(Springfield-jm) – With the respiratory virus season continuing to wind down, Illinois’ overall respiratory virus level is now minimal and all counties in the state are at Low level for COVID-19 hospitalizations. According to CDC data for the week ending April 20, the total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Illinois declined 22% during the same week. IDPH has made available a single swab triple-test for flu, RSV and COVID-19, at no cost, to high risk congregate care settings and local health departments.
(Washington-jm) – The USDA is making plans for several more agricultural trade missions this year. Gary Crawford reports…
(Urbana-jm) – Protests on the U of I campus continued over the weekend. Demonstrators rallied outside the Alma Mater Friday causing race organizers to cancel the 5k. Saturday's activities went on as planned. More protests are expected to continue this week.
(Champaign-jm) – A Calumet City man has been arrested in connection with an investigation into a February shooting in Champaign. Champaign Police were called at 7:31 p.m. on February 19 to the 700 block of W. Vine Street for a report of a shooting with injuries. After officers arrived, they learned a victim had arrived at a local hospital by personal transport. Police said the victim was a 34-year-old Champaign man who was treated for multiple potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds. The man was treated and later released. Police said the investigation showed that the man was seated in his vehicle in his driveway when 32-year-old Allen Williams approached the vehicle and opened fire. Police said Williams then fled the area on foot.
(Rantoul–jc) The renovation of the gym lobby at Rantoul Township High School continues this spring and the 4 million dollar project will work through phases with a completion date of next Spring. Rantoul High School Superintendent Scott Amerio says one part of the project is to expand the building gym lobby to the east for some office space and more…
Rantoul High School Superintendent Scott Amerio.
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office has awarded $4 million in grants to fire departments around the state through the Small Equipment Grant program. Local departments receiving funding include the Roberts-Melvin Fire Protection District in Ford County receiving $21,000, Crescent Iroquois, Onarga, Cissna Park and Chebanse Township in Iroquois County receiving $26,000 each, Chatsworth and Fairbury Fire Departments in Livingston County each receiving $26,000 and the Hoopeston Fire Department in Vermilion County receiving just over $25,000.
(Monticello–jc) Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Indiana Beach. The area amusement and water park opens in May and they have a brand new roller coaster called the All-American Triple Loop. Indiana Beach Vice President of Marketing Tom Crisci (Cree-she) says opening day is May 11th for the amusement park with the water park to follow later in May…
He says the new roller coaster project has taken 2 years to complete and they are ready to unveil the ride on May11th
Indiana Beach Vice President of Marketing Tom Crisci.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity launched $30 million in funding for the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital and Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery programs to revitalize commercial corridors and downtown areas throughout the state. Officials said the goal of this program is to drive investment in infrastructure and public amenities that will invite more people back into main street districts and local city centers.
(Washington-jm) – USDA is taking another action to protect consumers from salmonella outbreaks. Gary Crawford reports…
(Urbana–jc) Pro Palestinian protesters finally dispersed late Friday night after a full day of demonstrations on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana Champaign. The protest caused all Friday activities for the C-U Marathon to be canceled. Saturday’s events went on as planned. There were two arrests of protesters on Friday. University of Illinois officials sent out information for all students and faculty to avoid the protest areas of campus. More protests were held over the weekend with more expected this week.
(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Police Department is on the lookout for an armed robbery suspect. On Friday, a man entered a business in the 1500 block of N. Cunningham Ave around 2:37 p.m. and demanded money from the cashier. He was wearing a mask and dark clothing. He displayed a firearm and the cashier gave him an unknown amount of cash. The man fled the scene on foot to a nearby apartment complex, where he was seen entering a red four-door sedan. Officers stopped a vehicle matching the description, but no arrests have been made at this time.
(Kankakee–jc) Clove Alliance, a non profit that serves Kankakee Ford an Iroquois County is looking for volunteers. WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has the story…
(Springfield–jc) A wetlands bill that creates more forms for landowners is moving through the Illinois Senate. 53rd district State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the proposal creates more government involvement with land issues and he also feels that it creates government overreach…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City. The bill passed out of committee this month and is in the hands of the full Senate, now, for consideration.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police were dispatched at 10:06 p.m. on April 25, 2024, to the intersection of University and Fourth Street for a report of an Accident with Injuries. On-scene, officers found 19-year-old Andrew Thomas of Indiana who suffered injuries after he was ejected from his motorcycle following a collision with a car. He was transported to an area hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The initial investigation indicates that the motorcycle was traveling eastbound on University Avenue when a westbound car failed to yield while making a left turn onto Fourth Street. The motorcycle collided with the car, ejecting the rider. The driver of the car was cited at the scene for failure to yield to oncoming traffic.
