(Undated–jc) Yes summer is here and the air temperatures will be in the mid 90s the rest of the week with heat indexes into the triple digits. Area agencies say to take precautions during this time of year. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Undated-jm) - New data from GasBuddy shows the average price of gas has fallen to its lowest since mid-March. It’s the sixth consecutive week prices have dropped. The current average is $4.08, five cents lower than last week and a full dollar less than in the peak in May. Prices in Paxton are averaging 4 dollars 32 cents per gallon and in Rantoul the average price of a gallon of gas is 4 dollars 3 cents. In Onarga and Gilman gas prices are 3 dollars 79 cents and its an average of 3 dollars 38 cents in Champaign and Urbana
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker issued a state disaster proclamation Tuesday for 11 Illinois counties impacted by severe weather this spring and summer. Among the counties are Coles, Effingham, Kankakee, McLean and Woodford Counties. The proclamation enables the state to deploy resources and coordinate recovery operations.
(Springfield–jc) A new budget year starts on Wednesday for the state of Illinois. The budget is the largest in Illinois history at 56 Billion dollars and also includes 800 million dollars in additional taxes on Illinois citizens. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington says the budget does Not have any property tax relief and that was one reason he voted against the new budget numbers on June first…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington
(Onarga-jm) —- An Onarga man has been arrested for shooting a dog. Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police responded to the 300 block of East Roosevelt Avenue and found a dog that had been shot in the front yard of a residence. 40 year old Javier Hurtado was arrested on unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful discharge of a firearm, aggravated animal cruelty and aggravated battery. He’s due back in court July 6th.
(Hoopeston-jm) – A Hoopeston woman has been sentenced to probation in federal court after she pled guilty to voting twice in the 2024 election. Brenda Knuth pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine. Knuth admitted to voting once during early voting and then voting on election day. After casting a ballot the second time , she posted on social media that she tested the system and it failed. Voting twice in a federal election is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
(Paxton–jc) Believe it or not, the first half of the year 20-26 is complete. The city of Paxton continues a huge positive run with new businesses, downtown upgrades and more. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the city has three projects that are being done through grants and more and that is another positive going into the second half of 20-26…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Urbana–jc) A Rantoul teen will spend the next 4 years behind bars for a shooting last year at the Rantoul Walmart. 19 year old McKinley Brown of Rantoul was in court this week for a sentencing hearing. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to the class 1 felony in Champaign county court.
(Washington–jc) What do you do with the lawn during these hot summer days. Rod Bain has the story…
(The Center Square) – A new report has found Illinois ranks second among all U.S. states in per-capita fines and forfeitures collected by local governments.
Vittorio Nastasi, director of criminal justice policy at Reason Foundation, said monetary sanctions for criminal and local ordinance violations are sometimes used to fund courts and basic government operations.Nastasi said people in local governments are sometimes not willing to pay for the government they want.
The report says, the use of monetary penalties can become exploitative when governments rely on law enforcement and courts as essential sources of revenue.
(Springfield-jm) – Legislation on Governor J-B Pritzker's desk could set new restrictions on youth social media accounts and allow parents to have greater control over online actions. Illinois would ban social media companies from using addictive algorithms for youth, stop on platform location sharing and prohibit scam financial transactions with strangers. Parents would be able to override privacy settings if they choose or if they approve of the content.
(Springfield-jm) – A new state agency is launching today. The Illinois Department of Early Childhood will focus on administering early childhood education programs and will work to make access to state programs easier for parents and providers to navigate. It will also combine oversight to state funded early childhood programs within the State Board of Education, Department of Human Services and Department of Children and Family Services. The new agency will house the responsibility of the Early Childhood Block Grant program.
(Springfield-jm) — A bill on Governor JB Pritzker desk could ban schools from expelling students in kindergarten through second grade. Sponsors say early exclusion from school can trigger a domino effect of negative interactions between schools and families. The plan also states that schools cannot suspend pre-k through second graders without the principal receiving written or verbal consent from the superintendent.
(Springfield–jc) – With the new budget year starting on Wednesday, some reaction on the process and perceived lack of transparency is voiced from some local elected officials. 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet, says the budgets over the past 8 years have increased from under 38 Billion to over 56 Billion dollars…
51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet
(Undated-jm) – The USDA is making help available to farmers and producers that have been affected by severe weather. The department is offering technical and financial assistance. The USDA urges farmers and producers to reach out to their local FSA office.
(Tolono-jm) – A Tolono teen has been arrested after leading police on a chase across two counties. Monticello police attempted to stop a Chevy sedan for a traffic offense. The driver refused to stop and fled east out of Monticello at speeds exceeding 100 mph. Champaign County deputies were alerted and the vehicle was located in Tolono. The driver, 18 year old Travis McCarter was arrested on charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding, speeding and unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Park District pool has been a popular destination for area youth and some adults, again this year. Paxton Park District Interim President Craig Kief says it takes a great staff, board and community leaders to provide the best programs and that includes Paxton Park district Pool Manager Kaia Krumwiede…
Paxton Park District Interim President Craig Kief
(Rantoul–jc) The U S Air Force continues to work with the village of Rantoul on the former Chanute Air Force Base on P-Fas issues. The air force has conducted 648 water samples and 983 soil samples with the use of some foams during the lifetime of the base. A public meeting is set for Wednesday July 8th at 7pm at Rantoul Village Hall for the latest information.
(Fisher–jc) Its a Sesquicentennial celebration set for the village of Fisher starting on Friday and running through Monday. Opening ceremonies are set for Friday evening and Saturday will see a full slate of events from a morning breakfast and fun run to vendors and more says Fisher 150th Celebration Spokesperson Kim Clemmons…
Fisher 150th Celebration Spokesperson Kim Clemmons
(Spiringfield–jc) – Among the 62 bills signed by Illinois Governor. J-B Pritzker last Friday is legislation that bans the use of lions, tigers, primates and bears in circuses, fairs and other traveling acts. The new law goes into effect on Wednesday.
(Springfield-jm) — The Illinois State Fair unveiled its theme for the 2026 event: Miles of Smiles. According to the state, the theme will honor the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The Illinois State Fair runs August 13th through the 22nd.
WPXN News notes…
Hoopeston will hold their Red, White and Boom on Friday, July 3rd with a color run at 8 am, car show at 10, chili cookoff at noon, touch a truck from 2-4, golf cart and pet parade at 4, red white and boom party featuring inflatables, cornhole tournament and watermelon eating from 4:30-7:30, 90 proof performing at 7:30 and fireworks at dusk at the soccer fields.
The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, July 3rd from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.
Paxton will hold their Old Fashioned 4th of July on Saturday, July 4th at Pells Park starting with the 5k at 8, community worship service at 9:45, car show 10-2, antique tractor show at 11, bounce houses from 11-2:30, old fashioned kids games at 11:30, bingo from 11:30-1:30, reading of the Declaration of Independence at noon, Penny Scavenger Hunt from 1-2. Then lighted golf cart parade at 8:30 from Pells Park to Bixby Park with fireworks at Bixby Park at dusk.
Sibley will hold their 4th of July celebration on Saturday, July 4th starting with a breakfast at 8 am, fishing derby at 9 am, vendor show at 10 am, parade at noon, barrel train rides at 1 pm, softball tournament and big kids games at 2pm, bingo and little kids games at 3, model airplane and boat show, inflatables, mini golf and golf hole in one at 4pm, music by The Fairchilds at 6:30 and fireworks over Sibley Lake at dusk.
Rantoul will hold their 4th of July parade on Saturday, July 4th starting at 9:30 am.
