CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — A search for a new chancellor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale after last month's death of Chancellor Carlo Montemagno should lead to someone holding the position on an interim basis within about a month. The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan says that SIU Interim President J, Kevin Dorsey and the SIU Board of Trustees announced Friday that whoever is chosen will likely hold the job for about 18 to 24 months while a national search for a permanent chancellor is conducted.
(Rantoul--jc) Rantoul Township High School board members will look to set its tax levy hearing when they meet tonight. Local board members will also hear a report from it’s Student Threat Assessment Team on updating policy on any issues with students. The consensus of the board is to remain proactive and make safety a top priority for students, teachers and support staff. Rantoul Township High School leaders will also be given a presentation on the schools report card and hear a report on the Eagle Academy. The Rantoul Township High School board of education meets at 7 tonight at the high school
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) — A federal judge in Southern Illinois is ordering state prison officials to develop training for all staff on transgender issues. The order handed down this week by U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Rosenstengel comes in response to a lawsuit filed by a transgender prison inmate that claims repeated abuse and sexual assaults involving guards and inmates.
(Bloomington--jc) -- A Rantoul man faces prison time after he plead guilty to a drug-induced homicide. 24 year old Troy McBride appeared in McLean County court on Friday and entered a plea deal. McBride faces 14 years in prison and must pay 13 thousand dollars to the family of the victim to the man’s family for funeral costs. Prosecutors in the case proved that McBride sold drugs to a Bloomington man who took the drugs and died. Sentencing in McLean County court is set for December 28th.
(Washington--jc) -- A top U.S. trade negotiator says there are several non-farm issues that the U.S. and China must resolve to get to addressing ag trade concerns Rod Bain Reports…
Watseka, IL – The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout will take place on Thursday. The goal of the event is to set aside a day to help smokers quit smoking or using tobacco products for at least one day with the hope that they will quit for good. Tobacco Coordinator for the Iroquois County Public Health Department Chris Wisniewski says, lots of smokers attempt to quit a number of times before they actually achieve quitting. Wisniewski says that what smokers call the Quitline, they will speak with a medical professional who will assist them in their quit attempt. . The idea of the Great American Smokeout began in 1971 when Arthur Mullaney, a Massachusetts resident, asked people to give up smoking for a day and to donate the money they would have spent on tobacco to a local high school.
(Kankakee--jc) --It’s no secret that Illinois is losing population, but a new report found that one Illinois town is losing its educated people at a faster clip than every other town in the nation except one. Local officials say the report doesn’t tell the whole story. They say the area is now gaining jobs faster than any other in the nation. Bloomberg News publishes an annual Brain Drain Index every year. The index shows cities across the country that are losing people with higher education degrees in greater numbers than other areas. .This year Kankakee was listed as the second highest in the nation on the Brain Drain Index for losses, only behind Hanford, California.Tim Nugent with the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County said those numbers were real, but only a snapshot of a moment in 2016 when the area had just lost two major employers.“The NutraSweet Merisant plant had closed back then along with the Bunge facility,” he said.Those two businesses accounted for more than 300 well-paid job losses.
(Gibson City--jc) -- Officials with the proposed Ford Ridge Wind Farm in Ford County have set up a vendor and open house for later this week in Gibson City. The event takes place on Thursday November 15th from 3pm to 8pm at the Kruse Center on Gibson City’s East side. The group is looking for local businesses and to be vendors for the wind project. Fuel supply and hardware supplies, to gravel needs and heavy equipment operators and many more. Ford Ridge Wind Farm officials tout the fact that wind energy in Ford County will bring more than revenue for area farmers. The wind farm is also expected to bring in jobs in Ford County and a positive economic growth.
(Paxton--jc) -- A Veteran’s Day event is set for Paxton Buckley Loda High School this morning. The ceremony takes place at the high school at 10. The public is invited to attend. Grade school and Junior High School children will be treated to a ceremony for Veterans Day is 8-45 this morning.
(Undated--jc) Illinois is celebrating ats 200th anniversary as a state. Here is today’s Bicentennial minute…
(Chicago--jc) -- Employers in Illinois will see reduced payroll taxes in 2019 as unemployment continues to decline.The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced lowering unemployment insurance taxes for more than 90 percent of employers in 2019. Nearly 300,000 businesses will see lower rates with the move.Illinois Department of Employment Security Public Information Officer Bob Gough says it's a good sign for the state's economy
CHICAGO (AP) — Preventing heart attacks and other problems dominates top news from an American Heart Association conference that ends today in Chicago. One study finds that fish oil in the amount and type contained in many dietary supplements gave no clear benefit for generally healthy people but a prescription version in people at higher risk for heart problems did. Vitamin D pills gave no benefit.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pabst Brewing Company and MillerCoors are going to trial over Pabst's charge that the brewing giant is trying to undermine its hipster competitor by breaking a contract to make their products. Pabst's lawyers argue the company's very existence relies on its business relationship with MillerCoors because it has produced nearly all its beers since 1999. MillerCoors says it's not obligated to continue brewing for Pabst. The trial in Milwaukee begins Monday.
(Champaign--jc) --Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup is releasing preliminary autopsy results for Robert W. Chambers, 28, of Champaign who was pronounced dead at early Thursday morning at the Carle Foundation Hospital’s Emergency Department. Preliminary results from the autopsy performed Friday indicate a wound on Mr. Chambers’ leg was not a fatal injury. Mr. Chambers’ death most likely resulted from pre-existing natural causes however; final autopsy results will not be completed until additional lab results are received. Mr. Chambers’ death is under investigation by the Coroner’s Office and Champaign Police Department.
(Washington--jc) -- Corn price prospects get a boost as USDA cuts its corn crop forecast more than had been expected. Gary Crawford reports..
(Urbana--jc) Champaign County Sheriff elect Dustin Heurerman has made a choice for chief deputy. She is 43 year old Shannon Barrett. She is an Urbana police officer and has served the city since 2005.
(Paxton--jc) -- One local school funding group wants to know if you have school spirit. The Paxton Buckley Loda PIT Crew is selling Clara Petersen spirit wear and Paxton Buckley Loda Eastlawn commemorative shirts. Funds raised will go to the Clara Petersen playground fund. Orders must be made by November 16th and more information is found by calling any member of the PIT crew or Clara Petersen School in Paxton.
(Paxton--jc) When the city of Paxton leaders meet on Tuesday night, one agenda items is to approve the library tax resolution. City leaders will also look to finalize the revolving funds with the state. The city of Paxton council meeting gets underway at 7 tomorrow night on the second floor of city hall.
(Gibson City--jc) One area legislator says school funding under Governor Bruce Rauner has helped local school kids and those around the state, test better. 106th District Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the A-C-T scores are up…
106th District Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Fisher--dg) -- The 9th Annual Fisher Christmas Parade will be Saturday December 1st at 5pm. Line up starts at 4pm at the Fairgrounds. Decorated floats and golf carts, antique cars and tractors are needed. The Fisher National Bank will hold an event after the parade at the Fisher Community center.
