(Ford County-jm) – Chronic wasting disease has been detected in Ford County, expanding the geographic presence of the infection in free-ranging deer populations in northern Illinois, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday. Chronic wasting disease is an always-fatal neurological disease that threatens the long-term health of white-tailed deer in Illinois. CWD was detected – and confirmed through diagnostic testing – in Ford County in mid-March from a suspect-deer exhibiting symptoms consistent with CWD infection.
(Springfield-jm) – State Representative Chris Miller of Oakland put out a call Wednesday for his colleagues in the Illinois House of Representative to show their support for the Invest in Kids program. Illinois enacted the Invest In Kids Scholarship Tax Credit Program in 2017, offering a 75 percent income tax credit to individuals and businesses that contribute to qualified Scholarship Granting Organizations. Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly let the program expire on December 31st of last year, leaving thousands of Illinois’ underprivileged children without a chance for a better education…
State Representative Chris Miller of Oakland.
(Champaign-jm) – Jefferson Middle School in Champaign was placed on a hard lockdown Wednesday afternoon after students thought they saw a gun in a passing car. A group of students outside on lunch recess reported the possible weapon. They were immediately escorted into the building and the building was placed on a hard lockdown. After reviewing security video, officers later determined that the gun in question was actually a plastic toy gun.
(Rantoul–jc) – The Rantoul High School gym area renovation project continues as school enters its final month of the school year. Rantoul Township High School Superintendent Scott Amerio says one part of the project is to gain a classroom area at the high school…
Rantoul Township High School Superintendent Scott Amerio.
(Kankakee-jm) – Kankakee County is boasting about another successful Drug Take Back effort last weekend. Last Saturday, some 725 pounds of expired, unwanted prescription drugs were turned in for disposal in Kankakee County alone. The Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Pledge for Life Partnership, State Rep. Jackie Haas, Senator Patrick Joyce, Kankakee County Health Department, Riverside Healthcare, and Local Law Enforcement partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at Northfield Square Mall. Drug Take Back events were also staged in Iroquois, Ford, Champaign, and Vermilion Counties.
DECATUR – The Illinois State Police requests the public’s assistance with the death investigation of 51-year-old James E. Taylor of Decatur, Illinois. On May 19, , Taylor was found deceased in a rural area near his home. He was reported missing on May 12, 2023 to the Decatur Police Department and was last seen alive on May 10, 2023 at approximately 6 p.m. ISP agents are investigating the death as a homicide. Anyone with information regarding Taylor’s death is asked to contact the Decatur Crime Stoppers at (217) 423-8477.
(Washington-jm) – The Chairs of both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees Wednesday released differing versions of a new Farm Bill for upcoming consideration. Rod Bain reports…
(Douglas County-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting the first bird to test positive for West Nile virus in Illinois for 2024 in Douglas County. The specimen was collected by Douglas County Health Department staff on April 2 in Villa Grove. The early report of the first bird comes following a mild winter and spring.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois House Democrats Wednesday passed legislation out of the House which Republicans say was filed at the last minute, completely lacking in transparency, smacking of self-serving political corruption, and allowing no way for the states constituents to weigh in on the proposals. An amendment was filed on Senate Bill 2412 Wednesday morning and it was assigned to the House Executive Committee. A hearing was held shortly thereafter and on Democrat votes, it passed out of committee. Two hours later, the bill was brought forth for a vote on the House floor. The measure would put three questions on the statewide ballot. Illinois currently limits the number of questions that can appear on a statewide ballot to three. That means any other questions advocates would like to see on the ballot, have been squeezed out by yesterday’s vote. House Republican Leader Tony McCombie…
House Republican Leader Tony McCombie. The bill passed with 67 Democrat votes. House Republicans all voted present as a protest vote.
(Gibson City-jm) – After a fire at a soybean dryer facility in Gibson City last month, the company says the plant is fully operational. International Flavors & Fragrances, the owner of the soybean plant, said the site was reopened within two days and back to full operation by April 26.All equipment affected from the fire has been removed.
(Rantoul–jc) April was a very busy month at the Rantoul Sports Complex and the month of May is shaping up to be even busier. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Reid says its a lot of soccer and baseball and softball this weekend…
Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Reid.
(Normal-jm) – Illinois State University administrators have ordered student protestors to remove tents and signs from campus. Demonstrators set up camp Tuesday to protest the war in Gaza. Administrators have issued warnings that the students could be suspended for violating school policy just a week before final exams. Officials said its staff “diligently” reached out to protestors about the school’s policies.
(Washington-jm) – The latest month over month increase within USDA's Agricultural Prices Index was driven by a rise in what livestock producers as a whole received pricewise in March. Rod Bain reports…
WPXN News Notes…
Cissna Park and Kellart Lake Townwide garage sales will take place today through Saturday. Hours Thursday and Friday are 8-7, Saturday 8-noon.
St. Joseph townwide garage sales are today through Saturday.
Bayles Lake and Lake Iroquois garage sales are Friday and Saturday
Fisher townwide garage sales are Friday and Saturday.
Jeremiah 33:6 will hold a free produce pantry and health fair on Friday from 3:30-5:30 at the Roberts Gym.
The Elliott Amvets will hold a family dinner night on Friday. Doors open at 5 pm.
Paxton Main Street will hold their 1st Fridays concert series on Friday from 7-9 pm at Veterans Square in downtown Paxton with the Everingham-Pittman Band performing. Concession stands at Veterans Square open at 6 on Friday night.
