(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton Police and the Paxton Buckley Loda School District are investigating a threat made. The district sent out a notification to parents that around 7:15 last night district leaders were made aware of a threat circulating on social media.  The district says they don’t believe the threat is credible and school will be in session today. Anyone with information is asked to call Paxton Police.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- All school staff and healthcare workers will have to be vaccinated under a new Illinois mandate. Teachers and school employees in grades pre-k through 12, as well as college staff will need to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by September 5th, or submit to at least weekly testing. The mandate also applies to healthcare workers, including those in public and private nursing homes, says Governor J-B Pritzker…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Local health departments are already reporting at least 27 school outbreaks and hundreds of schools are being watched for possible virus exposure. 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The Champaign Urbana Public Health District has been anticipating the vaccine mandate from the Illinois Department of Public Health for a while now. The health department confirms multiple outbreaks in the school districts among teachers who are not vaccinated. The health department did not say which schools had the outbreaks, contact tracing and isolation rules are being shared with those impacted by the outbreaks.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The state’s top public health doctor says one of the biggest concerns right now is the surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations. At latest count, nearly 22 hundred Illinois COVID patients were in the hospital including 489 on ventilators. Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike says most hospitals are reaching capacity…

 

 

Illinois Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. Region 4 is the Metro East area. Governor Pritkzer says in some parts of the state, there aren’t enough healthcare workers to handle the influx of patients.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Multiple libraries around the area are receiving per capita grants from the state. Cissna Park is receiving $2,693; Moyer District Library in Gibson City $7,967; Gilman-Danforth $4,472; Hoopeston $14,282; Loda Township $2,154; Mahomet $20,303; Melvin Community $896; Paxton Carnegie $6,597; Piper City $1,694; Rantoul $19,087 and St. Joseph Swearinger $8,667.

 

(Rantoul--jc)  The 20-21 Half Century of Progress is underway at the Rantoul airport.  On the grounds, you can see the Largest Flying American Flag that is presented by a veteran’s group from Gastonia North Carolina. Spokesperson Neal Lambert says they fly that flag all over the United States…

 

 

Gastonia North Carolina Veterans Group Spokesperson Neal Lambert.The Half Century of Progress continues through the 29th at the Rantoul National Aviation Center.

 

The Gathering in Gilman will hold their Junk in the Trunk on Saturday from 9 to 3.

 

Paxton IGA will be hosting their cookout benefiting the Loda Legion on Saturday from 10 to 2.

 

Christ Lutheran High School will hold their annual Knight for Christ benefit auction on Saturday starting at 4pm at the Ford County Fairgrounds in Melvin. Cost is $45. Call 217-394-2547 for more information or to make your reservation.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Masks will once again be required in indoor public settings starting Monday. The delta variant is spreading quickly and too many people still haven’t been vaccinated, says Governor J-B Pritzker…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The mask mandate applies to everyone indoors, even those who have gotten their shots.The state reported 4,041 new cases and 59 additional deaths. Champaign County reported 47 new cases and 1 additional death. Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion Counties did not have a report.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Film buffs will have to wait a little longer for this year's Ebertfest. Roger Ebert's Film Festival officials say this year's event will be rescheduled because of a spike in COVID-19 variants. Now, they're pushing the festival to April 20-23 of next year.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Senate lawmakers are discussing a bill taking aim at grooming and sexual abuse in schools. The legislation is named after Faith Colson, who was sexually abused by a teacher in 2001. She testified at a hearing about the need for school staff to be able better recognize potential problems…

 

 

Sexual abuse survivor Faith Colson. The bill will have the State Board of Education create a resource guide on the matter, and requires schools to set firm policies about appropriate conduct between staff and students. The measure passed the House in the spring but still awaits a vote in the Senate. Supporters hope that happens during the fall veto session.

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- Champaign County area home sales in July reached a 14-year record high for the month, while median and average prices also reported price appreciation, according to the Champaign County Association of Realtors. Closed residential home sales in July 2021 totaled 388, up 6.01 percent. The July median home sale price in the Champaign County area was $180,000, up 7.62 percent from $167,250 in July 2020. 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  --  the 20-21 Half Century of Progress Show continues today through Sunday at the Rantoul airport. Among the parades, vintage farm equipment, the largest U-S flag, field demonstrations and more you will also find vintage tractor pulling equipment. Tractor Pullers Reunion spokesperson Aaron Romine says they have some pulling tractors from around the state and nation at the Rantoul show…

 

 

Tractor Pullers Reunion Spokesperson Aarom Romine

 

The Half Century of Progress runs all day today and also full days on Saturday and Sunday.