(Watseka–jc)  –Iroquois County Sheriff’s officials say they have arrested a Watseka man on a charge of first degree murder in connection with the death of his one month old son, Jace. On April 10th, Watseka Fire and EMS were dispatched to a rural residence near Watseka in reference to the one month old, not breathing. The infant was taken to Iroquois Memorial Hospital then Lurie’s Children's Hospital in Chicago where he died on April 13th. 22 year old Jason Ruiz of rural Watseka was taken into custody on Thursday. Authorities say the investigation remains active. Other information is pending.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  – Rantoul police are seeking information about a missing female from the village. 31 year old Taniya Jenkins was last seen on April 8th. She left her home in the southeast part of town She left on foot. Jenkins is a black female, black hair, 5 foot 2 inches tall weighing around 100 pounds. She was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Rantoul police at 217-333-8911.

 

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has released notice of a pending order to preempt the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act. The state law scheduled to take effect on July 1 would prohibit banks and credit card companies from charging swipe fees on the tax and tip portion of transactions when a consumer pays with a credit or debit card. Illinois Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Rob Karr said the rushed announcement by the federal government prioritizes the bottom line of banks and credit card companies over meaningful relief for businesses and consumers.

 

(Washington–jc)  What is the latest outlook for beef production and steer prices as we move through the month of April. World AgOutlook Chairman Mark Jekanowski has the numbers…

World Ag Outlook Chairman Mark Jekanowski

 

(Danaville–jc)  Vermilion County Republicans have elected a new leadership team for the counties citizens. In a  release, the party has put Matt Long as Chairman and Eric Lattrell as vice-chairman  The leadership says it will move forward  with a clear focus on unity, accountability, and growing grassroots involvement across the county. Their focus will be  supporting Republican candidates at every level, and ensuring Vermilion County remains a strong voice for conservative values.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –It was Illinois Chamber of Commerce Day at the state capitol in Springfield. 89th District State Representative Tony McCombie told chamber members that the state of Illinois has a long way to go and that does Not mean more taxes for businesses and citizens…

 

89th District State Representative and Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, republican from Savannah

 

(Chicago–jc)  If you plan a trip to Chicago and will be using a taxi, get ready for higher prices. The Chicago City Council has passed an ordinance to raise taxi fares. The base fare for the first one-ninth  of a mile is 3 dollars 25 cents, but for Each one-ninth of a mile it will now be 31cents.

 

(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he would like the General Assembly to move faster on legislation for the Chicago Bears, but questions about taxation loom large over a proposed megaprojects bill. When asked for an update at an event in downtown Chicago on Thursday, the governor said the discussions are still going on.  The governor said all 177 state legislators need to be in on the discussions.

 

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state’s unemployment rate reached 5% in February, up 0.1 percentage point from January and up 0.3 percentage point from the same month, one year ago.

 

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, total nonfarm payrolls decreased 0.3% in February.

 

(Champaign–jc)  – Champaign police continue to investigate a shots fired incident from earlier this week. The incident in question happened on Wednesday night just before 9pm near Collen Drive on the west side of Champaign. Upon investigation, police found shell casings and gunshot damage to several vehicles in the area. Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact the Champaign police Department

 

(The Center Square) – State legislative leaders from both parties spoke to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce about the broad state of legislation and their priorities Thursday in Springfield, as the end of the General Assembly's spring session draws closer. Remarks from Senate and House leadership were driven by the topic of affordability and the state budget, with some bipartisan agreement on the issue, but disagreement on how to help Illinoisans, as Democrats want to increase revenue through taxes   and  Republicans want taxes cut.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  The Village of Rantoul has received a major grant for airport upgrades and more. WPXN”s Joel Cluver has the details…

 

 

Sentencing is scheduled on July 22 for a Lyons man who admitted that he used his vehicle to impede, intimidate, and interfere with the work of federal immigration agents during Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago last October.Prosecutors say Anthony Gonzalez Alvarez, 27, admitted that he drove his pickup truck into a U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicle and filed a false police report to conceal his involvement in the collision. Gonzalez Alvarez faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

 

(Thawville–jc)  The village of Thawville becomes the center of the universe on Saturday with its annual Thawville Community sale. It is the 54th annual sale in the village that starts at 10 sharp on Saturday morning says Thawville Community Sale Spokesperson Becky Warlow…

 

 

Thawville Community Sale Spokesperson Becky Warlow

 

(Gordyville–jc)  The American Cancer Society’s Coaches versus Cancer event at Gordyville USA near Gifford Wednesday night, saw over 1 thousand 9 hundred people in attendance. American Cancer Society Development Manager Sharla Jolly says they raised over 690 thousand dollars. Jolly talks about an Illini signed item…

 

American Cancer Society Development Manager Sharla Jolly

A big thank you to University of Illinois Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Underwood and staff for helping with the annual event. 

 

(Champaign–jc)  –– The City of Champaign is seeking input on its Homelessness Prevention Blueprint Snapshot; an initiative aimed at addressing housing instability and making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in Champaign. 

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 23 out of every 10,000 people in the United States experienced homelessness in 2024. That statistic highlights the  need to address this challenge.  The City launched the Blueprint Snapshot survey available until May 15. To help with the survey, go on line at engage-champaign-dot- org

 

(Rantoul–jc)  40 thousand, that is the number of athletes, families and spectators that will fill the diamonds and fields at the Rantoul Sports Complex this weekend. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandun Denton says the number of teams…180…

Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandun Denton

 

(Danville-jc)  –  An old fashioned Hymn sing is set for a Danville Church on Sunday. The event starts at 6pm on Sunday at the Danville First Nazarene Church. Event organizer Rich Stipp invites the public to sing along…

 

Danville Hymn Sing Spokesperson Rich Stipp

The Danville First Nazarene Church is located on North Vermilion Street in the city. 

 

(Gibson City–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services. Gibson Area Hospital’s footprint in the area continues to grow with new services offered and also with new buildings and clinics throughout Central Illinois. Gibson Area Hospital Spokesperson Bill Kirby provides some insight into the growth of Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services…

 

Bill Kirby says plans are underway for the August live concert with Nightranger and Rick Springfield. Kirby says the concerts are one good thing that came out of the pandemic…

 

Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services Spokesperson Bill Kirby

 

WPXN News notes…

The Gibson Area Hospital Foundation will hold their Glo Bingo fundraiser on Friday, April 17th at 6:30 pm at the Kruse Center. Tickets are $30 each.

 

The EAA Chapter 29 will host a Young Eagles Flight Rally on Saturday, April 18th from 9-11 am at the Rantoul National Aviation Center.

 

The Thawville Community Sale will take place on Saturday, April 18th starting at 10 am.

 The Champaign County Forest Preserve will hold an International Dark Sky Week Celebration on Saturday, April 18th from 7-10:30 pm at Middlefork Forest Preserve.

 

The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County will hold their Spring Fling Fundraiser on Thursday, April 23rd from 5-8 pm at the Knights of Columbus in Rantoul. Activities include dinner, live music, 50/50 and meat raffle and a dessert auction. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased by calling the Community Service Center.

 

Buckley Townwide Garage Sales will take place Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th.