(Springfield-jm) – Lawmakers are calling for social media companies to take down digital hate speech. While social media is a great way to connect with people, it also has a dark side, says Senator Laura Fine of Glenview…
State Senator Laura Fine of Glenview. Fine and some of her colleagues were joined by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which put together a report on the rise of hate speech in the past year. The Center gave C grades to facebook, twitter and tiktok for policing hate material.
(Springfield-jm) – State of Illinois community-based COVID-19 testing sites will be closing at the end of the month. According to a news release from Reditus Laboratories, the decision to close the sites starting March 31 comes from the Illinois Department of Public Health. In February, IDPH decided to reduce testing to three days a week due to reduced demand, and the availability of at-home tests.
(Penfield-tr) – The I&I Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club is hosting a consignment auction Saturday, March 26th at the I&I Show Grounds. I&I Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club President Chuck Stelter shares some featured items…
I&I Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club President Chuck Stelter.
(Champaign-jm) – The Parkland College Foundation will be hosting the 2022 Day of Giving scholarship fundraiser on Thursday, March 31. Starting at 12 a.m. and running to midnight, individuals, businesses, and groups are asked to visit www.parkland.edu/GivingDay, search for a fund they care about , and donate any amount. During the 2021 Parkland Day of Giving, the community raised over $93,000 that went directly to Parkland College and thousands of deserving students.
(Champaign county-tr) – The Crisis Nursery in Urbana will finish off their Goods Giveaway and Delivery Week back at the nursery. Crisis Nursery Family Specialist Taylor Wallis says everyone will be at the nursery to help assist today..
Crisis Nursery Family Specialist Taylor Wallis.
(Undated-jm) – Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is announcing $1.4 million in grants for school libraries. Locally: Armstrong Potomac, Cissna Park, Fisher, GCMS, Iroquois West, Milford, Rantoul Township High School, St. Joseph Community and St. Joseph Ogden High Schools are all receiving $850. Hoopeston area is receiving $941. PBL is receiving $1,082. Rantoul City Schools $1,396. Mahomet Seymour $2,754. Urbana Schools $3,384 and Champaign Schools $8,646.
(Paxton-tr) – Ameren Illinois partnered with the Paxton Fire Department and 14 other departments for a live line demonstration for Firefighters around the area earlier this week. Ameren Illinois Community Relations Coordinator Karley Combest shares a tip about what to do if you're ever stuck in your vehicle with down power lines around you…
Ameren Illinois Community Relations Coordinator Karley Combest.
(Springfield-jm) – The unemployment rate was down and jobs were up last month in Illinois. The February jobless rate fell to four point eight percent, down from five percent in January says State Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards…
State Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards. The biggest gains were seen in the trade, transportation and utilities sector as well as the leisure and hospitality and manufacturing industries.
(Paxton-dg)-Ford County Sheriff Mark Doran made the decision to temporarily close the Ford County Courthouse yesterday afternoon when it was discovered that the Communications tower next the the facility was possibly unstable. The courthouse will be closed today so structural engineers can determine if the structure is in immediate danger of collapsing.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Commerce Commission recently approved its annual five-year Crossing Safety Improvement Program to start implementing highway-rail safety capital projects for local roads across the state. For the next five years, the ICC is expected to spend $386 million to help communities and railroads pay for improvements at nearly 900 crossing locations. Illinois is second only to Texas in the total number of highway-rail crossings.
(Paxton-tr) – The Paxton Park District has yet to make an announcement about being able to swim at the community pool this year. Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans says the pool is facing financial issues. However, a plan is in place to help the public understand those issues…
Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans.
(St. Joseph-jm) – Back in January, the Village of Saint Joseph board voted in favor to put up honorary street signs for fallen officer, Lieutenant Aaron Landers, and former mayor BJ Hackler. According to village officials, they plan to put up the street signs either next month, or if not, no later than May. They are currently waiting for the weather to warm up before following through with the plan.
(Ford-Iroquois-tr) – The Ford-Iroquois County Farm Bureau Foundation is offering scholarships to seniors that come from a Farm Bureau member family and who are seeking a future in ag related fields. Ford-Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager David Treece says this scholarship has helped many seniors over the past 20 years…
Ford-Iroquois County Farm Bureau Manager David Treece.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man with several prior convictions has been sentenced to 7 years in prison for having a gun. Javontae Williams pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Williams was arrested last May after an altercation with his ex girlfriend where he allegedly punched her and pulled out a gun. Williams was also linked to a 2013 stabbing in Rantoul although no charges were filed after the victim refused to cooperate.
(Paxton-tr) – There is a surprise in downtown Paxton that is currently in the works after a generous donation was made. It’s a new downtown clock. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says it may take a few months to arrive…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
Parkland College will host a Parkland Preview event for high school seniors today from 12-2 in the Student Union.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting the Girl Scouts on Saturday from 10-2.
The Gifford Lions Club will be hosting a chicken dinner at the Gifford Community Building on Sunday from 10:30-1. Cost is a free will donation.
