(Kankakee--jc) -- Kankakee County K-Meg agents along with assistance from the Illinois State Police eradicated 751 outdoor cannabis plants in the Pembroke Township area on Sunday morning. Kankakee County Sheriff’s police say upon investigation with a search warrant, agents seized equipment utilized in the production of cannabis and four firearms. The investigation continues today.
(Shelby County--jc) -- An Effingham man was fatally injured in a two vehicle accident in Shelby County on Friday afternoon. State police say the man was in a vehicle going west along Route 16, One car was attempting to pass a second car, when oncoming traffic approached and the two cars collided. Three residents from Tower Hill were also injured in the accident.
(Springfield--jc) -- The Illinois department of Transportation is asking the public’s help in making Illinois roads, safer. Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn says highway deaths are an epidemic, caused by drunk driving, speeding and distracted driving. Blankenhorn says texting while driving is an especially serious problem…
I-Dot Secretary Randy Blankenhorn.
I-Dot is holding a safety summit in October with state and local agencies to discuss ways to end distracted driving.
(Paxton--ab) Paxton Buckley Loda schools have been in session for two days for the new school year. A work project at the Clara Petersen building and the High school continue. P-B-L School superintendent Cliff McClure says the project continues with school in progress....
P-B-L School Superintendent Cliff McClure
ROCHELLE, Ill. (AP) — A railcar manufacturing plant in northern Illinois is set to close as the factory building goes up for auction. Nippon Sharyo announced Thursday it would be closing its Rochelle plant at the end of this month after a failure to deliver 130 bi-level Amtrak passenger cars for Illinois and California. The company said the complexity of the project ultimately prevented completion and brought significant financial losses. The city hopes in the meantime to recruit another manufacturer to the facility.
(Springfield--jc) -- Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner is signing a package of public safety bills. The first law encourages police officers to seek mental health treatment if needed, without fear of jeopardizing their career says Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz..
Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz.
Another bill lets retiring troopers, conservation officers and secretary of state police to buy their badge and firearm and a third gives gun owners a 60 day grace period while their FOID card renewal application is being processed.
(Gibson City--jc) -- Gibson City Melvin Sibley school board members are expected to approve field trips for various grades when they meet tonight in monthly session. Several donations will be announced. They include a 2 thousand 43 dollar donation from the Rick Amburgey Memorial and a 1 thousand three hundred dollar donations from the G-C-M-S Booster Club. That donation is expected to be received for a softball diamond sound system. Also on the agenda is approval of the Caps program The G-C-M-S school board meets tonight at 6-15 in the board room at the high school.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A new study by the Illinois Board of Education shows that less than a quarter of the state's children were fully prepared to enter kindergarten last year. The study of about 106,000 students was based on teachers' evaluations of their kindergarten students. The data show that about 42 percent of students weren't prepared last year in any of three development areas. Seventeen percent were prepared in one area, 18 percent in two areas and 24 percent were prepared in all three areas.
CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — The Carbondale City Council is considering allowing "natural" burials that involve biodegradable materials and no chemicals. The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports is discussing altering its code to allow the process at Oakland Cemetery. Natural burials use no chemicals such as formaldehyde to preserve a body. Biodegradable caskets are used and placed directly in the ground with no vault. Typically such graves are not even permanently marked.
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(Hoopeston--jc) --Elvis is coming to Hoopeston. Actually, it’s Elvis tribute artist Doug Church along with the Change of Habit Band. The event is a fundraiser for the Lorraine Theatre of Hoopeston. The event takes place at 7 on Saturday night at the theatre.
(Undated--jc) -- Illinois is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a state. Here is today’s Bicentennial Minute…
PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Around 40 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers based in Peoria have returned home from Afghanistan. A Friday statement from the Illinois National Guard said the soldiers made their way back to the state over the last two weeks. They are from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment. Its soldiers were mobilized to Afghanistan last August. Some soldiers operated out of Bagram Airfield and others from the Kandahar Airfield.
(Rantoul--jc) -- Flooding continues to be an issue in one part of Rantoul. Those on some properties near the Northview school say flooding occurs when the area receives a good size rain. Both the village of Rantoul and Rantoul City schools are discussing which entity is responsible for correcting the problem. Area citizens have brought the issue to both boards and the conversations continue.
(Springfield--jc) The 20-18 Illinois State Fair is now complete for another year. Although some rain cancelled a few events, it was a successful year says Illinois State Fair Manager Luke Sailer…
Illinois State Fair Manager Luke Sailer.
(Washington--jc) -- Older Americans need a proper diet too. Aging successfully and a good diet, go together says Michigan State University Extension Advisor Leatta Byrd..
Michigan State University Extension Advisor Leatta Byrd.
CHICAGO (AP) — Helene Walsh, the wife of a conservative radio host and former Illinois congressman, will replace a former state lawmaker who resigned after being accused of sharing nude photos of an ex-girlfriend online. The Chicago Tribune reports Walsh was selected from a pool of about 20 contenders to replace former GOP state Rep. Nick Sauer. She is the wife of former tea party congressman Joe Walsh. Walsh will also appear on the November ballot.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A series of festivals, parades and other events will mark the 200th anniversary of Illinois adopting its state constitution. Among the celebrations planned for Aug. 26 is the dedication of a new Bicentennial Plaza next to the Illinois Governor's Mansion in Springfield. Constitution Day festivities also are planned in Galena and Dixon, and East St. Louis hosts a Heritage Festival. Gov. Bruce Rauner is holding a Route 66 Motorcycle Ride that will travel from Shorewood to Springfield.
(Springfield--jc) -- Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has signed two new hunting related laws. The first law gives hunters a new fashion choice in hopes of making themselves more visible says Governor Rauner…
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner
A second law cracks down on illegal hunting.
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(Undated--jc) For decades, Michael Drweiga has opened his wallet whenever the donation basket comes around at church, but the latest revelations of priests sexually abusing children brought him to the conclusion that he can no longer justify giving.Brice Sokolowski helps small Catholic nonprofits and churches raise money, but he too supports the recent calls to withhold donations.And Georgene Sorensen has felt enough anger and "just total sadness" over the past few weeks that she's reconsidering her weekly offering at her parish.Across the U.S., Catholics once faithful with their financial support to their churches are searching for ways to respond to the constant sex-abuse scandals that have tarnished the institution in which they believe, with back-to-back scandals in the past two months.
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Bicyclists will get to tour central Illinois farms, vineyards and breweries during a new, five-day ride scheduled as part of Illinois' Bicentennial celebration.The Prairie Heritage Ride will be held Sept. 10 to 14 and cover more than 300 miles in central Illinois. Among the stops will be Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, Rader Family Farms, Prairie Fruits and Creamery and Hand of Fate Brewing Company.The ride is a joint effort between the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bicycle Illinois and the Springfield Bicycle Club. It starts and ends in Springfield and includes overnights in Lincoln, Bloomington, Champaign and Decatur.
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(Loda--jc) -- One tractor pull that was rained out is set for another appearance this Saturday. The 8th annual Loda Good Ole Days Truck and Tractor pull begins at 10 Saturday morning on the west side of the village. 13 classes will be featured in the event.Gates open at 8 Saturday morning and food will be available.
