(Springfield-jm) -- Cases of COVID-19 are increasing in Illinois. Over the past week, more than 44 hundred new and probable cases were reported. That compares to about 29 hundred the previous week. Speaking at a virtual town hall meeting, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike said the delta variant remains a concern, since it’s a lot more contagious…

 

 

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. There were 476 Illinois COVID patients in the hospital.  Ezike says the best way to buck the trend is to get vaccinated. Ford County’s total now stands at 1908. Vermilion County’s total is 10,133. Iroquois and Champaign Counties did not have a weekly report.

 

(Loda--jc)The town of Loda will be busy this weekend. The 2021 Loda Good Ole Days starts on Friday night with a Little Mister and Miss Pageant and a Junior Mister and Miss Pagaent. Its family night on Friday nite. Saturday sees the annual parade at 10am through the village. Weed wacker pulls, a bags tournament and music hilite Saturday. There are also fireworks on Saturday night in Loda. Sunday, its the 10th annual Truck and Tractor Pull at this year’s event. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- When it comes to mask requirements in the classroom, Governor J-B Pritzker says it’s important for individual districts to set their own policies. The state is following CDC guidelines, recommending that students and staff who have not been vaccinated still wear a mask. But the Governor reminds it’s not a mandate...

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor says districts have the ability to make their own decisions based on the COVID-19 risk in that area.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul police are investigating a shooting in the village Friday. Police were called to a report of shots fired. A vehicle showed up at the Rantoul police station with a 16 year old male gunshot victim. Police located a shooting scene in the 1000 block of Golf Course Road. They say the teen was struck by gunfire in the backseat of the vehicle. He was taken to the hospital with what is believed to be non life threatening injuries.

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- Erica Johnson has been crowned the 2021 Miss Champaign County Fair. The pageant was held yesterday. The 2021 Champaign County Fair gets underway Thursday.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker says there are currently no plans to reinstate mask requirements in Illinois. Los Angeles County is once again requiring masks indoors and Las Vegas is recommending visitors there do the same whether they are vaccinated or not. Governor Pritzker says he’s not looking to implement a mandate as of now…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor reminds that the virus has proven very unpredictable so things could change in the future, especially in the areas that are seeing the largest increase in cases.

 

(Urbana--jc)  Two national acts are coming to the Champaign County Fair this week. On Thursday its country music star Gary Allen and onFriday, the Beach Boys make an appearance at the fair in Urbana. The 2021 Champaign County Fair starts on Thursday

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(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing three upcoming lotteries for marijuana dispensary licenses. One lottery will be held late this month and then two more in August, giving applicants a shot at being able to sell adult-use recreational cannabis. The Governor also signed a new law, designated to diversify the growing industry…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The law also authorizes some community colleges to offer a “career in cannabis” certificate.

 

(Iroquois County-jm) -- Clean up of a gas spill in Iroquois County continues. A 12 inch Marathon Pipeline gas pipeline was struck Wednesday afternoon by a contractor crew. Marathon officials believe approximately 1200 barrels of gas was spilled.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A crash near Rantoul on I-57 shut down the southbound traffic early Sunday morning. The accident happened near mile marker 251 just before 1 am. The road was closed for just over an hour.

 

(Rantoul--jc)  The 14th annual Largecar Shootout comes to Rantoul on Friday. The three day event runs through Sunday at the Rantoul National Aviation Center.