(Rantoul-jm) – Bond was set at $750,000 for a 27-year-old accused of kicking and hitting another woman, causing her death. Khydijah Brazell was arraigned at the Champaign County Courthouse Wednesday on four counts of first-degree murder following the Monday death of Shelby Rix. Multiple witnesses heard the fight and one saw it break out before it moved into a motel room. Brazell claimed she became angry when Rix was smoking in one of the rooms. Later, she was struggling to breathe and one of the witnesses and Brazell took a motionless Rix to the hospital. The autopsy report reads she died of blunt force trauma, and there was a “significant amount of internal bleeding,” according to the prosecution. If convicted, Brazell faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines. She was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on August 24.
(Springfield-jm) – New rules are now in place for domestic workers including nannies, housekeepers and caregivers. The state’s minimum wage law has been extended to include domestic workers, ensuring they have rights on the job, says Illinois Department of Labor Assistant Director Jason Keller…
Illinois Department of Labor Assistant Director Jason Keller. The rules also specify that domestic workers must be paid time and a half for any overtime hours.
(Champaign-jm) – A bike advocacy group in Champaign County is in the process of overseeing the installation of a series of signs to remind drivers of a state law governing bicyclist clearance. Champaign County Bikes is providing 65 IDOT-approved signs to towns in the county to remind drivers to give bicyclists at least three feet of clearance. However, the state law is not required in just these locations; it is required everywhere.
(Paxton–jc) – It’s open. Just Hamburgers is hosting a “soft” opening this week starting at 4pm and going to 7pm Regular menu items are available. Just Hamburgers General Manager Jonathan Frictl says a ribbon cutting and grand opening is set for 11am on Saturday…
Just Hamburgers of Paxton General Manager Jonathan Frictl.
(Springfield-jm) – The November election is just 4 months away. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington talks about some of the major issues that could impact the election…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
(Watseka-jm) – Iroquois Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome Jaelyn French, to the IMH Medical Group Clinics in Watseka and Kentland. Jaelyn is an ANCC Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with substantial experience in various healthcare settings.
(Champaign-jm) – In order to bore a new storm sewer for I-74, Stark Excavating and IDOT will close Anthony Drive between Dale Drive and Dobbins Drive. The closure will begin on Monday, August 8, and will reopen on Saturday, August 13, 2022, weather permitting. No through traffic will be allowed on Anthony Drive between Dale and Dobbins; however, access to all local properties will be maintained. A detour route will be posted for eastbound and westbound Anthony Drive traffic.
(Gifford-jm) – A man from Rantoul has been arrested in connection to a deadly crash that happened near Gifford in June. Justin Shields was arrested on Wednesday and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death and aggravated street racing. He is being held in the Champaign County Jail on a $10,000 bond. The charges allege that Shields was involved in a June 12 drag race on U.S. Route 136 that turned deadly. Responding State Troopers found a Dodge Charger had driven off the road and its driver, 34-year-old Scott Boyne of Rantoul, was pronounced dead at the scene. Special Agents from the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation learned that Boyne had been drag racing with a second vehicle and that the other vehicle made contact with Boyne’s car, sending it off the road.
(Springfield-jm) – State Treasurer Mike Frerichs office will be holding a live auction of unclaimed property at the Illinois State Fair this year. The auction is a popular event and includes everything from a faberge picture frame to a 100 ounce Engelhard silver ingot, says Treasurer Frerichs…
State Treasurer Mike Frerichs. The auction will be held the second Saturday of the fair, on August 20th at 11 am. Fairgoers will be able to preview the items ahead of time.
(Urbana-jm) – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District said you can get rid of old tires during a special collection event. In a Facebook post, health department officials said the collection is today to Saturday at two drop-off locations. One is at CUPHD. The other is at the Urbana Township Road District east parking lot in Urbana. Those who live in Champaign County can drop off tires from passenger cars and small trucks. They can be with or without rims and need to be 17 inches or less.
(Springfield-jm) – The state received some good news and some not so good news when it comes to the state's finances. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Ford County-jm) – The Ford County Sheriff’s Office has released their July activity report. During the month of July, deputies responded to 6 traffic accidents and issued 10 written warnings. Deputies also issued 5 citations for speeding, 2 for improper lane usage and 1 each for illegal parking on a roadway, illegal possession of cannabis and expired registration. Deputies also handled 3 reports each of harassment and suicide attempts and 1 each of trespassing, phone scam, fight in progress and missing person.
(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security has released June metro unemployment numbers. Champaign County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.8 percent to 4.3 percent. Ford County’s fell from 5.0 percent to 4.2 percent. Vermilion County fell from 7.2 percent to 5.5 percent. Iroquois County fell from 4.7 percent to 3.9 percent.
