(Lake County-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health announced the first 2024 death of an Illinois resident with West Nile virus. The individual, who was in their 80s and lived in Lake County, had an onset of symptoms of the virus in mid-August and died soon after. IDPH is also reporting nine non-fatal cases of West Nile virus confirmed this year. Of the nine other human cases, the majority were reported from Cook County, with others reported in DuPage, Will, Winnebago and Tazewell counties.

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Veterans' Homes at LaSalle, Manteno and Quincy are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases among its veterans and staff. Officials said the overwhelming majority of cases have presented mild symptoms. As of Tuesday, 36 people tested positive with COVID-19 with a majority of the cases at Quincy. The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging residents to stay in their rooms to minimize movement, masking in direct care areas and has intensified cleaning and disinfection protocols.

(Washington-jm) – Plenty of moisture has accumulated in the Midwest this summer, leading to potentially high producing corn and soybean crops, so is there a need for rain in the region this week? Rod Bain reports...

(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Police Department is investigating after someone vandalized Foellinger Auditorium over the weekend. Each of the six columns on the front of the building were painted with one letter to spell out the word "DIVEST." U of I Police say officers are reviewing video footage and other information to determine accurate information about a suspect.

(Loda–jc)  –  Looking at the health of those living on farms in East Central Illinois is the theme for an Ag-Wellness Event set for mid September. Members of the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University in Normal will be at the Bachman Farm in rural Loda on Saturday September 14th. Illinois State University Assistant Professor Valerie Wright says from free hearing screenings and blood pressure checks to farm safety discussions will be part of the event...

Illinois State University Assistant Professor Valerie Wright. Door prizes and a free lunch will be provided. Call 309-438-2970 to register.

(Ford County-jm) – The Ford County Public Health Department is again warning of West Nile Virus following more positive mosquito results from within the county. The county recorded its first positive test result earlier this month, from a batch of mosquitoes collected on August 8 in Piper City. 11 days later, another batch was collected from the same town that also tested positive for West Nile Virus. In addition, a batch of mosquitoes collected in Melvin on the same day also tested positive. There are no human cases of West Nile Virus in Ford County, officials said, but they are urging people to be aware of the virus' activity in their area. Many factors impact when and where outbreak occur, officials said, including weather, number of mosquitoes present and human behavior.

(Undated-jm) – The July metro unemployment numbers are out. According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security rates rose in July compared to a year ago. Champaign Counties rose from 4.6 percent to 5 point 3 percent. Ford Counties rose from 4.9 percent to 5.7 percent. Vermilion Counties rose from 6.3 percent to 7.9 percent. Iroquois Counties rose from 4.4 percent to 5.4 percent.

(Paxton–jc)  The school year has started for students in the Paxton Buckley Loda school district. School officials, teachers and employees also continue to look at ways for education, but always, the safety of the students. Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Travis Duley talks about the procedures...

Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Travis Duley

(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is releasing their 2nd quarter nursing home violation report. Accolade on Pells in Paxton was fined $27,200 after the facility failed to provide a safe transfer of a patient resulting in a broken leg and food prep staff not having a food handler license. Clark Lindsey in Urbana was fined $2,700 after the facility failed to develop an abuse prevention policy, failed to provide a safe environment for EMS and failed to provide timely mechanical lift transfer. Gibson Annex was fined $27,200 after the facility failed to restrict employees with respiratory symptoms from working while ill resulting in a COVID outbreak and failed to complete a fall risk assessment and ensure safety equipment was in use during a transfer resulting in an injury. Gilman Healthcare was fined $25,000 for failing to ensure mechanical lift straps were assessed and replaced resulting in the strap breaking and injuring a resident. Watseka Rehab was fined $25,000 for failing to identify residents' fall risk and ensuring wheelchair brakes function properly resulting in 3 falls, one which resulted in a broken pelvis.

(Springfield-jm) – As Illinois grapples with the influx of non-citizen migrants, a Texas federal judge has blocked the Biden administration's latest immigration policy. President Joe Biden announced in June a policy that allowed undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens to apply for green cards without leaving the country. The White House estimated that 500,000 people were eligible for the program. Sixteen Republican-led states, including Missouri and Iowa, argued in a court filing that the program was harmful to them, would encourage more unauthorized migration, and "directly violates the laws created by Congress." U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker wrote in his ruling that the states' claims "are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date."

(Washington-jm) – U.S. Ag. exports will face challenges in Fiscal Year 2025. Gary Crawford reports...

(Urbana-jm) – A 16-year-old from Urbana has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the role he played in a robbery-turned-shooting that left another teenager dead last year. Arif Jarrell pleaded guilty to first degree murder on Monday in connection to the death of Montrell Emery in March of 2023. He and co-defendant Marquise McGuire pointed at each other as the shooter, but Jarrell was convicted on the grounds that someone was killed while he was committing a felony. 16-year-old Emery was killed the morning of March 15, 2023, at Prairie Green Apartments in Urbana.

(Springfield-jm) – New data shows the U-S economy is worse than originally thought. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the data shows the situation in Illinois is much worse too...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

(Iroquois County–jc)  –The Prairie Dell Church Association will host an open house at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 at Prairie Dell Church and Cemetery. This national historical landmark is located at 2548E 2150N Road, Watseka, 3-1/2 miles west of Iroquois. John and Janice Lubben, members of the Prairie Dell Church Association, will be presenters. Their program will focus on a few of the prominent, respected founders from the 1800's who were instrumental in forming the church and cemetery. Those who attend will get to sit on the serene old pews inside the church. This is a free program, but donations will be accepted. Cookies and drinks will be available. There will be a time to allow attendees to ask questions or share their memories.

(Rantoul-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci will hold office hours at the Rantoul Business Center on Thursday to give residents an opportunity to receive assistance and ask questions. The event will be held on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rantoul Business Center, located at 601 S. Century Blvd. in Rantoul. Faraci's office will provide coffee for attendees.

(Paxton–jc)  An update on the "Paxton-Crown on the town" project. Stan Foster of Paxton is building the structure that will be placed on the former water tower in the city. Paxton Foundation Spokesperson Royce Baier says the building process is near completion and the project then moves to the water tower area very soon...

Paxton Foundation Spokesperson Royce Baier

(Kankakee–jc)  – Early Monday evening, K-MEG Agents, assisted by the Kankakee City Police Department, arrested Vincent D. Ellis JR, age 34, Bradley,  following an ongoing narcotics investigation and search warrant at his residence, in Bradley. The investigation concluded following Ellis distributing approximately 156 grams of suspected cocaine over a three-month period. The search warrant execution resulted in the seizure of approximately 52 grams of suspect cocaine, a Glock handgun with an extended capacity magazine, and United States Currency. 2 vehicles were also seized in conjunction with the investigation. Ellis has been initially charged with the following: 6 counts of Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance , Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver Cocaine, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Ellis was transported to and detained at the Jerome Combs Detention Center in Kankakee.

WPXN News Notes...

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile today from 9-9:30 at the Danforth Community Center, 10-10:30 at the Ashkum village park, 10:45-11:30 at the Clifton village hall, 12:30-1 at the Beaverville post office and 1:30-2 at the Donovan Community Building.