(Paxton-jm) – Damage assessments are expected to continue in Paxton today after they were halted yesterday due to a Verizon outage. Members of Paxton Emergency Response Service are going door to door survey residents about their damage after the city issued a declaration Monday evening. If you have an immediate need for assistance, you are asked to message the Paxton Emergency Response Services facebook page. Assessments will likely continue into the weekend.
(Springfield–jc) There are now three new laws on the books in Illinois to protect victims of sexual violence. WPXN”s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Paxton-jm) – The treasurer of the Paxton Buckley Loda Choral Boosters has been arrested for allegedly stealing money from the group. Tara Long was charged with theft between $10,000 and $100,000. Paxton Police say the district reported fraudulent activity from the bank account including 60 withdrawals in an almost two month span. They say Long allegedly stole $21,000 from the account.
(Paxton–jc) – It took a lot of workers from a wide variety of departments to help with the major flooding that occurred in Paxton over the past week. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says city employees put in a large amount of hours serving the city…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois is among 30 universities across the country that were asked by the U-S Department of Defense to audit their research as it scrutinizes China’s influence. If universities don’t complete a review in the next two weeks and end any partnerships deemed problematic they face losing federal funding.
(Paxton–jc) The annual Paxton Swine and Dine event is set for Saturday September 19 in the downtown area of the city. Something new this year is that the BBQ competition will be K-C-B-S certified. Paxton Swine and Dine Spokesperson Alan Meyer says the certification with the Kansas City Barbeque Society means the local event is officially with the recognized group and more competitors are coming…
Paxton Swine and Dine Spokesperson Alan Meyer
(Springfield–jc) –Illinois gas prices have risen again, by an average of ten cents in the last week. Triple A listed the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded at $4.36 today, up from $4.26 one week before and $4.16 one month ago. Gas at Costco and Sam’s Club in Champaign is 4-oh-2 per gallon today. The Circle K in Rantoul has gas a 4 dollars-29 cents per gallon. Both Paxton Casey's location’s list gas at 4 dollars 29 cents per gallon The B-P in Gilman has gas at 4-15 per gallon this morning.
Danville, IL- Vermilion County Coroner, Jane McFadden stated that a body located in the water north of Fithian in rural Vermilion County, Illinois has been identified as 20-year-old Jaquincia Comage, from Decatur, Illinois.
An autopsy was scheduled yesterday. No other information is available for release and the Illinois State Police and the Vermilion County Coroner’s office continue to investigate.
(Gibson City–jc) The Gibson City Restoration Committee held their Queen of Hearts drawing last night. The jackpot was 4 thousand 847 dollars Cheryl Cokeley had her ticket drawn and she chose to see what was behind card #1. It revealed the 2 of Hearts. Cheryl won $35. The drawing is held weekly and all money raised goes to building renovation projects in the city.
(Paxton-jm) – A local group is helping flood victims in Paxton. The Paxton Masonic Lodge donated $10,000 to the Paxton Area Ministerial Association to create a crisis fund. Those who need assistance are asked to contact Paxton Emergency Response Services Director Andrew Turner at 217-781-3128 and he will put you in touch with the assistance fund.
(Champaign-jm) – A 16 year old has been arrested in connection to a deadly shooting more than a year ago in Champaign that killed two teenagers.The teen was arrested by U-S Marshals in Urbana. He was wanted on an arrest warrant related to a prior robbery conviction but was also charged with first degree murder in connection to the June 2025 double homicide.
(Rantoul–jc) Redevelopment of properties and homes on the former Chanute Air Force Base began back in 1993. Most, if not all, the properties that were ready to move have tenants and owners. Village of Rantoul Administrator Scott Eisenhower says companies see the vision of the village and are working with properties that need additional work to be used…
Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower
(Roberts-jm) – A crumbling building in Roberts has many people concerned for public safety. The two story building near the center of town caught fire a few years ago. Last week, the building partially collapsed. The village is looking for grant money to at least partially cover the demolition of the building.
(Chatsworth-jm) – A Sheldon man has pleaded guilty to felony LSD possession. David Frederickson accepted a negotiated plea deal in Livingston County court for possessing between 600 and 15 hundred parts of LSD. Four other counts were dismissed. Last year police arrested Fredericks following a search of a home in Sheldon and Chatsworth and found 1,209 doses of acid, 298 grams of mushrooms, 3,886 grams of THC concentrate, 184 grams of cannabis flower and prescription pills.
(Paxton–jc) Officials with the city of Paxton E-R-S continue to canvas properties in town that were affected by the several days of flooding over the past week. With over 10 inches of water coming in a short time, properties were stressed and that is when sump pumps fail says Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen…
Paxton Hardware and Rental Owner Scott Allen. A big thank you to Scott and his staff for opening the store several times overnight and in the early morning hours, to help fellow members of the community. Assessments were paused yesterday following a Verizon outage. They will continue today and will likely go through the weekend going door to door.
(The Center Square) – Illinois tollway users will be paying more next year, and a state representative warned that there could be traffic implications. The Illinois Tollway Board held its monthly meeting on Wednesday and voted unanimously in favor of a plan to raise tolls by 45 cents per toll for most passenger vehicles and 30% for commercial vehicles. The board’s power to raise tolls came from the $1.5 billion transit funding package signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker last December.
(The Center Square) – Days after Gov. J.B. Pritzker said an immediate declaration wasn’t urgent, he signed a disaster declaration spanning 15 different counties for storms between mid-May and Sunday. The declaration primarily focuses on strong storms that hit different parts of the state in recent weeks. In the announcement, the governor’s office said the declaration directs state agencies like the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to help impacted communities. The governor says a declaration would “kick off” federal disaster aid requests
(Springfield–jc) The Sale of Champions was held last night at the Illinois State Fair. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has some information on area participants…
WPXN News notes…
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Thursday, August 20th from 11-5:30 at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Gibson City.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on Saturday, August 22nd from noon-2pm. Cost is $15.
The Rantoul-Paxton VFW will host live music with West End Boogie on Saturday, August 22nd from 6-9 pm.
The Gathering in Gilman will hold their Junk in the Trunk outdoor flea market on Saturday, August 29th from 9-2.
The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County will hold a special food distribution sponsored by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Gifford on Saturday, August 29th from 9-10:30 am.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Paxton Church of Christ on Thursday, September 3rd from 12:30-5:30 pm.
