In a significant milestone, the Champaign County Forest Preserve unveiled its sixth park, Heron View Forest Preserve, in 2021. Sprawling across 98 acres of picturesque land along the scenic Sangamon River, this ecological gem promises to captivate visitors with its stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and important ecological functions. One of […]
Author: dani
Homer and St. Joseph Fire Chiefs establish No Burn Orders
The St. Joseph Stanton and Homer Fire Protection Districts have placed a No Burn Order for the entirety of their respective districts. Homer Chief Don Happ and St. Joseph Stanton Chief Josh Reese wrote: “Due to the severe dry and windy conditions fires will spread quickly. Currently, there is no […]
Illinois expands use of police surveillance drones
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Next time you attend a parade, there might be an eye in the sky. A new law signed by Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday expands local police departments’ authority to use drones to surveil certain events, respond to certain 911 calls, […]
Stalled bills include repeal of subminimum wage for disabled workers, BIPA reform
By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – While hundreds of bills cleared the General Assembly in the final month of the legislative session, some big-ticket measures will have to wait until at least the fall. Sponsors of several stalled bills say they will consider reviving their proposals when lawmakers return […]
Celebrating 75 Years of CCPFD: Homer Lake
By Dani Tietz Nature has a way of captivating us, providing an escape from our busy lives, and offering tranquility like no other. Look no further than the Homer Lake Forest Preserve if you’re looking for a tranquil getaway amidst breathtaking natural beauty. Nestled in Champaign County, Illinois, this hidden […]
Zach Steele takes over as Oakwood Athletic Director
By FRED KRONER fred@mahometnews.com Zach Steele is learning quickly about the nuances of being a high school athletic director. “Scheduling events years from now has been something that I didn’t think I would have to do,” said Steele, who recently started his duties as the athletic director at Oakwood High […]
Four Spartan softball players recognized with All-State Honors
By FRED KRONER fred@mahometnews.com St. Joseph-Ogden Softball Four members of St. Joseph-Ogden’s 25-11 softball team were accorded some form of All-State mention on teams selected this week by the Illinois Coaches Association. Garnering first-team recognition for the second consecutive year was senior infielder Shayne Immke. She is a three-time honoree […]
Celebrating 75 Years of Lake of the Woods
By Dani Tietz A lot has changed since 1948. Phones weren’t available in every home. Televisions were housed in a large wooden cabinet. Many families only had one car available for work, errands, and recreation. In the 75 years that the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve has been open […]
Pritzker signs anti-book ban legislation
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Monday that seeks to protect public and school libraries from pressure to ban, remove or restrict access to books based on “partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” Speaking at the Harold Washington Library Center in downtown Chicago, Pritzker […]
I-57/74 construction stage change set June 13
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the ramp from northbound Interstate 57 to westbound I-74 in Champaign will close the evening of June 13. The closure is necessary to begin the construction of a new I-74 bridge over I-57 as part of a larger project to rebuild the entire interchange. A […]
