(Watseka--jc)  An autopsy was performed at the Brian R. Mitchell Forensic Center in Kankakee County yesterday, on the 17 year old female located deceased inside the residence of 49 year old Arthur C. Jensen  of Sheldon Monday night. The teen was a student at Milford High School School officials say counselors will be available starting this week for those needing some help.  Iroquois County Sheriff’s police say preliminary autopsy results showed that the female died of Ligature Strangulation. Toxicology and other forensic tests will be performed by the Forensic lab of the Illinois State Police as the investigation continues. Jensen appeared in the Iroquois County Court in front of Judge James Kinzer Tuesday afternoon in Watseka.. Jensen’s bond was set at 1 Million dollars and a public defender was temporarily appointed. Jensen’s next court appearance is tomorrow afternoon at 1:30PM at the Iroquois County Courthouse in Watseka. WPXN news will continue to follow this story as more official news becomes available. .

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Pharmacy chain Walgreens plans to close 200 stores in the United States as it seeks to cut costs. The company said in a regulatory filing Tuesday the closings are part of its previously announced plan to trim costs by $1.5 billion in a few years. The Deerfield, Illinois-based company operates over 18,000 stores worldwide. 

CHICAGO (AP) — An Illinois state senator who was indicted last week on federal charges of taking more than a quarter million dollars in salary and benefits from the Teamsters while doing little or no work has been removed as chairman of the Illinois Senate's Labor Committee but he's still being allowed to sit on the committee. The Chicago Sun Times also reports that State Sen. Tom Cullerton was made chairman of the Senate's Veterans Affairs Committee by the senate president who's also his cousin.

 

 

(Gifford--jc)  A shed fire caused major damage at a structure in rural Gifford Tuesday morning. The blaze caused several thousand dollars damage. Two residents were not injured in the blaze. A hot tub is believed to the cause of the fire. Rantoul fire fighters assisted Gifford Fire with the incident.

 

 

(Buckley--jc)  -- It is now illegal in one local community to put grass clippings on the towns streets. The new ordinance was adopted for the village of Buckley in Southern Iroquois County. The new ordinance states that village leaders can impose fines for violators.

 

(Springfield--jc)  The Illinois State Fair starts tomorrow in Springfield. Ticket sales are on pace to break records for the grandstand lineup. The box office has been busy says State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon…

 

 

State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon. The state fair runs August 8th through the 18th in Springfield.

 

 

(Springfield--jc) --Some of the state’s leading politicians agreed that additional policies are needed to help prevent mass shootings, such as mental-health funding and passing red-flag laws, in the aftermath of shootings in Texas and Ohio.In the wake of the shootings, elected state and national officials are trying to find ways to curb the violence. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said there needs to be a focus on addressing mental health, poverty and substance abuse. As for restrictions on certain guns and gun parts, Pritzker said Illinois can only do so much.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- See something, say something.That’s the message the Illinois Emergency Management Agency in the aftermath of mass shootings in parts of the country. I-EMA wants to raise awareness with public service announcements about the importance of reporting suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement.

 

 

(Springfield--jc) It is the middle of Health Center’s  week. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also signed into law a measure to eliminate the Medicaid application backlog…

 

 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

 

 

(Undated--jc)  --The Emergency Alert System will be conducting a test this afternoon, nationwide. The test will take place at 1-20 this afternoon. The test is in conjunction with the F-C-C.

 

(Springfield--jc)  --Illinois’ state parks are getting what the state’s chief steward of public lands said is some much-needed attention as part of the new capital construction plan. That total statewide construction bill will cost taxpayers $45 billion in increased taxes and fees over six years. The money will come from the state's gas tax – which was recently doubled – and increased driving fees, among other sources. With more 300 state parks in Illinois, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Colleen Callahan said there has been a lot of deferred maintenance from over the years.

 

 

(GIbson City--jc)  In updating our story about the two John Deere dealerships in Ford County merging, the merger between A-H-W stores and Arends and Sons in Gibson City also means the property in Gibson City will close. The Record reports that the Gibson City operation will close on August 26th. The inventory will be put in A-H-W’s other 16 locations. All employees of Arends and Sons are being offered jobs with A-H-W.

 

 

(Washington--jc)  t's a rough year for corn and, in some cases, soybeans in several states.Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

 

(Vermilion County--jc)  A 19 year old woman was fatally injured in a two car mishap along Stateline road just past noon on Tuesday. State Police say the teen lost control of her vehicle and went through a T-Road and was struck by a southbound vehicle. Her name has not been released by authorities. No word was given on the two occupants from Covington Indiana in the second vehicle.

 

 

7am new

(Paxton--jc)  A Senior Fair is set for Pells Park in Paxton on Saturday.  Event Organizer Mike Evinger says the theme is “bringing seniors and business together”...

 

 

Paxton Senior Fair Event Organizer Mike Evinger.

The free event runs from 10am to 6pm on Saturday at the Pells Park pavilion. Around 25 different businesses will be participating during the event.

 

(Fisher--jc)  -- Fisher leaders are expected to approve a proposal for the Heritage Pond Lighting improvement project when they meet tomorrow night in monthly session.  Local leaders may also create a Class A liquor license authorizing the sale of alcohol for on-premise consumption. A change order for road work on 3rd street is also on the agenda. The Fisher Village board meets at 6 tomorrow night in the Community Center

 

 

(Gibson City--jc)  -- Those with the Gibson City Parks, Building and Technology committee will meet next week for a proposal. The committee will hear a presentation on the downtown WI-FI and Speaker System by M-C-S Technologies. The meeting takes place August 15th at 7pm at city hall.

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  -- Let the games begin. The new courts at Wabash Park will be ready for play by later today. The Rantoul Park District multi-use courts at Wabash park include tennis courts, volleyball courts and pickleball courts.