CPD arrests two in connection with arson, burglary of Centralia home

CENTRALIA — Centralia police have arrested two men in connection with a fire last week that destroyed a rental home. According to Centralia Police Chief Greg Dodson, 26-year-old Nicholas D. Fletcher, of St. Louis, and 27-year-old Justin A. Pitt, of Beckemer were arrested and charged with residential burglary and arson. Pitt was also charged with…… Read more…

Democratic lawmakers call for racial data in virus testing

Democratic lawmakers are calling out an apparent lack of racial data that they say is needed to monitor and address disparities in the national response to the coronavirus outbreak. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Ayanna Pressley say in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar dated Friday that comprehensive demographic data…… Read more…

SIU president can reimburse students for some costs

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Southern Illinois University’s trustees have given the school’s president the authority to reimburse students for some costs as instruction has moved online due to the coronavirus outbreak. The board of trustees met Monday in Carbondale to vote the authority to Southern Illinois President Daniel Mahony. The board did not specify how…… Read more…

Ameren Illinois Taking Precautionary Measures in Response to COVID-19

ILLINOIS — During uncertain times like today, utilities are essential to keep some kind of normalcy in our lives. Like most other businesses, Ameren Illinois is taking steps to protect workers and strengthening the power grid during the COVID-19 outbreak. Richard Mark is the President and Chairman of Ameren Illinois. He says they understand the…… Read more…

Illinois COVID-19 cases top 5,000

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 461 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois and 72 new deaths in 52 counties including the death of an incarcerated man from Stateville Correctional Center. Clark, Crawford, Marion, Randolph, and Saline counties are now reporting cases.  Currently, IDPH is reporting a…… Read more…

Illinois man arrested after girlfriend, daughter found slain

URBANA, Ill. (The News-Gazette) — Authorities say an eastern Illinois man was expected to be formally charged with first-degree murder for allegedly fatally shooting his live-in girlfriend and her adult daughter over the weekend. Twenty-eight-year-old Jonathon Perry was taken into custody early Sunday about the same time Champaign County sheriff’s deputies found the bodies of…… Read more…

Sesame Workshop enlists Elmo, Cookie Monster on hand washing

NEW YORK (AP) — Elmo, Rooster and Cookie Monster are doing their part to help keep kids safe as the coronavirus pandemic grinds on. The beloved Sesame Street Muppets are featured in some of four new animated public service spots reminding young fans to take care while doing such things as washing hands and sneezing.…… Read more…

Trump extends virus guidelines, braces US for big death toll

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is bracing the nation for a coronavirus death toll that could exceed 100,000 people. Trump on Sunday extended restrictive social distancing guidelines through April. He was bowing to public health experts who presented him with even more dire projections for the expanding coronavirus pandemic. It was a stark shift…… Read more…

MacMurray College to close after 174 years

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A central Illinois college will close its doors after 174 years due to declining enrollment and other financial challenges. The State Journal-Register reports the chairman of the MacMurray College board of trustees said Friday the four-year liberal arts college in Jacksonville will close at the end of the spring semester. Charles…… Read more…

Tornado damages homes, uproots trees in northern Illinois

OREGON, Ill. (AP) — Weather officials have confirmed a tornado touched down in northern Illinois damaging homes and uprooting trees. The tornado touched down in Ogle County just outside Oregon around 9 p.m. on Saturday. National Weather Service meteorologist Gino Izzi says it was on the ground for roughly 10 minutes. No injuries have been…… Read more…

Governor vows to increase testing as COVID-19 cases surge

CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Illinois will soon more than double the number of COVID-19 tests it can administer each day as the number of cases in the state surged. Public health officials announced 1,105 new cases, including 18 deaths on Sunday. Overall, Illinois has had more than 4,500 cases, including 65 deaths.…… Read more…

Marion County confirms first two cases of COVID-19

MARION COUNTY — Marion County Health Department was notified Sunday afternoon of two Marion County residents who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). One individual, a female in her 40s, is doing well and is at home on isolation. The other individual, a female in her 80s, is in ICU at a hospital. Public health…… Read more…

Illinois infant one of 47 new deaths from COVID-19

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported the death of an infant younger than one year in Chicago who tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). “There has never before been a death associated with COVID-19 in an infant. A full investigation is underway to determine the cause of death,” said…… Read more…

More than 3,000 Illinoisans infected with COVID-19, over 30 have died

ILLINOIS — Positive tests for COVID-19 in Illinois topped 3,000 Friday, with 488 new cases confirmed and eight additional deaths. The St. Clair County Health Department is reporting a woman in her 80s died Friday from the coronavirus. The woman did have underlining health conditions. And Jefferson County on Thursday reported its first positive case.…… Read more…