(Champaign-jm) – The driver accused of hitting and killing a construction worker in Champaign has entered a not guilty plea in Champaign County court. 29 year old Quamaine Fletcher of Tennessee pleaded not guilty to a single count of reckless homicide and has requested a trial by jury. The May 27th crash took the life of 65 year old Steven Cornettt of Danville. Fletcher allegedly was driving 65 mph in the 45 mph construction zone, when he reached down to pick up his phone which had fallen, when the crash happened. He’s due back in court again August 19th.

 

(Paxton–jc) A solar project could begin soon on Paxton’s west side past Interstate 57. The Light Star Solar Company was looking to annex land adjacent to the city for its project, says Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Mahomet-jm) — Voters in Mahomet will see a referendum on the November ballot to approve construction of a new $84 million school by issuing bonds.The school board approved the referendum, which would allow the construction of the new school without raising the tax rate. The school would be constructed on 38 acres the district already owns. If approved on November 3rd, the school would be completed and ready in the fall of 2029.

 

(Champaign–jc)  The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a single-family home in the 700 block of Doisy Lane around 10 pm last night.

 Once on the scene, fire crews reported the occupants were outside and found light smoke coming from the garage.  Firefighters extended multiple hose lines and were able to keep the fire contained to the garage.  The cause of this fire has not been determined and no injuries were reported.     

 

(Buckley–jc)  The new school year is set to start later this month and one local Christian school says there is still time to register for the fall semester. Christ Lutheran High school in Buckley Executive Director Sandy Spitz says there is information on the website or give the school a call at 217-395-2547…

 

 

Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz. The school's annual “Knight for Christ” fundraiser and auction is set for Saturday August 22nd at the Ford County Fairgrounds in Melvin. Tickets remain available for that event

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Summer time is winding down as students start to prepare to go back to school. Rantoul Community Service Center’s Executive Director Cindy Crawford reminds the public that the Rantoul High School’s Eagles Nest pantry is open during the summer and year around…

 

 

Rantoul Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois has joined 24 other states in a third lawsuit challenging tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on more than 80 countries. The complaint filed in the U.S. The Court of International Trade contends that the tariffs exceed the administration’s legal authority and violate the Administrative Procedure Act. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said he is confident he and his colleagues will prevail after the international trade court and the U.S. Supreme Court already found the Trump tariffs to be unlawful.

 

(Washington–jc) What is the latest on the soybean crop progress? 

U-S- D-A  Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the report…

 

U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey

 

(The Center Square) – Growing calls for his resignation have plagued Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch since late last week, when an investigation report into allegations of sexual harassment against former Rep. Harry Benton was released. On Tuesday morning, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said there’s more to be seen before he or anyone should call for Welch’s resignation, despite the report detailing inaction by Welch’s office three years ago after being made aware of the first harassment claim against Benton.

Pritzker noted that House leadership was ultimately up to the vote of a majority of lawmakers, and he’d leave the discussion on Welch’s role to them.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Paxton Police arrested three people following a traffic stop in Paxton Sunday morning. Officers stopped a car in the 800 block of East Patton around 2 am for a vehicle violation. During the stop, 27 year old Damian Wilson, a passenger in the vehicle stopped, who was known to be on parole. A search of Wilson and his belongings uncovered multiple baggies of suspected cocaine, meth, digital scales, packaging materials and a pistol.  Wilson is charged with possession of meth, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, armed violence, violation of parole and two counts each of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and solicitation to commit obstruction of justice.

 

(Arcola–jc)  Interstate 57 is down to one lane near mile marker 195 this morning. The reason is a one vehicle semi crash in that area. Troopers are on the scene at the present time. No word on property damages or injuries was provided. 

 

(rantoul–jc)  There is one more purchase to be made for the Prospect Electric Sub-station project in the village of Rantoul to get that project started. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says that purchase is expected to be made at this month's meeting with a September project start date…

 

Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third

 

(Springfield–jc)  Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly says his department has used troopers from across the state to combat increased road rage in the Chicago area. Kelly said ISP deployed troopers from its statewide special operations groups during the first six months of this year on saturation patrols and special details on Chicago expressways. State police are encouraging the public to learn more about avoiding road rage by visiting the ISP website.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – A new report says Illinois recorded the sharpest rise in residential electricity prices of any state in the latest 2026 federal snapshot, with the average jumping nearly 29 percent from May of last year to May of this year.. 

SEO Backlinks ranked all 50 states by the percentage change in average residential electricity revenue per kilowatt-hour.  The analysis also checked statewide residential sales volumes to show whether higher prices or heavier overall use contributed more to the increase. Nationally, the residential average rose just over six percent.

 

(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Farm Bureau has a new manager. Kirk Builta was chosen to take over for Bailey Conrady, who left in June. Builta has been with the farm bureau for nearly two decades and led the Champaign County Farm Bureau Foundation for the past 11 years.

 

(Loda–jc) Saturday is the time for the 16th annual Loda Truck and Tractor pull on the village's west side. Loda Truck and Tractor Pull event Spokesperson Dalton Weber says the registration starts at 8 on Saturday morning…

 

 

Loda Truck and Tractor Pull Event Spokesperson Dalton Weber

 

(Champaign-jm) – Services for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP are moving out of Urbana and into Champaign. The new location will be a building on Round Barn Road. The official move starts September First. The program also operates in the village of Rantoul. Applications start on October First.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office will once again be hosting their unclaimed property auction at the Illinois State Fair later this month. The auction will take place on Saturday, August 22nd at the Lincoln Stage. 250 lots will be auctioned off including baseball cards from legends Ernie Banks and Mickey Mantle, several pieces of jewelry and a 100 ounce silver bar. A preview of the auction will take place at 9 am with the auction itself beginning at 11 am.

 

(Washington–jc) What is the latest on the corn silking and denting process? 

U-S- D-A  Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the report…

 

U S D A Meteorologist Brad Rippey

 

(The Center Square) – Two days after Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced a bid for Chicago mayor, he joined Gov. J.B. Pritzker at the signing of two insurance-related bills Tuesday morning, after he said his support wasn’t political.The bills allow the Illinois Department of Insurance to regulate and review insurance companies over proposed policy rate hikes for homeowner and auto insurance. Pritzker said the bills are not out of the ordinary and are needed to provide fairness and affordability to residents.

 

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 the Park in downtown Cissna Park will take place on Saturday, August 8th from 9-1.

 

The Rankin Fire Department will hold their 19th annual pork chop sandwich dinner on Saturday, August 8th from 4-7 pm at the fire station. Cost is $10 for adults, kids 7-18 are $5.