(Springfield-jm) -- More Illinoisans filed for initial unemployment benefits last week than the week before, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The weekly report shows at least 27,900 people filed for first-time benefits last week. That’s nearly 2,000 more than the week before and is contrary to the national trend of fewer unemployment filings.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois is among the most dangerous states for children traveling in cars. That’s according to Go Safe Labs. The nonprofit traffic safety group says a newly released national traffic safety study reveals children in Illinois are more likely to be involved in car accidents in urban versus rural areas. The national trend is more children are injured or killed in rural accidents than those in urban areas.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced Thursday that $5 million in business recovery grants is available for the state’s livestock industry. Livestock producers and small meat and poultry plants impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to receive the grants, and the application period is open through October 31. Online applications for grants are available at apps dot agr dot illinois dot gov slash agr hyphen cares.
(Springfield-jm) -- October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month. Unsafe sleep practices are a leading cause of death for children one year old and younger says Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Spokesperson Deborah Lopez…
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Spokesperson Deborah Lopez. The crib should have a firm mattress and tightly fitted sheets. Lopez says babies should sleep on their back and if traveling, parents should plan ahead and make sure there will be a crib or pack and play in the hotel room.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 2,166 new Coronavirus cases and 25 additional deaths Thursday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 295,440 and deaths to 8,696. Locally, Livingston County reported 4 new cases bringing their total to 439. McLean County reported 21 new cases bringing their total to 3,322. Champaign County reported 56 new cases and another death bringing their total number of cases to 4,793 and total deaths to 22. Vermilion County reported 31 new cases and an additional death bringing their total number of cases to 731 and total deaths to 5. Kankakee County reported 21 new cases bringing their total to 2,816. Ford and Iroquois Counties both reported no new cases.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Wine and Chocolate Walk is tomorrow from 11 to 4. Chamber President Alan Meyer talks about the walk and some of the businesses participating…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer. Cost to participate is $20. Meyer also reminds those attending to follow social distancing and face covering guidelines.
(McLean County-jm) -- Two individuals have been arrested in connection to a string of machine shed burglaries in multiple counties. McLean County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Tony Harris of Gibson City and Amanda Burmaster of Saybrook in Saybrook. Deputies say the pair were connected to burglaries in Ford, Champaign, DeWitt, Piatt and McLean Counties. They were charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and theft.
(Champaign-jm) -- A Champaign man and his wife who hoarded dogs have been sentenced to probation. Mark and Wendy Richards were each sentenced to one year probation and ordered not to possess any animals after police seized 84 dogs from the property. According to animal control some of the dogs were pregnant at the time bringing the total number to more than 120. The Richards were also ordered to pay boarding for the dogs, which cost $37,000. A dozen of the dogs had to be euthanized because of their condition.
(Watseka-jm) -- Iroquois County residents now have another way to receive emergency alerts. The Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency announced Thursday the launch of a mass notification system through Hyper Reach. The system can alert residents through text, email and phone calls about local threats, hazards and emergencies. To enroll you can call or text “ALERT” to 779-218-9348 or by calling the Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency office at 815-432-6997.
(WPXN-cf)-- Polar Vortex have been happening more often in our region. A Polar Vortex is a dry air mass that is pushed down across Canada into the Great Lakes Region. Fox 55/27 Meteorologist Doug Quick says we could see a few of those, as well as some below average temperatures this season….
Fox 55/27 Meteorologist Doug Quick.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton’s Pells Park playground could be receiving some improvements. The city is looking into grants to update and modernize the park’s playground area.
(Undated-jm) -- Nicor Gas is reminding users they have more than $4 million remaining in their COVID-19 bill payment assistance program. The program offers a one time grant of up to $300. To be eligible you must meet and enroll in LIHEAP or Nicor’s gas sharing program.
(Washington-jm) -- Prices at the grocery store for meat are declining from their peaks these past Spring, but not declining as fast as some had projected. Gary Crawford has the details…
Lake Iroquois Community Garage sales will take place today and tomorrow from 8 am to 6pm.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Marketplace Mall in Champaign today from 11-4.
The Loda American Legion will host their all you can eat fish and chicken fry this evening from 4 to 7:30 pm.
A mobile COVID testing site will take place on Saturday from 9 to 4 at Hoopeston Area High School.
Paxton IGA will be hosting a cookout benefiting Accolade Paxton Senior Living on Saturday from 10-2.
(Springfield-jm) -- An incumbent Democratic state representative running unopposed for another term announced she’s also running for speaker of the Illinois House. This summer, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit said she called for current House Speaker Michael Madigan to resign amid a federal corruption probe he’s implicated in. On Thursday, she announced she’s seeking the Democratic nomination for the role in the next General Assembly that’s seated in January.
(Springfield-jm) -- A lawsuit filed by parents and student athletes against the Illinois High School Association seeking to allow fall sports has been denied. A DuPage County judge issued the ruling Thursday, saying that because of the pandemic, what the IHSA did was within their authority under their bylaws and constitution. The IHSA and Governor J-B Pritzker postponed football, soccer and volleyball until spring, saying they were too dangerous during the pandemic.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department on Aging is recommending all older residents get a flu vaccine. This is especially important to protect yourself and those around you from the flu while COVID-19 continues to spread. Officials say getting a vaccine will also help keep hospital beds and other medical resources available for coronavirus patients.
(Springfield-jm) -- It’s mating season for deer so the Illinois Department of Transportation is urging drivers to be careful on the road. More than 40 percent of all crashes involving deer occur in October, November and December. IDOT’s Paul Wappel says that’s why it’s a good idea to pay close attention as you’re driving…
IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. Wappel says if you see one deer, there are likely more to follow and to be prepared in case deer stop in the middle of the road or double back. The top counties for deer-vehicle crashes last year were Cook, Madison, Sangamon, Will and Fulton.
(Undated-jm) -- The state now has over 295 thousand Coronavirus cases and almost 87 hundred deaths. Champaign County reported their 2nd death in as many days Thursday bringing their total to 22. Vermilion County also recorded their 5th COVID death. As for local active and recovered cases, Livingston County reported 388 have been removed from isolation, 44 cases are active with 2 hospitalized. McLean County reported 3,144 have recovered, 144 are in isolation, 11 are hospitalized with 3 in the ICU. Champaign County reported 4,388 have recovered, 383 cases are active with 5 hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 603 have been released from isolation, 116 remain in isolation and 7 are hospitalized. Kankakee County reported 2,482 have recovered, 251 cases are active and 9 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 371 have been released from isolation, 14 remain in isolation and 2 are hospitalized. Ford County reported 140 have been released from isolation and 19 are in isolation.
(Urbana-jm) -- The November election is just over a month away. Election day is November 3rd however, early voting is already underway. For those in Champaign County, county clerk Aaron Ammons has some important deadlines you need to know…
Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons.
(Clarence-jm) -- The trial for a Clarence man accused of firebombing a Minnesota mosque will begin one month from today. Michael Hari, the leader of the White Rabbit Militia, is the only one of the four suspects to not plead guilty. According to recent court filings, law enforcement say the group had a stockpile of guns, ammunition and bombs they allegedly planned to use against the federal government. The group also attempted to firebomb a women’s health clinic in Champaign.
(Champaign-jm) -- Veterans in need in the Champaign area will have a place to call home. The Salvation Army Red Shield Center on North Market Street will now be able to provide overnight accommodations for up to five female veterans who are either homeless or facing a housing crisis. The veterans' stay will be short term while they transition to a pre-identified permanent housing destination. All this was made possible by a grant for the U-S Department of Veterans Affairs.
(Urbana-jm) -- Dozens of U of I students rallied on the campus Thursday demanding campus police be removed. The group is calling on the university to abolish the police department and instead put that money toward more social workers and crisis intervention professionals.
(Undated-jm) -- Illinois home sales and prices climbed higher in August as inventory and interest rates hit historic lows. WPXN’s Jason Madden reports…
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Pritzker Administration are setting aside $20 million in Rebuild Illinois funds for unsewered communities. The funds will assist with inadequate or non existent wastewater collection or treatment facilities.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is announcing a $60 million settlement with the manufacture of surgical mesh. The settlement against C.R Bard alleges the company used deceptive marketing of transvaginal surgical mesh devices and misrepresented or failed to adequately disclose serious and or life altering risk. Illinois will receive $1.64 million out of the settlement.
(Washington-jm) -- USDA's latest look at prices received by producers for commodities shows an increase from the prior month, particularly for some major row crop growers. Rod Bain reports…
The Old Courthouse Museum in Watseka will host a drive thru fish fry this evening from 4-7 pm.
Parkland College’s Staerkel Planetarium is hosting their virtual Kaler Science Lecture Series tonight at 7pm with Dr Gauthram Narayan “Looking at the Night Sky with artificially intelligent eyes”. The zoom link is available on Staerkel Planetarium’s website.
Christie Clinic will host a drive thru flu clinic on Saturday from 7 to noon at their location on Windsor in Champaign and in Mahomet.
Bellflower townwide garage sales will take place on Saturday
The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2nd annual Wine and Chocolate Walk will take place on Saturday from 11 to 4:30.
The Cissna Park Fire Department will host their chicken supper and raffle on Sunday.
