(Undated–jc) Today’s windy weather could bring more dust storm issues in East Central Illinois. With the dryer conditions, and winds gusting to around 40 miles per hour can cause issues for motorists to farmers in the area. Area police remind the public to take extra caution with these conditions, today.
(Undated-jm) – Illinois is number one this year in a category most don’t want to be in. So far, the state has recorded 109 tornadoes. Mississippi is second at 76, Oklahoma 39 and Missouri is at 38. According to statistics from the Illinois State Climatologist, May and June are the peak period for tornadoes in the state.
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Housing Development Authority is accepting grant funding applications from local governments to address abandoned and deteriorated residential properties. The program offers grant opportunities of up to $750,000 to grantees for tackling challenging properties.
The agency says $22.1 million in assistance has been spent on more than 1,800 properties since the program began in 2020.
(Princeton–jc) –One juvenile hostage is dead and a suspect is injured after police responded to a domestic disturbance call involving an armed subject and several hostages in Princeton on Sunday.Illinois State Police say state troopers provided perimeter security when Bureau County Sheriff’s officers and Princeton police entered a residence and shots were fired, striking the subject and one juvenile.
The juvenile was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The subject was hospitalized with gunshot wounds.
(Rantoul–jc) The Rantoul Paxton VFW annual street collection fundraiser is set for Wednesday at the corner of Route 136 and Route 45 in the village. Funds raised help with donation projects, but will also help with a project at the VFW facility says Rantoul Paxton VFW Spokesperson Joe Manka…
Rantoul Paxton VFW Spokesperson Joe Manka. The fundraiser runs from 7am to 4pm at the corner of route 45 and 136.
(Champaign County-jm) – Hundreds of law enforcement agencies across Illinois, including the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, will be taking part in a traffic law enforcement campaign centered around Memorial Day travel. The enforcement campaign, which runs from May 15 to May 26, is part of the “Click It or Ticket” campaign that emphasizes proper seat belt usage. In Champaign County, deputies will conduct high-visibility enforcement to look for violations of seat belt laws; people who fail to buckle up will be pulled over and ticketed.
(Paxton–jc) The annual Draggin’ Main…Cruise on Market event is set with events from 8am until 8pm. A breakfast starts the day at Veteran’s Square in downtown Paxton. Paxton Mainstreet Executive Director Donna Pepper talks about several of the historical open houses set for 10am to 2pm on Saturday in the city…
Paxton MainsStreet Executive Director Donna Pepper. The Cruise officially starts at 3pm and runs through 8pm in Paxton
(Champaign-jm) – United Way of Champaign County has announced it raised $1 million through its Power of the Purse program. The organization held its 12th annual event raising over $127,000 to reach the milestone since the program's inception. The program provides local literacy grants for students through third grade.
(Loda–dm)-The Loda Sportsman’s Club is sponsoring their 2nd annual fishing Derby this Saturday May 16th starting at 10am. Loda Sportsman’s Club President Chad Riggleman has more information.
Loda Sportsman’s Club President Chad Riggleman. For more information you can call Chad at 217-249-0650.
(Paxton–jc) – PaxtonCity leaders are expected to approve motor fuel tax road projects for the city when they meet tonight. The council is also looking to finalize the sale of a property at 404 South Market on Tuesday. A resolution in support of the Illinois America 250th is also on the agenda. The Paxton City Council meets at 7 tonight on the second floor of city hall.
(Paxton–dm)-Springtime yard work is here and one thing you might do may not be the best for your yard. Paxton Hardware and Renal owner Scott Allen explains.
Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott Saturday moringa on Scott’s Tips for success
(The Center Square) – The average price for a gallon of diesel fuel in Illinois has gone over the $6 mark to $6.02 on Monday, according to AAA. The average price for regular unleaded dropped to $4.97 a gallon. One year ago, the average Illinois prices were $3.41 for unleaded and $3.53 for diesel..
(Springfield-jm) - The legal battle over how federal immigration agents can be investigated and charged by local prosecutors, namely Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke, won’t be resolved for a little while longer as a Cook County judge on Monday pushed off her scheduled ruling on whether to appoint a special prosecutor to oversee such cases. It comes in light of new developments. The judge said she will make a ruling on May 21st.
(Emmington–dm)-106th District State Representative Jason Bunting Republican from Emmington is announcing a summer reading program for students that live in the 106th District.
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting Republican from Emmington
(Peoria-jm) - OSF Healthcare Children’s Hospital of Illinois announced Monday they are ending a 50 year collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. OSF announced they are transitioning to operate independently as the OSF Healthcare Children’s Hospital of Illinois Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute in collaboration with University of Illinois College of Medicine faculty in Peoria.
(USDA–dm)-Corn and soybean growing areas in the U.S. are perhaps one of the few crop locales not seeing significant drought cover to start the month of May. USDA’s Rod Bain has the story.
(Urbana-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating a shooting that left a woman hurt last month. Crime Stoppers is now involved in the case in the hopes of finding new information to pass along to investigators. The shooting happened the morning of April 16 on Northwood Drive in Urbana Township. Investigators believe two groups of people were shooting at each other around 2 a.m. and stray bullets hit nearby cars and the innocent victim’s home. She was in bed when she was shot in the chest and arm. Responding deputies and EMS treated the 40-year-old victim at the scene and transported her to the hospital, where she received further treatment before being released. At this time, no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office and Champaign County Crime Stoppers are looking for the public’s assistance in gathering more information about this incident.
(Springfield–jc) –Products sold in Illinois are among those included in a national public health alert of possible salmonella contamination.The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued the alert for meat and poultry products containing FDA-regulated dairy ingredients. Culinary Circle Ultra Thin Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch products were sold in Illinois and eight other states. Other recalled products were sold nationwide. An updated list can be found on the USDA’s website.
(Melvin–dm)-After taking a year off the talent show is returning to the Ford County Fair this summer. Ford County Fair Publicity Spokesperson Diane Perkins has the information.
Ford County Fair Publicity Spokesperson Diane Perkins. The talent show is scheduled for Tuesday June 16th at 7pm
(WATSEKA,--dm)- Iroquois Home Health has received a 5-star patient survey rating from Medicare, recognizing the agency’s commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care to patients and families throughout the region.
The rating reflects patient survey results from the fourth quarter of 2025 and is part of Medicare’s quarterly star rating system. Iroquois Home Health has earned 5-star status for several quarters over the past few years, an achievement that remains unique among home health agencies in the local area. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services uses star ratings through Care Compare to help patients and families evaluate health care providers. CMS reports two types of home health star ratings: Quality of Patient Care Star Ratings and Patient Survey Star Ratings.
(The Center Square) – Opponents of a planned $20 billion data center project in Joliet say big tech money arrived before public oversight.
Real estate developer Hillwood and PowerHouse DataCenters say their investment in the Joliet Technology Center will bring thousands of construction jobs and long-term revenue to strengthen city services. The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition held a press conference outside Joliet City Hall on Monday. Activists said Joliet’s planning commission and city council moved the 795-acre project forward in less than three weeks.
WPXN News notes…
Gibson City’s Friday Night Under the Lights will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 15, featuring a car cruise, food vendors and live music downtown on Sangamon Avenue.
The Village of Rantoul will hold a clean up day on Saturday, May 16th from 8 to noon on Galaxy Drive.
The Onarga American Legion Auxiliary will hold their poppy 5k on Saturday, May 23rd starting at 9 am.
The Champaign County Forest Preserve will hold Fishing for Beginners on Saturday, May 23rd from 9-11 am at Middlefork Forest Preserve.
Living Word Church of Roberts will hold a craft and vendor show on Monday, May 25th from 9-3 at the Paxton Civic Center.
