(Springfield-jm) -- A proposed bill would change possible repercussions for domestic violence, sexual assault, or unwanted pregnancies. The people bringing the civil action could seek no less than $10,000 in damages. The “The EXpanding Abortion Services Act," also known as TExAS, would allow anyone to bring a civil action against any person who commits an act of sexual assault or domestic abuse or causes an unintended pregnancy, regardless of circumstances. It would also allow civil action to be brought against anyone who aids or abets those situations or intends to engage in them.
(Undated-jm) -- A national publication recognized multiple central Illinois hospitals as being among the best in their region. Places receiving honors from the 2021-22 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings include Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, which ranked as the No. 10 hospital in the state and is nationally ranked (No. 49) for pulmonology and lung surgery, Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal, which ranked as high performing in heart failure, knee replacement and stroke, and Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center.
(Springfield-jm) -- Corn and soybean harvesting is underway as we hear in the weekly crop report. This past week was warmer than normal and rainfall was just a bit above average, leaving about five and a half days suitable for fieldwork. 83 percent of corn acres are mature and 21 percent of the crop has been harvested. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener looks at soybeans…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Average statewide topsoil moisture dropped to 11 percent very short, 29 percent short, 58 percent adequate and two percent surplus.. Two percent of winter wheat has been planted.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is announcing 6,671 new and probable Coronavirus cases and 77 additional deaths since Friday. Locally since Friday, Champaign County is reporting 116 new cases bringing their total to 26,196. Vermilion County is reporting 101 new cases bringing their total to 12,799. Iroquois County is reporting 77 new cases and 3 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 4,024 and deaths to 72. Ford County did not have a report Monday.
(Gibson City-jm) -- A Gibson City funeral director accused of stealing from her former employer pleaded guilty to a reduced theft charge this summer and was ordered to pay $58,947 in restitution and serve one year of probation. Michelle M. Rosenbaum, who operates the Rosenbaum Funeral Home in Gibson City, pleaded guilty on July 14 in Ford County Circuit Court to one count of misdemeanor theft, alleging she stole less than $500 from the Lamb Young Funeral Home in Gibson City. In exchange for the plea prosecutors agreed to dismiss a more serious theft charge — a Class 2 felony alleging Rosenbaum stole in excess of $10,000.
(Washington-jm) -- Are rapidly rising food prices becoming the "new normal"? Gary Crawford has the details…
(Hoopeston-jm) -- The Hoopeston police department has a new officer and promoted another. Thomas Kirby was hired as a full time officer while Marvin Dobkins was promoted to sergeant.
(Champaign-tr) -- The Champaign County Farm Bureau has started a virtual meeting program that focuses on relaying information from experts in agriculture to local farmers. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken has the details…
Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken.
The virtual meetings can be found at ccfarmbureau.com
(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City Police have released their recent activity report. On September 20th, Gino Parenti of Gibson City was arrested for disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property. On September 26, Robert Borders of Sibley was arrested for aggravated domestic battery, battery and an in state warrant. Also on September 26th, Adam Durham of Gibson City was arrested for an in-state warrant.
(Springfield-jm) -- All hospitals and health care facilities in Illinois must begin keeping records that monitor vaccination status and Coronavirus test results for all of their staff, according to a new emergency rule issued by the state. The Illinois Department of Public Health quietly filed the emergency rules with the Secretary of State’s office at the close of the first week under Governor Pritzker’s new vaccine mandate for health care workers. Pritzker’s mandate would require all workers at health care facilities and schools to be fully vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. The new reporting and record-keeping rules apply to hospitals, assisted living centers, skilled nursing facilities, sheltered care facilities, veterans homes, and a variety of other health care facilities licensed with the state, and go into effect immediately.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police says efforts may be underway to reduce peoples’ rights under the Health Care Right of Conscience Act. The Illinois law has been on the books since 1998. Some say it gives individuals the right to not be discriminated against in their public or private sector job for refusing a medical procedure for which they have a conscientious objection. President Chris Southwood said lawmakers could attempt to revise the law during the fall veto session next month.
(Springfield-jm) -- Corn and soybean harvesting is underway as we hear in the weekly crop report. It was a warmer than normal week leaving 66 percent of soybeans dropping leaves and 10 percent of the crop is harvested, says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Two percent of the winter wheat crop has been planted and average statewide topsoil moisture declined to 11 percent very short, 29 percent short, 58 percent adequate and two percent surplus.
(Vermilion County-jm) -- Vermilion County Clerk Cathy Jenkins is announcing nominating petitions for the 2022 general primary election will be available starting January 13th. Filing runs March 7-14. The primary election will take place June 28th.
(Washington-jm) -- Will shoppers start to see lower prices at the meat counter later this year? Gary Crawford has the details…
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is continuing to use wastewater to detect COVID-19 in communities. According to IDPH, they are collecting samples of wastewater in seven additional counties in the state. COVID-19 can be detected in wastewater three to five days before people develop any symptoms, officials from IDPH said. The state initially sampled and analyzed wastewater in ten counties including Carroll, Cass, Franklin, Fulton, Jefferson, Lawrence, Livingston, Macon, Montgomery, and Vermilion in May. Since then, they've expanded to counties like Champaign and Pike. IDPH says approximately $311 thousand dollars have been spent on this program at this time out of 5.5 million that's been originally allocated. They hope to study all 102 counties by the end of January.
(Champaign County-jm) -- Champaign county will begin offering COVID booster shots starting October 5th. The Champaign Urbana Public Health District estimated about 20,000 residents qualify for the Pfizer booster that was recently approved by the CDC. The health department says boosters will be available at the Carle Health location at Kohls Plaza and the health departments I-Hotel and Conference Center.
