There are now four signs entering Champaign County reading 'Birthplace of the Tuskegee Airmen – March 1941.'  On Thursday, the county held a celebration of what occured on the former Chanute Air Force base 75 years ago this month.

The National Guard-run program for at-risk youth in Rantoul was able to continue as scheduled in summer 2015, delayed only slightly to determine if staff could be paid during Illinois' budget impasse.  But that same lack of a budget is giving off an impression that Lincoln's Challenge is not taking new cadets, just weeks from when the next class is scheduled to start.

The Chanute Air Museum in Rantoul closes its doors Saturday, two months earlier than originally planned.  The original decision was made last spring for financial reasons, but Curator Mark Hanson says the closure date was moved up since many exhibits are already being moved. 

Rantoul and Champaign Police officials say armed robbery suspect Darius Graves was shot by a Champaign SWAT teamleader, because he appeared to be holding a gun as he ran from his motel room after a standoff. The gun turned out to be a steel pipe wrapped in cloth, but the Champaign County State's Attorney says the shooting was "legally appropriate".

A suspect in Sunday's armed robbery of the Rantoul Hardee's restaurant died Tuesday after being shot by police during a standoff at a motel.