(Champaign-jm) – One person was taken to the hospital with potentially life threatening injuries following a shooting in Champaign Wednesday afternoon. Police responded to the 1300 block of Carver Drive just after 2:30 for a report of a shooting with injuries. When officers arrived they discovered a gunshot victim. That person was taken to the hospital. Anyone with information is asked to call Champaign Police.

 

(Washington–jc) An effort from the U S D A and  Health and Human Services Department announced sweeping new efforts to strengthen school meals by connecting more American farmers with local schools, investing in school kitchen infrastructure, and giving states and school districts new tools to serve healthier, more nutrient-dense meals to America’s children. We hear more from  U S D A Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins about the plans for  healthier school meals..

   

U S D A Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins

 

(Urbana-jm) – A man arrested in connection to a deadly shooting in Urbana earlier this year has pleaded guilty to second degree murder. In exchange for his guilty plea, 3 counts of first degree murder, and 1 count each of aggravated unlawful possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle without concealed carry license or FOID card and 1 count of aggravated discharge of a firearm were dismissed against Charles Lake. He’s accused of shooting 52 year old Benancio Crowley on January 16th.

 

(The Center Square) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta co-led a lawsuit Wednesday to block a new federal rule governing mail-in ballots. But a former U.S. Department of Justice lawyer who's now working at a think tank says the suit is unnecessary. Prompted by President Trump’s Executive Order No. 14399, the U.S. Postal Service rule requires states to enroll eligible mail-in voters onto USPS-managed lists and conform to new postal envelope design standards. The USPS stated it would refuse to deliver ballots for voters not on these lists or ballots sent in non-compliant envelopes.

 

(Gibson City–jc)  The Gibson City Restoration Committee  Queen of Hearts jackpot rose to over 5 thousand dollars after last night's drawing. Mike Utterback had his ticket pulled from the tumbler and he chose to see what was behind card #13. It revealed the 5 of diamonds.The money raised by the event goes to building renovation projects in downtown Gibson City.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The 20-26 Paxton Swine and Dine is K-C certified. That designation is expected to bring in more competitors for the September 19th event in Paxton. The event is listed among the events of the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Paxton Swine and Dine Spokesperson Allan Meyer says the hope is more local competitors and a draw to others…

   

Paxton Swine and Dine Spokesperson Alan Meyer. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  Illinois Governor  J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that establishes regulatory requirements for e-bikes, gas-powered bikes and other micromobility devices. Senate Bill 3484 requires riders of e-bikes and e-motos capable of traveling over 28 mph to have a driver’s license, title, registration and insurance. The bill also establishes minimum age requirements for e-bikes.

The new law takes effect Jan. 1.

 

(Springfield–jc)   The Illinois Department of Public Health  has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus  in Illinois this year. The confirmed case involves a resident of Piatt County. In addition, Public Health Department Officials hva identified three other probable human cases of West Nile in northern Illinois. About one in five people who contract the disease caused by a bite from an infected mosquito may develop common symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, or other potentially serious complications. To date 50 counties in the state have a positive mosquito batch with West Nile. They include Ford Champaign Kankakee, McLean DeWitt and Vermilion Counties

 

(Champaign–jc)  The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire outside a single-family home in the 2200 block of Southwood Drive Wednesday morning just after 9.  Once on  scene, fire crews reported light smoke coming from the garage.  A single hose line was deployed to fight the fire which was beginning to extend into the garage.  No one was injured and the cause remains under investigation.

 

(The Center Square) – Moody’s Ratings has upgraded the issuer rating for the state of Illinois from A2 to A1. The ratings service also upgraded the state’s general obligation bonds and Build Illinois sales tax bonds to A1. Moody’s cited a stronger governance framework and an established track record of conservative fiscal management for the upgrade. A statement from Governor J-B Pritzker’s office said Illinois has received 11 upgrades across the three major credit rating agencies since June 2021.

 

(Paxton–jc)  There still needs to be a lot of work done by officials from the city of Paxton, and citizens of the city that had various damage due to the August floods in Paxton. Dollar damage amounts are key to any designation of help coming from the county or state and getting and keeping receipts is also key, says Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. Those with questions are asked to go on line at the city’s website and follow instructions there. The survey closes September 5th.

 

(DeWitt County-jm) – A lawsuit has been filed against DeWitt County and the County Clerk and Recorder. WCIA reports the 43 page lawsuit names four employees of the Clerk and Recorder’s Office alleging 8 counts of retaliation in violation of the Illinois Whistleblower Act, 4 against Clerk Kari Harris and the other 4 against the county administration as a whole.

(Springfield–jc)  – The Illinois Department of Corrections says it expects to save about $35.9 million in capital costs, $6.5 million in annual operating expenses and millions of additional savings in deferred maintenance projects by phasing out two work camps and two impact program facilities. The closure of Clayton Work Camp will impact 27 people in custody and 41 staff members, who will be reassigned to Western Illinois Correctional Center at a later date.

Dixon Springs and DuQuoin Impact Programs and Greene County Work Camp were temporarily closed in March of 2023.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  The food pantry and Eagles Nest pantry are in operation all year long in Rantoul. Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford says volunteers are also needed…

 

 

Rantoul Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford

 

(Springfield–jc)  Illinois Attorney General Kuame Raoul is fighting the national government’s decree on proper regulations for mail-in ballots for elections. Attorney General Raouls argues  the Postal Service’s rule risks disenfranchising voters and will prevent states from effectively administering their mail voting programs, putting voters at risk of being disenfranchised. The government’s position is to make sure only legal citizens vote in all elections.

 

(Springfield–jc) The National Federated of Independent Business Group made their  state legislative endorsements onWednesday. N-F-I-B represents small business owners throughout the state. Illinois State Senators endorsed include 53rd District Republican Chris Balkema of Channahon, and 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose-Republican from Mahomet. Illinois House Representatives endorsed by N-F-I-B include 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington

 

WPXN News notes…

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.

The 2026 Gibson Harvest Fest will take place on Friday, September 11th and Saturday, September 12th. Headlining Friday night is Country star Drew Baldridge. Saturday night is Pop 2000 Tour with All Nighter.

 

The 2026 Team Hope Walk for Huntington's Disease will take place on Saturday, September 12th at Lakeview Country Club in Loda. Check in begins at 730 am with the walk beginning at 8.

 

Middlefork Forest Preserve will hold their Dark Skies Series: Cosmic Surfing and Guided Stargazing on Saturday, September 12th from 6-10pm.

 

Paxton’s annual Swine n Dine BBQ Competition and Festival will take place on Saturday, September 19th in downtown Paxton. The evening's entertainment includes live music with Gina Miles and Gabby Barrett.

 

The Ford County Historical Society’s annual meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6pm at the Arcade restaurant in Paxton.