(Gibson City-jm) – A Gibson City man is looking at a lengthy prison term. 27-year-old Jonathan Caudill was found guilty Friday of three counts of possession of child pornography. He faces up to 45 years in prison when sentenced next month. A jury returned guilty verdicts against Caudill on all three Class 1 felony counts following a two-day trial in Ford County Circuit Court. The Ford County Chronicle reports a sentencing hearing was set for 9 am Thursday, October 29, before Judge Matt Fitton.

 

(Paxton–jc)  City of Paxton leaders are upgrading police  hand held  radios for the police department. The new radios will help Paxton police officers communicate better and more efficiently with emergency personnel and other police units, says Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold…

   

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Rantoul-jm) – The Rantoul Police Department has unveiled a new online safety tool which they said will allow officers to help families during emergencies. Parents, guardians and caregivers can give information about a child or adult with cognitive or developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, memory impairments, communication challenges, or conditions that affect how they respond or communicate. Rantoul Police officials say families can submit information like known triggers or sensitivities, calming techniques and emergency contacts. That information is submitted through a voluntary online safety portal. Then, if police are responding to a missing-person report or if someone is lost or disoriented, officers will understand the individual’s unique needs to create a safer and more effective response.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois officials have announced more than $20 million in capital grants to establish manufacturing training academies at five community colleges. Illinois Governor  J.B. Pritzker’s office, says  the grants include $6 million awards to Kaskaskia College in Centralia and Parkland College in Champaign, $3 million each for Illinois Central College in East Peoria and Lake Land College in Mattoon, and $2,369,150 for Lewis & Clark College in Godfrey.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Gabby Barrett and Gina Miles will be performing in downtown Paxton on Saturday night for the annual Paxton Swine and Dine event. The ribs and chicken  cooking competition begins at 6am. Vendors will be open at 10 with family activities, a bags tournament, car show and more to follow. 14th annual Paxton Swine and Dine Spokesperson Alan Meyer talks about getting the “headline” act in Gabby Barrett…

 

Paxton Swine and Dine Event Spokesperson Alan Meyer. The Voice-season 23 winner and Paxton native Gina Miles will also perform live in downtown Paxton on Saturday night. 

 

(Champaign–jc)  Champaign Police Department officials are inviting the community to join them for their next “coffee and conversations” event. The event is set for Tomorrow morning from 8am to 10am at Sammy’s Pancake House at 12-0h-6 North Mattis Avenue in Champaign.

 

(Ford County–dm)-Flu Season is fast approaching, and it’s time to get your flu shot.  Ford County Public Health Department spokesperson Liz West has the first half of the walk-in clinic schedule

 

Ford County Public Health Department Spokesperson Liz West.

 

(The Center Square) - A state commission report showed Illinois brought in more revenue than expected to begin the 2027 fiscal year. The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s monthly report on state revenue and financials for June, released this month, showed an 8.2% increase in revenue collected by the state compared to June, 2025. Commission Co-Chair Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, told The Center Square that while revenue for the state through income and sales taxes are up, there are other economic factors that indicate the state’s fiscal situation. Also up year-over-year is the unemployment rate, sitting at an average of 5.1%  – up 0.7% compared to the same period in 2025. The lawmaker said Illinois “lags behind” other states, but the report did show some good signs. The state has received multiple credit rating increases from different groups late last month 

 

(Roberts–jc) – A free produce pantry and health fair is set for the Roberts Gym on Wednesday afternoon from 3pm to 5pm. The event is sponsored by the local non-profit group Jeremiah 33-6. Jeremiah 33-6 President Valarie Wright says with the produce comes a free recipe and ingredients…

 

 

Jeremiah 33-6 President Valarie Wright

 

(Savoy-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking a tip to locate two people who stole a misplaced wallet. The theft happened the afternoon of August 23rd at the Walmart in Savoy. Officials said Champaign County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched in reference to a theft; they learned a woman accidentally dropped her wallet inside the store and left without realizing it was missing. When deputies reviewed surveillance footage, they discovered that two people picked up the wallet, concealed it and left the store. Officials said one of the suspects, a woman, has been identified and is wanted for questioning in reference to this incident. The other suspect, a man, remains unidentified; he is also wanted for questioning. The man was described as White with a black beard and glasses. He wore a blue T-shirt, black shorts, and black Crocs. He and the woman left Walmart in a gold GMC Terrain.

 

(Paxton–jc) The annual Paxton Down Syndrome Walk event is set for Sunday September 27th at Paxton Buckley Loda High School. Event Spokesperson Darla Shall says the public is invited to the event to enjoy food and fellowship…

 

 

Paxton Down Syndrome Walk event Spokesperson Darla Shall

 

(Ludlow-jm) – Those trying to get to the west side of Ludlow will have to take a different way. Canadian National has closed the Thomas Street crossing for repairs this week. 

 

(Washington–dm)-Which crop reports near record production levels in the Agriculture Department's latest monthly crop production reports?  Rod Bain has the story

 

 

CHAMPAIGN - Champaign Police were dispatched to the 300 block of West Eureka Street around 8-30 Sunday night, following reports of a shooting with injuries in the area. As officers arrived, they quickly located a 40-year-old Champaign man with a non-life-threatening graze wound from a gunshot. The man was transported to an area hospital in stable condition. He received immediate medical treatment and was later released. Champaign Police ask that anyone who has additional information please call 217-351-4545. Arrangements can be made for information to be shared privately. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may also submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217-373-8477  or  online at 3-7-3- tips-dot-com.

 

 

WPXN News notes…

 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Heritage FS in Gilman on Wednesday, September 16th from 9-2.

 

Impact Life will hold a blood drive at the American Lutheran Church in Rantoul on Wednesday, September 16th from 11:30-2:30 in the youth hall.

 

Jeremiah 33:6 will hold a free produce pantry and health fair on Wednesday, September 16th from 3-5 pm at the Roberts Gym.

 

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 Champaign County Farm Bureau will host From Seed to Prairie: How tallgrass prairie plants got their start on Monday, September 21st at 7pm. The event is free but registration is required 

 

The Ford County Public Health Department will hold a walk in flu clinic on Wednesday, September 23rd from 8:30-11 am at the Kempton American Legion.

 

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