(Undated-jm) – The spike in gas prices continues. GasBuddy reported on Monday that average prices of both gasoline and diesel fuel rose in virtually every state in the last week with the Great Lakes states like Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin seeing their state averages go up by more than 30 cents per gallon for gasoline and over 50 cents per gallon of diesel due to refinery issues. Illinois’ average price for gasoline is $4.88 per gallon, up 41 cents from last week and up 62 cents in the past two weeks. Nationally, the average price for gas is $4.44, up 19 cents from last week and 36 cents in the past two weeks. For diesel, the average price nationally is $6.49 per gallon, up 31 cents from last week and 63 cents in two weeks.
(Paxton–jc) The city of Paxton is working with one business along route 45 in the city to help expand their operation. Wide Variety Liquors proposed to use several feet of easement property to expand their operation. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the council gave its go-ahead for that project…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(East Lynn-jm) – An East Lynn man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child and possessing child sexual abuse material has been sentenced to 50 years in prison. 35 year old Antonio Miranda received the sentence in Vermilion County court after pleading guilty to one count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and one count of producing child sexual abuse material. Miranda was arrested in May 2024 following a search of his residence.
(Ford County-jm) – A railroad crossing near Paxton is closed for construction. The crossing at 100 North Road is closed this week while crews make repairs to the crossing. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the week.
(Champaign–jc) –52nd District State Senator Paul Faraci, democrat from Champaign, announced new funding is available under the Illinois Grocery Initiative through the New Stores in Food Deserts, Equipment Upgrades and Grocery Rescue grant programs. It is 26 million dollars to address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in communities across the state. The new Grocery Rescue Program will support efforts to reopen stores that have closed within the preceding 12 months. The New Stores in Food Deserts Program will support the establishment of new grocery stores in food deserts.
(Washington–dm)-What does USDA's latest meat outlook reveal regarding trends in production and prices? Rod Bain has the story.
(Champaign–jc)-- Firefighters and staff from the Champaign Fire Department, Neighborhood Services Department and Equity and Engagement Department, along with volunteers from the Christian Sheehan Smoke Alarm Blitz and the American Red Cross will be going door-to-door in a northcentral Champaign neighborhood on , Saturday, offering to check smoke alarms and installing free smoke alarms in homes that need them. This Smoke Alarm Blitz, beginning at 8:00 a.m., will include approximately 100 homes within the boundaries of Prospect Avenue to the east; Mattis Avenue to the west; Bradley Avenue to the north; and Mimosa Drive to the south. The Champaign Fire Department reminds everyone that smoke alarms save lives.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Area Downs Syndrome Walk is set for Sunday at the Paxton Buckley Loda Track. Event spokesperson Darla Shall says a walk, hotdogs and family activities highlight the event from noon until 2pm. Shall adds that the mission is acceptance…
Paxton Area Down’s Syndrome Walk Event Spokesperson Darla Shall
(Illinois–dm)-As farmers move equipment along roadways during the fall harvest season, Illinois State Police encourage drivers to share the road and be patient. Illinois Department of Transportation data reported 275 crashes involving farm tractors or equipment in 2024. ISP also encouraged farmers to avoid rush hours, busier highways and times of low visibility when possible.
(Champaign-jm) – One person has been arrested following a Sunday evening stabbing in Champaign. It happened in the 1900 block of Center Drive just after 7pm. On scene officers located a 33 year old man who was injured. He was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released. Police arrested 42 year old Deandre Thomas. He’s charged with aggravated battery, armed robbery and possessing a weapon as a felon. A detention hearing is scheduled for tomorrow.
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Police Department and Champaign County Crimestoppers are looking for help in solving several scooter thefts that happened at the same place on campus. The thefts happened between August 24th and September 8th at Bousfield Hall. Multiple scooters were stolen, generally during the overnight hours. Some had their locks cut and several scooter chargers were also stolen. Anyone with information is asked to call UIPD or Champaign County Crimestoppers.
(Ford County–dm)-Starting October First The East Central Illinois Community Action Agency will start taking applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. East Central Illinois Community Action Agency CEO Odette Hyatt-Wastson explains
East Central Illinois Community Action Agency CEO Odette Hyatt-Watson
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois organization, Students for Environmental Concerns, will hold a protest on campus Friday to oppose data centers. The group says the protest will start at noon. Participants will gather on the Main Quad in front of Foellinger Auditorium, march the length of the Main Quad and rally at the Alma Mater. The group is protesting hyperscale data centers which they say affects the surrounding communities by creating 24 hour noise, emitting air pollution, disrupting wildlife, overloading power grids and contaminating water and soil.
(Ford County–dm)-The Ford County Public Health Department will be holding their 2026 Flu walk-in Clinic starting this Thursday at the Kempton Legion, also on Sept.25 at the FCPHD office. On October 2nd at the American Evangelical Church in Gibson City and on October 6th at the Moyer District Library in Gibson City. Communicable Disease Nurse Liz West tells us the rest of the schedule for the month..
Ford County Public Health Department Communicable Nurse Liz West.
(Urbana–jc0The Illinois Capital Development Board , in partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, state and local officials, construction partners, and members of the campus community, joined together to celebrate the topping out of the new Illini Hall. The topping out marks the completion of the building’s structural steel frame, a significant milestone on Phase 3 of the Illini Hall Replacement and Altgeld Hall Renovation Project. The new 140,000 square foot facility will house several U of I Departments, classrooms and research labs.
(Bloomington–jc) With IHSA Football over half way complete for the regular season, the expanded playoffs continue to be a topic in the area and state. I H S A Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha says the schools in the state are diverse in size and levels…
I H S A Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha
(The Center Square) – The Federal Reserve board’s recent decision to raise interest rates a quarter point may have expensive implications for Illinois taxpayers.
Professor Justin Marlowe, director of the Center for Municipal Finance at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, said state and local governments are already borrowing at higher interest rates because of their relatively low credit ratings and concerns about their long-term financial sustainability. Increasing interest rates make that problem worse. It makes it that much more expensive when cities and counties and school districts in the state have to go out to borrow money to finance infrastructure projects. Illinois has the lowest credit rating of any U.S. state. Marlowe said the Fed’s interest rate hikes are eventually priced into the rates we all pay, including governments.
(Paxton–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is the Paxton Park District. The local district helps operate the city of Paxton Pool, provides meeting places for Seniors and a wide variety of sports and leisure activities. Paxton Park District Director Gillian Littleton says youth soccer going on now along with pickleball…
She says several youth volleyball camps are coming soon with registration closing this Friday……
Paxton Park District Director Gillian Littleton.
Again there is still time to sign up for the volleyball camps.
And, annual Paxton Park District Halloween Parade is set for Saturday October 31st at 4pm in downtown Paxton
WPXN News notes…
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.
Buckley will hold their townwide fall garage sales on Friday, September 25th and Saturday, September 26th.
The Gilman Fire Department will hold their taco fundraiser on Saturday, September 26th at the Junk in the Trunk outdoor flea market.
The Loda American Legion Auxiliary will hold a vendor craft show on Saturday, September 26th from 9-2.
The 2026 Flessner Fall Fest and Cash Bash will take place on Saturday, September 26th at the Ford County Fairgrounds in Melvin. The Fall Fest will run from 2-6 pm with the cash bash from 6-10 pm
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Friday, September 25th from 11-4 at the Rantoul City Schools Central Office.
