(Springfield-jm) -- Extended pandemic unemployment benefits for self-employed people are ending for the foreseeable future. Because Illinois’ unemployment rate has dropped, federal rules now prohibit individuals from seeking seven additional weeks of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Drought conditions have improved slightly after winter storms that swept through much of the state last month. Illinois went into December with a large band across central Illinois in a severe to moderate drought, but State Climatologist Trent Ford says the snow did provide some moisture…

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford. Ford says it’s hard to boost soil moisture when the ground is frozen and the snow is drier. The latest U-S Drought Monitor shows a stretch across Central and North-Central Illinois still in moderate drought to abnormally dry conditions.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,104 new Coronavirus cases and 44 additional deaths Wednesday bringing their total number of cases to 1,191,520 and deaths to 20,626. Locally, Ford County reported 2 new cases bringing their total to 1,590. Iroquois County reported 4 new cases bringing their total to 2,787. Vermilion County reported 26 new cases and 3 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 8,499 and deaths to 106. Champaign County reported 40 new cases bringing their total to 18,296.

 

 

(Buckley-cf)-- The Crop Insurance deadline is approaching quickly. Dylan Reetz of Diversified Insurance Agency in Buckley gives updates on important deadlines… 

 

 

Diversified Insurance Agent Dylan Reetz. You can visit the office in Buckley or contact Dylan at 815-822-5477

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- Iroquois County mobile home tax bills have been sent out. The county treasurer’s office says tax bills were sent out Tuesday. They are due May 3rd.

 

 

(Ashkum-jm) -- District 21 Illinois State Police have released February enforcement numbers. During the second month of 2021, troopers issued 317 citations and 464 written warnings including 5 DUIs, 4 seat belt and 27 criminal arrests. Also during the month, troopers responded to 87 traffic accidents.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- For the first time in nearly four decades the Illinois House will be led by someone new. Mike Madigan stepped down after 50 years in the Illinois General Assembly with 36 of them as speaker. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the change in leadership…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A federal grand jury indicted a Rantoul man on child pornography charges. 37-year-old Alan Dodd was indicted with distribution and possession of child pornography. He was arrested and charged on February 11 and had remained in custody ever since. Dodd is accused of distributing child pornography on October 25, 2020 and possessing it on February 11, 2021.  If convicted, Dodd faces between 5-20 years in prison for child pornography distribution and up to 10 years for possessing it.

 

 

(Ford County-jm) -- The Ford County board could limit how many cannabis businesses come to unincorporated areas of the county. A county committee is recommending no more than 3 cannabis businesses will be allowed in unincorporated areas. In addition, the committee is recommending businesses must be at least 1000 feet from schools, daycares and anywhere children can be and they must obtain a conditional use permit. The recommendations go before the full county board on March 8th.

 

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is hosting the Certified Livestock Manager Online Training and Webinar this morning starting at 9 am. Preregistration is required at go dot illinois dot edu slash C-L-M-T.

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,104 new Coronavirus cases and 44 additional deaths Wednesday bringing their total number of cases to 1,191,520 and deaths to 20,626. As for local active and recovered cases, Iroquois County reported 2,720 have been released from isolation and 8 are in isolation. Vermilion County reported 271 active cases and 9 are hospitalized. Champaign County reported 17,879 have recovered, 288 are in isolation and 16 are hospitalized. Ford County is unable to provide active and recovered updates due to a reporting issue at the state level.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul will be getting a veterans memorial. A group has been raising funds for several years to build the memorial says Spokesperson Jim Cheek…

 

 

Rantoul Veterans Memorial Spokesperson Jim Cheek. The memorial will be for any veteran whether they live in Rantoul or not. Bricks can still be purchased for the memorial by contacting any member of the committee. Cost of the brick is $150.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland College is announcing a new program for science achievers. The college announced the program is funded through a 5 year grant from the National Science Foundation. The program is supposed to empower full time low income students.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- An Urbana man has been convicted of raping his coworker and faces up to 30 years in prison. A jury convicted Junior Nyanguile of two counts of criminal sexual assault and acquitted him of a less serious count of criminal sexual abuse. The victim said that she and Nyanguile had met at work and decided to “hang out” on August 25, 2019. Nyanguile allegedly assaulted the woman at his apartment.

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) -- A Mahomet area organization is gearing up for one of their biggest fundraisers of the year. The Mahomet Area Youth Club will be hosting their annual auction next week although it will look different this year says Director Sara Balgoyen…

 

 

Mahomet Area Youth Club Director Sara Balgoyen. Registration is required to bid and is free. Visit mayc auction dot com to sign up. There you can check out the items on the silent auction, place your bid and watch and bid on the live auction at 6pm Saturday.

 

 

(Gilman/Onarga-jm) -- Police coverage remains uncertain in two Iroquois County communities. Gilman and Onarga were both considering a shared police service however, that appears to no longer be the case. Gilman’s only officer retired and Onarga has been using services of other departments.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- It may feel like gas prices are high right now, but come summer you may be wishing the winter fuel prices would return. The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline jumped 14 cents a gallon over the past two weeks to $2.64, according to the Associated Press. The price at the pump has climbed 46 cents since November 20. Some of the rise this past week was attributable to the deep freeze in the South, which temporarily shut down production at about a dozen refineries in and around Texas. Resumption of production there could bring some temporary relief, but the long-term outlook is not as rosy. Gas prices will likely continue to rise as crude oil costs remain high. Prices will remain high as refineries transition to summer gas.