GoFundMe set up for families of fatal crash in Rushville

RUSHVILLE - A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the grieving families with arrangements needed after a school bus transporting three preschoolers collided with a semi-truck on Monday.

According to police, the bus crossed over into oncoming traffic into the path of the semi carrying a load of sand. Both vehicles were involved in flames upon impact. Three young children along with the drivers of the school bus and semi-truck perished in the tragic accident.

The accident happened near Rushville, almost 135 miles due west of Champaign-Urbana and 57 miles northwest of Springfield at around 11:30 a.m.

The GoFundMe has been set up for the families of the three students to help cover funerals, medical bills and other unforeseen expenses. According to one news report, a meal train, designed to provide the students' families with home-cooked and delivered meals during this time has been established online while community members work together to support the victims' families.

Donations can be made via this link on GoFundMe.com. As of this article, 560 donors have contributed just over $40,000 in financial support to the grieving families.

The National Transportation Safety Board posted a message on 'X', formerly known as Twitter, Monday night announcing a team would be sent to investigate the incident with Illinois State Police.

GoFundMe campaign established for St. Joseph veteran who lost home to fire

ST. JOSEPH - Chris Wright lost his home, all of his belongings, and his trusted companion, his dog Bo, to a fire that started in his home sometime around 11pm on New Year's Eve.

The St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District responded to the call and extinguished the blaze around 3am on Saturday.

Wright's neighbor, Kristin Jones, created a GoFundMe campaign to help him recover after the fire.

"The firemen and women tried and did their best to put the fire out is quickly, efficiently, and tried to save everything including his dog, she wrote in the campaign message. "I’m here to ask, that while he continues to work, we raise money to help him in whatever he needs to get through this extremely hard time."

Anyone willing to make a contribution to help the army veteran who served both in Iraq and Afganistan can do so here - GoFundMe for Chris.

"Such a devastating loss for my brother," wrote his sister Kaleigh Clark on Facebook. "He lost his dog, who was his best friend, as well as his house, and all of his belongings in this fire."

Village Crier: December 23, 2020

Dairy Barn pick up December 28

The Sidney Dairy Barn online shop is open for business at sidneydairybarn.com. While the location is closed for indoor dining, new online orders will be available on Monday, December 28, from 3-6pm. Tire Swings, Tornado home kits, freezes, shakes and more are available.

Go-Fund-Me to help April set up

Subway manager Adam Porter created a GoFundMe page for assistant manager April Patton, who suffered a stroke last week.

"I started this campaign because I know she is going to miss a lot of work and I wanted to try to relieve some of the stress financially," Porter said. "I hope that we are able to help reduce some of her stress and help out her family."

Contributions and donation to help the mother of three while she is unable to work and for medical expenses can be made here: April Patton GoFundMe.

Lil Buford's Wednesday's special

Today's special is a breaded or grilled tenderloins with hand cut fries at the 102 N Long location in Tolono. Meals are available for dine in or carry out. Call for more information at 217-485-5500.

Tolono garbage pick-up will run as scheduled

Chris' Service Company be picking up on Friday, Christmas Day, as normal. For more route information call (217) 684-2465.

RC Fest set for next summer

RC FEST: CREATORS OF CHAOS will be held at Tolono's East Side Park July 31 through August 1. The event features radio controlled car races to raise awareness for donating blood. All proceeds goes to Community Blood Services of Illinois.

2020 was the tenth year of the event created by Tolono resident Adam Munds.

"I got the idea because there was a need for a RC event and I needed platelets when I was born. So blood donation was very close to me," Munds said.

Munds' event this year had 186 entries. With competitors coming from Detroit, Michigan and North Carolina. He said he is expecting teams from Massachusetts, North Carolina and South Dakota to take part in this summer's fest.

Mean Mugz Bar & Grill offering spicy deal

Mean Mugz at 121 Sout East Ave in Ogden has a hearty Po'Boy meal deal for today and tomorrow, December 24. Order a Classic or Cajun burger, a chicken or steak Philly sandwich, or a catfish and a 64oz Rigg's Growler-to-Go for just $20. Call (217) 582-8029 to order for carryout or more information.

Health permits suspended

Permits for two Sentinel area eateries were suspended by Champaign County public health officials for operating in defiance of the state's pandemic mitigation efforts. Lil Buford’s at 102 N. Long in Tolono, and Billy Bob’s at 105 E. Broadway in Ogden join Merry-Ann’s Dinner in Champaign; the American Legion Post 71 in Urbana; Apple Dumplin’ at 2014 N. High Cross Road, U; Not Too Far Bar at 203 Chapin St., Ivesdale; and Red Wheel restaurant at 741 Broadmeadow in Rantoul on a list of county bar and restaurant operations cited for continuing indoor service despite warnings multiple warnings.

Philo Tav announces holiday hours

The Philo Tavern will be closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas but reopen for normal business hours on Saturday.

According to their Facebook page "... due to COVID and public health regulations, we are unable to provide our usual Christmas Eve special of free fried chicken. This was hard for us to do, as this year is the year that our customers deserve THE MOST appreciation for all you’ve done for us."

"We know that without you, we wouldn’t exist and for that, we sincerely thank all of you and wish you all to have a fun and safe holiday!"

SJCOC to hold Christmas Eve services

The St. Joseph Church of Christ host Christmas Eve services at 4:00p, 6:00p, and 11:00p. Each serivce will include a candlelight ceremony in the service. Masks are strongly encouraged, especially as you are making your way to your seat, and seating will be at recommended social distance. The 4:00p service is almost full, according to the latest post on Facebook. There is still ample space in the 6:00p and 11:00p services. The 6:00 services will be live streamed. Interested worshipers can find the link on the SJCOC Facebook page.