(Springfield–jc) A large number of Democrats in the Illinois State House are  against the farming tariffs imposed by the federal government. That action angered some local state representatives that farm in Illinois. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting, Republican from Emmington says a recent bill to help farmers was opposed by democrats and he wants them to help farmers with action, not just words…

   

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting Republican from Emmington.

 

(Chicago–jc)  A former female corrections officer at Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center is facing charges, accused of sexually abusing four women who were inmates. The indictment charges Brittany Hall, 31, with five counts of sexual abuse and three counts of abusive sexual contact. Collectively, the charges carry a possible sentence of more than 80 years. Hall resigned from the agency last year.

 

(South Holland–dm)-A former nonprofit executive has admitted to her role in a fraud scheme that diverted more than $1.8 million intended for underprivileged youth programs. Barbara Harris, 55, of South Holland, was the executive director of the Center for Community Academic Success Partnerships, which received government grants to provide after-school programs in Chicago-area schools. Prosecutors say she, along with another nonprofit executive, inflated the organization’s expenses.

 

(Menard County–dm)-Two people have been arrested in connection to a number of recent ATM burglaries in Menard County.  The Petersburg Police Department said it conducted a traffic stop and a search turned up several electronic items that were consistent with information received from other law enforcement agencies of recent ATM burglaries. Police believe that the vehicle stopped before its third trip to the bank, which could have resulted in “jackpotting.” ATM jackpotting refers to the exploration of physical and software vulnerabilities in automated banking machines that result in the machines dispensing cash.

 

(Springfield–dm)-The public overwhelmingly favors retaining the current state flag, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced following the five-week voting period to consider a redesign of the flag. Voters had the option to choose their favorite design from one of the Illinois Flag Commission’s Top 10 new designs, or one of three former flag designs, including the current one, which has not had a major redesign in the past century. Of the nearly 385,000 votes that were received, over 165,000, or 43 percent, were cast for the current Illinois State flag, which received more votes than the next five top designs combined.

 

(Springfield–jc0 Hundreds of homeschooled students and their parents were in Springfield  to speak out on House Bill 2827, known as the Homeschool Act.  The proposed legislation seeks to create a more structured environment for homeschooling in Illinois. Reaction from 104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer of Danville…

 

104th District State Representative Brandun Schweitzer, Republican from Danville

 

(Rantoul–dm)-The Rantoul Sports Complex has a full calendar this year, and this weekend is no different.  Director of Sports Operations Ryan Reid has more information.

 

Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Sports Operations Ryan Reid 

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has amplified his support for mandates that would require school districts to limit cell phone use during classroom instruction. The governor proposed the ban during his State of the State address last month and repeated the call Thursday at Centennial High School in Champaign. The governor said cell phones are commonly cited as an impediment to classroom learning. He cited a Pew Research study that found that 72% of high school teachers identified cell phone distraction as a “major problem” in their classroom.

 

(Paxton–dm)-The General Election will be held April 1st.  Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick has information on early voting and when the poles will be open for in person voting.

 

 

Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick.  If you mail in your ballot a reminder that it must be postmarked by midnight April 1st.

 

Danville, IL – The Vermilion County Health Department is announcing the launch of its Residential Sharps Collection Program, this will provide residents of Vermilion County with a free and safe way to dispose of sharps properly. This program is made possible through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Residential Sharps Collection Program grant.

 

(Paxton–jc)  One local fitness and health business is set for an open house in Paxton, tomorrow.  Gibson Elite Sport and Fitness Trainer Jeff Cialkowski says the staff will work with you on starting a new way to better health…

 

             

Gibson Elite Sport and Fitness, Paxton location, Trainer Jeff Cialkowski. The event runs from 8am to 1pm on Saturday at Elite Fitness in Paxton

 

(Southern Illinois–jc)  –A unique item is on display as part of the 100th anniversary of the Tri-State Tornado that hit southern Illinois in March 1925.The Jackson County Historical Society is displaying a maple tree with a 2X4 piece of wood driven through it which occurred during the F5 tornado. The tornado created havoc and traveled over 200 miles across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.The National Weather Service said the tornado possibly had winds of more than 300 mph, killing 695 people in its path.

 

(Buckley–jc)   Lutheran Hour Ministries Sunday is this Sunday, at St John’s Church in Buckley.  Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler will be the guest speaker. St Johns Church Spokesperson Larry Abbe says the event has been in the planning stages since July 20-23…

 

The service starts at 11 with a luncheon to follow. A free will donation to the Lutheran Hour will be taken.

 

(Springfield—jc)  Check smoke alarms with time change. The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal reminds Illinoisans to test, inspect and replace broken or expired smoke and CO alarms in their homes with new 10-year sealed battery alarms while they change the clocks this weekend. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 9.

 

(USDA–dm)-Does a projected increase in planted corn acreage translate to a possible record in U.S. corn production for this season? Rod Bain has the story.

 

WPXN News notes…

 

The Loda American Legion will hold their fish and chicken fry on Friday, March 7th from 4-7 pm. Dinner includes your choice of fish or chicken, baked beans, green beans, coleslaw and tartar sauce for $10.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their Family Night Dinner on Friday, March 7th from 5-7pm. Dinner includes your choice of chicken, fish or shrimp and 2 sides for $15.

 

Paxton IGA will hold their cookout fundraiser benefiting the Loda Immanuel Lutheran Ladies on Saturday March 8th from 10-2.

 

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Roberts will hold their pancake and sausage breakfast on Sunday, March 9th at the Roberts Gym from 7-1. Cost is $10 for adults, kids 10 and under are $5.

 

The C-U Symphony Orchestra will perform Beethoven’s 5th Symphony on Saturday, March 8th at 7:30pm at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Business After Hours on Thursday, March 13th from 5:30-7:30 pm.

 

Note…

Make sure to turn your clocks forward one hour on Saturday night. Daylight Savings time starts at 2am on Sunday morning.