(Springfield-jm) -- With much of the country experiencing new spikes in COVID-19 cases, the average age of someone who is testing positive has significantly dropped. Dr. Anthony Fauci recently said the average age of someone who tests positive has lowered by 15 years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people ages 18 to 29 are the second highest demographic. The state of Illinois as a whole is seeing the same thing. Doctors say there is still a very low percentage of the younger population that develop serious illness from the virus.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois is introducing federal legislation to combat opioid addiction as the U-S has seen a rise in overdose deaths during the pandemic. The bill would expand telehealth and treatment access to addicts. According to the CDC, 128 people die each day of an overdose in the U-S and 1.7 million abuse opioids.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is issuing a warning about four COVID-19 hotspots in Illinois. The areas are LaSalle, Randolph, Peoria and Adams Counties. Officials say outbreaks are associated with risky behaviors such as large social events, crowded bars, youth sports and not wearing a mask. It’s something Governor J-B Pritzker has been talking about all week…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The warning can be triggered by several factors including an increase in cases or deaths, hospitalization and ER visits and clusters of cases.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Work on both Mattis Avenue bridges over I-57 and I-74 in Champaign began this weekend. Both bridges will be built higher and longer to accommodate the new I-57/I-74 interchange.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul police are investigating what they call a paintball war in the Pheasant Ridge neighborhood. Police were called to the 1700 block of Pheasant Ridge for multiple people shooting paintballs at each other. When officers arrived, those involved were gone but multiple houses and cars were found struck. Anyone with information is asked to call Rantoul police.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- The full impact the Coronavirus pandemic has had on the state is not yet known. The state saw record numbers of unemployed people and a sharp decline in revenue but 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says there are some signs of improvements…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Danville-jm) -- The Vermilion County Courthouse will reopen today after an employee tested positive for the Coronavirus. The employee worked in the circuit clerk's office. The courthouse was closed Friday for cleaning. All the employees in the circuit clerk’s office were tested and all the tests came back negative. A bailiff did test positive and is in quarantine. All scheduled hearings for today will take place. Those that were canceled last Friday will be rescheduled.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Hundreds of people were in Rantoul this weekend for the 12th annual TopGun LargeCar Shootout. The annual semi show brought trucks from across the country to the Rantoul National Aviation Center Friday through Sunday. A parade of lights and braking competition hi-lited the three day event.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- While the 2020 Paxton Swine n Dine BBQ Festival is canceled, organizers have something else planned. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer says they are doing a raffle…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer.

 

 

(Loda-jm) -- Loda’s new water tower is moving one step closer. A construction permit application was ready for the village to sign before it could be submitted to the state EPA. The village could discuss bidding and reviewing construction phases as early as their August meeting with the project possibly going to bid in September.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Park District has a new director. Cody Evans was named director, taking over for Neal McKenry who stepped down in May after 9 years.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is joining 24 other attorneys general in pushing for graphic image warning labels on cigarette packaging. The attorneys general support the FDA’s efforts to issue regulations regarding images being included with texting warnings on packages.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has submitted their five year waterfowl season proposal to the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service. Once approved the Department of Natural Resource will announce those dates. Fall duck season for the area is October 24th through December 22nd. Goose season runs October 24th through November 1st and November 12th through January 31st.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Some congressional Democrats have released a blueprint for how the country can hit net-zero emissions by 2050. Mary Scheurmann has the latest…

 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been arrested on drug and weapons charges. William Meek was arrested after Urbana police stopped him for a loud exhaust. Meek admitted to police he had a small amount of cannabis, when police searched the car they found meth, cocaine and a gun.

(Urbana-jm) -- A Mahomet man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a child. Gregory Reed received the sentence after pleading guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault. Reed was already serving a 10 year sentence for child pornography.

 

 

(Rantoul-cf)-- The new Sports Complex that is being built in Rantoul will be adding new CCTV and WiFi systems says Administrator Scott Eisenhower…

 

 

 Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower.

 

(Normal-jm) -- Illinois State University in Normal is announcing the end to a record breaking fundraiser. The 7 year campaign, entitled Redbird Rising, starting in 2013 with a goal of raising $150 million. The University surpassed that goal finishing with $180.9 million. The money will go towards scholarships and innovations at ISU.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The American Soybean Association is seeking nominations for their annual Soy Recognition Awards. The group is seeking nominations for Outstanding State Volunteer Award, the ASA Distinguished Leadership Award and the ASA Pinnacle Award. The deadline to nominate someone is October 24th and can be done online at soy growers dot com slash about slash awards slash asa recognition awards.

 

 

 

(Cissna Park-cf)-- Back to school time has approached us quickly, and it will look a lot different this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Cissna Park Superintendent Dan Hylbert details the reopening plan for the Cissna Park School district… 

 

 

Cissna Park Superintendent Dan Hylbert. 

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul village leaders are encouraging residents to complete their 2020 census. Currently about 60 percent of residents have completed the census. Village leaders say for every resident who doesn’t complete the form, the village loses $1,400 per year.

 

(Buckley-jm) -- The Village of Buckley has approved a $3,100 contract with Price Tree Cutting to remove 7 trees in the village. Additional work will have to be done at a later time.