PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Attorneys for the man charged with kidnapping and killing a Chinese University of Illinois scholar say the FBI searched his jail cell when he was in court. Brendt Christensen's attorneys now want a judge to force the FBI to divulge what they found in Friday's search at the Livingston County jail. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Christensen, who's charged in the 2017 abduction and death of 26-year-old Yingying Zang. Authorities haven't found her body. Another court appearance is set for Today.
(Dewitt County--jc) -- Farmer City police are warning the area about an e-mail scam. Officials say the scam is claiming to be from Fed-Ex. The scam wants the person to send money for an unclaimed package. Police officials say that if you receive such an e-mail, do NOT respond or send money. Alert your local police agency about any suspicious activity.
(Springfield--ab) --Illinois State Police Director Leo P. Schmitz is reminding motorists to enjoy the holidays responsibly and take the necessary safety precautions to prevent senseless tragedies from occurring. The ISP will be doing their part to keep Illinois roadways safe by strictly enforcing all laws, with an emphasis on the four most common causes of fatal traffic crashes. “The Fatal Four” includes: DUI, Speeding, Seat Belt, and Distracted Driving. Throughout the holidays, the ISP will conduct extra patrols and roadside safety checks with an emphasis on removing impaired drivers from the roadways and a goal of reducing traffic crashes. ISP encourages the public to do their part to make travel safe this holiday season. If you will be attending an event where alcohol is being served, please make sure to designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or use a ride-sharing service.
(Washington--jc) -- Land-grant university researchers and Christmas tree farmers work together in genetic breeding efforts of seed desirable for grower needs and consumer wants. Rod Bain reports.
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(Rantoul--jc) -- Rantoul Recreation Department officials say they are planning their next Broadway Musical trip. The trip to the Fox Theatre in Saint Louis will be to see the musical “Come From Away” which won the Best Musical award. The cost is expected to be around 85 dollars per person. More information is found by contacting the Rantoul Recreation Department.
(Gifford--jc) -- Gifford School leaders will talk about a contract for the schools new superintendent when they meet tonight in monthly session. School board members are expected to talk about the contract for Jay Smith. Smith was hired this past Spring to replace current Superintendent R Grimsley, who is retiring at the end of the school year. A new contract could be in place in early 20-19.
(Ford County--jc) Ford County Republicans are planning one of their main events for next year. The local political group will hold a “Mega Town Hall” event rather than the Lincoln Day Dinner. More details will be provided in the near future as the event could be set in July in Gibson City.
(Urbana--jc) If you see Elmo and some of his pals in Urbana this afternoon, there is a good reason. The characters from the Sesame Street Live Show that are performing locally, will make the appearance at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana starting at 1 this afternoon. Elmo and friends will be visiting with children at the hospital which include songs and one on one meet and greets.
(Champaign--jc) -- Christmas is one week away, and the chances for a White Christmas in East Central Illinois remain slim. As we close out fall and the beginning of winter on Friday, State Climatologist Office Spokesperson Brian Kershner says temperatures are expected to be above normal and that means above freezing…
State Climatologist Office Spokesperson Brian Kershner.
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago's O'Hare Airport is getting a new security scanner that officials hope will make going through security checkpoints more efficient. The new scanner may not be used to screen passengers until after the holidays because the Transportation Security Administration is still testing it and training employees to use it. The new CT scanners have been tested in Boston and Phoenix and are now being rolled out to other airports. The technology is already used on checked luggage. It could give TSA agents at security checkpoints a better view of items, eventually allowing passengers to leave liquids in their carry-on bags. Agents also may need to do fewer hands-on searches.In Chicago the scanner will be in the Terminal 1 checkpoint open to some United Airlines passengers.
(Undated--jc) Illinois is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a state. Here is today’s Bicentennial Minute…
(Chicago--jc) --Illinois' senior U.S. Senator said a judge's ruling that Obamacare is unconstitutional means that Republicans are going to once again have to talk about healthcare. Dick Durbin says he's not sure that the U.S. Supreme Court will save the Affordable Care Act. Durbin says Republicans in Washington D.C. now face a future where they will have to have another debate on healthcare. A judge last week.ruled that without Obamacare's individual mandate, the rest of the law was unconstitutional. Challenges are expected
(Paxton--jc) -- A Chicago man is expected to be returned to Ford County today to face a charge of stealing more than 700 dollars in cigarettes from a Paxton business in November. Cook County police say they arrested 26 year old Rakeem Burris. Burris is awaiting transfer to Ford County. The Class 2 felony, upon any conviction, has a sentence range from probation to 7 years in prison.
(Mahomet--jc) -- Mahomet Seymour school leaders will hear about the Fieldhouse project when they meet tonight in monthly session. Approving a fuel bid and the annual tax levy are also agenda items. The meeting comes to order at 7 tonight at the Middletown Prairie board room.
(Springfield--jc) -- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has a plan to use more paper. The state agency is taking a small step away from digital records. Returning to paper records in some cases could potentially save businesses money. The move is part of an initiative of Governor Bruce Rauner, who often used government paperwork as an example bureaucratic inefficiency during his time in office. It’s part of the governors, cutting the red tape initiative and the changes will result in savings for businesses and taxpayers.
(Springfield--jc) -- Illinois State Police are increasing patrols and urging the public to be safe for busy holiday travel. I-S-P Sergeant Jacqueline Cepeda says with all the celebrations, motorists need to be extra careful at this time of year…
Illinois State Police Sergeant Jacqueline Cepeda
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Parkland College officials announced Monday that four candidates have filed to run for positions on the Parkland College Board of Trustees.Bianca Truitt Green of Champaign, Jonathan Westfield of Savoy and Douglas Jones of Champaign have filed for the two six-year trustee terms that are expiring next April. Green and Westfield are incumbent trustees who have served on the board since 2015 and 2017, respectively. Jones is a surgeon at Christie Clinic in Champaign. James L. Ayers of Monticello, also an incumbent, has filed for the four-year term expiring in April. Ayers has served the on the board since 1989. The two six-year terms will run through April 2025, while the four-year term will run through April 2023. The election will be held April 2, 2019.
(Washington--jc -- U.S. soybean farmers welcomed news from President Trump Monday confirming a second payment under the United States Department of Agriculture’s Market Facilitation Program. American Soybean Association President Davie Stephens, a soybean farmer from Clinton Kentucky says that while the 2nd payment will not make losses whole, it will help offset the drop in prices.
(Illinois--jc) Make sure to protect your vital information when shopping and giving this holiday season. A-A-R-P of Illinois Terri Worman says be prepared and be alert…
A-A-R-P of Illinois Spokesperson Terri Worman
(Champaign--jc) -- The Champaign County Association of Realtors is planning it’s One Winter Night in February. WPXN’s Austin Burklund has the story..
(Champaign--jc) The Prairielands Council, Boy Scouts of America has hired Jared White as its’ new Scouting Executive; Jared will begin his career with Prairielands Council on January 16. Jared began his Scouting career as a District Executive for the Greater St. Louis Area and is also an Eagle Scout. Prairielands Council President Randy Kangas calls White, a winner for scouts in East Central Illinois
