Rantoul teen found dead after flooding accident in rural Champaign County
The county coroner’s office said the body of Elias A. Smith, 17 was found Monday in a flooded drainage ditch in Condit Township, west of Rantoul.
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Rantoul voters to determine in November if the village should have at-large districts and whether to allow cannabis dispensaries
Rantoul is putting two ballot proposals before voters in November that could allow cannabis dispensaries to open in town and return the village to a system of electing trustees to at-large seats instead of districts.
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Combe Incorporated invests $30 million to expand Rantoul facility, with $5 million state grant
Combe’s expansion in Rantoul is expected to create more than 20 new full-time jobs in the village and retain 100 existing full-time jobs.
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Rantoul to issue refunds due to incorrect property tax bills
Taxpayers in Rantoul will be reimbursed for the difference between the incorrect rate and the intended rate, according to the village.
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Flyover Film Studios in Rantoul brings new growth to central Illinois’ film industry
Flyover Film Studios, a company that launched in late 2022, has already been recognized by state leaders for bringing notable economic growth to Illinois.
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Mother of teenager killed by police files lawsuit against Village of Rantoul
The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Amy Richardson claims that her son, 18-year-old Jordan Richardson, died due to excessive force in 2023 after he had already complied with an officer’s orders to drop his gun.
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More than a holiday tradition: Reindeer are a way of life at the Hardy ranch in Rantoul
Around the holidays, reindeer become a familiar sight: on cards, in movies and pulling Santa’s sleigh. But here in central Illinois, reindeer aren’t a myth or a cartoon. They’re livestock, cared for year-round.
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Rantoul Mayor Samuel Hall talks first 100 days, engaging with youth, supporting economic development
Rantoul Mayor Samuel Hall took office more than 100 days ago. He defeated the former incumbent, Chuck Smith, by a margin of 34 votes during the April 1 election.
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Rantoul Mayor Samuel Hall talks first 100 days, engaging with youth, supporting economic development
Rantoul Mayor Samuel Hall took office more than 100 days ago. He defeated the former incumbent, Chuck Smith, by a margin of 34 votes during the April 1 election. Hall has been reflecting on that narrow victory, emphasizing that he’s been focused on listening to the community in the time since then. “That just shows…
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A Dialogue on local voices shaping Central Illinois
In Central Illinois, community care takes many forms — from an 82-year-old veteran selling collard greens in Rantoul to young leaders organizing against gun violence in Danville. How are these local voices defining what it means to support and strengthen their communities today?
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82-year-old Rantoul vet owns thriving mobile market, selling melons and collards greens from his pickup
At 82 years old, Eugene Usher doesn’t need a slot at the farmers market. His red pickup truck, just off the highway in Rantoul, has become a local favorite for fresh collard greens and watermelons.
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Samuel Hall III sworn in as Rantoul’s first Black Village President
The new mayor said he wants to improve Rantoul’s infrastructure and create a more inclusive village.
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How a hidden box of love letters became a historical memoir of WWII
In his new memoir, local author Larry Schnell writes about the discovery of these letters, which documents his parents’ love story — and also explores the little-known role of music in war.
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Rantoul mayoral candidates talk local economy, policy goals ahead of upcoming election
Rantoul Mayor Charles Smith is facing a challenge from District 5 Village Trustee Samuel Hall III. Both candidates say they want to support the local economy and rebuild village infrastructure.
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‘Mission Accomplished’ for Rantoul air force base, yet $76 million of environmental clean-up remains
Most of the Chanute Air Force base transferred to the village of Rantoul in 2023. At the time, the Air Force declared “Mission Accomplished” in a press release — but it acknowledged there’s still at least $76 million more toxic clean-up to do. Today, it is unclear what the plan is for the many abandoned and deteriorating buildings.
