(Chicago-jm) –Federal agents have arrested an Illinois woman accusing her of sending emails threatening to shoot former President Donald Trump and his son Barron. 41-year-old Tracy Fiorenza of Plainfield was taken into custody Monday on a charge of transmitting threats to kill or injure. According to an affidavit, she said she would “shoot Donald Trump and Barron Trump straight in the face” in an email to the head of an educational institution in the Palm Beach, Florida area. Trump’s main residence is in Palm Beach.

 

(Springfield-jm) – It was cooler and a little drier this past week as we hear in the latest crop report. Temperatures were four degrees lower than normal. Rainfall averaged under an inch. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 80 percent of corn acres are in the dough stage…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. The condition of the soybean crop also fell, to 65 percent in good to excellent condition and 86 percent of soybean acres are setting pods. Average statewide topsoil moisture dropped to 6 percent very short, 21 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. The third cutting of alfalfa hay is now 69 percent complete.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign County Crime Stoppers are seeking information from the public regarding credit card fraud. On June 7, and June 8, an unknown male made numerous fraudulent ATM transactions at two Champaign Chase Bank locations. The suspect made 44 transactions between 301 South Mattis Avenue and 201 West University Avenue locations. The suspect made an additional transaction at the Champaign Meijer Gas Station. In total, the suspect stole over $7,400. The suspect appeared to be a black male with a full beard. He was approximately 25-40 years old with a medium build.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new law signed by Governor J-B Pritzker will make it easier for students to pursue activities like 4-H and FFA. The legislation was sponsored by 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Ford County-jm) – Ford County 2022 Payable 2023 tax bills are scheduled to be mailed on Friday, August 25th. The first due date will be September 29th and the second due date will be November 17th. Taxes may be paid at the courthouse, drop box in front of the courthouse, any Ford County bank or by mail if postmarked by September 29th. After September 29th, interest amounts must also be included in the payment. The amounts are listed on the installment stub. Please contact the Treasurer’s Office with any questions at 317-379-9465.

 

(Loda–jc)  One local fundraiser is looking for walkers to help with Awareness and a cure for Huntington’s disease. The local Paxton Area “Team Hope” Huntington’s disease walk, golf outing and auction is set for Saturday September 9. Organizer Samantha Cox says the walk begins at 8am on September 9th…

 

 

Team Hope Huntington’s Disease Spokesperson Samantha Cox. Those interested in walking, donating to the silent auction or golfing on the Friday before the event can call Samantha 217 249-1421 or google the event on-line.

 

(Rural Sibley-jm) – A crash in rural Ford County over the weekend left one person dead and two others seriously hurt, State Police reported. In updating our story from yesterday, Illinois State Police say a car was driving westbound on County Road 1100 North when it failed to stop at the intersection with Illinois Route 47. The car drove through the stop sign and hit a car driving northbound on Route 47. The passenger of the westbound car was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. The drivers of both cars sustained serious injuries and were airlifted from the scene. There is no word on their current conditions. State Police said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.

 

(Chicago-jm) – Federal prosecutors have wrapped up their case against Tim Mapes, the longtime top aide to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. 

Capitol News Illinois reports Mapes is charged with perjury and obstruction of justice for allegedly lying to a grand jury investigating Madigan and his inner circle in 2021. The jury has heard a recording of Mapes’ entire two-plus hours of grand jury testimony, along with dozens of wiretapped phone calls that contradict his claims that he didn’t know an influential lobbyist was working on Madigan’s behalf in Springfield. Defense attorneys will begin their arguments this morning and are expected to call an expert in psychology and memory. They haven’t yet said whether Mapes will testify, or whether they plan to call the federal prosecutor who’s supervising this case and others related to it – including the bribery and racketeering case brought against Madigan himself. The former speaker is set to go on trial in April.

 

(Springfield-jm) – It was cooler and a little drier this past week as we hear in the latest crop report. Rainfall was less than an inch on average and temperatures were 4 degrees below normal. Average statewide topsoil moisture dropped to 6 percent very short, 21 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener has an update on the Illinois soybean crop…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. The condition of the corn crop also declined, to 64 percent in good to excellent condition with 39 percent of corn acres in the dent stage and 1 percent mature. The third cutting of alfalfa is 69 percent complete.

 

(Undated-jm) – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John Kim is announcing the issuance of more than $571 million in water infrastructure loans to local governments and water districts for the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2023. Locally St. Joseph will receive nearly $19.4 million to rehabilitate the wastewater treatment plant to increase capacity. Sibley will receive nearly $455,000 to replace all water meters within Village limits; and replace approximately 1,200 linear feet of water main with 6-inch water main. Gilman will receive $2.4 million to install sanitary sewer and related appurtenances.

 

(Pesotum-jm) – Troop 7 Illinois State Police will be conducting Nighttime Enforcement Patrols in Champaign County ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend. WPXN’s Jason Madden reports…

 

 

(Undated-jm) – Ameren Illinois will be holding several open houses around the area this week to address their Central Illinois Grid Transformation Program. An open house will be held today from 11-1 and 5-7 this evening at the Royal Community Building, this Wednesday from 11-1 and 5-7 pm at the Kruse Center in Gibson City and this Thursday from 11-1 and 5-7 pm at the Watseka Elks Lodge.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  A familiar business in downtown Paxton has a new owner, but it also comes with a similar business vision that has made it a popular shop in the city. A Picket Fence Florist in the downtown area of the city has been purchased by Dawn Glad. Glad says she worked for several years with former owner Teri Hancock. Hancock passed away earlier this summer and Glad says she decided to make the move into ownership…

 

 

Glad says the store will continue to provide fresh flowers and floral arrangements to grave blankets, signs and gifts too…

 

 

A Picket Fence Florist Owner Dawn Glad. Glad has an Open House planned on Saturday from 9am to 3pm to showcase A Picket Fence Florist in Downtown Paxton. 

 

(Washington-jm) – Funeral services are being planned for the husband of Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly. Nathaniel Horn passed away Friday at the age of 68. Kelly and Horn were married for 20 years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two stepchildren and two grandchildren. Details of Horn’s cause of death have not been released. Kelly represents all of Iroquois and Vermilion Counties, most of Ford County except for the Gibson City area and northern Champaign County along and north of U-S 136.