(Champaign-jm) - Police said “one or more suspects” fired weapons in Champaign on Monday, shooting and seriously hurting a teenager. In a news release, the Champaign Police Department said the 16-year-old victim was found with a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg around 4:30pm . Police officers and crews with the Champaign Fire Department provided aid until the victim could be taken to the hospital. The teenager remains hospitalized in stable condition, the police department added. “The initial investigation indicates that one or more suspects fired weapons in the area and the victim was struck. They then fled the scene before officers arrived,” the police department said. No arrests have been made at this time and more information will be shared as it becomes available.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The city of Paxton has several major projects in various stages for the fall, winter and beyond. One grant received is 850 thousand dollars for the second block of the downtown area of the city for its continued “streetscape” project. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says working with state and or federal government officials, the work done is specific to any grant dollars…

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  At this week's Ford County Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the committee is expected to look at county ordinances that pertain to wind energy conversion systems. The meeting will also serve as a public hearing concerning future solar energy projects to be placed in Ford County. The meeting comes to order at 5-30pm on Friday at the Courthouse in Paxton 

(Iowa–jc)  The largest steel plant in U.S. history is coming to Iowa, the White House said Monday.Mesabi Metallics, a company headquartered in Minnesota but based in India, will be building the $15 billion mill in Lee County, Iowa, a county that sits along the Mississippi River on the western edge of the industrial Midwest’s Rust Belt. Mesabi Metallics estimates the steel plant will create over 1,700 permanent jobs and up to 6,000 construction jobs.

 

(Springfield–jc)  – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for the 2026 fall and winter trapping program at Morrison-Rockwood State Park, Little Rock Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area and Big Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area.  Applications will be accepted until the drawing at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30. 

 

( Washington–dm)-What are the factors that could result in forecasted higher wheat prices for growers this marketing season?  USDA’s Rod Bain has the story.

 

 

(Watseka–jc)  – Watseka based, Iroquois Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome D-N-P Connie Langellier, to the IMH Medical Group – Milford, where she provides family practice care for patients of all ages.Although Langellier is new to the IMH team, she is already a familiar and trusted provider in Milford. Langellier brings more than 25 years of health care experience to IMH. Her background includes rural family practice, women’s health, addiction care and care for patients ranging from newborns to older adults. 

 

(Buckley–jc)  The downtown landscape in Buckley has changed. The former corner Tap building was taken down. No word was provided on the future plans for the property. The property has been vacant for a long time. 

 

(Ford Iroquois County–dm)-Harvest season has begun in the area, and Ford-Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire gives an update on the progress being made.

Ford-Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire

 

(The Center Square) – Fuel prices have dropped in recent days, according to AAA.

The average Illinois price for regular unleaded on Monday was $4.78 per gallon, down 1 cent from Sunday and 13 cents from one week ago. The average Illinois price one year ago was $3.38. The average per-gallon price for diesel in Illinois was $6.79 on Monday, down a penny from Sunday. The state’s average price for diesel one year ago was $3.75, more than three dollars lower than Monday’s price.

 

(Peoria–jc) –_A Peoria man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. U.S. government attorneys said individuals purchased meth, fentanyl and cocaine from Dione D. Alexander, 37, on multiple occasions in 2024.

 

(Chicago–jc)  The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is inviting small business owners to participate in an annual survey on the current business climate.

The Fed says Small Business Credit Survey questions are best answered by owners and key financial decision makers.

 

WATSEKA, Ill. — For patients at Iroquois Memorial Hospital’s Milford Clinic, Susan Hanson, F-N-P  is a familiar face. The full-time family nurse practitioner is taking a more active role in caring for residents at Iroquois Resident Home in Watseka and expanding her visits to other area care facilities while continuing to see patients at the clinic. Hanson has experience in clinics, convenient care and long-term care settings. At the Milford Clinic, she cares for patients with a range of health needs. She has a special interest in working with patients who have diabetes.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police are seeking help through Crime Stoppers to identify two people suspected of multiple power tool thefts. Officials explained that “on previous occasions,” two male suspects entered the Home Depot on Bloomington Road, removed DeWalt and Milwaukee brand tools from their boxes, concealed the tools in bags or buckets and left the store without paying. The most recent occasion was on Aug. 8 when officials said one of them stole more than $1,300 worth of tools and batteries. Officials said the suspects are described as younger Black males with medium-length dreadlocks. The suspect responsible for the Aug. 8 theft left Home Depot on a scooter.

 

(Iroquois County–dm)-The General election is just a little over a month away.  Iroquois County Clerk and Recorder Breein Suver gives us a rundown of what’s on the ballot.

 

Iroquois County Clerk and Recorder Breein Suver.  Reminder if you're not registered or have changed address you need to get registered by Tuesday October 6th.

 

(Paxton-jm) – The Frederick Community Bank is warning the public about a fraud alert. The bank says scammers are sending text messages that appear to be from Shazam asking to verify a transaction. They say if you respond, you may receive a call asking for your debit card information. The bank says Shazam and the bank will never ask for your full card number, PIN, CVV, online banking password or security codes over the phone.

 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Parkland College will host this year's Fall Preview for area high school students and their families on Monday, October 12. Participants can check-in at 9 that morning and explore tables featuring various campus resources similar to previous college open houses. The Admission's Office will give a welcome presentation at 10 a.m.

(Mahomet–dm)-In a press release issued by The Village of Mahomet the village has been approached by Clean Cloud Energy about their interest in a potential development of a data center campus in a rural area west of Champaign and has engaged in preliminary discussions, including draft language of a possible development agreement. Because the area under consideration is currently outside the Village limits but within Mahomet’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), the Village has certain planning and subdivision authority involving the property. As a result, the Village has an important role in discussions regarding any potential development of the site. To be clear, discussions to date have been strictly preliminary and exploratory. No formal proposal has been submitted to or presented before the Village of Mahomet Board of Trustees, and there are currently no plans for the Board to take formal action on this matter.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Paxton United Methodist Church, Hudson Drug and Hallmark and the Paxton Fire Department are sponsoring a Community Resource Fair today and they are the WPXN Businesses of the Day, today. Event Spokesperson Cara Fitton says this is the second year for the free event……

 

 She says there will be things for kids to do at today’s event……

Paxton Community Resource Fair Spokesperson Cara Fitton.

The event runs from 3pm to 7pm at the Paxton FireHouse.

The Paxton United Methodist Church, Hudson Drug and Hallmark and the Paxton Fire Department are the WPXN Businesses of the Day, today

 

WPXN News notes…

 

The Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Elliott will be celebrating 150 years with a reunion and anniversary service. A reunion will be held on Friday, October 2nd at 7pm. On Sunday, October 4th there will be a service at 10:45 am, followed by lunch and presentation and memories to follow.

 

The Cadillac in Paxton will host CreedSmack Live on Friday, October 2nd at 8pm.

 

The Vermilion County Health Department will be holding a free electronics recycling collection on Saturday, October 3rd from 8:30-11 at the north parking lot of Danville Area Community College.

 

The Rankin Lions Club will hold their Friday Supper on Friday, October 2nd from 4:30-7:30pm.

 

The Elliott Amvets will host their Family Night on Friday, October 2nd from 5-7 pm. Cost is $15 and includes chicken, fish or shrimp and two sides.

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their 8th Annual Glow in the Dark Golf Outing on Friday, October 2nd at Willow Pond Golf Course.