(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence announced that domestic violence deaths were on the rise in fiscal year 2021. In an annual Domestic Violence Homicide Report, the group reported that 78 people died in domestic violence incidents in Illinois during fiscal year 2021. This includes 66 victims who were adults and 12 who were minors under 18.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois General Assembly wrapped up the fall veto session last week passing a pair of controversial measures. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about one of them…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign County-jm) -- The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is in the process of hiring new deputies. The Sheriff’s Office is close to being fully staffed, and more deputies will allow the Sheriff’s Office to engage more with the community, including through community events. The Sheriff’s Office needs more correctional officers.
(Urbana-jm) -- University of Illinois Police reported an exploitation scam that caused a U. of I. student to lose $2,000 on Friday. According to police, the student was contacted by an unknown person through social media. The two began exchanging messages that quickly became sexual. After this student sent sexually explicit images of himself, the unknown messenger threatened to send his pictures to the student’s family and friends unless the student gave money to the messenger. Police said the student paid the messenger $2,000 and contacted police after the messenger demanded more money.
(Springfield-jm) -- If those pumpkins you carved are looking a little rough, don't just dump them in the trash, says the University of Illinois Extension Office. If your jack-o-lanterns are still in good shape, you can leave them out to feed your local wildlife, says U of I Extension Horticulture Educator Chris Enroth…
University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Chris Enroth. Be careful about leaving the pumpkins in ditches which could draw critters closer to the road. Another idea is to add the pumpkins to your compost pile. Enroth says some areas are offering drop-off programs to get rid of them as well.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 6,125 new Coronavirus cases and 63 additional deaths since Friday. Locally, Vermilion County reported 19 new cases. Champaign County 86 new cases. Iroquois County reported 53 new cases and 3 additional deaths. Ford County did not have a report.
(Hoopeston-jm) -- A Hoopeston woman is facing multiple charges after a weekend incident. Police were called to Carle Hoopeston Medical Center after officials there say Latishia Traylor was causing a disturbance and setting off fire alarms. Traylor fled from the scene and led police on a chase before being apprehended. She is charged with disorderly conduct, aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude police, aggravated battery to a police officer and cited for 8 other infractions.
(Washington-jm) -- Unfavorable weather conditions have somewhat slowed corn harvest progress. Stephanie Ho reports…
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor JB Pritzker declared gun violence a public health crisis in a press conference Monday afternoon. He unveiled a $250 million state investment to implement a public safety plan over the next three years. The fiscal investment will include both state and federal funding, including $50 million allocated in the fiscal year 2022 state budget. The program will address gun violence with the support of high-risk youth intervention programs, violence prevention services, youth development programs, and trauma recovery services for minors.
(Springfield-jm) -- Lawmakers approved two controversial pieces of legislation during the fall veto session last week. One of them has to do with the Right of Conscious Act, says 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign County-jm) -- University of Illinois Police are looking for information regarding several incidents of weather research sensors and equipment stolen from research stations. Police said since December 2019, the University of Illinois has reported at least 14 incidents of theft occurring at weather research stations throughout central Illinois. As of September 2021, nearly $50,000 of sensors, gauges and scientific data collection equipment was taken during the thefts.
(Elliott-jm) -- Elliott will issue $500,000 in bonds for the 2nd phase of the water main replacement project. The north side of town has been done, now its time for the south side. The village board is expected to let the bids out in December, receive them back in January with the hopes of starting the project in the spring.
(Springfield-jm) -- Instead of bagging up your leaves to be hauled away, the University of Illinois Extension Office suggests using them in your garden. Leaves make a great mulch says U of I Extension Educator Nancy Keith. She recommends breaking them down so they decompose quicker with a shredder, mulcher or lawn mower. Then...
U of I Extension Horticulture Educator Nancy Keith. Keith says another easy way to recycle leaves is to store them in garbage bags with small holes that allow leaves to break down naturally.
(Paxton-jm) -- Camping could be coming to a Paxton park. The city is considering adding campsites to Bixby Park on the city’s southeast side. The city committee will take up the consideration this Thursday. The city’s long term planning committee will also meet Thursday to discuss upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant, address flooding issues in parts of the community and discuss street improvements. The meeting gets underway at 7pm.
(Washington-jm) -- The pace of the nation's soybean harvest has fallen behind the five-year average. Stephanie Ho reports…
