Category: Local
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Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Announces Cyclosporiasis Cases in Champaign County
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) received notification from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regarding a multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic Cyclospora parasite, which is believed to be linked to packaged garden salad. There are currently six cyclosporiasis cases in Champaign County. According to… Read more
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COVID-19 one-day death total of 14 is lowest since March 30
By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The seven-day rolling positivity rate for COVID-19 tests conducted remained at 2.7 percent Monday as the state reported the lowest single-day death total related to the pandemic since March 30. There were 14 deaths reported Monday after 15 were reported Sunday and 26 on Saturday, bringing the COVID-19-related… Read more
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New distracted driving law goes into effect on July 1
Beginning July 1, the Illinois secretary of state will be able to revoke driving privileges for one year when a driver causes “great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement” due to use of an electronic communication device. The offense is also subject to a minimum $1,000 fine. Electronic communication devices include hand-held wireless telephone, hand-held… Read more
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Illinois minimum wage to increase July 1
Illinois minimum wage workers will see an increase in their pay Wednesday. July 1 will bring the second statewide minimum wage increase in 2020. In January, minimum wage went from $8.25 per hour to $9.25. The upcoming increase will move to $10 per hour. Wages for tipped workers will rise Wednesday to $6. Minimum wage… Read more
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IEPA confirms algal bloom on the Illinois River near Starved Rock
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed the presence of the algal toxin, microcystin, along the northern bank of the Illinois River at the Starved Rock Lock & Dam. Algal toxins (e.g., microcystin and cylindrospermopsin) sometimes produced by blue-green algae can cause sickness or other adverse health effects in people and pets, depending on the… Read more
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May 2020 brought sharp decline in Champaign County Home Sales
Homes sales in Champaign County took a sharp decline in May 2020, according to a Champaign County Association of REALTORS® release. A total of 234 residential homes were sold in May, down 30.97 percent from 339 sales in May 2019. The median home sale price in May for the Champaign County area was $171,200, up… Read more
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Commentary: This complicated world
By FRED KRONER fred@mahometnews.com We live in a complicated world. Five months ago, we didn’t give a second thought to attending concerts or crowding into a 90,000-seat venue for a ball game. We gathered regularly for reunions, weddings and funerals. Restaurants and nightclubs were full of happy patrons who lacked the foresight to know how… Read more
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MAYC to reopen July 1 after tests for COVID-19
The Mahomet Area Youth Club made the decision to close their doors until July 1 after a staff member learned they had been in contact with someone who had attended an “Unofficial Prom” that has led to 15 COVID-19 infections as of Thursday. MAYC Director Sara Balgoyen said that as of Thursday the staff that… Read more
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Champaign County Forest Preserve offers Camp in a Bag
The Champaign County Forest Preserve introduces Camp in a Bag for children ages 3 to 11. Because summer camps were canceled as East Central Illinois takes precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Forest Preserve decided to bring outdoor summer activities in a different way. Throughout the summer, bags will include Amazing Pollinators, Old Fashioned… Read more
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Keith Pogue returns to the Mahomet-Seymour Football team as Assistant Coach
By FRED KRONERfred@mahometnews.com There’s a familiar face working with Mahomet-Seymour High School football players once again. Former head coach Keith Pogue – who won nearly two-thirds of his games during an 11-year stint as head coach – has returned to the staff as an assistant. He is working with quarterbacks and special teams. It was… Read more