(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul home was severely damaged by a weekend fire. Families in 4 apartments were displaced. Crews were called to the 100 block of West Letchworth just after 7 pm Saturday evening. Thomasboro and Gifford firefighters assisted Rantoul firefighters. No word on the cause of the fire.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Lawmakers are hoping teen truckers will be a solution to shortages across the nation. Right now, you have to be at least 21 to drive a semi-truck over state lines, but congress is proposing dropping that age to 18. That’s because of the extreme shortage of truck drivers across the country. The head of the American Trucking Association said the industry needs about 80,000 more drivers, and that’s why they want to reduce the age. Right now, several states, including Illinois, give commercial driver’s licenses to people who are at least 18, but they can’t drive over state lines until they’re 21.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new report is highlighting the success of a recent law that helps service members obtain their state professional license more quickly. The law expedites the process of getting licensed in Illinois for occupations like physicians, nurses, unarmed security guards and cosmetologists. This is so important for active duty members and their spouses says State Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Secretary Mario Treto…

 

 

State Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Secretary Mario Treto. The Department helped 862 service members and their spouses through the licensure process last year, tripling the amount that took advantage of the initiative during the first year in 2020.

 

(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 40,642 new cases and 137 additional deaths Friday. Champaign County reported 1,549 new cases. Vermilion County reported 366 new cases and 5 additional deaths. Ford County reported 245 new cases. Iroquois County did not have a report.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Child molestation charges has been filed against a Rantoul man who is currently serving time for aggravated criminal sexual abuse and possession of child pornography.  Jorge Elvir-Reyes is serving four years behind bars in Canton. On Thursday, he was arraigned on four charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, The News-Gazette reports. He's accused of molesting a girl under 13 at his Rantoul home between May 2018 and May 2019. 

 

(Buckley-tr) – Christ Lutheran High School will be participating in the National Lutheran Schools Week Celebration as will many Lutheran schools across the country. It started yesterday and lasts all week. CLHS Director Sandy Spitz shares more on how they will be celebrating in Buckley…

 

 

CLHS Director Sandy Spitz.

 

(Thomasboro-jm) – After split discussion and public comment, the Thomasboro School Board voted to keep the mascot, "Indians." In late 2021, the school board sent a notice of a plan to discuss the mascot to make sure it was appropriate.

 

(Washington-jm) – There are some big numbers in USDA's latest report on cattle feedlot activity. Gary Crawford report…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) –  Illinois Air National Guard members are facing being discharged from service if they don't get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Illinois Air National Guard's vaccine deadline was December 3, 2021. Right now, 96% of members are vaccinated, with 3% asking for exemptions, and 1% are simply refusing and haven't submitted an exemption request. The Department of Defense issued a memorandum on August 24, requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all active duty, Ready Reserve, including the National Guard.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The U of I is mourning the loss of a beloved dean. Former dean Clarence Shelley died. He took on a number of roles over the years, from dean of students, to special assistant to the chancellor. He played a major role in “Project 500,” which was the university’s first big effort to ensure equal education opportunities. He encouraged U of I to bring in students who were underrepresented. Those who knew him say he was a leader.

 

(Washington-jm) – The agricultural trade front is very active right now and it includes talks with China on shortfalls in Phase I purchase commitments. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Danville-jm) – There will be fewer precincts outside Danville but within Vermilion County for this year’s elections.  Members of the County Board approved an ordinance reducing the precincts from 55 to 38. The reduction is due to the difficulty in finding election judges.

 

(Undated–jc)  Tax time is here. WPXN’s Tyler Robinson has the details…