(Rural Paxton-jm) – The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down about five miles southwest of Paxton Monday morning. The tornado was on the ground for about a quarter of a mile striking a farmstead just north of 100 North 1500 East. The National Weather Service said the tornado had estimated winds of 85 mph.
(Undated-jm) – The average price of gas in the State of Illinois is now above $5 per gallon, even after a week that saw slight decreases in two local averages and the national average. GasBuddy’s weekly report on gas prices found that the average price of gas for the state is at $5.03, nine cents higher than it was last week. Nationwide, the average price of regular gas fell by one cent in the last week, while the average price of diesel fuel fell by 0.5 cents. Gas Buddy's Patrick DeHaan says the conflict with Iran and the Memorial Day holiday are contributing to higher prices and market volatility.
(Rantoul–jc) Village of Rantoul leaders recently secured 36 Million dollars for projects at its municipal airport. The money will be given to the village over a 5 year period. Now that the funds have been secured, Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says a proposal has been sent on how to use some of those funds…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Livingston County-jm) – More than 2,000 grams of THC cartridges, flower, oil and edibles were seized after a traffic stop in Livingston County over the weekend.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to the area of Interstate 55 near the 197 mile marker for a reckless driving complaint. Law enforcement found the vehicle, stopped it and found about 2,100 grams of THC products inside.
(Springfield–dm)-Both sides of the aisle in the Illinois House this spring have been talking about affordability. A recent survey of Illinois voters finds widespread concern about costs and growing frustration with the state's economy. As members of the General Assembly head back to Springfield, State Representative Chris Miller of Hindsboro said he has a three-step plan that can help out Illinois residents. Dean Abbot has the information.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is looking for tips to pass along to Champaign Police in a case of identity theft and credit card fraud that started earlier this year. Officials said that on March 20, a man walked into Champaign’s Best Buy on Prospect Avenue and made several thousand dollars’ worth of purchases. The credit accounts used to make the purchases were created with a stolen identity, and the victim later received the credit card bill. Champaign Police and Crime Stoppers are looking for tips regarding the identity of the suspect, who was recorded on store surveillance cameras. He is described as a heavy-set Black male wearing a black hoodie and black jeans.
(Onarga–dm)-On Saturday May 23rd The Onarga American Legion
Auxiliary Post 551 will sponsor their annual Poppy5K Run/Walk. Onarga American Legion Auxiliary Post 551 Spokesperson Kaitlin Fink tells us what the proceeds from the 5K goes to, and how to register to participate
Onarga American Legion Auxiliary Post 551 Spokesperson Kaitlin Fink. The race will start at 9am at the Onarga Legion building.
(Springfield-jm) — Environmental advocates continue to pressure lawmakers to require more transparency about data centers’ water and energy use as the legislative session creeps toward the finish line. The POWER Act is the primary vehicle for regulations that address concerns about the effects data centers have on communities, but it hasn’t seen any action beyond subject matter hearings since it was introduced in February. With less than three weeks left before lawmakers are slated to adjourn, however, it’s unclear whether the wide-ranging bill will come together and whether Gov. JB Pritzker will throw his support behind any specific regulatory proposal. Pritzker mentioned data centers in his February State of the State address, calling for PJM Interconnection, the electric grid operator that covers all or part 13 states from Illinois to the East Coast, to require data center developers to pay for and provide their own energy. He also proposed a two-year pause on state tax credits for new data centers to compensate for rising demand and higher prices. Illinois has provided tax incentives for data centers since Pritzker signed bipartisan legislation in 2019. According to the state’s 2024 report, at least 27 data centers had received incentives totaling $983 million in estimated lifetime tax breaks and benefits.
(Springfield-jm) — The Illinois State Police is stressing that Troopers are not the ones sending text messages threatening enforcement action following a supposed “vehicular conduct violation.” Officials posted on Facebook that a scam like this is circulating in Illinois and that the Illinois State Police does not send text messages demanding immediate payment or threatening action. Supposed action includes:
“Withdrawal of lawful driving authorization”, “Restriction against registration continuation”, “Expanded statutory financial obligations” and “Referral toward mandatory legal dispositon”. The text messages also provide a link that people are to enter into their browser and to reply “Y” to get the link again.
(Paxton–jc) The latest event in the city of Paxton was this past weekend' s Draggin’ Main and Open House event. It was another event to bring another crowd to the city. Paxton has re-developed several blocks in the downtown area and the next phase has already started. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold talks about the streetscape and the diverse types of businesses to bring people to the city…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Champaign-jm) – The man accused of shooting a woman as she answered a knock on her door in Champaign was denied pretrial release. James Brown was in court on Friday and Monday for an arraignment and a detention hearing, respectively, in the case against him. Court records show that on Friday, Brown waived a preliminary hearing and entered a plea of not guilty. The issue of his pretrial detention was continued to Monday. The Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny Brown pretrial release, and Judge Brett Olmstead granted that request.
(OSF–dm)-Are you struggling to get up early to work out? Experts suggest tying it to your *body* clock...not the clock on your phone. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare explains.
If you can’t make time for 150 minutes of exercise a week...Doctor Gumm recommends "exercise snacking." Examples are walking up and down three flights of stairs, three times a day, three days a week. Or...parking your car a little further from the office and getting in extra steps – simple things that you can modify easily into your daily routine.
(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about scams involving impersonations of deputies. The sheriff's office said that it never asks for payment by phone, text, email, cryptocurrency, or electronic transfer to avoid arrest, pay fines and more. Scammers are impersonating officers by using spoofed phone numbers that appear to come from the sheriff's office. Callers might also threaten arrest if payment isn't made. Anyone who receives a suspicious call is urged to hang up immediately, not provide personal or financial information and not send money. For questions or concerns, contact the Champaign County Sheriff's Office at 217-384-1204 or 217-333-8911 after business hours.
(Melvin–dm)-The Ford County Fair talent show is returning this year after taking a year off last year. Diane Perkins, Ford County Fair Publicity Spokesperson, tells us how you can register to enter the talent show.
Ford County Fair Publicity Spokesperson Diane Perkins. The talent show is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16th at 7pm in the dance building on the fairgrounds
(Gibson City–jc) The Horsch Radish restaurant in downtown Gibson City is now closed, but owners of the property are hosting an event to look at new uses for the downtown location. A public forum is set for May 26th inside the former restaurant property.
(Springfield-jm) – State lawmakers have not taken a vote on the Chicago Bears-endorsed megaprojects bill since April 22, but Gov. JB Pritzker told reporters Monday that he is optimistic the General Assembly will pass the plan before session ends. Bears fans and mayors hoping to land megaprojects are anxiously waiting to see action on the Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT, bill with two weeks left in the theoretical fourth quarter. Pritzker said the Senate is still working on amended language for the plan that could let companies working on megaprojects have their property taxes frozen for up to 40 years and negotiate an annual smaller payment based on a weighted vote of local taxing bodies. House sponsors said the state should use half of the revenue for property tax relief for Illinois families. Sixty percent of that funding would go to local communities with megaprojects, and the remaining 40% could be invested in the statewide property tax relief fund. However, data from the governor's office recently showed that the proposal would provide little relief to the average homeowner. Republicans are demanding more action to tackle property taxes.
WPXN News notes…
The Gathering in Gilman will hold their Junk in the Trunk outdoor flea market on Saturday, May 30th from 9-2.
Paxton Townwide garage sales will take place Friday, June 5th and Saturday, June 6th.
Paxton Main Street will hold their First Friday concert series on Friday, June 5th from 7-9 pm at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton. Back In Time will perform.
The 2026 Roberts Fun Day will take place on Saturday, June 6th. Activities include breakfast from 8-11, vendors from 8-3, bounce houses and silent auction 9-3, kids cart rides 11-1, bingo 11-2, food trucks 11-3, bags tournament at 4 and live music from 7-10.
Champaign Firefighters Local 1260 will hold a 5k on Sunday, June 7th from 8-10:30 at Carle at the Fields.
The 2026 Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour will stop in Rantoul on Tuesday, June 9th at 11 am.
