(Champaign–jc) –Champaign Police are investigating a shooting in the 11 Hundred block of North Third Street that tragically resulted in the death of a child. Officers were dispatched to a residence after receiving a 9-1-1 call. When officers arrived on the scene, they attended to a child injured by a gunshot. The child was taken to a local hospital where the child died. Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer identified the child as a four year old and said an autopsy will be scheduled. The initial investigation is underway, with detectives working to determine the facts of the incident. Champaign Police ask that anyone who has additional information please call 217-351-4545. Or call Champaign County Crimestoppers at 217-373-8477.
(Springfield-jm) – The 2026 Illinois State Fair opened with the unveiling of the butter cow. This year’s cow is accompanied by a girl eating ice cream. A companion sculpture shows a dog and a scooter. The Illinois State Fair runs through the 23rd.
(Paxton–jc) – The Paxton Buckley Loda School district has a few positions open as the new school year approaches next week. Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Eric Bohm says they continue to look for the best options…
Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Eric Bohm. The Paxton Buckley Loda schools start school on August 17th.
(Hoopeston-jm) – The City of Hoopeston is under a boil water order until further notice. The city says residents will notice low pressure and possible rust. The city gave no timeline as to when the order will be lifted or why the order was initiated.
(Rantoul–jc) – The village of Rantoul continues to see the positives of local attractions like Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch, The Rantoul Sports Complex to the Flyover Movie Studios located on the former base. Village of Rantoul Administrator Scott Eisenhower says opportunities grow when the numbers of people visit Rantoul for a wide variety of reasons…
RantouL Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower
(Rantoul–jc) One area Rantoul business is expanding its hours in downtown Rantoul. T-T Distribution Fasteners and Tool Sales now has Saturday hours from 8am to 12-30pm. Monday through Friday the business operates from 8am to 4pm
(Urbana–jc) With the opening of the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Thursday, those attending the state fair may see several area County fair queens. Champaign County Fair Queen Katelyn Graham of Rantoul says she continues to be busy attending events and will also be at the state fair this year…
20-26 Miss Champaign County Fair Queen Katelyn Graham of Rantoul
(Springfield–jc) Illinois and 46 state financial agencies have reached a $15.5 million settlement with one of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers for improperly imposing insurance costs on borrowers who already had active homeowners insurance policies. Pennsylvania-based NewRez LLC agreed to remediate more than $4.5 million to more than 4,200 impacted borrowers nationwide. The company will pay an additional sum of nearly $11 million for costs and penalties.
(Gibson City–jc) The Gibson City Restoration Committee Queen of Hearts fundraiser now has a jackpot of 4 642 dollars. Last night's card was the 8 of clubs. The next drawing is Wednesday and tickets are available. Money raised goes to help with building projects in the city.
(Paxton-jm) – A Paxton woman is facing meth charges after an incident in town. Our partners at the Ford County Chronicle report 41 year old Brittany Blakeman was arrested Tuesday for violating an order of protection after she allegedly drove by a home in the 600 block of East Center Street multiple times and yelled at the occupants, one of which had an order of protection against her. Blakeman was spotted in the 100 block of North Market Street where she was arrested and found to be in possession of zero point 42 grams of meth. She was charged with possession of meth and violation of an order of protection.
(Cissna Park–jc) The 20-26 three day Old Settlers Celebration begins today in Cissna Park. Cissna Park American Legion 5-2-7 Spokesperson Dick Swing says Thursday features free entertainment to a carnival and lots of food options…
Cissna Park American Legion Post 5-2-7 Spokesperson Dick Swing. Someone will win a 20-26 Chevrolet Trax on Saturday night.
(Champaign-jm) – A vehicle drove into a Champaign restaurant Wednesday. Multiple media outlets report an SUV drove through the Eighty Three Vietnamese Cuisine restaurant just before 11:30 Wednesday morning. No injuries were reported.
(Washington–jc) Ag: Producers considering sign-up in the phases of U-S-D-A's Supplemental Disaster Relief Program now have more time to submit their applications. Information coming from Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce…
U S D A Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce
(Champaign–jc) – Officials of Parkland College announced today that any interested persons wishing to run for a position on the Parkland Board of Trustees may pick up nominating petitions in room U330 at the Parkland College campus in Champaign starting on August 18th. Petitions may be circulated starting on August 25th. Two six year terms are up for election in Spring of 20-27.
(Paxton–jc) Tickets to help fund the needs of the Paxton Park District Pool remain available. The local park district has a fun day planned for Saturday August 22nd at the district pool and building in the city. Paxton Park District Director Gillian Littleton says to contact the office for more information on this event and other programs offered by the Paxton Park District…
Paxton Park District Director Gillian Littleton
(Springfield–jc) –The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services tent at the Illinois State Fair will be on Central Avenue, where visitors can learn about the department’s programs and explore career opportunities. A statement from D-C-F-S says the tent will offer a children’s area with games and activities, opportunities to connect with recruiters about jobs in the department, and information about foster care, adoption and guardianship. D-C-F-S will also welcome hundreds of foster, adoptive and guardianship families to the fair discounted parking, admission, concession and carnival ride coupons. The Illinois State Fair opens Thursday and runs through Aug. 23 in Springfield.
(The Center Square) – A group of medical professionals, a nursing home and a Catholic bishop from Illinois are suing two state department heads in an attempt to block a law set to take effect next month they say forces doctors to promote assisted suicide to terminally ill patients. The law set to take effect in September, known as the End-of-Life Options Act, gives terminally ill patients with less than six months to live the choice to end their life medically, but only after they meet multiple requirements and pass medical evaluations. The plaintiffs and the Thomas More Society, a nonprofit law firm, are challenging the law on religious grounds in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois, according to the filing. They contend that the law forces faith-based hospitals in the state to take part in administering the option, even if it goes against their beliefs and medical understanding.
WPXN News notes…
The Cissna Park Fire Department will hold a community safety day on Thursday, August 13th from 10-2 at the Cissna Park Fire Station.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, August 14th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
The PBL High School Athletic Boosters Pork Chop Kick Off will take place on Friday, August 14th at 5pm.
The Rantoul Paxton VFW will hold their cash bash fundraiser on Saturday, August 15th from 3-5pm at the VFW post located at 675 North Ohio Street in Rantoul.
The 2026 Gibson Summer Bash on Saturday, August 15th with Rick Springfield and Night Ranger performing.
Middlefork Forest Preserve in Penfield will hold their Dark Skies Series: Space Sounds on Saturday, August 15th from 7:45-11pm.
