(Roberts-dg)- The latest update on the Village of Roberts well situation is that the well company has assessed that the electrical checks are fine, which means the issue is within the well itself. They have set up a crane and are prepared to take a look at the well today. Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughn urges all residents to conserve water, so the tank pressure will not drop to unsatisfactory levels which will lead to boil orders and additional complications. Additional updates will be posted today on the Village’s facebook page as it becomes available.
(Rantoul-jm) – Rantoul police are investigating a report of shots fired in the village Monday afternoon. Police were called to the 1000 block of Pinecrest Drive just after 3:30. When they arrived they found around 100 spent shell casings and several live rounds of ammunition in the road. Police believe multiple suspects, in separate vehicles, were shooting at each other. Anyone with information is asked to call Rantoul police.
(Springfield-jm) – State Senator Darren Bailey has announced his running mate in the upcoming race for governor of Illinois. Senator Bailey will be joined by Stephanie Trussell, a conservative talk show host. Trussell would serve as Lieutenant Governor if Bailey were to win the 2022 election.
(Springfield-jm) – As you wrap up your online holiday shopping, a consumer economics educator with the University of Illinois Extension Office has some tips for protecting yourself and your wallet. For starters, U of I Extension’s Kathy Sweedler recommends using a credit card rather than a debit card…
U of I Extension’s Kathy Sweedler. Other advice includes only shopping online with trusted retailers and making sure the browser has the lock symbol or reads https which signifies a secure connection. Sweedler says you should also check bank and card statements carefully for any unusual activity.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police are investigating a deadly shooting that happened just after noon Monday. Police were called to the area of 5th and Vine for a report of shots fired. When they arrived they found a 26 year old male with life threatening injuries. The individual was taken to the hospital where he later died. Coroner Duane Northrup identified the victim as Daveyonta Fairman,
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 19,514 new Coronavirus cases and 105 additional deaths since Friday. Locally since Friday, Champaign County reported 400 new cases. Iroquois County reported 186 new cases. Vermilion County reported 134 new cases and 3 additional deaths.
(Onarga-tr)-- The Onarga Christmas parade will end with a special presentation at the Onarga Theater this Saturday from 6-8pm. Santa’s Winter Wonderland will come alive again for all the kids to enjoy, as well as Santa himself says Onarga parade spokesperson Fred Walraven...
Onarga Christmas Parade Spokesperson Fred Walraven. For more details or to inquire about parade entry, call Fred at 815-471-4576.
(Gibson City-jm) – A local hospital will pay about $292,000 to resolve allegations claiming it failed to return overpayments it received. Prosecutors said Gibson Area Hospital in Gibson City took in these overpayments between March 9, 2014 and March 24, 2020 from Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs. The hospital was accused of violating the False Claims Act by failing to return the money. The hospital was accused of knowingly retaining the overpayments pursuant to alleged practices of keeping overpayments that were under $10, were over one year old, were duplicate payments, were improperly applied toward separate claims, and/or were payments for which the payer had not requested a refund three times. Gibson Area Hospital fully cooperated with the investigation and terminated several employees.
(Washington-jm) – A new USDA Rural Development guaranteed loan program offers support for eligible processing facilities to strengthen their food supply chain infrastructure. Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – A new report says Illinois’ use of remaining federal stimulus dollars will be key to the state’s economic success in 2022. Fitch Ratings' outlook for Illinois’ and U.S. states and local governments in 2022 is neutral relative to surprisingly strong 2021 underlying business conditions. Governments with slower or stagnant revenue growth prospects may see an emerging or growing mismatch and increased pressure on budget-balancing tools, Fitch said.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding the public about fire safety over the holidays. More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles, says Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. And, the top three days for candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day…
Illinois State Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. Fultz also recommends making sure all light strands are in good shape, with no worn or broken areas and to make sure you don’t have too many strands hooked together at once.
(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois Police arrested a person accused of robbing a person at gunpoint. Police say it happened just before 7 pm near 6th and Daniels. No other information was released.
(Onarga-tr)-- The Onarga Christmas parade will end with a special presentation at the Onarga Theater this Saturday from 6-8pm. Spokesperson Fred Walraven would like to extend an invitation to all residents who wish to enter…
Onarga Christmas Parade Spokesperson Fred Walraven. For more details or to inquire about parade entry, call Fred at 815-471-4576.
(Dewey-jm) – A Dewey man has been sentenced to two months in jail and four years of probation for having cocaine.A Champaign County judge ordered Shane Burdette that sentence after he pleaded guilty to having more than an ounce of cocaine. He must also undergo a substance abuse evaluation and perform 50 hours of public service. Burdette admitted to having about 40 grams of cocaine in his home.
(Washington-jm) – Export dollar values for bulk agricultural commodities are mostly up this year, but what about actual tonnages? Gary Crawford reports…
