URBANA, Ill. (AP) — The father of a slain Chinese scholar says his family understands they may never get to bring his daughter's missing remains back to China from Illinois. Ronggao Zhang told reporters in Urbana on Wednesday that he understands how difficult it would be to locate his daughter Yingying Zhang's remains if they are actually buried in an Illinois landfill, as her killer reportedly told his lawyers. Brendt Christensen was sentenced to life in prison last month for her 2017 kidnapping and killing.

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Officials are showcasing one of the most popular attractions of the Illinois State Fair.The butter cow was unveiled Wednesday afternoon at the fairgrounds. The sculpture has been a part of the state fair for almost 100 years.This year's cow has been sculpted from 800 pounds of recycled butter. The cow stands near the word "Future" to incorporate the theme of the fair, which is "Building Our Future." The cow is on display at the Dairy Building

 

(Rankin--jc)  -- A public hearing is set in the village of Rankin on Tuesday to give the public an opportunity to discuss a proposed marijuana dispensary. That business would be located on a farm just north of Rankin in Vermilion County. The public hearing starts at 6-30 Tuesday night at the Rankin Lions Club building.

 

(Urbana--jc)   A University of Illinois Gies College of Business professor has calculated how much corruption in America costs the average corporation. The study found political corruption is associated with a $7.6 million reduction in an average firm's bottom line and acts like bribery “can readily become an unwritten rule of conducting business in certain areas within the U.S.”

An author of the report also said one-party rule often foments more opportunities for corruption.

 

 

(Watseka--jc) In updating our story from this week, Iroquois County Coroner Bill Cheatum identified the teen that was strangled on Monday in the village of Sheldon as Adara “Sissy” Bunn of Sheldon. Bunn was a student at Milford High School. Milford School leaders says grief counselors will be available to students from 8am until noon on Thursday and Friday for students and friends.  A Sheldon man is due back in court to face charges.  Police arrested 49 year old Arthur C. Jensen on Monday. He appeared in Iroquois County where his bond was set at 1 Million Dollars

 

(Washington--jc)  What are the Ag Trade numbers for the first 9 months of the fiscal year. U-S-D-A Trade Economist Kamron Daugherty has the details…

 

U-S-D-A Trade Economist Kamron Daugherty

 

 

(Buckley--jc)  -- The village of Buckley in Southern Iroquois County is seeking bids to remove 7 trees on village property. Those interested in the job are asked to call the village hall. Buckley Village leaders are expected to open the bids and award the contract at their meeting in September.

 

(Undated--jc)  --Fallen Illinois State Police Trooper Gerald Ellis is being remembered with an inscription on the wall of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation Memorial in Springfield.In March, Ellis was struck and killed near Green Oaks by a driver going down I-94 the wrong way.

 

(Lombard--jc)  --The county that served as the test case for local government consolidation in Illinois has continued to shed layers of government to save money for taxpayers. DuPage County, located in the western Chicago suburbs, announced that it had dissolved a seventh unit of government when a judge signed an order dissolving the Highland Hills Sanitary District last month. The district served 529 properties in and near Lombard, but was facing a large tax hike to pay for renovations. The dissolution means the county will pay for the repairs and provide water services while a nearby reclamation district will handle the rest.

 

(Springfield--jc)  Illinois Governor JB Pritzker continues to champion equal pay for all. The governor says the hiring process is to find the best person for the job…

 

 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

The governor signed a new law to help the hiring process at the end of July.

 

(Gibson City--jc)  It’s time to sing in Gibson City on Sunday. The Gibson Area Music Foundation is hosting the Hymn Festival at the United Methodist Church at 3 on Sunday afternoon. Milt Kelly of Fisher is the director of the event again this year. The public is encouraged to attend.

 

(Washington--jc)  The 20-19 growing season has not been a great one so far, but there have been far worse years. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  -- The Rantoul Recreation Department  has been experiencing an outage with their Recreation Software. During this time, they are not able to register for activities or sell any memberships, also customers are not able to access their online accounts.  For the time being, Debit or Credit cards can not be accepted at the Hap Parker Aquatic Center.

 

(Hoopeston-jc)  Elvis is coming to Hoopeston later this month.  Elvis tribute artist Doug Church will be performing at the Historic Lorraine Theatre on Main street in the city on Saturday August 24th. . Tickets are 28 dollars. The money raised goes to the “Save the Lorraine” foundation. A free will dinner with Church is set for 5pm at the United Methodist Church.

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- Ford County Taxpayers are reminded that Friday, August 16th,  is the due date for the 1st installment of the 2018 payable 2019 real estate taxes. Taxes may be paid at the courthouse, drop box in front of the courthouse, any Ford County bank or by mail if postmarked by August 16th.

 

Ashkum, IL. – Illinois State Police District 21 Commander, Captain Don Aaron Harsy, announced on Wednesday,  activity and enforcement figures for July. Illinois State Police District 21 Troopers issued 520 citations, 884 written warnings, including 10 DUIs, 32 seatbelt citations, 23 criminal arrests. Troopers also assisted 192 motorists, conducted 242 Motor Carrier Inspections, and investigated 69 traffic crashes. There were no fatal crashes investigated by District 21 in July. 

 

(Cissna Park--jc)  The annual Cissna Park Old Settlers Reunion starts one week from today. A talent show helps kick off the three day event in the downtown park. Music, Swyear Amusements throughout the park, plenty of food and “shade and water” also hilite the event. Some one will also win a brand new 20-19 Chevrolet car on Saturday night. WPXN will be broadcasting live on Saturday August 17 at noon as part of our Summer Fun Tour.