MCLEAN COUNTY, IL:   For the second time in a week, a substantial cocaine

seizure has been made by Troopers assigned to Illinois State Police  District 6. The traffic stop of a passenger vehicle on Interstate 74 at Milepost 122 yielded over 12 pounds of cocaine and the arrest of one suspect. On Wednesday, an ISP Trooper stopped a passenger car on Interstate 74 near Carlock, Illinois after observing a traffic violation.  During the stop, signs of possible criminal activity were observed by the Trooper. Upon investigation , troopers seized five kilograms of suspected cocaine concealed in a bag. 60 year old Carlos Borge of West Valley Utah was arrested for controlled substance trafficking, A McLean County judge set his bail on Thursday at 200 thousand dollars,

 

(Gibson City--jc)  -- Continued reaction from area Republican lawmakers concerning a resolution  stating opposition to any measure that would allow for the creation of a graduated income tax on Illinois residents. 106th State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City had this to say.

 

 

106th State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

All 44 members of the Illinois House Republican Caucus are co-sponsors of House Resolution 153.

 

 

Springfield, IL – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Merit Board is currently processing applications for Cadet Class 130, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in October 2019.  In order to be considered for Cadet Class 130, the ISP Merit Board must receive your completed application and required documentation by April 30, 2019. Anyone interested in joining the ranks of the ISP is encouraged to visit the ISP Merit Board website at www.illinoistrooper.com for application information.  

 

 

(Crescent City--ab)  The Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency will be hosting an annual Weather Spotter Seminar at the Crescent City Community Center at 6 PM on 11th March. The main presentation will be from the National Weather Service on how to spot severe weather, such as tornadoes. This seminar is open to the public. Admission is free. Pre-registration is encouraged, which can be done by contacting Iroquois County EMA at (815) 432-6997 or by email at e-m-a-at c-o-dot-Iroquois-dot i- l-dot-u-s

 

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — Authorities say a 6-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy are among four dead in what Joliet police are calling an apparent murder-suicide. The Will County coroner's office said Thursday afternoon that Gianna Lee and Giovanni Lee were found dead shortly after 10:15 p.m. Wednesday. An investigation is ongoing, but police say no one is being sought in connection with the deaths.

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- You can run and help a local high school group at the same time.   A Delta Dash 5-K is set for 9am on Saturday March 16th at Paxton Buckley Loda High School in Paxton. The local high school community service group trip over their spring break goes to the Mississippi Delta. Proceeds from the race help offset the groups costs. Project co-ordinator is P-B-L Teacher Emily Wood. Wood says the trip is a great service project for the participating students…

 

 

P-B-L Teacher  and Delta Dash 5-K Coordinator Emily Wood

 

 

(Washington--ba)-The World Trade Organization has ruled in favor of the U.S. in its cases against China's domestic price supports for wheat, corn, and rice - policies our nation says has kept grain exports out of China. USDA’s Rod Bain reports.

 

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)   One area F -F-A Chapter is set to receive a Monsanto company grant. With the help of Maury Busboom, the Rantoul Township High School F-F-A chapter has netted a 2 thousand 500 dollar grant. The local F-F-A group is expected to use the money for a gardening lab to produce fresh vegetables.  Monsanto has given away grants to programs across the country for the past 10 years.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  The annual Paxton Draggin’ Main event has been set. The Ford County Press reports that Draggin’ Main 20-19 will take place on Saturday April 20th from 6pm until 11pm. Organizers with the event again, invite car enthusiasts and the public to this year’s downtown Paxton celebration.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- New clean energy legislation is being introduced in the Illinois General Assembly. The clean energy jobs act includes ambitious goals like achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 20-50. State Representative Chris Welch sponsored the bill…

 

 

State Representative Chris Welch of Westchester.

Welch says the bill also strives to make sure all 102 Illinois Counties benefit equally from clean energy progress and jobs.

 

CHICAGO (AP) — Planned Parenthood of Illinois says it will still provide abortion referrals despite the risk of losing millions of dollars in federal funding under a rule enacted by the Trump administration. The Chicago Tribune reports that the rule issued last week bars taxpayer-funded family-planning clinics from making abortion referrals. Planned Parenthood of Illinois says it will no longer take federal money from the Title X family-planning program if the rule goes into effect in two months.

 

(Chicago--jc)  -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is warning about a possible measles exposure in northern Illinois An Illinois resident with the measles arrived at Midway airport in Chicago on February 22nd People who were there between 9pm and midnight may have been exposed. Treatment was obtained by the person at Northwestern Delnor Hospital on February 24th. Public Health Director Doctor Ngozi (‘En-gozi) Ezike (‘eh-zee-kay) says anyone in those areas should be watchful for measles…

 

 

Public Health Director Doctor Ngozi Ezike.

 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The nation's farmers are struggling to pay back loans after years of low crop prices and a backlash from foreign buyers over President Donald Trump's tariffs, with a key government program showing the highest default rate in at least nine years. Many agricultural loans come due around January First, in part to give producers enough time to sell crops and livestock and to give them more flexibility in timing interest payments for tax filing purposes.

Kansas State University Department Head of Ag Economics Allen Featherstone says it is beginning to become a serious situation nationwide at least in the grain crops — those that produce corn, soybeans and, wheat.Featherstone says that while the federal government shutdown delayed reporting, January figures show an overall rise in delinquencies for those producers with direct loans from the Agriculture Department's Farm Service Agency. Nationwide, 19.4 percent of FSA direct loans were delinquent in January, compared to 16.5 percent for the same month a year ago.

 

(Springfield--jc)  With newly elected Governor J-B Prizker presenting his initial budget address this month, area politicians are providing more insight from their perspective. Most Republican representatives have questioned the idea of a progressive tax. 104th District State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian says one positive is more money for higher education…

 

 

104th District State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Desert Storm Vets were honored at the state capitol on Thursday. The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs hosted the ceremony, recognizing the brave men and women who fought during the Gulf war says V-A Spokesperson Gwen Diehl…

 

 

V-A-Spokesperson Gwein Diehl

 

 

(Undated--jc)  --Illinois high schools students could soon be learning more about fake news.A plan to add media literacy courses in high schools across Illinois is moving forward at the State Capitol. State Representative. Elizabeth Hernandez, Democrat from Cicero, is driving the idea.  She said young people need to learn how to read the news they see on the internet or on social media.Hernandez tried with a similar plan last year. She's changing this year's version from a requirement to a suggestion, and hoping to find enough support. Hernandez says she is trying to emphasize fake news and use the measure to help high school students to recognize the difference between facts and false information. The issue is now in the hands of the full Illinois House after a House panel  unanimously approved her idea this week.

 

 

(Iroquois County--jc)  -- Iroquois County E-M-A officials remind local businesses to be prepared. WPXN’s Austin Burklund has the story…