(Thomasboro-jm) – One person is dead following an accident on Route 45 near Thomasboro. Illinois State Police say a pickup truck struck a person changing their tire in the northbound lane of Route 45 just before 5pm. The person changing their tire was taken to the hospital where they later died. The driver of the pickup was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
(Springfield-jm) – There’s another push this year to outlaw “sweepstakes machines” in Illinois. Sweepstakes machines generally look like a kiosk, and the payout is in the form of a coupon that you can exchange for merchandise online or cash from the retailer. But here’s the problem, says Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter…
Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter. Sweepstakes machines have long been used in communities that don’t allow video gaming. Legislation in both the House and Senate bans these types of machines.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help in locating a man wanted for sex crimes. Officials said Andrew Kirk, 35, is wanted on a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Bond is already set at $100,000. He is described as being Black, 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 142 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.
(Springfield-jm) – The state Supreme Court will decide next week the constitutionality of the Safe-T Act. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says he is eagerly awaiting the decision…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Clerk and Recorder’s Office will host a Veteran’s Resource event next Wednesday. The event will be held on March 15 from 4:30PM-6PM at the VFW 630 at 1303 E Main St., Urbana. Community partners joining in the event include the Veterans Assistance Commission, Champaign County Supervisor of Assessments, The Salvation Army, Regional Planning Commission and a representative from the Danville V.A. Hospital. The event is free and open to everyone. Information and resources will be shared with veterans from the various organizations at the event.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign woman was recently defrauded of more than $4,000 after police said she was the victim of check fraud. University of Illinois Police officials said the victim initially wrote a check for just over $400 on Jan. 28 to pay a local plumbing company for recent work at her home. She dropped the check off at a mailbox at the post office located at the intersection of Green and Third Streets, close to the U of I campus. The victim later discovered that the check had been stolen and altered to charge her account with more than ten times the amount she initially tried to pay. The victim notified her bank and police.
(Springfield-jm) – The U.S. Monday announced it is requesting technical consultations with Mexico through the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to resolve issues regarding agricultural biotechnology. Rod Bain reports…
(Gibson City-jm) – A Gibson City man will spend the next 35 years in prison after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl. Nicolas Thurman, 48, was sentenced on Monday after his January conviction on a charge of predatory criminal sexual assault. He will be required to serve 85% of his sentence. Ford County State’s Attorney Andrew Killian asked Judge Matthew Fitton for a 48-year-sentence out of the maximum 60 years. In addition to the case of sexual assault he was sentenced on, Thurman is facing a charge of attempted predatory criminal sexual assault involving a different victim. That trial would take place in April.
(Springfield-jm) – A University of Illinois Labor Professor says the idea of a five-day work week is long overdue for an overhaul. Alternative schedules and working remotely really had a chance to shine during the pandemic, so now may be a good time to consider if a four-day work week is feasible. Professor Robert Bruno says pilot studies have shown it can work…
U of I Law Professor Robert Bruno. Bruno says allowing employees to have time for a healthy work-life balance can lower the risk of burnout and worker dissatisfaction. He notes that a shorter work week may be difficult in some industries, but that changes could be made such as holding school year round but only Mondays through Thursdays.
(Urbana-jm) – A pair of University of Illinois students were recently scammed out of more than $3,000 in a false employment scam, U of I Police reported on Monday. Officials said the students responded to an email application for a research position with an “Illinois Community College” and were subsequently asked for money to pay for office supplies. They sent a total of $3,100 in several transactions and received checks for reimbursement, but their bank later deemed those checks to be fraudulent.
(Springfield-jm) – 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City is sponsoring legislation to help students going into college select a career. Senator Bennett explains…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help in solving a murder cold case. The murder happened on July 23, 2021. Officials said that at 5 p.m. on that date, officers responding to a shooting report found Jayvohn Foster, 26, near the intersection of Edward Hoffman and Newcastle Drives. Foster had been shot in the abdomen and he later died from this injury at a local hospital. Anyone who has information that could help authorities solve the case is asked to submit their knowledge to Crime Stoppers
(Gibson City-jm) – A Gibson City man is behind bars after a shooting Friday night. The Gibson City Police arrested 20-year-old Charles Harwick. He is being charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm, and reckless conduct and resisting/obstructing a peace officer.
(Washington-jm) – The latest round of funding has been announced for a USDA lending program aimed to help build production capacity in the meat and poultry processing sector. Rod Bain reports…
