Our news
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Mahomet-Seymour School Board to discuss reopening plans
The Mahomet-Seymour School Board will discuss reopening prospects for the 2020-21 school year at a Special Board session on July 6. The board packet released Thursday afternoon cites that the plans continue to be in draft form and the Illinois State Board of Education continues to update the 60-page document they released late last week.…
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Mahomet Auto Fest Cruise scheduled for July 12
The Mahomet Auto Fest may have been canceled, but organizers have put together an event that will showcase cars while also providing a way for community members to get together in a socially distanced way. The Mahomet Auto Fest Cruise is scheduled for July 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. Drivers are asked to meet…
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Mendoza: New fiscal year will be even more challenging than height of budget impasse
By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — The state of Illinois, like most states, began a new fiscal year on July 1 and the person in charge of managing the state’s bank accounts said she fears it could be one of the most difficult years in modern memory. “This is going to be, I think,…
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Mahomet-Seymour School board gets update on previous diversity training and vision moving forward
Mahomet-Seymour’s Director of Curriculum Nicole Rummel said that the Mahomet-Seymour School District began with building relationships over the last five years as they approached diversity in the school district. Rummel said that “it’s really been a long journey for us that began over five years ago when we started working toward creating a culture for…
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Mahomet-Seymour Alumni and School Board shared thoughts on race and education
Mahomet-Seymour Alumni are asking the Mahomet-Seymour School District to do more to educate and prepare their students for a diverse and inclusive world. The alumni group collected nearly 650 signatures of alumni and current students who say that what is taught in the public school system is not enough. The petition focused on a statement…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…