(OLNEY/NEWTON) With another day with sunshine and dry weather conditions on this Wednesday, we’ll have more of the same again tomorrow. Then the clouds move in and an approaching storm system will bring us our next downstate area rain chances and maybe some thunderstorm activity Friday through Friday night. It should be another dry and pleasant weekend as the frontal system moves out of Illinois by dawn Saturday morning. Stay […]
(SPRINGFIELD) Corn and soybean planting continues at a rapid pace in downstate Illinois, pushing statewide progress ahead of average. The USDA reported 20% of soybeans were planted statewide as of this past Sunday, compared to the five-year average of 7%. Corn planting reached 13% by the same date, up from 4% the week prior and 5 percentage points ahead of average. The planting progress varies greatly from north to south […]
(SPRINGFIELD) The National Weather Service says at least nine tornadoes impacted portions of northern Illinois last Friday afternoon and evening. Authorities say the Village of Lena in Stephenson County suffered widespread damage, but there were no deaths or serious injuries reported. The same is the case elsewhere with three tornadoes confirmed in Winnebago County, two in Iroquois County and others in the counties of LaSalle, Livingston, Kendall, and Ford. (SPRINGFIELD) […]
(NEWTON) The Jasper County School Board of Education met last night for its regular monthly meeting in Newton. The Board : approved the payment of all bills for March as presented : had an overview and discussion of District handbook changes for the 2026-2027 school year : also discussed the application for the 2026 Energy Transition Grant for the District : agreed to seek bids for air conditioner units for […]
(OLNEY/NEWTON) As a warm front lifts northward across our downstate area today, we’ll have a stronger wind and much warmer weather conditions on tap for this Tuesday, there is a chance of showers and maybe thunderstorms, but mostly expected to our north/northwest. We’ll continue to warm up tomorrow and Thursday before our next rain chance moves through Friday afternoon through Friday night. Looks like a dry and mild weekend before […]
(SPRINGFIELD) It was late last week that the Illinois House approved a bill banning students from using their cell phones during the school day. Senate Bill 2427 passed after a floor amendment was added with 102 in-favor votes and only three opposed. The measure now goes back to the State Senate for concurrence and likely a final vote before heading to the Governor. (SPRINGFIELD) The U.S. Small Business Administration has […]
(OLNEY/NEWTON) With a Blood Emergency is place throughout the Midwest, the American Red Cross is asking area blood donors to get out and give blood at their next earliest opportunity to help replenish low area blood supplies on hand : Monday (4/20/26) at St. Mary’s Parish Center in Ste. Marie from 2:00 to 6:00 Tuesday (4/21/26) at the Floyd Henson Junior High School in Flora from 3:00 to 7:00 Wednesday […]
(EFFINGHAM) Illinois State Police Troop 9 has announced Troopers will be out next month conducting Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrols in Richland, Jasper, and other surrounding counties, including Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Wayne, and Hamilton. The ACE patrols in May will focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to violations associated with impaired driving and illegal transportation or consumption of alcohol and/or drugs. Other special patrols in selected […]
(NEWTON) In meetings coming up this week : The Jasper County School Board of Education has its monthly meeting for April this Monday night, at the District Office Building in Newton, starting at 6:30 The Newton City Council has its next regular meeting tomorrow night at the Newton City Hall, beginning at 6:00 The IECC Board of Trustees has its regular monthly meeting for April tomorrow night at Frontier Community […]
