CHICAGO (AP) — Officials say nearly 20,000 pounds of narcotics were seized at ports of entry last year in 12 Midwestern states, including Illinois and Indiana. U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced recently that its Chicago field office, which covers the 12 states, had the most narcotics seizures for the second year in a row of any other field office. The agency’s data is from Oct. 1, 2018 to September 30 of this year. In total, there are 20 field offices. More than 15,000 packages were seized at ports of entry.  The top narcotics seized were Ecstasy, prescription drugs and marijuana. 

 

(Thomasboro--jc)  Firefighters were called to a tractor fire near Thomasboro on Sunday afternoon. Officials say the implement caught fire in a field. No damage estimates were provided.

 

 

CHICAGO (AP) — A group representing Illinois school boards has again rejected a resolution supporting teachers and other school employees carrying guns in schools. The Illinois Association of School Boards voted against the measure Saturday during an annual convention. It’s the second consecutive year the group has rejected such a proposal. Much of the support for the measure came from rural school districts that can’t hire school resource officers. While others, including in Chicago’s suburbs, say it’s a safety risk to arm teachers.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The state is launching its annual “Winter Weather Get it Together” campaign, urging the public to stay safe on Illinois roads as the weather gets bad. Illinois winters are unpredictable, so drivers need to be prepared for anything says State Department of Transportation Spokesperson Guy Tridgell…

 

 

State Department of Transportation Spokesperson Guy Tridgell.  I-DOT says it’s also a good idea to have an emergency kit in your car that includes jumper cables, wiper fluid, blankets, an ice scraper and material like kitty litter for traction.

 

 

(Iroquois County-jm) -- The man authorities say threatened  Milford firefighters with a gun when they tried to extinguish a house fire has been charged. Olan Morris is charged with arson and possession of meth. No firefighters were injured. The incident remains under investigation by the state fire marshals office.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- Watseka police have released the name of the man killed in a stabbing last week. Police say Isaiah Nelson was stabbed in the neck Thursday afternoon. He was taken to Iroquois Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police arrested Andre Maiden of Kankakee on preliminary charges of aggravated battery.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- You won't find many surprises in Friday's USDA Cattle on Feed report. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Union members of the Ford County Sheriff’s office have a new contract. The county board approved the four year contract with the Fraternal Order of Police earlier this month. Under the new contract, members will see a 2 point 5 percent increase this month followed by yearly increases of 2 point 75 percent, 3 percent and 3 point 25 percent.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Shields in Rantoul is open at their new location by Walmart. The new location offers a wider selection of vehicles. Owner Rick Shields says right now they are running their Black Friday deals…

 

 

Shields in Rantoul Owner Rick Shields.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Lawmakers passed a legislative fix during the recently adjourned fall veto session which proponents say could help the state realize $380 million in annual tax revenue by increasing compliance with existing online retail transaction tax laws. Supporters say the new law will ensure the state’s full 6.25 percent sales tax rate and any locally-imposed taxes will be collected at the point of destination on sales made through online marketplaces or by remote retailers that do a certain amount of business in the state. That means retail products purchased online and shipped to Illinois addresses will generate the same tax revenue as products purchased locally in stores no matter where they are shipped from. The new measure would require online marketplaces to collect and remit the tax to the state on behalf of the sellers that utilize their platforms, including third-party sellers.

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Billionaire Gov. J.B. Pritzker is financing another government office rehab. The governor’s office announced Friday that the governor’s offices in the state Capitol will be renovated for about $40,000. Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh (a-boo-DAY’-uh) says the governor’s second-floor private office will be soundproofed and the reception area reconfigured.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- More than a half of million pounds of pork products are being recalled because they were not inspected by federal inspectors. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the meat was processed at Illinois-based Morris Meat Packing and shipped to distributors and stores in Illinois.  The 515,000 pounds of raw pork includes pork loin, pork back ribs and pork chops. They were produced between November 25, 2017 to November 9, this year.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Check your fridge, the Illinois Department of Public Health says a recent outbreak of E-coli may be linked to romaine lettuce. At least 40 cases of E-coli infection have been reported in 16 people so far, including one in Illinois. That person had to be hospitalized. Public Health Director Doctor Ngozi Ezike says it’s tied to romaine lettuce grown in Salinas, California…

 

Illinois Public Health Director Doctor Ngozi Ezike. One company, Missa Bay, is recalling some of its ready to eat salad products in response. Symptoms of E-coli often include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.

 

 

KANKAKEE, Ill. (AP) — A judge has concluded that an Illinois man who spent nearly 20 years behind bars wasn’t guilty of a crime in the fatal shooting that sent him to prison. The Chicago Tribune reports Kankakee County Judge Michael Sabol granted Terrence Haynes a certificate of innocence after determining Haynes shouldn’t have been charged in the fatal 1999 shooting of Cezaire Murrell. Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe joined in the petition of innocence.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- If you like peanuts, you can thank George Washington Carver for helping make them a fixture in American agriculture. Stephanie Ho has the interesting details…

 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Park District is seeking $100,000 in bonds. The bonds would be for capital improvement work. The district hopes to use the funds to update the bathhouse as well as the shed and mechanical room.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- How does the forecast for the end of November and beyond look. State Climatologist Trent Ford has the details…

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- State education officials are seeking public input on potential significant changes to the annual reading and math tests students take each year. The Illinois State Board of Education announced it has launched an online survey to get feedback about how to make those tests “more useful, inclusive, equitable and balanced.”Jackie Matthews with ISBE says they are considering at least three major changes to the way it administers those tests, and is seeking public input about which changes should be given highest priority. One of those is to develop a “computer adaptive” test. Another possible change is to administer “native language” tests for students with limited English proficiency. Finally officials are considering developing “interim” tests that could be given at different points throughout the year to track how well students are progressing toward meeting state standards for their grade level.