(Rural Paxton-jm) -- A Texas man is dead following a crash on I-57 near Paxton yesterday. State Police say a 72 year old man from Copperas Cove, Texas was driving north on I-57 near mile marker 258 and a half when he left the road and struck a guardrail. He was pronounced dead by the Ford County Coroner’s office.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been arrested on child sex assault charges. 32 year old Romeo Andres is charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child for allegedly molesting two girls in April. If convicted of abusing both girls, he could face natural life in prison.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Secretary of State Jesse White says teen driving deaths are down. The number of teens killed on Illinois roads has dropped 69 percent since 2007. Secretary White says that means more young drivers are doing the right thing... 

 

 

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. White also attributes the decrease to the state’s graduated license program and tougher laws. So far this year in Illinois, 32 teens have died in traffic crashes. 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Community Fund has announced their fundraising goal. The group has a goal of raising $32,000 for 14 nonprofits including the Hands of Christ Food Pantry, the Paxton Community Nursery School and Day Care Center and Paxton Service Club among others. Donations will be collected through December 18th.

 

 

(Joliet--jc)  He was a teacher, coach and friend. That is the way the Paxton Community is remembering Clint Forsyth. Forsyth passed away last Friday.

A memorial visitation and services are set for Sunday October 27th from noon to 2-30 at the Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home in Joliet.

 

 

(Gifford-jm) -- A public hearing on whether or not to allow the sale of recreational cannabis in the village of Gifford will be held in November. The hearing will be held before the village’s board meeting on November 7th. This month, trustees discussed how the village could prohibit the sale of marijuana while imposing a 3% tax as a potential option.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department on Aging reminds there’s help for seniors navigating Medicare’s open enrollment period. The best place to review your current plan and check out new ones is online at: my medicare dot gov says Senior Health Insurance Program, or “SHIP” Director Sandy Leith…

 

 

Senior Health Insurance Program Director Sandy Leith. If you still have questions, Leith suggests making an appointment with a SHIP counselor. Visit the Department on Aging’s website for more information. 

 

 

(Undated--jc)  Central Illinois, St. Louis and Chicago all ranked among the “rattiest” metro areas in the nation, according to a new report. Pest control company Orkin ranked Central Illinois among the metro areas in the country with most rodent problems.The report measured the regions by call volume and new rodent pest treatments performed from September of last year to September this year. It included both residential and business customers.The central Illinois region, consisting of areas around Champaign, Springfield and Decatur, ranked 36th on the national list. The region moved up eight spots compared to last year’s report. For the fifth consecutive year, Chicago took the top spot in the nation for rodent problems. St. Louis moved up five spots from last year, coming in at 31st this year.

 

 

(Oakland--jc)  -Mary Miller, a conservative Republican, has announced her run for Congress in the state's 15th Congressional District.  Involved in agriculture, small business, education, church and family, Mary is running to stand up for the future of the American Dream.  Miller says she advocates faith, family and freedom. Miller favors making current tax cuts permanent, promoting agriculture and pro business policies. The 15th District runs from the East St Louis area to Paxton in 29 counties.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Office of Management and Budget projected significant deficits in the coming years unless voters approve a progressive income tax structure.A state Representative said that wasn't the answer to Illinois’ fiscal problems.With more than $200 billion in unfunded state retiree costs alone, and billions more in unpaid bills, Illinois’ finances are among the worst in the nation. The state also has among the highest taxes in the nation.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul man who admitted to strangling his girlfriend has been sentenced to 3 years in prison. Reginald Britton pleaded guilty in Champaign County court to aggravated domestic battery. In exchange for his guilty plea, charges of unlawful restraint and domestic battery were dismissed. Britton was given credit for 297 days served.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- A Gibson City funeral home director has pleaded not guilty to a theft charge. Michelle Rosenbaum is accused of stealing more than $60,000 from her previous employer. A jury trial has been set for the week of January 6th. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for December 18th.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Cyber Security Awareness Month continues, with a warning about flash drives. State Chief Information Security Officer Adam Ford says cyber attackers have been known to scatter jump drives with a virus around a workplace parking lot, in hopes that someone will pick one up and plug it into their computer…

 

 

State Chief Information Security Officer Adam Ford. A study by the University of Illinois a few years ago found that in a similar scenario, more than 45 percent of people picked up the flash drive and plugged it in. 

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Several organizations throughout the state are benefiting from a grant for the 2020 Census. Illinois was awarded $20 million to give to local organizations. The Champaign Urbana Public Health Department received $695,000 from the grant.

 

 

(Gilman--jc) -- Iroquois West School board members will meet in a special session this afternoon at 5-30. Personnel is on the agenda in a closed door session.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- It’s National Teen Driver Safety Week and state officials are urging families to talk with their beginner drivers about some of the dangers they face on the road. Secretary of State Jesse White says some of the most important areas parents should focus on are distracted driving, drunk driving and wearing a seatbelt. He reminds teens that if they don’t follow the rules of the road, they could lose their license…

 

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens ages 15 to 18.