(Champaign County-jm) – A two-vehicle crash resulted in the death of an 89-year-old woman in Champaign County Friday afternoon. In a release, the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office said at approximately 2:41 p.m., deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of 1750 County Road 2100 North in Somer Township. The preliminary investigation shows that a dump truck was traveling westbound on 2100 North and a car was traveling eastbound. For an unknown reason, the car entered the westbound lane into the direction of travel of the dump truck. The two vehicles then collided. The driver of the truck, a 48-year-old Buckley man, was treated and released for minor injuries on scene. The driver of the car, an 89-year-old woman from rural Urbana, was pronounced dead on scene.
(Ford County–dm)-If you have had any damage from the recent storms you can self report the damages. Ford County Health Dept. Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Mark Ecker tells us how anyone in Ford County can self report all of their damages.
Ford County Health Dept. Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Mark Ecker. Damage assessments in Paxton continued Saturday and will continue today. Those with damage in Paxton are asked to reach out to the Paxton Emergency Response Services Facebook page.
(Springfield-jm) – Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday allowing not-for-profit fire departments to receive state grant funding. Many nonprofit fire departments in central and southern Illinois cannot get grant funding for equipment and building upgrades since the state only provides grants to municipal departments. The new law lets the State Fire Marshal create and award grants for not-for-profit fire departments and protection districts across Illinois.
(Rantoul–jc) – The village of Rantoul continues to see a high number of visitors to its attractions within and surrounding the village. Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower says some weeks there are 20 to 25 thousand people at the sports complex and with those numbers the village has seen commercial growth with more to come…
Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower
(Ford County–jc) – Ford County authorities have reported a three car accident along Route 9 between Paxton and Elliott Friday afternoon. The accident happened around 1-30 at the intersection of route 9 and Route 115. Multiple people were taken to the hospital but their conditions are unknown.
(Springfield–dm)-Currently state law exempts property passed to a surviving spouse, but when that land is passed to children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, the very people we raise to carry on our tradition, that's when the tax hits and it hits hard. If adopted, the legislation would create a $6 million true exemption to the estate tax for family farms, meaning only the value of an estate above $6 million would be subject to taxation. The Family Farm Preservation Act has been around since 2024 and still no action has been taken. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting R. from Emmington explains the hold up.
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting R. from Emmington.
(Springfield-jm) — Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson has died in prison according to his attorney. Multiple media outlets report Grayson died after being diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Grayson was sentenced to 20 years in prison in the death of Sonya Massey.
DANVILLE, IL — A new scholarship at Danville Area Community College Foundation will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Wen Hsin Lin while helping local students pursue their educational dreams. The Dr. Wen Hsin Lin Scholarship, sponsored by his wife, Yon Meei Lin, reflects the couple’s deep appreciation for education, family, and the Danville community they called home for more than 30 years.
(Champaign-jm) – One person was arrested, and police are searching for a second suspect after reports of two armed people making threats Sunday. The University of Illinois Police Department said officers responded to the 700 block of South Fifth Street in Champaign just after 12:30 a.m. Officers found a person under the age of 18 who matched the description of one of the suspects. When officers approached, the person ran. They were arrested a short time later, and police found a gun without a serial number along the path the suspect took while running. According to UIPD, officers continued searching the area but could not find the second suspect. The juvenile was arrested on charges of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of an unserialized firearm and resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
(Paxton–jc) Members of the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce were busy all day Friday and Saturday handing out some free supplies to residents of Paxton that have been affected by the recent floods. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Dawn Stack says they have given out over 100 kits and more…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Dawn Stack. Damage assessments are continuing in Paxton today. The Paxton Emergency Response Services is asking business owners to please complete the damage assessment form for businesses. If you need assistance filling out the form, message the Paxton Emergency Response Service’s Facebook page.
(Champaign County-jm) – Two people were hospitalized after a multi-vehicle crash on Illinois Route 130 in Champaign County. The crash happened at 3:18 p.m. between Urbana and Philo. Officials said the crash happened at the intersection with County Road 1100 North. State Police did not provide much information about the accident including the condition of the victims.
(Watseka–dm)-Petitons for the April 6th 2027 consolidated elections will be available for circulation Tuesday August 25th. Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver tells us what offices will be up for election.
Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver
(Rantoul–dm)-There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday August 25th at 3:30PM honoring the Mindfulness Space Therapy Center. The ribbon cutting will take place at 601 S.Century Blvd, Suite 1314 in Rantoul.
(Springfield-jm) – A new state law will help first responders and law enforcement better identify high-risk domestic violence situations before they become fatal. Sponsors hope it will improve safety for survivors both during and after an incident occurs. In Illinois, it is estimated 42% of women and 26% of men will face violence from an intimate partner at some time in their life. The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence reported a 14% increase in domestic violence-related homicides since 2024 and an increase of 140% since 2022. A new law requires police to use a lethality assessment if there are allegations of assault or battery that did not result in an arrest. Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Human Services will work with stakeholders to develop a toolkit and model policies for police departments. Police will only be allowed to administer the lethality assessment if they receive explicit consent from survivors. Officers must document when survivors decline an assessment in their police report and refer them to a domestic violence center.
WPXN News notes…
The Elliott Amvets will hold their pork chop sandwich supper on Friday, August 28th from 5–7 pm. Cost is $8.
The 2026 Watseka Family Fest will take place on Friday, August 28th and Saturday, August 29th. Performing Friday night is Kentucky Headhunters with Confederate Railroad. Performing Saturday night is Rodney Atkins with Montgomery Gentry.
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.
The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, September 4th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.
Middlefork Forest Preserve in Penfield will host their 3rd annual Cardboard Boat regatta on Saturday, September 5th registration and inspections begin at 2:30 pm with races beginning at 3:30 pm.
