(Springfield-jm) -- Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office is suing several pharmaceutical companies over the opioid crisis in Illinois. The lawsuit is filed against companies like Johnson and Johnson, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and more. It alleges they engaged in deceptive marketing practices that contributed to the opioid epidemic says Attorney General Spokesperson Annie Thompson…
Attorney General Spokesperson Annie Thompson. The suit also alleges that distributors McKesson, Cardinal Health and others failed to look into suspicious orders of opiates like hydrocodone and morphine.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton-Buckley-Loda FFA Chapter needs your help to protect the environment. The group is collecting 175 pounds of bottle caps or approximately 35,000 caps. For more information or to donate your caps, contact a PBL FFA member.
(Paxton-jm) -- Taxing bodies in Ford County are starting to receive payments from the county for property taxes collected in 2018. After the first round of property taxes were collected, 17.2 million were distributed. Paxton-Buckley-Loda and the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley school districts each received 3.8 million while the Tri-Point school district received 2 million. The second installment of property taxes is due by October 28th. After that deadline, an estimated 12 million more will be distributed to taxing bodies. County officials say the payment delays are due to the Illinois Department of Revenue not sending out the county’s multiplier on time.
(Washington-jm) --Will this month's new round of USDA crop forecasts cause as big a stir as last month? We will know soon. Gary Crawford has the details…
(Undated-jm) -- General Motors is recalling over 3 million pickups and SUVs over brake issues. The models impacted include the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, model years 2014 through 2018. Also included are the Cadillac Escalade from 2015 to 2017, and the GMC Yukon and Chevy Suburban and Tahoe from 2015 through 2018. According to the automaker, the problem lies within the vacuum pump. The amount of vacuum created by the pump, according to GM, may decrease over time. When the vacuum level drops, the brake assist will decrease. This will increase the stopping distance needed, risking a crash.
(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been sentenced to four years probation for sexually abusing a girl back in December. Carlos Ramirez-Lopez pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse before the case could go to a retrial after a jury acquitted him of one count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child back in July. Ramirez-Lopez also pleaded guilty to aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol for an incident in September 2018. He received 30 months probation for that.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is reminding everyone about the farmers market held outside the Paxton Carnegie Library in downtown every Thursday from 4-7 pm. Today, local musical act Vern and Vern will be performing. The farmers market runs through September 19th.
(Springfield-jm) -- Attorney General Kwame Raoul is raising concerns about at-home rape evidence kits. The do-it-yourself evidence collection kits are being marketed to survivors, but really don’t provide the support system that victims need says Attorney General Spokesperson Annie Thompson
Attorney General Spokesperson Annie Thompson. Thompson says there are also concerns about whether these kits would be admissible in court.
(Gifford-jm) -- The village of Gifford will likely push their water main replacement project to early 2020. Project leader David Atchley brought to village leaders attention that there is not enough room in the right away in the 1600 feet without replacing field tile. Environmental regulations call for water mains and field tiles to be at least 10 feet apart. A possible solution is to request easements from 16 homeowners.
(Buckley-jm) -- Buckley village trustees have approved a change order for their water tower refurbishment project. During the September meeting, village leaders approved removing a non-code compliant safety handrail on top instead of replacing it after an internet service tower was moved to another site. The change order will cost the village 1600 to remove the handrail, however, the village will be credited 5000 as they no longer need to install a new pressure-vacuum vent.
(Roberts--jc) -- You can add one Ford County town to the list of communities that have placed a three percent sales tax on legal marijuana sales. The village of Roberts voted to put the sales tax on the books this week says Roberts Mayor Rick Flessner…
Roberts Mayor Rick Flessner
(Gibson City--jc) -- For sale, used cars. The Gibson City Police Department is selling two used Ford Crown Victorias. One is a 2007 and the other is a 2008. Neither are running at this time and may need new batteries. If you would like to purchase either car, you may submit a sealed bid by Friday September 20th with the Gibson City Police..
(Gilman-jm) -- The Iroquois County community of Gilman is gearing up for their annual Super Saturday. Activities include a tractor show from 9-4, Bingo from 2-4 and a car show. This years event takes place on September 14th.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City will be hosting their annual Harvest Fest the second weekend of September. The two day festival takes place on Friday, September and Saturday. Friday night’s live music line up include Jake and Jackson and Fun Pianos Dueling Pianos. Saturday’s activities include a bags tournament, one-third race and beer stein holding. Live music Saturday includes The Fairchilds, Counterfeits, Devon Clemons Band and Nashville-recording artist Colt Ford.
