford-Iroquois 4H Foundation President Nita Dubble

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Two people were taken to the hospital following a crash on I-57 Monday near Rantoul. State Police say two vehicles were involved in the crash. One of the vehicles rolled over and came to a rest in the median. Two people in that vehicle were taken to the hospital. There is no word on their conditions.

 

(Champaign–dm)- The next time you have an uncomfortable bathroom visit...consider how stress might play a role. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare explores.

 

 

(Bradley–jc)  –Yesterday, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity  announced that global biotherapeutics leader C-S-L will invest nearly $1.5 billion to construct a new manufacturing facility at the company’s Kankakee campus, creating 300 new full-time jobs while retaining more than 1,200 existing positions. C-S-L’s investment marks one of the largest life sciences investments in Illinois history, reinforcing the state's leadership while underscoring the state’s commitment to supporting innovative companies looking to grow or locate in Illinois.

 

(Champaign–jc)  Several polling locations in Champaign County will not be in operation next Tuesday. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details…

   

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Parkland College will celebrate its 60th Anniversary this year beginning Thursday with a historic milestone highlighting six decades of academic excellence, community engagement, and growth in District 505 and beyond. On March 12, 1966, the day of Parkland's founding, area residents voted to approve a referendum to establish a new community college district. The college opened its doors in fall 1967, enrolling a total of 1,338 students. Parkland moved to its current and permanent location on Bradley Avenue in 1973.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission and global education company Kaplan announced that Illinois' first in the nation free text preparation program, Prepare for Illinois' Future Program, will continue through the end of the school year. Governor JB Pritzker has proposed to fund the program through the fiscal year 2027 budget for another year as part of his Affordability Agenda. The state has invested $9.9 million into the program since it launched 13 months ago. More than 12,000 students registered for Kaplan's free test prep courses. Governor Pritzker is recommending a $7 million appropriation for the program in FY27.

 

(USDA–dm)-USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey provides the latest winter wheat condition reports from Midwestern states

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is looking for tips from the public that can help the Champaign Police Department solve a retail theft. The theft happened on March 3 at the TJ Maxx. Two women walked into the store, selected and concealed multiple sets of Nike and Jordan brand kids clothing and then left the store. The stolen clothing was valued at $550. One woman was white with long brown hair, and she was wearing a gray hoodie. The other woman was Black and wearing a black puffy coat. They left in a black Cadillac Escalade.

 

(Champaign County-jm) — More than a dozen polling locations will be closed on Election Day in Champaign County due to an election judge shortage. In a news release sent out Monday afternoon, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons announced that the following 15 polling locations will be closed on March 17: in Champaign: Activities and Recreation Center, Bible Baptist Church, Bresnan Meeting Center, Free Methodist Church, Douglass Center Annex, Hensley Town Hall, Hessel Park Christian Reformed Church and the Hays Center. Other locations closed include the Ludlow Township Office in Ludlow, Philo Road Church of Christ in Urbana, the Stanton Township Building, Living Word Family Church in St. Joseph, East Bend Township  Building in Dewey, Life Vineyard Church in Mahomet and the Royal Community Building in Royal.

 

(The Center Square) – Republican state Rep. Joe Sosnowski has filed legislation he hopes will make life easier on Illinois residents now facing some of the highest property taxes in the country. With the issue of affordability being a critical one across much of the nation, Sosnowski recently filed House Bill 4626, which seeks to cap rising property taxes by basing costs on the equalized assessed value of a home in the year that it was bought. Final assessment costs would then not increase for as long as the person owns their home, with the goal being to make housing more attractive and affordable for first-time buyers, working families and fixed income seniors.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Rantoul village leaders will talk about a small business loan for a banquet facility in town when they meet in the monthly session. Grant funded spring tree plantings, equipment purchases for the Prospect power substation, and an agreement for work with the water treatment plant are all on the agenda. The Rantoul Village board meeting comes to order  at 6 tonight.

 

 

WPXN News notes…

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Business After Hours on Thursday, March 12th from 5:30-7:30 pm at The Villas of Hollybrook.

 

The Loda American Legion will hold their fish and chicken fry on Friday, March 13th from 4-6 pm. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 6-12.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, March 13th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.

 

The Worlds Smallest St. Patricks Day parade will take place on Saturday, March 14th from 11-1 in downtown Rantoul.

 

The Rusty Wheel Circle Jam will be held on Sunday, March 15th at the Eagle Performance Arts Center in Downtown Pontiac from 1-4 pm. Enjoy classic, traditional country, bluegrass and gospel music for free.

 

The Onarga American Legion will hold a breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 21st from 8-11 am at Durham Park. Following the breakfast will be an easter egg hunt at 11 am.