(Elliott-jm) – Elliott firefighters responded to a fire that got out of control Monday afternoon. The caller stated they were burning brush when it got out of control and threatened nearby homes. Firefighters arrived on scene and put the fire out before it reached any structures.
(Rantoul–jc) Village of Rantoul leaders continue to work with property owners in the village and look for a space for any potential new grocery type store as Price Cutters grocery store announced it will close in Rantoul. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says the board continues to offer a great package for the right fit…
Village of Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third.
(Urbana-jm) – A motorcyclist in Urbana was taken to the hospital following a hit and run Sunday evening. It happened near Eads Street and Goodwin Avenue around 7:15. Police say a sedan and motorcycle collided and the driver of the sedan fleeing the scene.
(Roberts–jc) The local group Jeremiah 33-6 is sponsoring a free produce pantry and health fair on Wednesday September 16th in Roberts. Jeremiah 33-6 Spokesperson Valarie Wright says one part of the free produce is items for a specific recipe…
Jeremiah 33-6 Spokesperson Valarie Wright. The next free produce pantry on September 16 runs from 3pm to 5pm at the Roberts Gym. Another event is planned for October 28th
(Paxton–jc) Paxton City leaders will hear from the E-R-S Department on efforts to gather information about the August flooding in town when they meet tonight at city hall. A storm recovery assistance grant program also hilites the meeting. Council members will also get an update on three major projects in the city from Clark Dietz Engineers and look at a right-of-way at 403 South Railroad in Paxton. The Paxton City council meets at 7pm tonight on the second floor of city hall.
(Bloomingtonl–jc) Illinois Governor Pritzker will be in McLean County this morning and will attend a ribbon cutting at Illinois State University. The governor will be on hand to celebrate the College of Engineering at Illinois State University at 11am
(Washington–jc) World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski says U-S-D-A's September crop production forecasts could reflect the impacts of recent extreme heat. Jekanowski looks at the upcoming fall harvested crops and the weather…
World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski
(chicago–jc) A new survey says 78 percent of Chicago Bears fans drink alcohol during games, more than any other fan base in the National Football League.
The Action Network measured food and beverage consumption across all 32 teams and found that Bears fans and Atlanta Falcons fans led the league by consuming an average of 2. Point seven drinks inside the stadium. Beer prices at Soldier Field generally range between $10 and $16. Bears fans ranked fourth overall in total game-day calories, averaging 990 calories per game from beer and hot dogs. The Bears are scheduled to open the season at Carolina on Sunday.
(Undated-jm) – High school students at two area high schools will now be able to receive dual credit through the University of Illinois. Paxton Buckley Loda and Rantoul Township High School are among the 21 high schools from throughout the state participating in the program. The 2026-2027 academic year is the second year of the Dual Credit @ Illinois initiative and the official debut of the Learning Accelerator. The dual-credit catalogue includes four 100-level courses, representing the Colleges of ACES, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Media and Education. Those courses are: ACES 102: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems, ASTR 150: Killer-Skies: Astro-Disaster, MACS 100: Introduction to Popular TV and Movies and SPED 117: The Culture of Disability. Students who enroll in the four dual-credit courses will get a tangible sense of what the college experience feels like at Illinois, with access to the university’s library system and the possibility of traveling to campus to receive an i-Card.
(Undated-m) – Federal prosecutors are warning the public about scammers following recent reports of fraudulent phone calls. The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois said scammers may claim to be their attorneys, spoof their number and even use real staff members names. Calls may include threats and demands for payment. While no specific incidents were included, they say the U–S Attorney's Office does not request money, personal financial information or sensitive identifying details over the phone.
(Paxton–jc) – Clove Alliance has a new location in Paxton. WPXN”s Joel Cluver has the story…
(Hoopeston-jm) - A Rankin man was arrested for violating the conditions of the sex offender registry while at the Sweet Corn Festival in Hoopeston. Hoopeston Police say they were running information on 57 year old Richard Mirto of Rankin for a traffic violation when it was discovered he was in violation. He was arrested on charges of being a sexual predator in a public park, which is a violation of his release. He was processed and released with a notice to appear.
(Rantoul–jc) A Rock Association Tournament and a St Louis Based soccer tournament are planned for this weekend at the Rantoul Sports Complex on the village's west side. The complex continues its run of a wide variety of events going into fall. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton talks about the continued upgrades and services at the Rantoul facility…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton
(Rantoul–dm)-The Rantoul Village Board of Trustees will hold their regular Board meeting tonight. Items on the agenda include approval of a 5year recurring monthly fee for the installation of fiber to improve the electric department SCADA system at a total cost of $30,000. Approve the purchase of a trailer mounted P2 DuraPatcher from CMW equipment in the amount of $102,500. Also approve a contract for the fall 2026 grant funded tree plantings at various locations in the amount of $122,950. The Board will also affirm the appointment of Geoff Wahl to the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency Board of Directors. The Meeting is scheduled to begin at 6pm
(Gibson City–jc) – Grease is the word once again in Gibson City!
Members of the original cast of the iconic 1978 movie musical Grease are returning to the Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In Theatre for a special two-night Grease Fan Event on Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 2026.
The Gibson City engagement comes together as a special late-season addition to the Grease Cast Tour and marks a return to Harvest Moon after the tremendous response from fans during the cast’s previous visit.
? Lorenzo Lamas — Tom Chisum
? Barry Pearl — Doody
? Jamie Donnelly — Jan
Fans will have the rare opportunity to meet actors who were actually there when Grease was filmed and became part of one of the most beloved movies in American pop-culture history.
(The Center Square) – 88th District State Representative. Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur is calling for greater accountability in Illinois schools following concerns about academic performance at Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills. During a recent appearance on Newsmax, education whistleblower and author Geno Young said a tenured Hillcrest teacher told him the school was testing at about a fourth-grade level across academic subjects. Hillcrest has an about 81% graduation rate. Deering, a former educator and current school board member, said such performance would represent a serious failure to prepare students for life after high school. She said students must develop strong reading skills early because academic expectations shift from learning to read to reading to learn.
WPXN News notes…
Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth will hold their Fall Festival on Friday, September 11th and Saturday, September 12th from 10-7. Activities include live music, food and more.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, September 11th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
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.
Cars and Coffee will be held on Saturday, September 12th at 7 am at Longview Bank in Gibson City.
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.
The final Shop in the Park in downtown Cissna Park will take place on Saturday, September 12th from 9-1.
