(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,382 new and probable COVID-19 cases and 24 additional deaths. Locally, Vermilion County reported 117 new cases. Champaign County reported 47 new cases. Ford and Iroquois Counties did not have a report Tuesday.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A CDC advisory panel recommended authorizing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11 years old. Governor J-B Pritzker was asked at a press conference yesterday if he would mandate the vaccine for kids in order to attend school…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.

 

(Urbana-jm) -- University of Illinois Police arrested two people in relation to burglary and identity theft over the Halloween weekend. On Saturday, while the Fighting Illini football game was taking place at Memorial Stadium, a university police detective saw a person entering multiple cars in the State Farm Center parking lot. When police officers approached, this person was seated in a car that did not belong to her with another person’s purse in her lap. Officers said they quickly arrested 39-year-old Felicia Jones of Indianapolis at around 12:35 p.m. for burglary to a motor vehicle, credit card fraud and identity theft. In a separate and unrelated case, police used a bicycle equipped with anti-theft technology to catch a man who was in possession of multiple articles of stolen property. Police said on Sunday, they received a notification that this bicycle had been stolen from the Coordinated Science Laboratory on Main Street. They located the bicycle and its rider, 44-year-old Jeremy Hartman of Urbana, leaving the area. Police said Hartman was in possession of several electronic items and tools, like wire cutters and wrenches, suspected to have been used in other thefts and burglaries. They arrested Hartman for theft, possession of burglary tools and possession of stolen property.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Recent settlements in U.S.-European Union steel and aluminum disputes are expected to have a positive impact on our country's agricultural exports to the E.U. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Agriculture held a virtual grain tour on October 19, that generated $12.4 million in projected sales. The virtual tour was viewed by 143 participants from five Latin American countries. It generated more than $4 million in additional projected sales over last year's numbers. The grain tour gave Illinois farmers, producers and retailers an outlet to showcase their capabilities to participants from Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, Peru, and the Dominican Republic.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Children ages 5-11 may soon be able to get vaccinated against COVID-19. A CDC Advisory panel recommended authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for that age group. Illinois Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike was asked Tuesday if that would become a required vaccination for kids to attend school…

 

 

Illinois Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. Governor Pritzker says he believes the General Assembly would have to pass legislation regulating the vaccine in schools.

 

(Washington-jm) -- The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate - co-led by the United States - was formally launched Tuesday during the United Nations Climate Change Summit.  Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Paxton-tr)-- Pride in Paxton and The Paxton Christmas Committee is inviting the public to take part in the 2021 Pride in Paxton Christmas Parade. Paxton Pride Christmas Parade Spokesperson Teri Hancock shares the theme for this year's parade… 

 

 

Paxton Pride Christmas Parade Spokesperson Teri Hancock

 

(Champaign-jm) --  Champaign homeless shelter C-U at Home is extending the operating hours of its Phoenix Daytime Drop-in Center at 70 East Washington Street. The Phoenix was previously open from Tuesday to Friday between noon and 5 p.m. Starting November 1, it will be open on Mondays as well.