(Springfield-jm) -- A recent report on maternal deaths is offering recommendations to improve health outcomes for pregnant women. Some of the suggestions include insurance and Medicaid coverage of telehealth services and making sure all new moms leave the hospital with an appointment for a post-natal follow up visit scheduled. State Public Health Department Office of Women’s Health Deputy Director Shannon Lightner says there also needs to be more careful monitoring of mothers after childbirth for hemorrhaging…

 

 

State Public Health Office of Women’s Health Deputy Director Shannon Lightner. The report also recommended that providers should seek consultation when prescribing, changing or stopping a pregnant woman’s antidepressants or other psychiatric medication.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois economy shrank by 4 percent in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on many of its sectors, although there were signs of a recovery taking place late in the year. Those preliminary numbers released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, showed that the leisure, hospitality and food service sector was the hardest hit by the pandemic, reporting a nearly 30 percent drop in economic output for the year. Other industries that suffered in Illinois included transportation and warehousing, down 14 percent; non government services, down 12.3 percent; manufacturing, down 7.3 percent; wholesale trade, down 5 percent; and retail trade, down 2.3 percent. The one bright spot in the state’s economy was the agriculture sector, which grew by nearly 68 percent over the previous year. 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Clove Alliance is expanding to Ford County. The group is adding Ford County to their area of Iroqouis and Kankakee Counties. Spokesperson Tammy Barragree talks about some of the services they provide…

 

 

Clove Alliance Spokesperson Tammy Barragree.

 

 

(Fairbury-jm) -- A Gilman man is facing drug and child sex charges in Livingston County. 37 year old Rocky Nelson was arrested by Fairbury police for indecent solicitation of a child, solicitation to meet a child, travelling to meet a child, exploitation of a child, distributing harmful material via cellular device, possession of crystal meth and aggravated delivery of meth.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Buckley Loda School District is looking at some summer projects. One of the major projects is the high school track, says Superintendent Cliff McClure…

 

 

PBL Schools Superintendent Cliff McClure.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- According to Gas Buddy gas prices will rise soon. Illinois gas prices have risen 7.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.10 per gallon. Gas Buddy expects prices to continue to rise as more people receive their COVID vaccinations and restrictions ease this summer.

 

 

(Washington-jm) --  The retail cost of fresh fruit is rising substantially this year, after two years of price declines. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Interested in a career in law enforcement? Illinois Conservation Police are hiring. The State Department of Natural Resources is looking for those interested in combining their love of the outdoors with their commitment to public safety says Spokesperson Rachel Torbert…

 

 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Rachel Torbert. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s and three years of law enforcement experience. To see the job posting, visit: illinois dot jobs 2, that's the number 2, web dot com and search for conservation police officer trainee. The deadline to apply is May 31st.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Challenges of the pandemic are prompting Illinois families to switch over to homeschooling. According to the U.S Census Bureau, Illinois families with school-age children who reported homeschooling jumped from 2.1% between April 23 and May 5, 2020, to 5.4% between Sept. 30 and Oct. 12, 2020. 

 

 

(Roberts-jm) -- The village of Roberts is facing some well issues. Village President Matt Vaughan says the issue is costly…

 

 

Roberts Village President Matt Vaughan.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois is offering a new, virtual summer camp for high school students with autism who want to learn more about college life.  The free camp will be offered June 22 to 25 via Zoom. The registration deadline is May 24.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Grand Ole Flag committee is continuing to raise money for the project. Spokesperson Denny Kingren provides an update…

 

 

Paxton Grand Ole Flag Spokesperson Denny Kingren.

 

 

(Georgetown-jm) -- Country music legend Tracy Lawrence will perform at this year’s Georgetown Fair. Local group the Feudin Hillbillys will open. The concert will take place August 13th.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- The corn market keeps on getting stronger. Market indicators point to continued strength. Gary Crawford reports…