(Springfield-jm) -- The state’s top public health doctor is stressing the importance of kids getting vaccinated against COVID-19. IDPH Director Dr Ngozi Ezike visited a community vaccine event in the Forest Park School District, and urged parents to make sure their children in the 5 to 11 age group get the shot…
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. Ezike praised event organizers for trying to make the process fun for the kids and encourages communities around the state to hold vaccine drives for both youth and adults.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 11,387 new Coronavirus cases and 50 additional deaths between Friday and Monday. The seven day positivity rate rose to 3.9 percent. Champaign County reported 247 new cases bringing their total to 29,150. Iroquois County reported 89 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 4,530 and deaths to 81. Vermilion County reported 302 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 15,493 and deaths to 205. Ford County did not have a report Monday however sits at 2,597 cases.
(Rantoul-tr) -- The Community Service Center in Rantoul will be assisting families from Thomasboro, Ludlow, and Rantoul with their Holiday Bureau program. Holiday Bureau Spokesperson Andy Kulczyki gives a summary on what Holiday Bureau is all about…
Holiday Bureau Spokesperson Andy Kulczyki
(Champaign-jm) -- Melissa Courtwright has been named executive director of C-U at Home, which houses and supports people without a place to live on their journey to healing and restoration. Courtwright is a longtime advocate for older adults in Champaign and Vermilion Counties.
(Paxton-tr) -- An agreement has been reached on the PBL school district taking on a new resource officer. The resource officer will foster relationships with students and faculty while performing proper safety practices as well as lesson teaching, says PBL superintendent Cliff McClure…
PBL Superintendent Cliff McClure
(Rantoul-jm) -- Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a burglary. On November 5, at around 9:40 a.m., police were dispatched to Colonial Liquor on Maplewood Drive in Rantoul for a reported burglary. When officers arrived, they found entry had been forced through the business’s front window and an ATM had been removed. Video surveillance from within the building showed the suspect entered the business wearing a dark hoodie, light-colored pants and dark shoes. Anyone who has information regarding this crime can contact Crime Stoppers at 217-373-TIPS.
(Urbana-jm) -- The Undergraduate Library at the University of Illinois will be permanently closing after the Spring 2022 semester. University officials said they previously announced that the building would be converted into the “Archives and Special Collections” building. “Services for undergraduate students will be integrated into the Main Library, Grainer Engineering Library Information Center, Funk ACES Library, and other units around campus by the start of classes in Fall 2022.
(Springfield-jm) -- Farmers are just about done with the fall harvest. Corn harvesting is complete and soybeans are just about done, says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 90 percent of winter wheat has been planted with 75 percent emerged. 85 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition, down slightly from the previous week. Average statewide topsoil moisture is rated at 11 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 15 percent surplus.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office is offering some safe cooking tips for your Thanksgiving celebration. Four times as many home fires involving cooking equipment occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz says you should never leave food that’s boiling, grilling or broiling unattended, and kids should be kept at least three feet from the stove. Another potential hazard is using a turkey fryer…
State Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. Fultz says if there is a fire in the oven, keep the door shut and turn off the heat. For the stovetop, smother small flames with the pan lid.
(Champaign-tr)-- The theme for the 21st annual Parade of Lights in Champaign has been released. In honor of the late and great Elvis Presley, Blue Christmas will be this year's parade theme. Parade of Lights Spokesperson Xander Hazel is excited to see Champaign residents get creative with the theme…
Champaign Parade of Lights Spokesperson Xander Hazel
(Buckley-jm) -- The Buckley Fire and Ambulance Department is looking for more volunteers. The department will host an EMT class starting January 20th and running Mondays and Thursdays from 6-9 pm until May. The class will be held at Christ Lutheran High School. For more information call 217-249-4888.
(Iroquois County-tr) -- Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka is partnering with Toys for Tots to bring the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children. Toys for Tots Spokesperson Bill Nutter shares details about the partnership…
Toys for Tots Spokesperson Bill Nutter. For more information on how to donate, contact Bill Nutter at 815-471-0129 or go to ToysForTots.org.
(Champaign-jm) -- A routine traffic stop early Sunday led to a man’s arrest for illegally carrying a loaded gun. At about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, a University of Illinois Police officer observed a vehicle disobey a stop sign near the intersection of John and Neil streets, Champaign, only a few blocks from campus. After the officer stopped and approached the vehicle, he noticed a strong smell of cannabis emanating from the inside. One of the passengers, Dazhan D. Moore, 23, of Urbana, alerted police that he had a firearm in his waistband and began reaching for it. Officers quickly grabbed his arms and retrieved the weapon themselves. Police also found a small bag of cannabis in Moore’s pants pocket. The firearm was loaded with an extended magazine containing 31 rounds of ammunition. Moore does possess a Firearm Owners Identification, but is not permitted to carry a concealed weapon. Illinois law also makes it illegal to carry a weapon and cannabis in the manner that Moore was carrying it. Moore was arrested for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and was taken to the Champaign County Jail. The driver was released with a verbal warning for disobeying the stop sign.
(Bloomington-jm) -- The worker shortage continues to hit the airline industry hard this holiday season, and has begun suspending local service throughout Central Illinois. Delta announced its suspending service to Detroit from Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. Service is being suspended for the first quarter of next year and Delta hopes to bring it back by April.
(Springfield-jm) -- Farmers are just about done with the fall harvest. 95 percent of soybean acres have now been harvested and corn has wrapped up. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 90 percent of winter wheat has been planted…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Pasture conditions declined to 57 percent in good to excellent condition. Average statewide topsoil moisture came in at 11 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 15 percent surplus.
