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š± How 180 visiting teams could pack Rantoulās hotels and roads this weekend
Hi Rantoul! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! āļø
In today's newsletter:
- How 180 visiting teams could pack Rantoulās hotels and roads this weekend
- How a $36M airport upgrade could reshape jobs in Rantoul
- See how Rantoul students brought mariachi and jazz together onstage
Also on today's calendar: After School Club and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? š¤ (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Rantoul.
- Friday: Becoming windier and warm, with a high of 81 and low of 45 degrees.
- Saturday: Very windy; cooler, temps: high: 55, low: 36.
- Sunday: Increasingly windy, with a high of 58 and low of 36 degrees.
š° News we're reading
ā¢ Rantoul sports complex expects up to 40K people (wandtv.com) ā Expect big crowds in town this weekend as the Rantoul Family Sports Complex hosts three major soccer, baseball, and softball tournaments, drawing an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 visitors. With more than 180 teams coming, local hotels may fill up quickly, and overflow guests are being directed to nearby Champaign and Urbana, just a short drive away. 
Ā Ā Ā 
ā¢ Rantoul Aviation Center receives grant to make $36MĀ in improvements (wcia.com) ā Rantoulās National Aviation Center is getting a $36 million federal grant to add hangars, fix old runways and upgrade key infrastructure, paving the way for hundreds of new high-tech manufacturing jobs. Planning starts next month, with construction expected to last four to six years, and local leaders say the project will boost business traffic and long-term opportunities for village residents. Ā Ā Ā
ā¢ 2025-26 High School Confidential: Week 26 (news-gazette.com) ā Rantoul High School recently hosted Mariachi Libertad alongside the chamber choir and Screaminā Eagles Jazz Band, giving students and families a lively celebration of Mexican music and cultural diversity. The performance was part of a wider regional roundup of student activities, but Rantoulās segment highlights how local arts programs are drawing the community together to support young performers. Ā Ā Ā
šø Around Rantoul
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
š
Upcoming Events in
Rantoul
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
ā Featured events ā
-
Open Mic Afternoon
Rantoul Public Library, 106 W Flessner Ave, Rantoul
3:00 pm
Saturday April 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Book Giveaway
Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul -
EAA Young Eagles Rally
Rantoul, IL Calendar , Rantoul National Aviation Center Six Aviation Center Drive , Rantoul
9:00 am -
National Library Week
Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul -
After School Club
Rantoul Public Library , 106 W Flessner Ave , Rantoul
3:30 pm -
Movie Matinee
Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul
4:00 pm -
Preschool Story Time with REEEC at Illinois
Rantoul Public Library , 106 West Flessner Avenue , Rantoul
10:00 am -
Card Making
Rantoul Public Library , 106 W Flessner Ave , Rantoul
1:30 pm
Saturday April 18
Sunday April 19
Monday April 20
Wednesday April 22
Thursday April 23
š£ Rantoul Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
š Events Nearby
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2026 ROGER EBERTāS FILM FESTIVAL: āTHE LAST DANCEā
Virginia Theatre , 203 W Park Ave , Champaign
12:00 pm -
Country Line Dancing w/ DJ Maggie B @ The Cadillac | Paxton, IL
The Cadillac , 108 W State St , Paxton
8:00 pm -
SPRING FLING FUNDRAISER
Knights of Columbus, Rantoul Council , 1001 Ohio Ave , Rantoul
5:00 pm -
All American Throwbacks
The Cadillac , 108 W State St , Paxton
8:00 pm
Friday April 17
Thursday April 23
Saturday April 25
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
š¬ Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Jeld-Wen, Inc. posted a job opening for Quality Coordinator in Rantoul. Apply here.
- DHL Express USA, Inc. posted a job opening for Inventory Control Clerk in Rantoul. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rantoul here.
š Nearby News
Fisher
- LOCAL ROUNDUP: Danville softball gets past Oakwood/Schlarman (bnd.com)
Urbana
- Meet the people answering your 911 calls during National Public Safety Telecommunicators' Week (wandtv.com)
- Urbana PD detective awarded Officer of the Year for his community work (wcia.com)
- Urbana Police Dept. helping out with C-U Canteen Run (wcia.com)
Ok Rantoul! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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