(Urbana-jm) – Carle Health has joined other local hospitals in implementing mask and visitor guidelines to reduce the spread of illness. Starting today, masks are urged for those with respiratory illness symptoms, depending on the hospital, center, or clinic. The number of visitors is limited, with most locations only allowing one to two visitors over the age of 18.
(Mahomet–jc) – One local state senator from Champaign County says the overspending by the democratic party majority in Springfield is the main reason the state is facing a nearly 4 Billion dollar shortfall in the upcoming budget. 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet says there has to be major changes in next year's budget...to get it to balance...
51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet
(Bloomington-jm) – Six people have been arrested as part of a human trafficking operation in Bloomington. Multiple media outlets report Illinois State Police engaged in a two-day operation on Jan. 8-9 to identify "individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts." 60-year-old Larry Miller of Tolono was one of the men arrested. He was arrested on charges of traveling to meet a minor, indecent solicitation of a child/internet, indecent solicitation/ aggravated criminal sexual abuse, solicitation to meet a child five years or older and grooming. The other men arrested include 45-year-old Nathan Hansen of Bloomington, 25-year-old David Teran of Bloomington, 21-year-old Steve Adma of Galesburg, 21-year-old Khalid Farah of Arlington Heights and 33-year-old Michael Morris of Forrest City, according to State Police.
(Watseka–dm)-Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka is hosting their Know your Numbers Lab Fair starting today thru Saturday January 18. Besides the normal blood panel, Iroquois Memorial Hospital Business and Industrial Outreach Director Mary Kay Lavicka tells us what other blood tests will be available.
Iroquois Memorial Hospital Business and Industrial Outreach Director Mary Kay Lavika.
(Wisconsin–jc) –Kohl's has announced it is closing 27 locations around the country, including two stores in Illinois. Stores in Plainfield and West Dundee are on the closure list. The store closures span 15 states, with a majority in California.
The company said the "underperforming" stores will close by April. Kohls has several other locations that will remain open including ones in Champaign, Danville, Bloomington and Bourbonnais.
(Paxton–dm)-It's snow shoveling season and Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen gives us some ideas on picking out a good snow shovel.
Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott Saturday mornings at 7:30 on Scott's Tips for Success.
(Urbana-jm) – Champaign and Urbana will be receiving a portion of $115,674,140 in federal funding for road safety improvements. $9,950,930 is going towards the Florida Ave. multi-modal corridor reconstruction project. The money will be used to reconstruct approximately 1.3 miles of Florida Avenue from South Wright Street to Hillcrest Avenue to include upgrades.
(Gibson City–jc) Saying it has been an honor and a privilege, 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett, Republican from Gibson City has retired from public office. Senator Bennett has served in Springfield as a State Representative and State Senator since 2015. Senator Bennett says it has been a pleasure to serve those in our area...
Retired 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett, republican from Gibson City
(Paxton–dm)-The Living Word Church in Roberts will be having their Summer Camp Fundraiser Craft and Vender Show on Saturday February. 8th from 9am-3pm at The Cadillac located at 108 W. State Street in Paxton. Living Word Church Spokesperson Melanie Bauer has more information.
Living Word Church Spokesperson Melanie Bauer. For more information you can call Melanie Bauer at 217-379-7852.
(Bloomington–jc) –Bloomington-based State Farm is being accused of canceling thousands of fire insurance policies in California just before the massive wildfires.
More than 10,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed as wildfires continue to move through Los Angeles County. Meanwhile, social media is full of accusations that State Farm abandoned its California customers just before the fires broke out. State Farm said some policies were not renewed because of inflation and the increasing frequency of natural disasters.
