(Danville-jc)  – Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden has identified the victim of the house fire that occurred late Thursday in Westville  as 65-year-old Bryan J. Adams, resident of the home. An autopsy was scheduled for yesterday. McFadden stated that the Westville Fire Protection District was assisted by Georgetown, Catlin and Lynch Fire Protection Districts as well as the Westville Police Department, Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois State Fire Marshall’s Office. The fire is still under investigation.

 

(Springfield–jc) 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema is helping introduce a measure in the state capital to provide scholarships for engineering students in exchange for a job opportunity. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema says the issue is expected this spring …

   

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon

 

(Paxton-jm) – One person was injured following a two vehicle accident in Paxton Sunday afternoon. The accident happened at Pells and Railroad. There’s no word on their condition.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Officials with the Rantoul Community Service Center and volunteers from Rantoul Township High school are currently helping with the monthly “Eagles Nest Food Pantry” at the center on Thursdays. Rantoul Community Service Center Executive Director CindyCrawford says the program is helping those with food insecurities…

 

Rantoul Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford

 

(Champaign-jm) – Westbound I-74 will be down to one lane at the interchange with I-57  due to ongoing construction. Officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation said the lane closure will be necessary to allow construction crews to pour concrete for the westbound bridge deck. They expect this to last between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. today. Drivers are advised to avoid the area and use an alternate route, if possible. If not, they can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through the area. They should also pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

 

(Ford County–dm)-Are you ready for severe weather season?  March is the time to prepare.  March is severe weather preparedness month. Ford County EMA Director Terry Whitebird has some suggestions on how to start preparing.

   

Ford County EMA Director Terry Whitebird.  For more information you can go to fema.gov or readyillinois.gov

 

(Gibson City–jc)  Gibson City Leaders will hear about two events set for this city this year when they meet on Monday night. They are the 20-26 Gibson Area Hospital Summer Bash and The Gibson City Harvest Festival. City leaders are expected to buy two new mowers and sell some sludge equipment. An appointment to the city council is also on the agenda. The Gibson City city council meets at 7 on tonight.

 

(The Center Square) – Illinois State Police say a tip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children led to the arrest of a Rockford man on child sexual abuse materials charges. Following the tip, state police say an extensive investigation led to charges against Jasper Albin-Chavez, 19, for allegedly assaulting a child and disseminating, producing and possessing child sexual abuse materials.

 

(Lake County–jc)  – Black Lives Matter Lake County executive director Clyde McLemore says he will resign after being caught on video engaging in a fight at his Waukegan office with a female worker who alleged he mishandled organization funds. Lake and McHenry County Scanner reported that the video surfaced after the Waukegan Police Department responded in January on a battery call.

 

(Springfield-jm) - Hot flashes, insomnia and mood swings are just some of the symptoms women face during menopause. Illinois lawmakers said that accessing treatment for this stage of life shouldn’t be so difficult. Senators Adriane Johnson and Meg Loughran Cappel held a press conference to unveil legislation aimed at improving menopause care and education. Johnson’s bill would allow health care professionals to count a course on perimenopause or menopause toward a one?hour implicit bias training already required for license renewal. Cappel’s bill, Senate Bill 3688, would establish continuing education requirements on perimenopause and menopause recognition. Illinois universities would be required to have training on the subject for healthcare professionals, including physicians and nurses. Senate Bill 3688 would also require insurance companies to cover menopause therapy if the treatment is FDA approved and prescribed by a clinician.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  The fields are ready and it's time to start baseball, softball and quadball at the Rantoul Sports Complex. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton says the grounds crew at the local facility are the “best”...

 

Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Brandon Denton

 

(Gilman-jm)  —- Ameren crews are set to carry out a scheduled power outage tonight in Gilman for system maintenance to take place. In a press release from the Iroquois County EMA, they said Ameren relayed information to them that there will be approximately 610 people without power from tonight at 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Tuesday. Ameren said this outage is necessary in order for them to facilitate the local system maintenance they’re conducting. They said with this being a scheduled outage, customers being affected should expect to receive an automated call from Ameren. Those with medical devices that are dependent on electricity are being urged to immediately start making alternate plans.

 

(USDA–dm)-The latest U.S. Drought Monitor indicates coverage across the nation is above fifty per cent to start March. Rod Bain has the story.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Several fire departments battled a house fire in Rantoul last night. It happened in the 1300 block of Sycamore Lane. There’s no word on the cause of the fire or how much damage was caused.

(Iroquois County–dm)-Primary election day is just over a week away.  Iroquois County clerk Breein Suver says it’s not too late to request a mail-in ballot.

 

 

Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver

 

(Rantoul–jc)  – Rantoul Township High School board members may accept asbestos abatement bids for work in the council center at the high school when they meet tonight. Approval of the next school year calendar and student handbook are also subjects. The board will also recognize Rantoul Exchange Club student of the month, EmmiLynne McCallister. The Rantoul Township High School board meeting comes to order at 6 at the high school 

WPXN News notes…

 

Weather permitting, the City of Paxton will be flushing hydrants starting today and going  through Friday. They will start on the west side of the city. 

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their Business After Hours on Thursday, March 12th from 5:30-7:30 pm at The Villas of Hollybrook.

 

The Loda American Legion will hold their fish and chicken fry on Friday, March 13th from 4-6 pm. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 6-12.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, March 13th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.

 

The Rusty Wheel Circle Jam will be held on Sunday, March 15th at the Eagle Performance Arts Center in Downtown Pontiac from 1-4 pm. Enjoy classic, traditional country, bluegrass and gospel music for free.

 

The Onarga American Legion will hold a breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 21st from 8-11 am at Durham Park. Following the breakfast will be an easter egg hunt at 11 am.

 

The Worlds Smallest St. Patricks Day parade will take place on Saturday, March 14th from 11-1 in downtown Rantoul.

 

Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will celebrate Pi(e) Day with stand up comedy with Jeremy Nunes on Saturday, March 14th at 2pm.