If you haven’t already noticed, a massive global Microsoft outage has impacted Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Copilot, and other Microsoft 365 services, causing widespread disruptions for businesses, schools, and government agencies worldwide. There is no timeline on when it will be fixed.
(Loda-jm) – The entire Village of Loda is under a boil order “until further notice,” according to the Iroquois County Public Health Department. Just before 3:30 p.m., the health department announced on social media that the boil order was caused by a loss of pressure. It is unclear at this time how long the boil order will be in place. During the boil order, water should be brought to a rolling boil for five minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. Water can still be used at this time for bathing, washing and other common uses.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs says his office bought 50 million dollars in Republic of Poland Bonds to diversify the state’s portfolio and achieve stable returns from a strong investment.
Frerichs said in a statement that the two purchases for 25 million dollars each outpace the U.S. Treasury note by about 46 basis points. The treasurer’s office also announced a five-year renewal of 10 million dollars in Israel Bonds at an interest rate of 6.17%, .
(Paxton–jc) The city of Paxton is replacing some trucks for various departments as some of the vehicles are aging. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says they will sell several vehicles and get two new vehicles to use for the city…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Washington–jc) The crop numbers came in this week. Rod Bain reports…
(Champaign-jm) – Interstate 57 and 74 interchange reconstruction is coming close to being finished, and officials said all lanes of I-74 could be fully open as early as today. The project broke ground in 2021, but officials with the Illinois Department of Transportation said they are nearing the finish line. IDOT says most of the work is done, but they expect the barrels on I-74 to be gone and lanes open by midday today. It’s a different story for I-57 where there is still work ahead, including lane striping, new guardrails and installing concrete for an alternator. Local, county and state police agencies say to please drive carefully on all roads.
(Paxton–jc) It’s a Holly Dolly Christmas for the city of Paxton Christmas Parade this year. Paxton Christmas Parade Chairperson Dawn Mertes says to bring the “sparkle” to the city for the parade set for Saturday November 28th at 1:30pm in downtown Paxton…
Paxton Christmas Parade Chairperson Dawn Mertes. WPXN will be broadcasting the parade again this year.
(Urbana–jc) Urbana and University of Illinois police continue to investigate a threat of swatting, which is a threat of violence to persons or property. Dozens of University of Illinois students were in the building Wednesday night doing mid-term exams at the time of the threat. They were all evacuated, safely. University Police continue to investigate the incident this afternoon. Anyone with information is asked to call Urbana or University of Illinois Police.
(Chicago–jc)The price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois has dropped more than a quarter in the last week. According to Triple A, the average Illinois price on Thursday was 4 dollars 33 cents per gallon, down almost 40 cents from a month ago. The average Illinois price one year ago was three dollars-27 cents. States bordering Illinois all had average gas prices below 3-79 a gallon today. That includes an average of 3 dollars 48 cents per gallon in Indiana. In Champaign at Costco and Sams, the price for a gallon of gas is 3 dollars 94 cents. The Casey’s stores in Rantoul have gas at 4 dollars 29 cents per gallon. In Paxton, at Casey’s the price is 4 dollars 59 cents and in Gibson City at the local Caseys, the price is 4 dollars 29 cents a gallon. In Gilman the average price is just over 4 dollars a gallon and just under 4 dollars at several gas stations in Watseka.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois could soon have an independent office responsible for investigating issues within the state’s prisons. A plan in Springfield could create a corrections ombudsperson to monitor and inspect facilities, investigate unresolved complaints and establish a uniform reporting system. Some Lawmakers and advocates say it is past time Illinois had more transparency and accountability surrounding response to complaints from people in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Sponsors hope to see the plan move during the veto or lame-duck session.
(Springfield-jm) – State lawmakers and advocates are determined to pass a comprehensive bill during veto session to improve housing and support services for people returning home from prison. Roughly 15,000 people leave Illinois prisons each year, but the vast majority of those people are unable to find stable housing. The Home for Good plan calls for rental subsidies and wraparound services for returning residents. The legislation could also create a Home For Good institute to provide training and technical assistance to community-based organizations helping with reentry housing. The measure relies on about 35 million dollars in taxpayer funds
(Cissna Park–jc) The Cissna Park F F A is hosting its annual auction and supper on Saturday at the high school. Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton says they have a wide variety of items ranging from seed and fuel to gift cards…
Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton. The event starts at 4 with a meal with the silent and live auction to follow.
(Sibley–jc) State and county police are reporting a multiple semi tractor trailer accident along route 47 near Sibley this morning. The call came in just after 4am. Multiple agencies are on the scene and several people had to be extracted from the vehicles. Injuries have also been reported. No other information was released. WPXN news will update this story as more official news is released
(Chicago–jc) A man who allegedly trafficked cocaine in Chicago has been arrested in Argentina and extradited to the United States to face federal drug conspiracy charges in the Northern District of Illinois.
Prosecutors said Rodolfo Aguirre, 38, was originally arrested in Chicago in December 2016 after he was accused of conspiring to sell about 7,000 grams of cocaine in the city’s Uptown neighborhood. Aguirre was released on bond but failed to appear in federal court ahead of his scheduled trial in 2017.
(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Area Down Syndrome Awareness Group is hosting an art auction event on Saturday in downtown Paxton. The event will feature paintings by Ellie White and other items. Tickets are available for the event that starts at 5pm at the Prairie City Wine Room in downtown Paxton. Check out the group on line for more information.
(Springfield–jc) – The Diocese of Springfield is exploring the possibility of opening a classical Catholic high school at the former Cathedral School building in the capital city’s downtown area. The proposed Fulton Sheen Academy would offer a Catholic liberal arts education rooted in the intellectual tradition of the Church. The diocese said it is taking steps to determine whether there is sufficient interest, and families who would like to receive updates can submit their contact information.
(Champaign-jm) – A demolition plan is in the works regarding student housing on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. The university is planning on demolishing the Taft and Van Doren residence halls and replacing them with a larger, more accessible, dorm. Thursday afternoon, the two agenda items regarding these plans were unanimously approved during a Board of Trustees meeting. Currently, the new residence hall is expected to cost roughly $181.5 million to build.
(Woodworth–dm)-This evening, St. Paul Lutheran School in Woodworth will be cooking up some of their famous fish like they have for many years. St. Paul Lutheran School in Woodworth Principal Dan Huse tells us about some of the history of the behind the famous “Woodworth Fish”
St. Paul Lutheran School Principal Dan Huse
(The Center Square) – A ban on the sale of intoxicating hemp products by some retailers in Illinois took effect Thursday, forcing some across the state to shut down. The law also pushes products toward more regulation and heavier taxation as hundreds of businesses challenge the ban’s legality. Hundreds of businesses won the temporary ability to continue selling the banned products in a court decision days before the law took effect. Craig Katz, president of the Illinois Healthy Alternatives Association, said the ban won’t impact the roughly 300 businesses represented in the lawsuit until at least November 19th – the day the case will come before a federal judge.
WPXN News notes…
The Circle of Friends Artisan Market will take place today from 3-7 pm and on Saturday, from 9-3 at the Rantoul Recreation Center.
The Original Woodworth Fish Fry will take place today at St. Paul’s Lutheran School Woodworth. Carryouts will be available starting at 4 with dine in starting at 5pm. Money raised goes to technology equipment for the Christian school
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner today from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
The Gifford Fire Department will hold their spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Saturday, November 14th from 4-7 pm at the German Fall Festival Building in Gifford.
The Cissna Park FFA scholarship auction will take place on Saturday, November 14th starting at 6pm.
The Paxton Carnegie Library along with the Ford-Iroquois 4-H will host their Art Lit to Go for kids in grades K through 3 on Monday, November 16th from 4-5 pm.
