(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health Friday confirmed the first human West Nile virus-related death in Illinois for 2021. A Will County resident who first became ill in late August and tested positive for West Nile virus has died. Currently, 40 human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Illinois. Last year, IDPH reported 42 human cases, including four deaths.
(Springfield-jm) -- All public and private schools looking to start a COVID-19 testing program are getting a helping hand. The Illinois Department of Public Health partnered with the U.S. Health and Human Services’ Midwest COVID-19 Testing Coordination Center to help expand testing. The expansion will add testing capacity, speed up the testing onboarding process, and help gain access to federal funding.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,744 new and probable cases of COVID-19 Friday and 35 additional deaths. Locally Friday, Vermilion County reported 123 new cases. Ford County reported 33 new cases. Champaign County reported 44 new cases and 3 additional deaths. Iroquois County did not have a report Friday.
(Springfield-jm) -- A committee of legislators are reviewing statues around the state capitol. One of the committee members is Tom Bennett of Gibson City who discusses what the committee is doing and a recommendation recently brought forward…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Iroquois County-jm) -- A Mississippi man is dead following a fiery semi crash on I-57 late Thursday in Iroquois County. Coroner Bill Cheatum identified the victim as Jackie Greer of Booneville Mississippi. State Police say for an unknown reason Greer’s semi went into the median and struck the bridge at Del Rey causing the semi to catch fire.
(Paxton-jm) -- Could camping be coming to Paxton? That’s a question before the Paxton City Council tomorrow night. Council members will consider adding campsites to a park in the community. WPXN News will continue to follow this story.
(Undated-jm) -- The Ford County Board and Gibson City city council both meet tonight for their monthly meeting. In Paxton at 7, the Ford County board is expected to approve their fiscal year 2022 budget. Also at 7, Gibson City leaders will hear an update on the storm sewer maps and consider adding American Recovery Funds to the water department budget.
(Washington-jm) -- Traders are anxiously awaiting USDA's next round of reports which should give us a better idea of the size and market prospects for the major crops. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) -- The amount of money Illinois has made from cannabis sales in the last three months has nearly doubled since the same time last year. A new state report shows that cannabis tax revenues have grown almost 89% in the first quarter of FY22 compared to the same since last year. In Q1 of FY22, the state collected $66.2 million in cannabis excise taxes. In Q1 of FY21, the state collected $35 million in cannabis excise taxes.
(Undated-jm) -- Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is announcing all driver services facilities will be closed for the Columbus Day holiday. Facilities open Monday through Friday are closed today.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois General Assembly will return to Springfield later this month for the fall veto session. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City has what we can expect…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Clinton-jm) -- Young hunters between the ages of 10 and 17 can apply now for the youth wingshooting clinics and Illinois youth pheasant hunts scheduled for Saturday, October 30 at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area in DeWitt County. Permits for the Clinton Lake SRA youth wingshooting clinics and pheasant hunts are available through the IDNR Controlled Pheasant Hunting online reservation system. Hunters need to review the “Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt Information” and the “Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt Regulations” on the controlled pheasant hunting webpage prior to applying.
(Fairbury-jm) -- A Fairbury police officer has been released from a Peoria hospital after he was involved in an accident chasing a suspect. The Fairbury Police Department says the officer attempted to stop a vehicle when it took off. Both the suspect's vehicle and the police officer's vehicle left the road and rolled several times. The officer was taken to St. James-John Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac before being life-flighted to Peoria. The incident remains under investigation. The suspect was apprehended.
(Washington-jm) -- What's ahead for livestock producers and products? We'll get a new answer to that question very soon. Gary Crawford reports…
