(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,319 new cases of COVID-19 Monday bringing the state’s total to 195,399. Locally since Friday, McLean County reported 37 additional cases bringing their total to 645. Vermilion County reported 7 new cases bringing their total number to 226. Ford County reported 1 new case bringing their total number to 66. Livingston County reported 8 new cases and one additional death bringing their total number of cases to 118 and total deaths to 3. Iroquois County reported 6 new cases bringing their total to 279. Kankakee County reported 30 new cases bringing their total number to 1,864. Champaign County reported 44 new cases bringing their total to 1,649.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health along with area health departments have been tracking cases in area communities. Since the pandemic began, 260 cases have been in Rantoul, 90 in Mahomet, 63 in Gilman, 59 in Clifton, 35 in Watseka, 30 in Fisher, 27 in St. Joseph, 26 in Chebanse, 23 in Hoopeston, 21 in Onarga, 20 in Paxton, 14 in Ashkum, 11 in Gibson City, 9 in Crescent City, 8 each in Danforth and Foosland, 7 in Bellflower, 6 each in Saybrook, Thomasboro, Milford, Gifford and Ludlow, 5 in Dewey and 1 each in Penfield and Ogden. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The condition of the corn and soybean crops improved this past week. Crop Statistician Steve Parn says 66 percent of the corn crop is now in the dough stage…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Steve Parn. The Illinois soybean crop improved to 78 percent in good to excellent condition, with 91 percent of soybeans blooming and 74 percent setting pods. Both temperatures and rainfall were below normal, leaving average statewide topsoil moisture at two percent very short, 21 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Severe thunderstorms pushed through the area late Monday afternoon leaving several without power and people cleaning up. The storms pushed through just after 4pm. Several small branches were blown down in the Paxton area. A semi was blown off the road near Gilman and a spotter in the Crescent City area reported numerous trees and powerlines down. Ameren Illinois and Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative both reported power outages in Iroquois County with Ameren also reporting outages near the St. Joseph area. At the peak of the storm almost 750,000 customers across the state were without power.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois is expanding their COVID saliva testing nationally. The University made the announcement Monday. The saliva test produces rapid results in as little as 2-6 hours and costs significantly less than the nasal tests. 

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- A job fair for the new Costco in Champaign will be held today. The East Central Illinois worknet is hosting the job fair from 10 to 2 at 206 West Anthony Drive in Champaign. 

 

 

(Ashkum-jm) -- Illinois State Police will be conducting Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols in August. WPXN’s Jason Madden reports…

 

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- A Gibson City man faces several charges after an accident. Gibson City police arrested 20 year old Luke Freehill on August 2nd on charges of leaving the scene of an accident, illegal transportation of alcohol and improper lane usage.

 

Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka is hosting a Community Health Walk today from 3 to 6 pm.

 

(Washington-jm) -- This week we will have much more information about production and market prospects for wheat and for most major crops. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,319 new cases of COVID-19 Monday bringing the state’s total to 195,399. As for active local and recovered cases, McLean County is reporting 529 have been released and 101 remain in isolation. Vermilion County is reporting 203 have recovered, 20 remain in isolation and 1 hospitalized. Ford County is reporting 50 have been released from isolation, 12 remain in isolation and 1 hospitalized. Livingston County is reporting 99 have been removed from isolation and 16 cases remain active. Iroquois County is reporting 207 have been released from isolation, 53 remain in isolation and 8 are hospitalized. Kankakee County is reporting 1,260 have recovered, 539 cases are active and 14 are hospitalized. Champaign County is reporting 1,477 have recovered, 153 cases remain active with 14 hospitalized.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is tracking cases at Long Term Care Facilities around the state. Locally, 7 cases have been reported at Country Health and Rehab in Gifford and 5 at the Villas of Hollybrook in Rantoul. 7 cases have been reported between the two Accolade facilities in Paxton and 4 have been reported at the Gibson Annex. 72 cases and 5 deaths have been reported at Gilman Healthcare and 3 cases have been reported at Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The condition of the corn and soybean crops improved this past week. 10 percent of corn is in the dent stage and 79 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. Crop Statistician Steve Parn says 91 percent of soybeans are blooming…

 

 

Crop Statistician Steve Parn. The third cutting of alfalfa hay is now 46 percent complete. Average statewide topsoil moisture is rated at two percent very short, 21 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland College in Champaign will host a virtual town hall meeting this week. The event will take place on Thursday, August 13th from 6:30-7:30 pm. Topics include COVID planning, educational plans and a Q&A session.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Roger Ebert's Film Festival, Ebertfest, will return in 2021 a few months later than scheduled. Instead of being held at its usual time in April, the festival will be held at the Virginia Theatre from September 8 through 11, 2021. Festival passes for next year's event will go on sale January 4.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The University of Illinois Extension has launched a community food map to help Illinoisans locate food resources in their area. The Find Food IL map allows people to search by Illinois ZIP code to find local food resources. Users can search for food pantries, school and summer meal sites, grocery stores, food retailers, farmers markets, and roadside farm stands that accept SNAP, WIC, or senior food benefits.

 

 

(Watseka-cf)-- There will be a health walk this afternoon at Iroquois Memorial Hospital, and a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new pharmacy at the hospital. IMH Outreach Director Mary Kay Lavicka has the details… 

 

 

Iroquois Memorial Hospital Outreach Director Mary Kay Lavicka. There will also be a raffle at the end of the walk. Please bring a mask and stay 6 feet from others. 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Chinese purchases of certain U.S. farm products are ahead of last year by huge percentages. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Two 13 year olds including one from Rantoul have been arrested for stealing a vehicle in Urbana last week. A woman reported her vehicle stolen in north Urbana Thursday morning. Later that morning officers spotted the vehicle in Champaign. After a short chase, police stopped and arrested the youth.

 

Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will hold their Back to School Night on tonight starting at 6:30 pm.