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Gibson City Police Need Public's Help in Solving String of Burglaries in Gibson City

(Gibson City--jc)  -- Gibson City Police and Ford County officials are seeking the public’s help in solving a series of motor vehicle burglaries in Gibson City. Police officials say in a release that on January 20th and 21st, there were  several burglary and attempted burglaries to Motor Vehicles on the the north end of Gibson City Officers completed a thorough investigation and collected enough evidence to secure arrest warrants for two suspects. Ford County State's Attorney Andrew Killian issued arrest warrants for Justin Jesse and Kaitlyn Darnell on Friday afternoon. Anyone with information about these crimes are asked to call Ford County Crime Stoppers at (217) 784-4173. Law enforcement officials remind everyone that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) — Former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner F.W. de Klerk will speak at Illinois State University this month. De Klerk's presentation Feb. 12 will be "Bridging the Gap: Globalization Without Isolation." De Klerk became president of South Africa in 1989. A short time later he released civil rights leader Nelson Mandela from prison after 27 years. Their joint efforts at reforming the country earned them the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

URBANA, Ill. (AP) — The University of Illinois is looking for ways to protect faculty members from disruptive students who take online trolling into the classroom. The News-Gazette reports that the issue was prompted by a case involving Jay Rosenstein, a professor of media and cinema studies who's criticized the school's former Chief Illiniwek mascot. Rosenstein says someone who disagreed with his views harassed him online for months before enrolling in one of his classes in the fall.


 

 

(Springfield--ab) Governor J-B Pritzker is signing an executive order that boosts the state’s efforts in fighting the H-I-V epidemic. About 40 thousand Illinoisans are living with H-I-V…and more than 13-hundred cases are diagnosed each year. Governor Pritzker says this order will re-invest in prevention and testing services.

 

 

The order also requires the state to work with medicaid manage care companies to ensure those living with H-I-V are getting the healthcare they need.

 

SULLIVAN, Ill. (AP) — A 20-year-old man has died after an explosion leveled a home in central Illinois. The (Decatur) Herald & Review reports the explosion occurred just before 10 p.m. Friday near Sullivan. Fire Department Chief Mike Piper said the home was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived and it was clear "there had been a very large explosion." Authorities say they suspect the cause may have been propane. The home's residents are Amish.

 

(Urbana-jc)  --A Champaign County man was sentenced to 4 years in prison for being  found to have cocaine byproducts in his system when he hit and killed a pedestrian with his pickup truck two years ago. 47 year old Joseph Perry was sentenced on Friday, according the to News Gazette. The fatal accident  took the life of 76 Marjorie Roberts of Champaign.

 

 

(Champaign County--jc)  -- A traffic accident along Interstate 57 on Sunday slowed traffic for several hours. Police say a semi rolled on the interstate. Crews were on the scene for several hours cleaning up the site between Curtis Road and the Interstate 72 exchange. No word was provided on the  condition of the semi driver

 

 

WILMINGTON, Ill. (AP) — A seven-mile ice jam on the Kankakee River could cause flash flooding as warmer temperatures and possible rain move into northern Illinois. First responders went door-to-door this week in Wilmington, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) south of Chicago, to warn residents who may be affected that they should be ready to evacuate at short notice.

 

 

(Illinois--ba) This week’s forecast calls for rain and not the dangerous cold and temperatures from a week ago. WPXN’s Braedon Arnett has the numbers about the last weeks weather...

 



 

(Paxton--jc) --Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick says her office has extended the filing deadline for residents to become write-in candidates in April’s election. Due to last weeks harsh weather the deadline was extended to 4:30 this afternoon. More information is found by calling Fredericks office at 217-379-9400 or on line at Ford-County-Illinois-dot-gov.

 

(Washington--ba) National ag officials say a trade agreement with China is a  long way" from being done....Gary Crawford reports.

 

 

(Undated--jc)  Replace the dangerous cold temperatures and  wind chills with drizzle and rain to start the week. The new weather pattern for the next couple of days is rainy through Thursday. The new weather may cause some flooding issues. Homeowners are reminded to check their sump pumps. And the change in temperatures from a low of minus 50 to around 60 degrees threatens a new set of problems. Ruptured water mains, leaky pipes and gutters, an influx of potholes and the flooding of roads and bridges are among the potential repercussions of such a sudden temperature swing.

 

(Champaign--jc)  A second case of measles has been reported in Champaign County. Champaign County Public health Officials made the announcement over the weekend. The two people affected were adults who had not been vaccinated against the disease. More information is found on line with the Champaign County Public Health Department website.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- The Opioid alternative pilot program is now open. It allows those who take powerful and addictive painkillers use medical marijuana instead. Illinois Department of Public Health Spokesperson Melaney Arnold says those interested need to talk to their doctor…

 

 

Illinois Department of Public Health Spokesperson Melaney Arnold

 

 

(Sibley--jc)  Ford County leaders are expected to discuss a proposed mega-hog farm near Sibley when they next week in Paxton. The Ford County Zoning Committee met on Friday morning and heard comments on the issue from Sibley village leaders. Sibley leaders may also take a stand on the proposed farm. The Illinois Department of Agriculture and Ford County held a meeting on the issue last month. WPXN will continue to follow this story as more information is provided.

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois officials are looking for partners to help provide meals to children in low-income areas over the summer when school isn't in session.The Illinois State Board of Education administers the Summer Food Service Program. The state receives federal reimbursement to cover the costs of preparing and serving meals.In 2018 there were about 2,200 summer meal sites in Illinois.Outgoing State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith said Illinois is already planning for this summer. He says there are 33 counties that don't have any sites. Smith says not having access to school lunch and breakfast over the summer "poses a significant challenge" for many families.Nonprofits, local governments and school districts may set up serving sites at community locations such as schools, churches and libraries.

 

(Rantoul--jc)  If you are a business that belongs to the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce you can expect a visit from your executive director soon. Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Belynda Allen has the goal to stop by all businesses in the chamber to help promote the village and to see how the chamber can assist its members…

 

 

Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Belynda Allen

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  A Rantoul based company with ties to the local area has the naming rights for the University of Illinois at Chicago Pavilion. The building is now known as the Credit Union 1 Arena. The 9 point 3 Million dollar agreement was approved by the Illinois Board of Trustees last week. The agreement is for 15 years. Credit Union 1  has local facilities Rantoul Champaign and Urbana.

 

 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — The University of Illinois is extending its search for its first chief diversity officer after four finalists for the position didn't work out. Chancellor Robert Jones told search committee members  that the goal is to make a decision by the end of the academic year in May. Jones originally hoped to hire someone for the job early this semester. Jones told search committee members that it's critical the university find "the best possible person" to create the position and "support diversity efforts." He says the extra time will help to find the right candidate. The chief diversity officer will oversee the new cabinet-level Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

 

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