(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker says the state will not mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for K-12 school children. Pritzker was asked at a press conference if he would follow California Governor Gavin Newsom’s lead and mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for K-12 school children in public and private schools. The Springfield school board is asking the State Board of Education to mandate the vaccine for school children.
(Springfield-jm) -- A central Illinois lawmaker wants public school teachers to be reimbursed for their tuition. Representative Sue Scherer is proposing a new tuition reimbursement program under House Bill 4139. Under the bill, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission would be required to establish the grant program. Eligible teachers would be able to be reimbursed for eight semesters of intuition for up to 10 years as part of the program.
(Paxton--jc) It's a homecoming weekend at one local church in Paxton. The two day celebration is set for the Paxton Church of Christ on Paxton’s west side. Minister Tom Anders talks about Saturday’s agenda…
Paxton Church of Christ Minister Tom Anders.On Sunday a worship service and potluck are planned
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 3,371 new Coronavirus cases and 36 additional deaths Thursday. Champaign County reported 44 new cases. Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion Counties did not have a report.
(Parke County, Indiana-jm) -- A fall favorite just over the border in Indiana returns after a year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual Parke County Covered Bridge Festival gets underway today and runs through October 17th.
(Iroquois County-jm) -- Two men charged in connection to a body found in a gas tanker truck pleaded not guilty to all charges Thursday morning at the Iroquois County Court. 33-year-old Billy Roof and 37-year-old Ryan Morrow were arraigned on charges of unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle and unlawful concealment in the death of 29-year-old Garrett Meyer from Nashville, Illinois. Two truck drivers discovered the body at a gas transfer hub just outside of Buckley, Illinois on June 4. There has been no evidence of foul play in the 29-year-old’s death which was ruled an overdose in August. Roof faces another felony: Use of account number or code with intent to defraud. Roof and Morrow remain in custody Thursday. The judge denied requests to reduce their bonds, both set at $50,000. Pre-trial hearings are set for November.
(Springfield-jm) -- Legislative districting maps continue to be a hot button topic in Springfield. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City provides an update on the latest…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign County-jm) -- Crime Stoppers is offering people in Champaign County a chance to safely dispose of personal documents, unwanted prescription drugs and unused cell phones in an upcoming event. The event will be held on Saturday, October 23 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in University of Illinois parking lot E14. The lot is at the corner of 1st Street and Kirby Avenue, which is just west of the State Farm Center. Those who participate should enter the lot from 1st Street and follow a marked path to the collection site. Event workers will help guide people.
(Washington-jm) -- Here's how export sales of bulk agricultural commodities have been doing. Gary Crawford reports…
The Paxton Church of Christ will hold their homecoming weekend on Saturday, and Sunday. The homecoming features an ice cream social after Saturday evenings service at 6:30 and a catered lunch following Sunday morning service at 10:30.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker on Thursday announced two new agreements with the Illinois Nurses Association and Illinois Federation of Public Employees that will require nearly 1,300 more state employees to receive COVID-19 vaccines. The agreement with the Illinois Nurses Association covers about 1,100 nurses working in 24/7 facilities. The agreement with the Illinois Federation of Public Employees covers about 160 employees working in Human Services and Veterans’ Affairs. Employees must receive their first shot by October 14. Should an employee elect a two-dose vaccine, they must receive the second shot by November 18. State employees who remain unvaccinated or do not receive an exemption by the dates identified will face progressive disciplinary measures, which may ultimately lead to their discharge.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Office of Broadband today announced a new interactive Connect Illinois Broadband Map and creation of the Illinois Broadband Lab. The efforts will provide Illinois residents and communities with new data on broadband connectivity in their area, as well as an online speed test, to identify gaps and tailor broadband planning efforts to boost access to high-speed internet service.
(Rantoul--jc) -- The Baldwin Asylum Haunted Attraction is in its 9th year on Rantoul’s east side in the Taylor Studios building. Spokesperson Mark Dams talks about the latest version of the haunted attraction…
Baldwin Asylum Haunted Attraction Spokesperson Mark Dams.The local haunt has been rated as one of the top 5 haunted attractions in the state of Illinois
(Champaign-jm) -- An Urbana man is dead after being shot multiple times early Thursday morning. Champaign Police were called around 3:12 a.m. to the 500 block of West White Street for a report of shots fired. Charles Evans was found in an alleyway suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his torso and arm. He died about an hour later at a local hospital from a gunshot wound to the chest.
(Clinton-jm) -- Clinton lake got some more fish, all thanks to the Illinois department of natural resources. IDNR transferred fish from one of their five ponds where they raise fish, into the lake. They unloaded about 37-thousand of them including crappie and catfish.
(Thawville-tr) -- A new brewery has come to Thawville, Illinois known as Artesia Brewing. Spokesperson Linda Tammen explains how Artesia Brewing is more than just a local bar scene…
Artesia Brewing Spokesperson Linda Tammen.An Octoberfest celebration is set for this weekend at Artesia Brewing of rural Thawville
(Champaign-jm) -- OSF is announcing OSF Pro Ambulance will become Advanced Medical Transport come 2022. All OSF PRO emergency ground transportation services in Champaign and Vermilion Counties will transfer to AMT. The timeframe for the transition is still being determined, but it is expected to be completed in early 2022.
(Washington-jm) -- The Agriculture Secretary testified before the House Ag Committee on the current state of the livestock industry and on matters to be addressed within it. Rod Bain reports…
The Ford County Public Health Department will host a flu shot clinic today from 9-11 am at the health department in Paxton.
The Cruisin Towards Cures for Campers MDA Car Show will take place on Saturday at the Champaign County Fairgrounds.
Paxton IGA will be hosting their cookout benefiting the Prairie Champions 4-H Club on Saturday from 10 to 2.
The Paxton Church of Christ will hold their homecoming weekend on Saturday, and Sunday. The homecoming features an ice cream social after Saturday evenings service at 6:30 and a catered lunch following Sunday morning service at 10:30.
