(Roberts--jc) -- Firefighters from several area departments were called to a house fire in Roberts Thursday morning. The home at 207 Hickory Drive was the location of the fire. Fire Departments from Roberts and Buckley with aid from Melvin and Loda also responded to the blaze. Fire Marshal officials believe an electric short circuit was the cause of the blaze. No one was hurt. The Ford County Record reported that firefighters were called back to the home on Thursday afternoon after some smoke was seen coming from the home.
CHICAGO (AP) — The girlfriend of an ex-University of Illinois student charged with kidnapping a visiting scholar from China says he seemed proud as he told her he killed Yingying Zhang. Star prosecution witness Terra Bullis testified Thursday for a second day at Brendt Christensen's trial. He told her he raped and then beat the 26-year-old to death. He told her Zhang was his 13th victim, writing the number 13 on her hand. Investigators haven't been able to corroborate the claim.
(Springfield--ba)-In updating our story from Noon The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield is now home to a rare artifact…a Bible owned by the 16th president. An inscription on the front of the bible says it was given to Lincoln in 1864 by the “Ladies of the citizens volunteer hospital of Philadelphia.” After he died, Mary Lincoln gave it to a baptist minister and family friend, Noyes Miner. The Miner family has kept the bible safe all this time and is now donating it to the museum says State Historian Sam Wheeler.
State Historian Sam Wheeler.
(Washington--ba)
Most U.S. pastures are benefiting from excessive wetness. USDA’s Stephanie Ho reports.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The head of the Illinois Gaming Board has stepped down after serving four years in the post. Springfield attorney Don Tracy was named chairman by then-Gov. Bruce Rauner in early 2015. Gov. J.B. Pritzker's spokesman Jordan Abudayyeh said Thursday a replacement will be named soon. When Tracy was appointed to the position, Rauner cited his background as an attorney and business owner. Tracy's resignation comes as Pritzker is expected to sign legislation expanding legal gambling in Illinois.
(Rantoul--jc) -- One summer event that is returning to the Rantoul Airport this Summer helped village officials in their efforts to land the National Pumpkin Chuckin’ Competition. The bi-annual Half Century of Progress will encompass the Rantoul airport in August. Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhauer says having that event was a positive in negotiations for the Pumpkin Chuckin’ event to locate in Rantoul.
(Paxton--jc) -- The 7th annual Mid Summer Fun Run is set for Saturday July 13th. The event is sponsored by the Ford County Old Timers. Group Spokesperson Tabitha Renfro says the money raised the event helps out veterans in Champaign and Ford Counties…
Ford County Old Timers Group Spokesperson Tabitha Renfro.
Those wanting to participate in the ride from Urbana to Danville to Hoopeston and Paxton are asked to contact the organization for details.
(Paxton--jc) --Tomorrow at the Paxton IGA, the Saturday cookout will feature ribeye sandwiches, chips and pop. This weeks proceeds go the the Loda United Methodist Women’s group. The cookout runs from 10am until 2pm.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued disaster proclamations for two more counties affected by flooding.Pritzker said Thursday he added Knox and Henry counties in western Illinois to the counties receiving disaster proclamations. That brings the total in Illinois to 37 counties.Pritzker's office says the state has been fighting flooding for more than 100 days, and many rivers remain in major flood stage.
MOMENCE, Ill. (AP) — The body of a 67-year-old Chicago man who went missing after his boat crashed into a logjam on the Kankakee River in eastern Illinois has been found.The Daily Journal reports that authorities recovered Mike Stefano's body Thursday morning from the logjam.Stefano, his friend, James Hubona, and Stefano's dog, Buster, went into the water on June 8.Hubona was rescued by kayakers who tossed him a life jacket. Hubona said the boat went around in circles before hitting the logjam
(Paxton--jc) Wanted...singers. Organizers with the Paxton Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration need singers for the community choir. That group will perform at the Pells Park celebration on the 4th at 9-30. The next rehearsal is set for 7pm on Wednesday June 26 at the First United Methodist Church. More information is found by contacting the Paxton Chamber of Commerce
(Undated--jc) -- Today is the first day of Summer. Are you ready to travel. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has some safety tips for your vehicles tires….
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Bankers surveyed in parts of 10 Plains and Western states, including Illinois, are seeing improvement in the region's farm economy. The Rural Mainstreet survey released Thursday shows the survey's overall index rising from a stunted 48.5 in May to 53.2 this month. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy, while a score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, says higher agriculture commodity prices and rebuilding from recent floods boosted June's index. Goss also noted that despite negative consequences from trade tensions and tariffs, nearly 7 of 10 bank CEOS surveyed support either raising or continuing the Trump administration's current tariffs.
(Paxton--jc) -- It’s been one week since the launch of a brick paver program to help fund the Paxton Grand Ole Flag Project. Spokesperson Denny Kingren says the flag is 30 feet by 60 feet…
Kingren says two options are available for the paver bricks…
Paxton Grand Ole Flag Spokesperson Denny Kingren
The plan is to have the flag project completed by Flag Day 20-20. Those wanting paver bricks may go on-line at Thats-my-brick-dot-com-forward slash-paxton-flag
(Springfield--jc) --Illinois’ laws for distracted driving are being reclassified so that texting behind the wheel will carry a stiffer penalty next month.Beginning July 1, distracted driving will be treated as a moving violation, meaning that it will still carry the same $75 fine for the first offense, but it will also go toward the state’s three-strikes rule that suspends a driver’s license after three moving infractions within a year.Illinois State Police spokeswoman Mindy Carroll said she hopes the change will make drivers think twice before they look at a hand-held device.
(Springfield--ba)-- The summer concert season is here and with that comes ticket scammers looking to take advantage of some high-profile concerts coming to Illinois, including the Rolling Stones tour opener Friday at Soldier Field. Steve Bernas, president and CEO of Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois, said some events have high enough demand that tickets are selling for thousands of dollars each. With that demand comes ticket scammers offering relatively cheap tickets and convincing stories of authenticity. There have also been stories of buyers and sellers making transactions at unsafe meeting places, heightening concerns about dealing with untrustworthy sources.
(Onarga--jc) The Onarga Public Library is the venue for the University of Illinois Extension Ford Iroquois Master Gardeners Idea Garden event on Saturday. The event runs from 10 until noon. Those attending will view some summer beauty. Kids games and learning about beekeeping will also be offered
