(Iroquois County-jm) – A Northern Illinois man is now facing charges locally after a raid in Iroquois County near  Crescent City. The Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office says that the investigation started with a traffic stop on Tuesday. Deputies arrested Chen XinXin after they found approximately 30 pounds of suspected marijuana. The arrest led Iroquois County Investigators to obtain a search warrant for a property in rural Crescent City. Upon investigation, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police discovered an elaborate cannabis grow operation containing 1,007 cannabis plants, 18 grams of methamphetamine, and a firearm. The size of the operation has a street value potential of more than $1 million per year.

 

(Undated-jm) – Local law enforcement say crashes are on the rise, and the reason behind it? The growth of one of the state’s most important crops. As the corn grows, visibility goes down at certain rural intersections, and law enforcement says they want to make sure people can still navigate around them safely. It’s the peak season for corn to grow, with the heat and rain creating the ideal condition for it to spring up. That’s probably not news to most, but how rapid the growth is might be. Research shows that corn can grow up to three inches a day in July, which would make it five feet since the start of this month, creating obstacles you need to be mindful of. They say you should slow down, and stop so you can see oncoming traffic, even if it looks like you’re getting there first, giving you the right of way.

 

(Rantoul–dm)- The final Freedom Friday is today in Rantoul.  Rantoul Rec Department Spokesperson Phoenix LaComb tells us what you can expect.

   

Rantoul Rec Department Spokesperson Phoenix LaComb

 

(Champaign County-jm) — A Champaign man was arrested after the sheriff said he tried to run away from a traffic stop and discard a gun he had illegally. The arrest happened shortly after 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Champaign Township. In a news release, Sheriff Dustin Heuerman said deputies pulled a car over for a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code. During the traffic stop, Devon Miles fled the traffic stop on foot. During a short foot pursuit, deputies observed Miles placing an object under a bush before he tripped and fell. Deputies were able to take Miles into custody without further incident. A search revealed a loaded 9mm handgun. Miles was convicted in a 2019 case involving aggravated discharge of a firearm, and he cannot legally possess a handgun. He was arrested for this offense, along with resisting/obstructing a peace officer and obstructing justice, and he was booked into the Champaign County Jail on these preliminary charges.

 

(USDA–dm)-A stretch of recent dryness means an increase in topsoil moisture shortage on a nationwide level, per USDA's latest topsoil moisture report. Rod Bain has the story

   

(Champaign County–dm)-Advocates for Aging Care proudly announces that it has received Certificate of Need approval to build a new skilled nursing facility in Champaign County, marking a major milestone in the organization's mission to expand access to high-quality long-term care for older adults. A delegation of volunteers from the nonprofit, joined by State Senator Paul Faraci, traveled to Bolingbrook on Tuesday to testify before the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Health Facilities and Services Review Board. Approval clears the way for the development of an innovative skilled nursing facility designed to address the growing shortage of skilled nursing beds in the region while redefining the standard of care through a person-centered approach.

(Paxton–jc)  The City of Paxton is in the bid process for summer street work with the motor fuel tax dollars. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says they have looked at projects and the bid letting is coming…

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(The Center Square) – According to a lawsuit filed in Sangamon County court, a new, first-in-the-nation digital asset tax in Illinois violates both the U.S. and state constitutions. The Digital Chamber filed the complaint against Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris and Attorney General Kwame Raoul over the tax scheduled to take effect on January First. Bellementis law firm partner Olta Andoni said the 0.2% tax on every digital asset  is unconstitutional under the uniformity clause in Illinois. The Digital Chamber’s complaint said the tax imposes an unfair burden, even though Andoni said 0.2% may not sound like much.

 

(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office gave out 16 tickets and eight warnings during their recent participation in a statewide speeding detail.County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman has released details from Speeding Awareness Day, Wednesday, July 22, which was a day in which many Illinois law enforcement agencies focused extra attention toward speeding violations. Sheriff’s deputies, both on routine patrol and through a special speed-enforcement detail, issued the following: 8 written warnings for speeding, 6 traffic citations for speeding 11-14 mph over the speed limit, 9 traffic citations for speeding 15-20 mph over the speed limit and 1 traffic citation for speeding 21-25 mph over the speed limit. The sheriff’s office added that while this was a special, focused speeding enforcement detail, deputies will continue to focus on speeding enforcement all year.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Damani Trice has been found not guilty of first-degree murder in the 2025 shooting death of Sherman McCraney. After several hours of deliberations, the jury returned to the courtroom and announced its verdict, ruling in favor of the defense and against the state. While he’s been acquitted of first-degree murder, prosecutors said Trice is still facing a gun charge that, at the moment, is still in juvenile court. There will be a detention hearing on this charge Friday afternoon, and a petition has been filed to move this charge to adult court.

 

(Washington–jc)  Soil conditions across the nation can be described simply, dry. U-S-D-A meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at the soil conditions in the midwest…

 

U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey

 

(Urbana-jm) – A driver suffered injuries in an accident Thursday afternoon after striking a power pole in Urbana. At approximately 2:37 p.m., a vehicle struck a power pole near the intersection of West Park Street and Central Avenue. The Urbana Fire Department said the vehicle’s sole occupant sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident. The pole was damaged and had to be repaired by Ameren.

 

(Rantoul–dm)-The Rantoul Community Service Center sponsors 2 food pantries in Rantoul. One food pantry is for Champaign County, and a food pantry for Rantoul Township students.  Executive Director of the Rantoul Community Service Center Cindy Crawford talks about the difference between the two food pantries 

 

 

Executive Director of the Rantoul Community Service Center Cindy Crawford. Don’t forget there will be a special food distribution this Saturday from 9-1030.

 

(Champaign-dm)-Illinois State Police said Troop 7 responded to I-57 northbound at Kirby Avenue in Champaign at approximately 1:05 p.m. for the report of a two-vehicle crash. The accident involved a semi-truck and a box truck. No injuries were reported.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  A large group of Rantoul based Christian Churches are hosting “the Rantoul Revival on August First. The event is free and will take place at the downtown Rantoul Amphitheatre. Music, worship, a free lunch, kids games and free school supplies highlight the event. The Rantoul Revival runs from 11am to 4pm on Saturday August First in downtown Rantoul. 

 

WPXN News notes…

The Rankin Lions Club will hold a chicken and rib BBQ dinner to raise funds for next year’s Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 24th from 4-7:30. Cost is $18 and includes your choice of chicken or ribs, baked beans, coleslaw and dinner role

The Large Car Takeover on the Tarmac will take place Friday, July 24th through Sunday, July 26th at the Rantoul National Aviation Center.

The Elliott Amvets will hold their pork chop sandwich supper on Friday, July 24th from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8. They will also host their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, July 25th from noon–2 pm. Cost is $15.

 

The Gathering in Gilman will hold their Junk in the Trunk outdoor flea market on Saturday, July 25th from 9-2.

The 2026 Champaign County Fair will take place July 25-August 1st. On Saturday, its Military Day with the demo derby at 5, on Sunday its Western Day with $30 armbands from noon to 5 and the draft horse show at 4, on Monday its kids day with the fair queen pageant at 7, on Tuesday its Senior Citizens Day with $30 armbands and harness racing at 5, on Wednesday its Livestock Day with Monster trucks at 7, on Thursday its 4-H Day with the rodeo at 7, on Friday  its Motocross at 7 and on Saturday August 1st its First Responder Day with IPA tractor pulls at noon, $30 armbands from 12-5 and ITPA tractor and semi pulls at 6.