(Springfield-jm) -- Cases of Coronavirus in Illinois are surpassing five thousand. We’re now at five thousand 57 cases, including 73 deaths. The virus has been found in 52 Illinois counties. So will Governor J-B Pritzker extend the current stay at home order…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. One of the latest deaths is a male inmate at Stateville Correctional Center. 12 other inmates there have been hospitalized.
(Undated-jc-jm) -- Ford County has their first confirmed case of COVID-19. In updating our story, Ford County Public Health Department Spokesperson Paige Eads says the person is in his 70s…
Ford County Public Health Spokesperson Paige Eads. WPXN news will continue to monitor this story as it develops.
(Champaign-jm) -- An area bank is offering financial relief during the COVID pandemic. Busey Bank is offering a financial relief program to customers. For the next six months, Busey is offering waivers of pre-authorized transfer fees to prevent overdrafts for savings and money market accounts, free debit card replacement. For personal loans and mortgages, Busey is offering payment deferrals including up to 12 months of deferrals for mortgage customers. For more information, reach out to your local Busey Bank branch.
(Washington-jm) -- The USDA is conducting a pilot study to see how advanced technologies like remote sensing can improve data collection on crop plantings and planted acreage. Rod Bain reports…
Champaign, IL, March 27, 2020— State Conservationist Ivan Dozier announced that the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will offer funding to control invasive plants in forest stands in east-central Illinois through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS has partnered with the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Headwaters Invasive Plant Partnership (HIPP) to help producers address resource concerns such as water quality and soil health. Landowners can apply for assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to implement forest stand improvement, brush management, herbaceous weed control and tree/shrub establishment practices. The project focus is to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality by improving forest health in the following 11 counties: Champaign, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Piatt and Vermilion.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton police have released recent activity. On March 11th, Nicolas Sorbres of Hobart, Indiana was arrested for theft from a coin operated machine, possession of burglary tools and criminal damage to property after someone reported a person breaking into a vending machine at 149 S. Railroad. On March 14th, Luke Davis of Urbana was arrested for DUI and ticketed for speeding and operating an uninsured motor vehicle after a traffic stop at Vermilion and Prospect as Davis was caught driving 51 in a 30. On March 15th, Chad Hewerdine of Paxton was arrested on an Illinois Department of Corrections warrant.
(Undated-jm) -- The first of the month is approaching quickly. For millions of Americans who have been laid off or fallen on hard times, paying the bills will be a struggle. For those who have credit card debt, WPXN news’ Jason Madden has some helpful resources…
(Springfield-jm) -- Researchers at the University of Illinois are looking at a type of artificial intelligence to see if it can help predict farm yields. Farmers may love the land, but they are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence to help them work it. Now, researchers at the University of Illinois are working to see if a novel form of AI can predict crop yields. While conventional methods feed data into existing patterns, convolutional neural networks organize data by creating their own patterns, much like the human brain. In this study, researchers are studying data from farms around the world, including nine corn farms in the Midwest, by digitally breaking them down into 16-foot-square parcels and analyzing variables such as seed rate and soil conditions. Then they are using convolutional neural networks to see what factors will most figure in to accurately predicting what those parcels yield.
(Springfield-jm) -- Cases of Coronavirus in Illinois are surpassing five thousand. The state is now up to five thousand 57 cases and 73 deaths. Illinois Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike says it’s hard to assess how prevalent the virus is, since not everyone is being tested…
Illinois Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. Officials say it’s also hard to determine the recovery rate, since those who only have mild symptoms aren’t likely reporting that they feel better to their doctor.
(Undated-jm) -- The first of the month is approaching quickly. For millions of Americans who have been laid off or fallen on hard times, paying the bills will be a struggle. For those who have car payments, WPXN news’ Jason Madden has some helpful resources…
(Thomasboro-jm) -- A Thomasboro committee has given the green light to a new store. The Planning and Zoning Committee recommended annexing land for the construction of a Dollar General. If approved by the village board, the store would be located at the northeast corner of Flatville Road and U-S 45.
(Urbana--jc) A 28 year old man from Homer was charged with 8 counts of first degree murder in connection with two females from St Joseph that were murdured early Sunday Morning. In updating our story, Champaign County Judge Tom Difanis set bail for Jonathon Perry at 2 and one half Million Dollars on Monday. 54 year old Kimberly Coyne and 24 year old Blair Coyne were found dead from a shooting at their home just outside St Joseph, Perry is due back in court on April 16th.
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(Paxton-cf)-- With the stay at home order in place you can still get your favorite sub from Subway in Paxton. The best way to order is to order in the Subway app, online or call in, says Manager Alicia Weber…
Subway in Paxton Manager Alicia Weber. You still can order a fountain drink, but that has to be served by a Subway Employee at this time.
(Springfield-jm) -- A recent study on prosperity in the United States has good news and bad news for Illinois. The state ranked 23rd overall in the report conducted by the Legatum Institute, a London-based think tank and educational charity with a global vision to lift people out of poverty. On the other hand, the state ranked 49th in terms of economic quality, and dead last in fiscal sustainability.
(Rantoul--jc) With the new social distancing guidelines, the basketball courts in the village of Rantoul are now closed. This will remain in effect until further notice. The village park in Cissna Park is also closed.
