(Springfield-jm) — Beginning July 1st, blood lead testing will be required for all children in the state of Illinois. The blood testing will be done automatically at 12 and 24 months. Healthcare providers will also be required to assess all children six years old and younger for lead exposure with a questionnaire. 

 

 

(Springfield–dm)-As the new state budget is set to take effect on July 1st, Gov. JB Pritzker recently used his item and reduction veto powers to eliminate $500.4 billion of spending, most of which was erroneously included in Illinois' fiscal year 2027 budget. $500 billion of that came from a single mistake that would've been given to an NAACP branch in Chicago. Pritzker made the changes after consulting with the General Assembly’s Democrat budget leaders after the errors made it to the governor’s desk for his signature.  However, 73rd District State Representative Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) pointed to errors during debate in the final hours of the legislative session.

 

73rd District State Representative Ryan Spain (R-Peoria)

 

(Rantoul-jm) — A Rantoul school bus driver has pled not guilty in his sexual assault case. Johnnie McClendon Junior appeared in Champaign County court Thursday for a preliminary hearing. He entered a not guilty plea and requested a jury trial. He was again denied pretrial release. His next court appearance is set for July 21st.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Paxton Buckley Loda High School has a new principal. Melinda Busby was named principal after Hannah Eshleman was named assistant superintendent. Congratulations to both on their appointments.

 

(Onarga–dm)-The Village of Onarga will celebrate the nation's 250th Celebration this Friday and Saturday. Onarga Chamber of Commerce President Tony Lizzo tells us about activities going on this weekend.

   

Onarga Chamber of Commerce President Tony Lizzo. Other activities include an antique tractor pull, a Kiddy tractor pull, talent show and a fireworks display at dusk.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – The Gibson City Melvin Sibley school district is considering an extensive renovation of the high school. Early estimates bring the total cost of the project to around $20 million. To help offset the cost, taxpayers could see a new countrywide 1 percent sales tax. PBL and Tri-Point school districts would also have access to the money raised if the tax is approved.

 

(Paxton–jc)  One Paxton area business is hosting a Sports Memorabilia and Card show on Saturday in the city. Game Changer Sports Shop will host the event at Veteran’s Square in downtown Paxton from 9am to 3pm on Saturday. The event features a full slate of vendors and is free to attend.

 

(Champaign County–dm)-May is typically one of the busiest months of the spring real estate season, and this year, the Champaign County area saw noticeable momentum. According to the Champaign County Association of REALTORS® 

(CCAR), May brought an influx of transactions, more homes on the market, and more properties under contract, expanding buyers’ options as we move into summer. At the same time, area homes took more time to sell and median 

sales prices decreased, suggesting a different pace than the fast-moving, highly competitive conditions seen in recent Years

 

(USDA–dm)-Parts of the country are experiencing improved topsoil moisture conditions, per USDA's latest look at condition ratings. USDA’s Rod Bain has the story

 

(Illinois–dm)-A new report says Illinois ranks 10th in the nation for economic vulnerability to mass deportation, with unauthorized immigrants making up 6.2% of the labor force and 28% of all foreign-born residents. The Mendoza Law Firm says Illinois's reliance score of 64.8 out of 100 outpaces every Midwest neighbor. Nevada ranked as the most economically-exposed state, with unauthorized immigrants making up 9.1% of the labor force.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker signed several bills into law Thursday, creating transparency for consumers paying for everything from hotel rooms to concert tickets. Sponsors believe Illinois deserves fair pricing instead of price gouging. Illinois will ban junk fees by making it unlawful for any business to advertise, display or offer a price for products or services that do not include all mandatory fees or surcharges before taxes. Experts say junk fees cost an average family of four $3,200 annually.

 

(Rankin–jc)  It’s the 4th of July time celebration in Rankin tonight and all day and evening on Saturday. The annual celebration starts at 6 Friday night with a tractor pull. Rankin Celebration spokesperson Mark Eighner says a fun walk or run starts the day on Saturday. A community church service takes place at 10 Saturday morning with bingo, lots of delicious food games to a foam party in the afternoon, plus music options…

 

Rankin Celebration Spokesperson Mark Eighner. WPXN will be broadcasting this afternoon with Becky Puetz to help kick off the Tractor Pull tomorrow night.

 

(Urbana-jm) - A woman has been arrested after she hit a 9 year old bicyclist and another vehicle with four children inside her vehicle before fleeing in Urbana Wednesday. Emergency crews responded to the area of Illinois Street and Dodson Drive for a report of a hit and run. Treseanna Fikes was arrested and charged with aggravated driving under the influence, driving under the influence of alcohol and or drugs, leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, endangering the life or health of a child and resisting a peace officer. The bicyclist received minor injuries.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department says a bomb threat that was called into an elementary school earlier this week is now being investigated as a false report. Police responded to South Side Elementary School on Monday after receiving a report that a bomb threat was made. No students were in the building but some staff were present when the threat was called in.

 

(Fisher–jc)  The village of Fisher is celebrating its Sesquicentennial next weekend. 

The first day of the celebration is Friday July 3rd says Fisher 150th celebration Spokesperson Kim Clemmons…

 

 

Fisher 150th Celebration Spokesperson Kim Clemmons. WPXN will be broadcasting live in Fisher at the Fisher Community Fair on Wednesday July 9th during the kids games that morning. 

 

(Paxton–jc)  In updating our story from yesterday, a man was arrested by Illinois State Police after a Wednesday evening traffic stop along Interstate 57. Authorities say the incident started when State Police tried to stop a man driving a Gold colored  Chevrolet vehicle. The driver exited to Paxton’s west side along Route 9,  and fled the scene. Search dogs were placed at the scene and the person of interest was located hiding in a nearby tree on Paxton’s west side around 10-15 last night. 

 

(Gilman-jm) — Gilman officials are announcing the Thomas Street railroad crossing will be closed for repairs starting next week. The closure will begin Monday, weather permitting and should be wrapped up by the end of the week.

(Rantoul–jc)  –Village leaders in Rantoul are moving into the next phase of the waste water plant renovation project. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the third says the board placed funds to use for the next phase of the multi million dollar project…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

 

(The Center Square) – As the trend sometimes referred to as “teen takeovers” continues to trouble the city of Chicago, government leaders sat down with youth from across the city to try and better understand how to address the crowds of teens that continue cropping up.The solutions, however, could come at a cost for taxpayers. Largely characterized by dozens or hundreds of teens gathering in one location, reports of “teen takeovers” have been increasingly reported in recent years. Last week, Republican congressional candidate Christian Maxwell told The Center Square about being caught in one an event. Local lawmakers want to address the public safety threat, seen when Chicago police recover guns and other weapons when handling the crowds .Many proposed solutions hinge on keeping youth occupied, such as a seasonal jobs program and city-sponsored events, but come at a cost to taxpayers. Some aldermen are looking for lower-cost ways, such as curfews. 

 

WPXN Weekend News Notes…

 

The Onarga American Legion will hold a fish fry tonight from 4:30-7pm at the Legion Building at Durham Park.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their porkchop sandwich supper tonight from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, June 27th from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.

 

The 27th annual Rankin Lions Club Truck and Tractor Pull will take place tonight at 6pm at Centennial Park.

 

Rantoul will hold their summer nights concert series tonight with In Blue performing downtown.

 

The Gathering in Gilman will hold their Junk in the Trunk outdoor flea market on Saturday from 9-2.

 

Onarga will hold their Independence Day Celebration on Saturday. The parade will take place at 11 am, antique tractor pull at noon, talent show and lazy days car show at 1, firemen's water ball, bingo, and petting zoo at 2, kiddie tractor pull at 3, Live Music by The Fairchilds at 4 along with adult and kid retro games at 4. 

 

The Paxton Fire Department will hold their fundraising event on Saturday from 3-11 pm. Tickets are $100 each. Grand prize is a street legal Denajo Rover XL golf cart.

 

The Bayles Lake community welcomes Eric  Gordon & Friends Saturday from 7-9 at Robinson Pavilion at Healy Park at Bayles Lake. A free will offering will be taken for the band. 

 

Paxton Church of Christ is hosting musical artist Christian Davis on Sunday night at the church. The concert starts at 6pm