(Gilman-jm) – One person is dead following a workplace accident in Gilman. It happened at Incobrasa on the city’s west side Monday. Iroquois County Coroner Bill Cheatum identified the individual as 53 year old Adrian Munoz. Cheatum says Munoz was helping load railcars when he fell from the top of a car. An autopsy is scheduled for today in McLean County.
(Champaign–jc) Traffic along the Interstate 57 and Interstate 74 exchange in Champaign was slowed late last night due to a commercial vehicle crash in that area. The area is one lane with an ongoing construction project. Traffic was being diverted to Prairieland road. The area is back to one lane traffic at this hour
(Gilman–jc) It is just the start of August but the fall harvest is just around the corner. After some nice rains over the weekend, the crops are jumping to that next stage and Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire says harvest could be here by early or mid September for some…
Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire
(Champaign County-jm) – Champaign County Crimestoppers are asking for the publics help on a woman passing counterfeit bills. They say on July 20th, a woman and two children entered Champaign’s Walmart on Prospect Avenue, collected multiple items throughout the store and then went to the registers to pay. The employee scanned just under $500 worth of merchandise. The woman attempted to pay with counterfeit $100 bills. When the employee went to verify with a supervisor that the bills were counterfeit, the woman and children fled. The woman was described as black, approximately 30-40 years old with tattoos.
(Paxton–jc) The way forward for having chickens on properties in the city of Paxton is back in the committee state. Paxton City leaders continue to look at options on any ordinance concerning the issue, says Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
Rantoul, IL — The Village of Rantoul is pleased to announce that Combe Laboratories, Incorporated will host a special Beam Signing Ceremony to commemorate the launch of its exciting 30 Million Expansion Project within the Village. The event will take place on Wednesday afternoon at 2 at Combe Labs on the west side of the village.This milestone event marks the beginning of a significant investment in Rantoul that will support economic growth, job creation, and continued innovation within the region. The Beam Signing Ceremony is a traditional construction milestone that allows community leaders, partners, and stakeholders to leave their mark on the project, which symbolizes progress, partnership, and a shared commitment to the future.
(Urbana–jc) The Champaign County Fair is complete for the summer and newly crowned Miss Champaign County Fair Queen Katelyn Graham of Rantoul will be busy with local events and a trip to the Illinois State Fair. Champaign County Fair Queen Katelyn Graham says she is ready…
2026 Miss Champaign County Fair Queen Katelyn Graham of Rantoul
(The Center Square) – A law in Illinois creating restrictions on social media use and online activity for children was recently signed, though it won’t take effect until 2028. One industry-backed trade group continues to call it unconstitutional.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the new public act Friday, and described it as a new way to protect minors from addictive algorithmic features of social media and to prevent exposure to harmful content.
(Ludlow-jm) – A Ludlow man has been arrested in connection to a motorcycle accident last week near the community. 50 year old Jacob Walden of Ludlow was arrested after he hit a motorcycle on Route 45 at County Road 3500 then fled. Walden was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, driving with a revoked license and failure to report an accident with personal injury. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered to be detained pretrial. He’s due back in court again August 24th.
(Rantoul–jc) It’s another big weekend of sports at the Rantoul Sports Complex starting on Friday. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton says a large contingent of slow pitch and football are coming to Rantoul…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton
(Iroquois County-jm) – The trial against the former Iroquois County Public Health Director has been postponed. The Illinois Attorney General’s office asked the scheduled October trial date against Dee Schippert be postponed. A status hearing is scheduled for September 24th. Shippert faces a felony 33 count indictment including theft by deception involving government property, forgery and official misconduct. She’s accused of stealing over $100,000 from the health department by submitting fraudulent time sheets for work she did not perform, including overtime and backpay she didn’t earn.
(Rantoul–jc The new Rantoul Prospect Sub-Station project is starting as local leaders made some equipment purchases for the electric expansion on the village’s west side. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says the latest purchases almost complete the list…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Coles County–jc) –First-degree murder charges have been filed in connection with the death of a man whose remains were found in Lake Mattoon on June 28th .James Adams, 26, and Robin Turner, 62, were previously charged with concealment of a homicide and dismembering a human body following the death of Dalewayne Turner, 38, of Plainfield. Illinois State Police said further searches of the lake and a residence in Plainfield led to the additional charges.
(Chicago–jc) Chicago officials say there were ten arrests during Lollapalooza 2026 from July 30 through Aug. 2.According to the Office of Emergency Management & Communications, the preliminary arrest total was lower than in 2025, when there were 12 arrests. The number of ambulance transports increased from 42 in 2025 to 67 this year
(Washington–jc) The annual report on cash rent rates is out by the U S Department of Agriculture. Lance Honig of the National Agricultural Statistics Service has the numbers…
National Agricultural Statistics Service Lance Honig
(The Center Square) – According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois is 30 cents higher than it was one month ago and 90 cents higher than it was one year ago. AAA listed the average Illinois price at 4 dollars 34 cents per gallon on Monday. The national average on Monday was 4 dollars 10 cents. All states around Illinois are in the upper 3 dollars per gallon. Closer to home, the average price for a gallon of gas in Champaign is 4 dollars 18 cents, 4 dollars 30 cents on average in Paxton and 4 dollars 39 cents on average in Rantoul. In Danville the average price is 3 dollars 89 cents per gallon and in Iroquois County its 4 dollars 21 cents.
WPXN News notes…
The St. Joseph Community Festival will take place Thursday, August 6th through Saturday, August 8th.
The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, August 7th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.
Paxton Main Street will hold their final First Friday concert series of the season on Friday, August 7th from 7-9 pm at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton. The Back Paiges will perform. Paxton’s Resurrection Brass Band will open at 6:30.
Gibson City Cars and Coffee will take place on Saturday, August 8th from 7-9 am at the Longview Bank parking lot.
Shop in the Park in downtown Cissna Park will take place on Saturday, August 8th from 9-1.
The 16th annual Loda Truck and Tractor Pulls will take place on Saturday, August 8th with local pulls starting at 11 am with IPA pulls starting at 5pm.
