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Don’t Fall Victim to the Latest USPS Text Scam Circulating Illinois
We should all know better by now, but I nearly fell victim to a new package delivery text scam the other day, and I don't want the same thing to happen to you. Here's one thing I can guarantee about me; if you call or text me from a number I don't recognize, I will not answer or respond...ever. My notorious call screening usually saves me from phone scammers, BUT, when I have been waiting for over two weeks for Japanese Beetle traps I desperately need to arrive, receiving a text about a delivery issue almost had me falling hook, line, and sinker into the scammer's trap.
Three tap-ins: Final day of the 93rd Illinois State Amateur Championship
Jul. 19—Three items from Thursday at Atkins Golf Club in Urbana, courtesy N-G staff writer Zach Piatt: Bragging rights Champaign native David Keenan had the best finish of the five local golfers. He played consistent golf for about the first three and a half rounds, sitting at 2 under par overall with just six holes to play. But the former Salt Fork and Parkland College standout played the ...
Illinois Lottery celebrates its 50th anniversary with big money giveaways
CHICAGO (CBS) — The Illinois Lottery is ringing in 50 years - with a downtown party at Pioneer Court.Many walked away winners. The very first person in line pocketed $150. All people had to do was draw the right number to walk away with cash.Many in the crowd have been playing the lottery for decades. For some, Thursday was their luckiest day yet. Jennifer Blumenberg, won $500."The anticipation of scratching and winning – it's great. I think as long as you're winning what you're playing back, you're good to go," Blumenberg said. The Illinois Lottery gave away up to $50,000 in...
Illinois quick hits: State unemployment rate hits 5%; Decatur Public Schools adopt new phone policy for students
Illinois unemployment rate hits 5% The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced that unemployment increased to 5 percent. The May revised unemployment rate was 4.9 percent. The national unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in June, up slightly from the previous month. The number of unemployed workers in the state was 327,900, up over 3 percent from the prior month, and up nearly 19 percent over the same month one year ago. ...
Scientists test agriculture and solar energy on Illinois farms
This coverage is made possible through a partnership between WBEZ and Grist, a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Sign up for WBEZ newsletters to get local news you can trust. Thousands of wildflowers are blooming under rows of solar panels...
28-year anniversary of Illinois’s biggest rainfall in recorded history
A swath of heavy rainfall occurred across portions of south central Wisconsin, northeast Illinois, and northwest Indiana on July 17-18, 1996. From the National Weather Service: The heaviest rainfall was observed near Aurora, Illinois, with a maximum point rainfall of 16.94 inches in a 24-hour period. The 24-hour rainfall measured near Aurora remains the statewide record (as […]
Heavy rains this past week have all but extinguished drought conditions across Illinois
Rainfall over the next week looks minimal across the Chicago area; heaviest amounts centered from Texas across the Southeast into the Carolinas Heavy rains this past week have all but extinguished drought conditions across Illinois. Precipitation past 7 days How far from normal? July 9 drought map: July 16 drought map:
Salem Grade School Board approves new teacher and support contracts
The Salem Grade School Board has approved new contracts with the teacher’s association and support staff. Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe says the new two year contract with the teacher’s association includes a 4.5 percent increase in pay each year plus an increased step on the salary scale. She didn’t feel comfortable entering a longer term contract due to dropping corporate income tax revenue and uncertainty over how much state aid the district will be receiving.
Police Beat for Friday, July 19th, 2024
Centralia Police have arrested a homeless Centralia man for robbery. Michael Foutch has been formally charged with the offense and is scheduled to make his first court appearance later this afternoon. Centralia Police arrested 28-year-old Haley Nordon of West Warmoth in Salem for aggravated battery to a peace officer and...
4th annual Summer Market in downtown Centralia on Saturday
The 4th annual Summer Market in downtown Centralia is set for ten to two on Saturday. The market is led by Mimi Hawkins who says once again this year a large number of vendors will be there. “We cater to the kids and that’s the big thing. We want families...
Unit 1 Addresses Handbook At Meeting
The Mulberry Grove Unit 1 Board of Education met Monday and took action regarding student handbook changes. Superintendent Casie Bowman and Junior High /High School Principal Adam Haston talked about some of them saying that they added prohibition of students cursing, bullying will also include fighting and or assault, making threats on internet sites or via cell phone messages to teachers or staff will also be prohibited. There has also been an update on the no-hats rule. That will also count for hoods as well. Students who have 10% or more of unexcused absences will not be participating in graduation.
KC Earns Excellent Rating From HLC
Kaskaskia College has received an “excellent” accreditation report from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for the quality education experience it provides to its students. The report highlighted Kaskaskia College’s efforts in strategic planning, student success initiatives, upgrades to physical infrastructure and technology and other recent renovations that have...
Has There Ever Been a Shark Attack in Illinois?
There is a rare species of shark that can survive in salt and fresh water but did one attack a boy in Lake Michigan near Chicago?. I'm not going to lie, I was watching Shark Week stuff on TV and wondered if there had ever been a shark attack in any bodies of water in Illinois. I know just mentioning it sounds ridiculous, but I have Googled stranger things.
Most Illinois jails restrain people in chairs. This county ‘violently shocked’ them, too.
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Brice Fritz was naked, strapped down to a chair in a jail cell when a staff member monitoring her via video delivered 80,000 volts of electricity through the stun cuff on her leg. “I felt like I was being electrocuted,” Fritz told the Illinois Answers Project,...
Sen. Rose props up new bill to protect Central IL drinking water
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Mahomet Aquifer is an important source of drinking water for much of Central Illinois. State officials often referred to it while discussing a bill recently signed by Governor JB Pritzker, which allows the carbon storage of aquifers statewide. Now, State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) is filing a new bill to protect […]
Special Airline For Dogs Now Flies Out Of Illinois
If you love traveling with your dog, there is now a new and better option flying out of Illinois. Don't get me wrong, I love animals, especially my pets. I just don't understand how people bring them on vacation and travel with the little creatures. Manly, because it's not easy. It's hard enough going through an airport with yourself let alone with a dog.
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