ST. LOUIS (AP) — The flood-ravaged Midwest doesn't need more rain, but it may get it anyway. The National Weather Service predicts several days of wet weather this week in the central U.S. Hydrologist Mark Fuchs said Monday that parts of eastern Kansas could get up to 5 inches of rain by Friday, and that parts of Iowa and Missouri could get 3 inches. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their tributaries are already flooding, causing levee breaches and evacuations.Closer to home, some recent flooding levels continue to be monitored with Sugar Creek in the Milford area, the Iroquois river in Chebance, Iroquois and Watseka in Iroquois County. Other areas include the Sangamon River near Monticello and the Vermillion in the Pontiac and Danville areas.
KANKAKEE, Ill. (AP) — Prosecutors in northern Illinois say they are reconsidering whether to retry a man convicted of a 1999 murder after a child witness recanted his testimony. Terrence Haynes is scheduled to go on trial June 10 for the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Cezaire Murrell. Haynes claims he was forced to shoot Murrell after the man threatened him with a gun. An appellate court earlier this year ordered Haynes' release from prison and granted him a new trial.
(Washington--ba) What’s up with clutter. One former expert has some advice.
Retired University of Illinois Extension expert Karen Chan shares some ways to approach and address an area where clutter may be evident.
Former University of Illinois Extension expert Karen Chan
(Washington--ba) There's very little drought to report in the latest USDA Drought Monitor. Gary Crawford reports.
(Urbana--jc) Bond was set at 50 thousand dollars for a Ludlow Village Board member. 62 year old Ross Radke of Ludlow was arrested over the weekend and has been charged with possession of a firearm without a foid card and 2 counts of unlawful use of a firearm. The Rantoul Press reports that Radke is due back in court on May 16.
(Ford County--ba)-- The Ford County Fair is coming up in June. That also means it’s Fair Queen pageant time. WPXN’s Braedon Arnett has the story…
(Urbana--jc) -- Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup is releasing the name of a woman involved in a two vehicle crash that happened Monday afternoon near the intersection of Cardinal Road and Rising Road in Champaign County Ilsa L. Walden, age 42, of Champaign was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:00PM by the coroner’s office. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow. This incident is under investigation by the coroner’s office and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Department.
(Watseka--jc) -- The Iroquois County Tax Committee is set to look at the annual list of tax bills to be voided when they meet this morning in Watseka. The Incobrasa project in the county and solar projects also hi-light the meeting. The Iroquois County Tax Committee meets at 9 this morning in Watseka. The Iroquois County Health committee meets at 9-30 this morning in Watseka.
(Springfield--jc) -- The House could take up a package of bills when members consider changing the state constitution’s flat tax to a structure with higher rates on higher earners as Illinois lawmakers head back to Springfield.The plan appears to have momentum, despite critiques from nearly all sides. Critics have said the proposals fail to address the state’s spending problems, its lowest-in-the-nation credit rating, or the state’s population loss.After clearing the Senate on Wednesday, the proposed Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 1, progressive tax rates in Senate Bill 687, estate tax repeal in Senate Bill 689 and property tax freeze in Senate Bill 690 are in the House. Sponsors of the measures have said they all must pass together or the package will fall apart. All of those measures are in the House Rules Committee.
(Springfield--jc) -- A measure that already passed the Senate to bar drivers from using video devices while behind the wheel hit a snag in the House.Senate Bill 86 would prohibit a driver from using a video device, with the exception of the built-in navigation devices in newer vehicles.The synopsis of the bill includes cellular telephones, tablets, laptops, two-way messaging devices and electronic games into the category of prohibited devices for drivers who are behind the wheel. The measure also says using an electronic communication device does not include the minimal use of a finger to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function of the device.
(Paxton--jc) The Paxton Streetscape program continues to develop. Several businesses in the downtown area of Paxton have completed facade projects or upgrades to buildings. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the number of open businesses continues to grow in the city and the streetscape program is there to provide incentives…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
The city will use around 1 point 1 million dollars from a state fund to help with a street project on Market in the city among other downtown improvements.
(Spirngfield--jc) -- Last week was a bust for Illinois farmers as we hear in the weekly crop report. Rain over the past week averaged more than 2 inches above normal and kept farmers out of the field says crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener.
To date, 10 percent of corn and 3 percent of soybeans have been planted statewide. WPXN news will have another crop report on our noon newscast.
(Washington--ba)-Some believe an electric lawn mower requires less maintenance than a gas-powered counterpart, yet an Extension expert says there is still care needed to assure proper operation. Rod Bain has the story...
(Rantoul--jc) -- Rantoul Village leaders will seat the new board when they meet later today. The regular study session begins at 6, and local board members are expected to accept the Os-lad grant of 360 thousand dollars. Rantoul Village leaders are also expected to purchase 28 body cameras and accessories for just over 21 thousand 700 dollars. The Rantoul Village board meets at 6pm in the boardroom on Tanner Street.
