(Springfield-jm) -- With the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, Governor J-B Pritzker is once again pleading with Illinoisans to wear a mask when out in public. The state is reporting nearly 12 hundred new cases of infection, marking the 8th time cases have been over one thousand in the past 12 days. The Governor says wearing a mask is one of the best ways to combat the trend…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Nearly 163 thousand people in Illinois have tested positive for the virus so far and over 73 hundred have died.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Locally, Iroquois County reported 1 new case since Friday bringing their total to 182. Livingston County reported 3 new cases bringing their total to 63. Vermilion County reported 7 new cases bringing their total to 107. McLean County reported 21 new cases bringing their total to 385. Kankakee County reported 18 new cases bringing their total number to 1,582. Champaign County reported 63 new cases bringing their total to 1,197. Ford County reported no new cases.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Crop conditions improved over the past week. 55 percent of soybeans are blooming and 67 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener takes a look at corn…

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 94 percent of winter wheat has been harvested and the 2nd cutting of alfalfa hay is 75 percent complete. Average statewide topsoil moisture is rated at one percent very short, 17 percent short, 77 percent adequate and five percent surplus.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- One person was taken the hospital after a semi carrying anhydrous ammonia overturned in Rantoul Monday afternoon. Emergency personnel were called I-57 northbound ramp just before noon. Police say the driver was getting off the interstate when the semi left the road and overturned in the median. The exit was closed for several hours while crews cleaned up the scene. 

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A Gifford woman was arrested over the weekend for a fight at Walmart over wearing a mask. Rantoul police were called to the store around 3:30 Sunday afternoon. A customer got into an physical confrontation with several customers and employees. 48 year old Angela Sanford of Gifford was arrested for aggravated battery in the incident.

 

 

(Rantoul)-- The Village of Rantoul has entered an agreement with WatchFire, a video board manufacturer for 3 large video boards for the fields at the sports complex. Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower has the details… 

 

 

 

 Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower.

 

 

(Savoy-jm) -- The future of the Savoy 16 theatre continues to be in limbo. The theare’s parent company, Goodrich Quality Theatre filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February, owing $33 million. A new company bought 21 of the 30 theatre’s with the Savoy location not one of them. The theatre has been closed since March due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The other theatre in Champaign, AMC hopes to open their theatre on north Prospect in Champaign by early August.

 

 

(Ludlow-jm) -- Ludlow Co-op Elevators is making improvements to their Buckley facility. Spokesperson Paul Seamon says they will be able to nearly double their storage capability…

 

 

Ludlow Co-op Elevators Spokesperson Paul Seamon.

 

 

(Buckley-jm) -- Buckley residents will have to have a permit for golf carts and ATVs starting January 1st. The village board voted to have a permit for golf carts and ATVs after several issues.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul teen was arrested over the weekend on gun and cannabis charges. Police were called to 600 block of East Wabash around 10 pm Friday evening for an unknown disturbance. When they arrived they talked to the occupants of a vehicle in the driveway. An officer detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A 17 year old driver of the vehicle admitted to police he had several bags of marijuana and a loaded handgun on him. He was charged with armed violence and possession of cannabis with intent to deliver.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul woman has non life threatening injuries after she was accidentally shot Sunday evening. Police say the incident happened in the 1300 block of Abrams Drive around 10 pm. They say the woman's husband was cleaning a gun when it accidentally discharged striking her in the armpit area. 

 

 

(Champaign-cf)-- The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce is celebrating agriculture throughout the month of July. On July 28th there will be a keynote speaker Eric Snodgrass to cap off the month. Marketing Director Lindsay Quick describes what he will be covering… 

 

 

Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Lindsay Quick. 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is helping its students return to campus safely. The university is doing so by offering back-to-school personal protective equipment kits. These kits will include U of I-branded face coverings, hand sanitizer, wipes, a digital thermometer, and a clean key.

 

 

(Ford County-cf)-- Rain showers are vital in the hot summer months for the corn and soybean crops. David Treece, Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager wants to see some more lighter rain, rather than the heavy rains and hail that has been falling around the area… 

 

 

Ford Iroquois farm Bureau Manager David Treece. 

 

 

(Fisher-jm) -- Fisher village trustees voted not to proceed with drainage improvements in the Ashlyn Drive area. Trustee’s were asked to approve a $9,030 engineering agreement for the design work, however, it failed in votes. Village leaders believe the inadequate drainage system was there when the area was developed.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- We may import more beef than we export this year. Gary Crawford reports…