(Undated-jm) – Drivers across not just Central Illinois but across the nation are starting to see some relief at the gas pump as oil prices continue to fall and refineries start to increase output. GasBuddy reports a third consecutive week of falling gas prices. The average in Illinois is $4.41, down 21 cents in the last week and 62 cents below the $5.03 average the state saw three weeks ago. GasBuddy’s Patrick DeHaan says drivers may be enjoying the savings for now but cautions the risk of a significant reversal have not gone away.
(Rantoul–jm) – More than 6,000 classic cars and hot rods will be in Rantoul today as the Hot Rod Power Tour returns to the area. Rantoul is the second stop on the five day tour. The tour started yesterday in Joliet enroute to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The world’s largest traveling car show will be out at the former Chanute Air Force Base from 11-5. The event is free and open to the public.
(Watseka–dm)-106th District State Representative Republican Jason Bunting along with 53rd District State Senator Republican Chris Balkema and the Iroquois County Health Department is hosting a Community Health Fair this Wednesday June 10th in Watseka. State Representative Jason Bunting has the details
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting
(Gilman-jm) – Officials in Gilman are notifying residents that fire hydrants are being flushed this week. Residents may experience discolored water and a brief loss of pressure. Flushing will be completed by Friday.
(Champaign-jm) — The Champaign Police Department is investigating a shots fired incident that happened last month and now they are asking for help through CrimeStoppers in finding suspects. On May 24th, officers responded to a report of gunfire near Grove and Fifth Streets around 7:50pm. There they found evidence shots had been fired. The initial investigation indicated that there was a large gathering of people and subjects had exchanged gunfire. No one was reported to have been shot. Anyone with information is asked to call Champaign Police or CrimeStoppers.
(Melvin–dm)-The Ford County Fair opens up this Saturday June 13th with concerts featuring Clay Walker and Walker Montgomery. Ford County Fair Publicity Spokesperson Diane Perkins tells us if you buy your concert tickets early, you’ll save some money.
Ford County Fair Publicity Spokesperson Diane Perkins
(Paxton–dm)-The Paxton Buckley Loda School Board will hold their regular scheduled Meeting on Wednesday June 10th. Items to be discussed include an update on summer maintenance projects, taking action on 2026-2027 Student Handbooks, Faculty Handbook, the athletic Code of Conduct manual and the Extr-curricular Handbook. Also up for discussion is seeking proposals for 2026-2027 Waste Services. Discussion on an agreement between the school board and Employment System #330 regarding Health Insurance and consideration on Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services Sports Medicine.The meeting is scheduled to start at 6pm at the PBL Junior High Commons area
(Champaign–dm)-The Champaign Police Dept invites you to join them for coffee and conversation this Wednesday at Royal Donut in Champaign. Champaign Police Dept.Public Information Officer Joe Lamberson has the details
Champaign Police Dept. Public Information Officer Joe Lamberson
(Will County–jc) The Illinois Department of Corrections has announced plans to relocate Logan Correctional Center to Stateville in Will County, where I-DOC is planning to build two new facilities. State officials said they are seeking a progressive design build entity for the new Stateville project, which in 2024 had an estimated cost as high as 900 million dollars.
(Springfield-jm) — Illinois lawmakers gave hospitals and community health centers much of what they wanted this session by passing a bill that prohibits drug manufacturers from interfering with their access to discounted medications through a federal drug pricing program. But they also gave drug companies what they wanted by passing another piece of legislation that calls on the Illinois Department of Insurance to conduct an audit to find out how much money these hospitals and clinics are making off that program, and what they are doing with the profits. Both bills focus on the federal 340B drug pricing program. According to analysis by KFF, a nonprofit health policy research, polling and news organization, the 340B program has mushroomed in size in recent years, growing from $2.4 billion to $66.3 billion. That growth has resulted in heightened tensions between hospitals and clinics on one side and the pharmaceutical industry on the other, with each accusing the other of abusing or manipulating the program. The battle in Illinois over the 340B program began last year with legislation that passed in the Senate that prohibited drug companies from interfering with the hospitals and clinics ability to dispense the drugs through contract pharmacies. But amid strong opposition in the House it was not called for a vote. It took an inclusion bill creating greater transparency to bring the bill over the finish line this session.
(USDA–dm)-Children going to summer camp for the first time may be anxious to be away from their parents, but there are methods to help them adapt.Rod Bain has the story.
(Champaign-jm) – A new Veterans Affairs clinic has opened its doors in Champaign. The clinic is located at 1702 South Mattis Avenue. The new clinic will offer primary care and specialty services.
(Iroquois County-jm) – Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver has announced she is looking for Republican and Democratic Election Judges to be commissioned for a 2 year term. Judges would work in their polling place on Election Day and are responsible for opening and closing the polling place, ensuring all votes are cast in secret, offering assistance and maintaining order in the polling place. Election judges who attend training are paid $185 per day, plus an additional $15 for attending training. Those interested are asked to call the county clerk's office at 815-432-6960.
(The Center Square) – A Republican state representative announced he will be releasing his own framework that will take a crack at solving the ongoing issues that might be pushing the Chicago Bears in Indiana’s direction.
State Representative. Dan Ugaste, Republican from St. Charles announced he will be introducing his own legislation this morning at 10 to keep the team in the state. The news comes just a week after lawmakers failed to send a bill to the governor’s desk on the matter. The measure would also provide property tax relief for residents and businesses statewide.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Park district pool is open for the season, but baseball and softball numbers are huge again this year. The Paxton Park district has over 2 hundred kids involved in the various levels of local competition says Paxton Park District Interim President Craig Kief…
Paxton Park District Interim President Craig Kief
(Champaign County–jc) Interstate 72 west of Champaign is open again this morning after a semi crash last night around 7 near Monticello. State police say a semi lost control in a construction zone causing traffic issues. No word on any injuries or property damage was given. The road was re opened around 9 last night.
(The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator says wages for direct support professionals who provide services for people with developmental disabilities and serious mental illnesses lag behind where they were when Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office. Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, asked Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, if anything was added to the governor’s budget proposal for workers who provide disability services. Before the General Assembly passed a record-high $55.9 billion budget on June 1 for fiscal year 2027, Rose said another $24 million would return DSP workers to 150% of minimum wage, where they were in 2019.
WPXN News notes…
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, June 12th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
Rantoul will hold their summer nights concert series on Friday, June 12th with Candy Foster and Shades of Blue performing downtown from 6-9pm .
The 2026 Mahomet Soda Fest will take place on Saturday, June 13th from 10-6.
Ford County ROSC and the Ford/Iroquois Farm Bureau will host a free rural mental health training on Tuesday, June 16th from 4-6 pm at the Kruse Center in Gibson City.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Gibson Area Hospital on Thursday, June 18th from 11:30-5:30.
Rantoul will hold their summer nights concert series on Friday, June 19th with New Souls performing in downtown from 6-9pm.
The Buckley Fire Department will hold a pancake and sausage breakfast on Saturday, June 20th from 6-10 am at the Buckley Fire Station.
