Our news
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Hensley looking to provide “meaningful experiences” in a world of unpredictability
The unpredictability of summer 2020 has left nothing untouched. Even pastimes, such as childhood sports, have been canceled or modified to curb the spread of COVID-19. In the last two months, high school coaches, athletes and athletic directors in Illinois have taken what they can get. They have spent time working on agility, strength and…
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State employment agency hit in nationwide fraud scheme
By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security said Wednesday it has been affected by a nationwide fraud scheme involving the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. That program, enacted as part of the federal CARES Act, provides 100 percent federally funded jobless benefits to independent contractors, gig workers and others…
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State COVID-19 positivity rate increases for third straight day
By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — The state’s rolling COVID-19 positivity rate ticked upward Wednesday for the third straight day as the Illinois Department of Public Health announced its largest one-day confirmed case count since June 2. The 1,598 new cases reported were among 39,633 test results reported over the previous 24 hours, making…
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Commentary: Village releases statement and report on protest complaint
Editor’s Note: The formal complaint by Rita Conerly was addressed by Mayor Sean Widener at the Village of the Mahomet Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday night. The following includes the statement by Widener and the report the Village of Mahomet released on the complaints against Mahomet Police Chief Mike Metzler. Mayor Sean Widener’s Statement regarding…
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Letter to the Editor: Police action does not align with mission statement
To the Editor: MISSION STATEMENT “The mission of the Mahomet Police Department is to safeguard the lives and property of the citizens we serve. We will work in partnership with the community to enforce the law impartially, protect lives, and enhance public safety. We will at all times conduct ourselves with the highest ethical standards and we…
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Letter to the Editor: Discrimination and racism are still very real
To the Editor: I would like to open my letter with gratitude in thanking those such as Michelle Matthews, Paul Saban, and Maggie Kinnamon, along with those in the community of Mahomet who have been very supportive throughout this time. My experience in Mahomet had been a peaceful one prior to July 8th, 2020. On…
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Letter to the Editor: Freedom of Speech on Public Forum
To the Editor: Please consider this letter to be a formal, written complaint against the Mahomet Police Department (MPD), of Mahomet, Illinois. The MPD has violated my First Amendment right to free speech, by suppressing my ability to engage in free speech on the public forum, on their public, official government Facebook page. I did…
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Why social distancing and masks are important in schools
A local public health department holds the same role in a pandemic as it does during an infectious outbreak: to educate the public and mitigate the spread of communicable infections. The difference, though, is that when the world is in a pandemic, the public health department’s work and role is highlighted, and often under scrutiny.…
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Mahomet-Seymour to begin in hybrid option, to re-evaluate in weeks ahead
The Mahomet-Seymour School Board approved Superintendent Lindsey Hall’s recommendation to begin the 2020-21 school year with a hybrid learning option. Pre-K through grade 5 will attend school in-person four days a week, Tuesday through Friday, in half-day segments. Grades 6-12 will be on an A/B schedule, attending school in-person two days a week. Students will…
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CUPHD releases additional guidance for Champaign County Schools
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department has released strategies that districts must implement and recommendations they should consider as they approach the 2020-21 school year. CUPHD says that the guidance in the document should be used in combination with guidance provided by the Illinois State Board of Education. The additional strategies are meant to minimize the…