(Undated-jm) – Today is Columbus Day. That mean’s banks, post offices and schools are closed. Government offices are also closed today.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Half of all rebate checks approved as part of this year's state budget have been processed. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, about three million taxpayers received or will receive in the near future income and property tax rebates. The entire process is expected to be completed by mid-November. Information can be found online at www.tax.illinois.gov.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning the public about potential Hurricane Ian donation scams. Natural disasters are often followed by scam artists trying to trick people out of their money. That’s why Attorney General Raoul says if you plan to donate to the relief efforts, don’t pay in cash and be careful giving money online…

 

 

Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Raoul says you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions, like how much of your money will actually be used for relief efforts.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – A man is facing multiple charges after police say he pointed a gun at customers inside a pizza restaurant. It happened at the Rantoul Pizza Pub located at 114 E Congress Avenue. Officers arrived shortly after the suspect fled. Police identified the suspect as Eric Grubb. Grubb was later arrested at his home. A search of his home led Rantoul officers to discover a 9mm handgun, a shotgun, and a rifle. All weapons were seized as Grubb is a convicted felon. Grubb was taken to the Champaign County Correctional Center.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Three people from Cincinnati were arrested in the Champaign-Urbana area after officers said they found drugs in their possession. Officials with the Urbana Police Department said the chain of events leading to arrest started when officers were called to the towing yard of Tatman’s Towing, located at 810 Perkins Road. Officers responded to a report of suspicious activity regarding a car there and learned one of the people involved with that car had come asking to collect personal items. The person, later identified as 39-year-old Jonathon Zorrer, was seen removing three bags of suspected illegal items from the car and left with a woman later identified as Zoey Barot, 19. Officers said Zorrer and Barot, along with 33-year-old Raymond Edwards, were on their way home from a festival in Minnesota. Officers found in their possession almost 1.5 combined pounds of cocaine, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms and ketamine, along with 36 ecstasy pills and 1,148 doses of LSD tablets.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Harvest season is underway across the state. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken talks about the progress in his county…

 

 

Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man is under arrest after police said he brought a gun into a business Thursday evening. Champaign Police officials said the department received a report around 5 p.m. of a pedestrian armed with a gun in the area of Bloomington Road and Highland Avenue. Officers responded quickly, but the individual, later identified as 27-year-old Anthony Wilkins, had entered the business by the time they arrived. Officials said Wilkins entered a non-public area of the business and hid the gun there. To ensure a lawful search, Champaign Police immediately secured the scene until they could contact the business’s corporate owner. Once given consent to search the property, officers were able to find the gun within minutes and arrested Wilkins.

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA is currently wrapping up data collection for its upcoming new crop production estimates. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Bradley-jm) – The Illinois State Police announced on Friday that state troopers have made an additional arrest in connection to the murder of a Bradley Police officer last December. Xavier Harris, 22 of Bradley, is accused of concealing or aiding Darius Sullivan and Xandria Harris, the two people accused of shooting Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and Officer Tyler Bailey at the town’s Comfort Inn on Dec. 29, 2021. Rittmanic died from her injuries while Bailey was critically injured. 

Xavier Harris is charged with two counts of obstructing justice and two counts of concealing or aiding a fugitive, both of which are class 4 felonies. He is being held at the Jerome Combs Detention Center in Kankakee on a $75,000 bond.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Time to get your annual flu shot says the Illinois Department of Public Health. The past couple of years haven’t been too bad, since most people were taking precautions against COVID-19, but that’s changed, says State Public Health Director Dr Sameer Vorhra…

 

 

State Public Health Director Dr Sameer Vorhra. While you’re at it, Vohra also recommends getting the new COVID booster that covers the most prevalent strain. He assures you can get both shots at the same time.

 

(Champaign-jm) – If you are wanting something from Bed Bath & Beyond, hurry. The store on Marketview Drive off of Neil Street will be closed by Christmas. 

Bed Bath & Beyond is closing at least 150 stores across the country. The chain lost over $350 million last quarter. 

 

(Undated-jm) – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Illinois Department of Public Health revealed that over 12% of American women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. In Illinois alone, more than 2,000 women die each year of breast cancer. IDPH recommends women have monthly breast self-examinations and annual clinical breast examinations starting at age 20. Women should see doctors when they notice a breast change, such as the development of a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, pain or changes to the nipple, redness or scaliness of the breast skin or discharge other than breast milk.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Gaming revenues are up in Illinois. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains what this means…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Danville-jm) – An 18-year-old from Danville died on Thursday after the county coroner and sheriff’s deputies said he drowned at Kickapoo State Park. Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden identified the teen as Areno Woods of Oakwood. Sheriff’s deputies said Woods was fishing at a pond with his girlfriend and her three children at the time of his death. The deputies said a bobber came off a fishing pole and Woods tried to retrieve it. While returning to shore, deputies said Woods had trouble swimming; another person tried to help him but could not reach him.

 

(Washington-jm) – This crop year's market situation forecasts may look a bit different than they did a month ago. Gary Crawford explains why…