DANVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A former central Illinois man has received two life prison sentences in the deaths of a man and woman. The bodies of Theodore Hill and Zarra Laws Strickland were discovered in a secluded area west of Danville, each with bullet wounds to the head. Glen T. Torres Jr. in April was found guilty of first-degree murder following a trial in Vermillion County Circuit Court. Torres was accused of shooting the 29-year-old Hill and the 28-year-old Strickland as they were riding in a car on Aug. 2, 2015.

 

(Champaign--jc)  A Semi driver failed to slow down in a construction zone along Interstate 57 in Champaign County on Thursday afternoon. Police say the semi struck a vehicle directly ahead of his vehicle and the accident caused a chain reaction to involve three additional vehicles. The accidents occurred in a construction area at mile marker 237 in Champaign County. No injuries were reported and the semi driver was cited for several violations.

 

(Springfield--ba)--There’s still plenty of time to enjoy all the food, free entertainment and more at the Illinois state fair in Springfield. Inside the fairgrounds…visitors will find everything from dancing dobermans to free fishing clinics. In the fair’s Thrillville area…Swifty swine pig racing runs several times a day.

 

(Rantoul--ba)  -- The Half Century of Progress farm show starts next Thursday at the Rantoul Municipal airport property. Event spokesperson JC Reitmeir says the amount of equipment at the  event is an amazing site....

 

 

Half Century of Progress farm show Spokesperson JC Reitmeir

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton emergency personnel were called to an accident on I-57 Thursday evening. The accident occurred near mile marker 260, about a mile south of Paxton. No word on if there were any injuries.

 

 

(Springfield--ba)-Governor JB Pritzker is launching “Connect Illinois” …a 420 million dollar program to bring high-speed internet to all parts of the state. Governor Pritzker says the new broadband advisory council will be planning the broadband expansion…focusing on three areas: education, economic development and telemedicine.

 

 

Governor JB Pritzker 

 

 

(Springfield--ba)-An amendment to the Illinois Equal Pay Act signed by the governor this week prohibits employers from asking job candidates about salary history, a change that goes into effect at the end of next month and could make finding the most qualified applicant more difficult for small- to medium-sized businesses in Illinois. The head of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce called the new law burdensome to business owners. Todd Maisch, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, said the law won’t do much for job applicants and creates challenges for business owners.

 

 

(St. Joseph-jm) -- One area fire department has received a grant. The St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Department received a five thousand dollar grant from the Bayer Monsanto Grant Foundation. The department plans to use the money to purchase grain bin rescue equipment.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- The USDA is giving farmers more time to pay crop insurance premiums without added interest added to the bills. Gary Crawford has the details…

 

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- The cookout at the Paxton IGA on Saturday will help raise money for the Melvin Men’s Christian Fellowship group. On the menu is ribeye steak sandwiches, chips and pop. The cookout runs from 10am until 2pm in the Paxton IGA parking lot.

 

(Crescent City-jm) -- The Crescent-Iroquois School District has a new superintendent and it's a familiar one to the area. Rod Grimsley was named superintendent this week during a special meeting. Grimsley retired from the Gifford Grade School District at the end of last school year.

 

(Undated--jc)  With nearly 7,000 units of local government, Illinois is taking some baby steps toward reducing that number with a goal of lowering property taxes in the process. Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker signed the legislation into law that would allow voters to approve of dissolving townships in McHenry County. The northern Illinois county is the first county to move to reduce the number of government entities. State Representative David McSweeney says that 7 thousand units of local government is too many and the new law with help consolidate that number

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Lottery is launching new online features to make playing more convenient. Thanks to a new state law, players can now buy single-draw tickets for lucky day lotto, pick three and pick four both online and through the lottery app says Spokesperson Jason Schaumburg…

 

 

Illinois Lottery Spokesperson Jason Schaumburg. 

Additionally, you can scan your instant tickets on the Illinois Lottery app to see if you’re a winner.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been sentenced to six years in prison for selling drugs. 22-year-old Rayvonn Simpson pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver after police found him with ecstasy and cocaine. Also found was a gun and several hundred rounds of ammunition. In return for his guilty plea, charges of being an armed habitual offender, unlawful use of weapons by a felon and possession of cocaine were dismissed. 

 

 

(Pesotum--jc)  -- A Minnesota family received only minor injuries in a one car mishap on Interstate 57 Thursday afternoon. Police say that 49 year old Lindy Birch of Cambridge Minnesota was going south on the interstate near Pesotum when some metal in the roadway struck the vehicle. Birch had minor injuries

 

(Gibson City--jc)  -- Ford County Crimestoppers is seeking information about a burglary at a Gibson City business.. A burglary at Bradbury Auto Sales was reported on Monday morning The business is located on 8th Street in Gibson City. Several items were taken from the business. An Illinois State Police Crime Scene unit helped in the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Ford County Crimestoppers at 217-784-4173.

 

(Gibson City--jc)  -- One Ford County city is preparing for fall garage sales. Gibson City’s town wide fall garages sales take place Thursday September 5th through Saturday September 7th. Those interested in being placed in the garage sales flyer are asked to contact the Gibson Area Chamber of Commerce office by August 31st.

 

 

(Ludlow-jm) -- The site of a former church in Ludlow could be getting new life. Trustees of the former Ludlow Christian Church are proposing giving the land to the village to be turned into a park. The church closed several years ago.

 

(Thomasboro-jm) -- The village of Thomasboro may be expanding. An out-of-state company has approached the village about annexing a parcel of land on the northeast corner of Route 45 and Flatville Road that the company intends to build on. Village leaders will continue discussions at the next meeting.

 

(Washington-jm) -- USDA's latest look at the value of agricultural lands reveals a year-over-year rise in average value. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Rankin--jc)  -- Local residents Don and Diane Rasmus were family representatives to designate  a rural Rankin farm as a Centennial Farm. The award was handed out at the Illinois State Fair Ag Day. The rural Rankin farm is owned by Don and James Rasmus, Joyce Carlson and Robert Sprehe. A sign and certificate will be placed at the farm

 

(Cissna Park-jc)  Today is day two of the 20-19 Old Settlers celebration in Cissna Park. On the stage tonight at 8 on the main stage is the popular local band Back Paiges. The annual parade is set for noon on Saturday. Someone will win a 20-19 Ford car tomorrow night. WPXN will be broadcasting live during the parade on Saturday with Becky Puetz. It’s summer fun tour stop 16.