Local News

DeWitt County Sheriff's Report For Sept. 29

Jail Population: 31

Paper Services: 3

Warrants: 0

Ell Jay Tyler, 21, Bloomington was issued a Citation for Speeding 104 MPH in a 65 MPH Zone. Tyler was issued a Notice to Appear and was released.

Brenan Cochran, 23, Bloomington was issued a Citation for Speeding 85 MPH in a 65 MPH Zone. Cochran was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Kristen Ballenger, 33, Clinton was issued a Citation for Speeding 75 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Ballenger was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

Bloomington, Normal Passes Tax For Mental Health Services

Bloomington and Normal Aldermen have passed a sales tax that will in part help fund mental health needs.

The director the of the Department of Public Health in Illinois is announcing that pregnant women and new mothers are the most in need. Director Nirav Shah (Shaw) says that was the latest determination after results of a recent health assessment were released.

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That includes providing more support for pre-pardum and post-pardum depression.

According to Shah, they do a good job of taking care of the physical needs of pregnant women and new mothers in Illinois, but the psychological needs of those women is lacking.

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Shah says he will be watching to see if that funding mechanism will help to improve the outreach to pregnant women and new mothers.

Secretary of State To End Notification Mailings

The Secretary of State is going to stop telling you by mail that you need to get your license plate renewed.

It’s an effort to save about $450,000 a month in postage. The office says starting with November license plate renewals, letters will stop coming in the mail. Spokesperson Dave Drucker says cutting the mailing is one way that they can continue to mail out other items.

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Jesse White’s office blames it on the lack of a state budget.

Drucker says that you can still get your reminder by email go to cyberdriveillinois dot gov. The information that you will need come renewal time can be found on your existing license plate registration card.

Local Teen Starts Non-Profit, Opens Booth at Apple n' Pork Festival

 width=Clinton teenager Luka Case (right with Jasper) has a rare condition that causes her to have seizures very frequently.

It is because of her rare disease and her need for a service dog that she started the non-profit, "Dog-On Disabilities". The organization seeks to help people who cannot afford a service dog, find one. She explains it all goes back to her experience getting her own service dog, Jasper.

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According to Case, the dog can smell when she is going to have a seizure and will alert her through nudges on her leg. She explains he can be a very focused dog even when there are a lot of distractions around him.

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Case and Jasper had a little bit of a transition in getting to know each other. She explains they got along right away but she said the transition wasn't exactly as she expected.

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Case, along with her friends and family, operated the pulled pork nacho stand on the grounds of the CH Moore Homestead during the Apple n' Pork Festival. According to Case, they ran out of meat on Saturday.

She was not sure what the festival would net them for income, but indicates they are working to come up with other fundraising efforts in the future.

DeWitt County HRC Says They Can Hang On Until End of the Year

The frustration for the leader of one DeWitt County non-profit organization continues to mount.

DeWitt County Human Resource Center Executive Director Lynn Scoville says things are not getting better and explains they are down to bare bones of staff and services.

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Scoville says they can maintain their core services until the end of the year thanks to a local tax revenue and the County's largest employer. Scoville explains the 708 Mental Health Board is advancing them their share of taxes and Exelon is stepping up as well.

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The frustration continues to mount for Scoville and those in her position across the state. She points to a statement Gov. Bruce Rauner made in August where he said "Illinois cannot afford to be compassionate without being competitive". Scoville takes exception to that.

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For Apple n' Pork weekend, HRC held a special event at their location on Route 54. Scoville says that went over very well to get their message out and raise awareness of everything that they do for the most vulnerable of society.

NCAA Hands SMU Basketball With Postseason Ban

Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown will be suspended for 30 percent of SMU's games this season -- and his Mustangs are getting a postseason ban for the season -- because of an NCAA investigation that uncovered rules violations, a source confirmed to CBS Sports.

 width=The NCAA subsequently announced the findings and punishment.

Brown was hit with a "lack of coach control" charge and given a two-year show-cause order. He'll now be required to attend an NCAA Regional Rules seminar during each year of the show-cause period, and his program will be placed on three years probation and lose three scholarships for three straight years starting in 2016-17 -- although SMU will be given credit for its self-imposed two-scholarship reduction for 2015-16, the NCAA announced.

Brown is blamed for failing to "ensure a culture of compliance." The NCAA did not allege he had direct knowledge or involvement in the misconduct. Still, the NCAA said, Brown did not report the misconduct upon learning of it in 2014 for more than a month, and the NCAA alleged Brown was not initially truthful when asked about potential violations.

This marks the third time a program run by Brown has faced major rules violations.

The other two times came at UCLA and Kansas.

Rose Out Indefinitely

 width=Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose will have surgery on his left eye after being elbowed in the face.

The Bulls say the 2011 NBA MVP sustained a left orbital fracture on the first day of practice. He is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday, and a timetable for his return will be determined after the operation.

The injury is the latest in a long line for Rose and the last thing the Bulls needed with a new coach in Fred Hoiberg.

Rose missed all of the 2012-13 season after tearing his left ACL during the first round of the 2012 playoffs, and played only 10 games two years ago after tearing the meniscus in his right knee. He also had a minor procedure on the right knee late last season.

Bears Make Moves; Packers Backup QB Impressed By Rodgers

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>>Bears Make Moves

The Chicago Bears have signed safety Chris Prosinski and linebacker LaRoy Reynolds and waived safety Brock Vereen.

Prosinski has appeared in 56 games with nine starts over four seasons with Jacksonville (2011-14) and Philadelphia (2014), collecting 73 tackles. He also has 27 special-teams tackles.

Reynolds appeared in 30 games with three starts for Jacksonville from 2013 to 2015.

Vereen had 38 defensive tackles and nine special-teams stops in two seasons for Chicago.

The Bears (0-3) have been busy after getting shut out for the first time since 2002 in a 26-0 loss at Seattle, trading Jared Allen to Carolina and Jonathan Bostic to New England. Chicago hosts Oakland this week.

>>Packers QB Tolzein Compares Rodgers To Jordan

There are very few people who have ever played the quarterback position better than Aaron Rodgers is playing it right now, especially when he's playing at home at Lambeau Field. Put very simply, the man is unstoppable.

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It's plain to see for everyone watching. Everyone watching, apparently, also includes Rodgers' backup, Scott Tolzein. Tolzein said via ESPN Wisconsin quote-"I mean, to me, it's like watching Jordan in his prime. He's at the top of his game. He makes it all go."

Since the start of last season, the Packers QB has thrown 48 touchdowns and only five interceptions, while completing 66.8 percent of his passes at 8.4 yards per attempt. That equates to a 115.6 passer rating, which would be the best of all time by a significant margin. Rodgers himself has the all-time record (for players with at least 500 career pass attempts) with a 106.8 rating, and he's the only guy even over 100.0. Russell Wilson and Tony Romo are in second and third at 98.2 and 97.6.

In his past 16 home games -- essentially the equivalent of a full season -- Rodgers' numbers are even more insane. He's 331 of 480 (69.0 percent) for 4,472 yards (9.3 per attempt), 43 touchdowns through the air and no picks, and he's added another 253 yards and three scores with his legs.

Sox, Cubs Win; Cards Rained Out

>>Sox Double Up Royals

Scoring runs hasn't come easy for the Kansas City Royals recently. Jeff Samardzija didn't make it any easier Tuesday night.

 width=Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales hit back-to-back homers and Johnny Cueto threw six quality innings, but the Royals lost to Samardzija and the Chicago White Sox 4-2.

The Royals, who have lost four of their last five, fell behind 3-0 after Adam Eaton drove a two-run homer into the bullpen in right field off Cueto (10-13) in the fifth inning.

Cueto lost for the third time in his four September outings and gave up three runs and eight hits over six innings. He struck out two and walked two.

Kansas City got within 3-2 in the sixth when Hosmer and Morales homered off Samardzija (11-13), who won for the second straight time after losing nine of his 10 previous outings.

Coming off a complete-game one hitter against Detroit on Sept. 21, Samardzija scattered eight hits over seven innings to pick up the win, striking out two. The consecutive homers - Kansas City's first since July 25, 2014 - snapped Samardzija's string of 14 scoreless innings.

David Robertson pitched the ninth inning for Chicago, which added a run in the eighth on Alexei Ramirez's RBI double, to earn his 33rd save in 40 opportunities.

The Royals put a runner in scoring position in the eighth, but Chicago third baseman Mike Olt snagged a line drive by Mike Moustakes that appeared headed for left field.

The White Sox took a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Jose Abreu laced a two-out RBI single, scoring Carlos Sanchez, who led off the inning with a walk.

Samardzija took care of the rest in picking up his first career win against the Royals.

Edinson Volquez (13-9, 3.65 ERA) will be looking for his first win since Sept. 8 after losing two of his last three starts. He will face White Sox LHP Jose Quintana (9-10, 3.38 ERA) who has taken no-decisions in his last two starts and who has only surrendered three earned runs in September.

 width=>>Cubs Get By Reds After Long Rain Delay

Dan Haren pitched into the eighth inning on Tuesday night, and Miguel Montero doubled home two runs during Chicago's four-run first inning, leading the Cubs to a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds following a long rain delay.

The Cubs already have clinched a spot in the NL wild-card game for their first playoff berth since 2008. They trail Pittsburgh by three games for home-field advantage. The Pirates' game against first-place St. Louis was rained out on Tuesday.

Haren (10-9) made his 10th start for the Cubs, who acquired him in a trade with Miami on July 31. The right-hander allowed three hits in 7 1-3 scoreless innings, struck out six and didn't walk a batter. Travis Wood got a game-ending double play for his third save in as many chances.

Rain held up the first pitch for 2 hours, 31 minutes.

Chicago sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning for four runs on the wet field. Montero's double highlighted the 17-minute rally, which included two errors by the Reds.

Kris Bryant extended his hitting streak to five games (8 for 20). Dexter Fowler scored his 100th run, the first Cubs player to cross the plate so many times since Mark DeRosa in 2008.

Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs was hit by a pitch for the 30th time. He joined Don Baylor (1986) as the only major league players to be hit by pitches 30 times and hit 30 homers in a season.

Cubs catcher Kyle Schwarber singled twice and walked twice.

Jon Lester (10-12) has struck out 198 batters, four shy of Ken Holtzman's club record from 1970 for strikeouts by a Cubs left-hander. He is 0-0 with a 4.74 ERA in three starts against the Reds this season, although the Cubs have won all three games.

Anthony DeSclafani (9-12) has lost his last two starts, giving up 12 runs in 11 innings. He allowed a season-high seven runs in a 12-9 loss to the Mets in his last outing.

Lincoln Celebrating Homecoming

 width=It's Homecoming Week in Lincoln.

Lincoln High School Superintendent Robert Bagby indicates Homecoming is always very popular in their community. He says given the weather forecast for the week, their scheduled events should be able to go on.

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Homecoming week is capped off with the popular parade Friday afternoon. Bagby says the parade has become a premier event in the community, but the popularity of their student activities during the week are also very well attended.

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The Railers football team will host Rochester Friday night at 7pm. Rochester is a five-time defending state champion.

Local Family Remembering Their Son on Apple n' Pork Weekend

 width=The kettle corn stand at the annual Apple n' Pork festival has traditionally been operated by the Clinton High School golf and football team's.

The two squads would split their time and profits once the weekend concluded, but this year, instead of the football team being the benefactor from the Sunday sales, the proceeds this year went to the #EvanStrong Foundation.

17-year old Evan Workman (right) took his own life last September. According to Evan's older brother Noah, the #EvanStrong Foundation will seek to raise awareness for mental illness and depression.

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For Noah and his family, what Evan did was very unexpected. Workman believes people who commit suicide put on a mask of what is really going on. He says his brother did not exhibit signs of being suicidal leading up to his death.

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Noah credits his dad, Randy, for making the kettle corn stand a "must stop" at the Apple n' Pork Festival. He says their tent, which is always at the edge of the hill, at the covered bridge, promoted the #EvanStrong Foundation.

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Even though the one-year anniversary of Evan's death just passed, Workman says it's no longer a difficult topic to bring up.

To learn more about the #EvanStrong Foundation, visit evanstrong.us or find them on Facebook.

Better Government For DeWitt County Names Endorsed Candidates

The Better Government for DeWitt County Committee has named their endorsed candidates for ths upcoming primary election.

The Committee named incumbent County Board members democrat Camille Redman and republican Cole Ritter of District A along with challenger democrat Lance Reece as endorsed candidates.

In District C, the Committee has endorsed two challenger candidates. They include former board members republican Jay Wickenhauser and democrat Scott Nimmo, along with incumbent County Board Chair David Newberg, a republican.

The Better Government Committee has endorsed recently announced candidates Karle Koritz for 6th Judicial Circuit Judge along with Michelle Van Valey for Circuit Clerk. Both republican candidates.

State's Attorney Dan Markwell along with County Treasurer Gloria Wills are also endorsed candidates who have been appointed to fill the terms of previous officials. Both are republican candidates.

March 15 is the primary election in DeWitt County.

Jordan Spieth Makes $22-Million in 2015

 width=Nobody has ever ended a PGA Tour season having earned $11 million in non-FedEx Cup prize money. That's still true even though Jordan Spieth won the Tour Championship on Sunday at East Lake. That's because Spieth ended with just a hair over $12 million after winning the $1.5 million first prize.

Throw in the FedEx Cup bonus cash and Spieth's 2014-15 PGA Tour season total comes out to $22,030,465. That breaks Tiger Woods' former single-year record of $20,867,052 earned back in 2007 when he won the FedEx Cup.

Spieth padded his bank account and erased all doubt about the PGA Tour Player of the Year race on Sunday as he touched off his fifth win in a year that included two majors as well as this playoff victory.

He turned 22 two months ago.

Derrick Rose Already Looking Towards Free Agency

 width=The Chicago Bulls have stood by Derrick Rose. They made him the franchise star immediately after drafting him in 2008. They were patient with his return from the devastating knee injury in 2012, even when his return dragged on past expected dates. They were patient with him when he had the meniscus setback. They've kept him as their featured star even with the rise of Jimmy Butler.

However, the NBA is a business, and just as teams will always look out for what's best for them, so too do the players have to keep their best interests in mind. Apparently, Rose feels that he's underpaid, since he spoke pretty openly about the fact that he's going to be chasing the money in free agency.

Rose is set to make $20 million in 2015-16 and over $21 million the following season before entering free agency. By then he'll be turning 29. He has not played more than 60 games in a season since he won the 2011 MVP.

Bears Trade Pair of Defensive Players

>>Bears Trade DE Allen To Carolina

The Carolina Panthers say they've acquired veteran defensive end Jared Allen from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a future late-round draft pick.

The trade will become official once Allen passes a physical, team spokesman Steven Drummond told The Associated Press.

FoxSports first reported the trade.

The Panthers felt the move was necessitated after their top pass rusher Charles Johnson went down with a hamstring injury in Sunday's 27-22 win over the New Orleans Saints.

 width=The Panthers lost their other top pass rusher Greg Hardy this past offseason when he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent.

Allen has 134 career sacks during his 12 seasons, but his sack production has slowed since joining the Chicago Bears and their 3-4 defense last season. He'll play in a more familiar 4-3 scheme with Carolina.

>>Bears Trade LB Jon Bostic To Patriots

After losing their first three games of the season, the new regime in Chicago appears to be in the process of burning down whatever it was the previous regime was trying to build.

According to ESPN, for the second time on Monday, the Bears traded away a defensive player who just doesn't fit within Vic Fangio's defense. It was Jared Allen to the Panthers earlier on Monday. Now, it's Jon Bostic to the Patriots.

Former Bears general manager Phil Emery drafted Bostic, a linebacker from Florida, in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. In his first two seasons, Bostic played in 29 games, compiling 140 combined tackles, two sacks and one interception.

Bostic's struggles had less to do with his athletic ability and more to do with his inability to make the correct reads, fill his correct gaps and cover targets down the field.

After the entire Bears regime was jettisoned in the offseason -- from Emery to the defensive coordinator, Mel Tucker -- new GM Ryan Pace managed to land Fangio from the 49ers. But Fangio's defenses typically operate out of a 3-4 rather than a 4-3, and Bostic was an uncomfortable fit -- much like Allen.

Bostic has not played in any of the first three games of this season, as he dealt with an ankle injury.

Rodgers Throws Five TDs as Pack Routes Kansas City

Aaron Rodgers threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns, including three to Randall Cobb, and Green Bay beat the Kansas City Chiefs 38-28 on Monday night.

 width=Rodgers led the Packers (3-0) on two successful first-quarter drives that ended with scoring passes to Cobb and rookie Ty Montgomery. He found James Jones for a 27-yard touchdown reception late in the second quarter for a 24-7 lead at the break.

Green Bay built a 38-14 lead early in the fourth quarter before withstanding a late rush by Jamaal Charles and the Chiefs.

Charles rushed for three touchdowns for Kansas City (1-2), which followed its stunning, last-minute loss at home to Denver with a respectable fourth-quarter effort at raucous Lambeau Field.

Charles' 7-yard TD with 1:25 left got the Chiefs within 10. But the end result was the same for Kansas City, which lost its second straight.

Rodgers, who finished 24 of 35, again burned a secondary on free-play situations following defensive penalties. The longest play came on a 52-yard catch in the fourth quarter by Jones following an offside penalty, setting up Cobb's third touchdown catch.

Up front, Green Bay controlled the line of scrimmage when it counted and got to Alex Smith for seven sacks.

Smith finished 24 of 40 for 290 yards and a touchdown.

Cubs, Cards Win Monday

>>Denorfia HR Sends Cubs To Victory Over Royals

Chris Denorfia hit a pinch-hit home run leading off the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Chicago Cubs a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.

 width=Denorfia hit the first pitch from reliever Miguel Almonte (0-2) into the left-field bleacher for the Cubs' major league-leading 13th walk-off victory of the season. It was Denorfia's third homer of the season.

Fernando Rodney (2-0) pitched a scoreless top of the 11th to get the win.

The homer ended a pitcher's duel that was a makeup of a May 30 rainout. Both teams combined for eight hits.

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks allowed just two hits in six scoreless innings. He walked two and tied a career high with nine strikeouts. He was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the sixth after throwing 90 pitches.

>>Cardinals Get Big Win But Lose Rookie OF

The Cardinals drew closer to a third straight NL Central title on Monday night with a 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, a triumph dimmed by a frightening collision between outfielders Stephen Piscotty and Peter Bourjos in the seventh that ended with Piscotty in the hospital.

Piscotty and Bourjos were tracking a fly ball to the gap in left-center by Pittsburgh's Josh Harrison when Bourjos' left knee slammed into a diving Piscotty's head. Bourjos made the catch while his rookie teammate lay motionless on the grass at PNC Park.

 width=Piscotty was strapped to a backboard and carted off, his head bloodied, though he managed to raise his left hand before disappearing into a tunnel. The Cardinals said tests on Piscotty were negative. He was expected to remain in the hospital overnight for observation.

St. Louis recovered in time to reduce its magic number to clinch a third straight NL Central title to two after getting to Pittsburgh closer Mark Melancon (3-2). The Cardinals can wrap up the division crown with a win in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

Matt Carpenter singled with one out in the ninth and scored all the way from first to break a scoreless tie when Pittsburgh right fielder Gregory Polanco overran Jon Jay's hit and center fielder Andrew McCutchen couldn't pick the ball up cleanly.

Reynolds then drilled his 12th homer of the year to give closer Trevor Rosenthal some cushion for his 48th save. Jonathan Broxton (4-5) earned the win on a night the Pirates crowded the basepaths but never crossed home plate.

The Cardinals survived on a night they issued 10 walks. Pittsburgh put runners on base in every inning except the first, but none could find their way home on a night the Pirates went 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position, including 0 for 3 in the ninth with the tying run at the plate.

St. Louis starter Lance Lynn labored his way through five scoreless innings, most of them out of the stretch while the Pirates kept wasting opportunities to take control. Starling Marte was nailed at the plate to end the second while trying to score on a shallow fly to center by Jordy Mercer - Jason Heyward's throw beat the speedy Marte by three steps.

Marte then struck out with the bases loaded to end the third. Polanco led off the fifth with a double only to run into an out at third on a chopper to shortstop by Josh Harrison. Lynn needed 96 pitches to retire 15 batters, walking four with six strikeouts.

Pittsburgh starter J.A. Happ, a revelation since being acquired at the non-waiver trade deadline from Seattle, was decidedly more efficient. The lefthander allowed only Kolten Wong's single leading off the third.

St. Louis can wrap up the division on Tuesday when Michael Wacha (17-6, 3.15) faces Pittsburgh's Charlie Morton (9-8, 4.54). Wacha is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in six games against the Pirates. Morton is 2-11 in his career against the Cardinals, his last victory coming on April 4, 2011.

Illinois Football Notes

>>Illini Need Young Receivers To Step Up

Something has been missing from Illinois' passing game the past two weeks.

With injuries that have so far kept starters Mike Dudek and Justin Hardee of the field this fall sophomores Malik Turner and Marchie Murdock and freshmen Sam Mays and Desmond Cain are playing a lot.

 width=That lack of experience has meant disconnect between receivers and quarterback Wes Lunt.

Illinois (3-1) won in spite of those problems last weekend against Middle Tennessee. But Saturday Nebraska (2-2) comes to Champaign to open Big Ten play.

One plus for Illinois is the Cornhuskers' pass defense. It is ranked last in the Big Ten.

>>Nebraska Expecting All-American WR Back

De'Mornay Pierson-El might be able to play in a limited role when Nebraska opens Big Ten play at Illinois on Saturday.

Pierson-El has been out since mid-August with a broken right foot. Coach Mike Riley said the dynamic punt returner and receiver is returning to practice this week. How much he plays this week, if any, depends on how he progresses in workouts.

Riley says it's "50-50" that linebacker Josh Banderas (groin) and defensive linemen Vincent Valentine (ankle) and Jack Gangwish (elbow) would play against the Illini.

Marcus Newby, who started in place of Rose-Ivey, also is questionable after leaving the Southern Miss game in the second half with a groin injury.

IDOT Hosting Public Meetings on Highway Improvements

The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting a series of statewide public meetings on its new five-year, $8.4 billion highway improvement plan.

The IDOT sessions begin Monday in Bourbonnais, followed by sessions in Champaign, Decatur, Peoria and 12 other locations through October. The department's first statewide public transportation plan will also be discussed at several of the sessions.

Written comments on the highway plan can be submitted at the meetings as well at the department's district offices and online through Nov. 16.

A complete list of the sessions can be found online at http://1.usa.gov/1wwfniG.

Legislative Report Indicates Gambling Slowing Down in Illinois

A report from the Illinois Legislature says that despite growth in video gambling, the industry is going through slow times in the state.

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability's annual review found state taxes for all forms of gambling in Illinois fell 5.8 percent in the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Reports indicate state revenue from riverboat casinos and the lottery fell and horse racing revenues were flat. And while video gambling revenue grew, it wasn't enough to offset other losses.

The slowdown comes while some state lawmakers investigate expanding gambling as a way to ease the state's financial problems. But Illinois Casino Gaming Association executive director Tim Swoik says he thinks the report shows "we are saturated in Illinois."

Peoria Woman Dead After House Fire

Fire officials say a 69-year-old Peoria woman has been found dead inside a home that was destroyed by fire.

Reports indicate Sharon E. Williams was pronounced dead shortly before 5 p.m. Saturday.

Limestone Fire Department Chief Larry Gilmore says neighbors reported the fire around 3:30 p.m. He says flames were seen coming from the back of the house by the first firefighter, but the home was engulfed by the time an engine arrived.

He says firefighters who entered the home to search for Williams were called out because of the extent of the fire and because of explosions possibly caused by oxygen tanks in the home.

An autopsy is planned to determine if Williams was alive when the fire began.

Five departments fought the fire.

Comptroller Says No Budget Is Accelerating Illinois Bill Backlog

llinois Comptroller Leslie Munger says the lack of a state budget is making Illinois' backlog of unpaid bills much worse.

Munger says because judges are ordering the state to spend money like last year, when the state had more money to spend, the backlog of bills is exploding.

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Munger maintains the backlog will hit eight-point-five-billion dollars by January.

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Lawmakers have yet to agree on a budget for the current fiscal year, which started July 1.

Absence of County Board Member Addressed Thursday

If you didn't know any better, you would think the DeWitt County Board is made up of 11 members.

That is because for the better part of 2015, Board Member Ron Savage has been absent at DeWitt County Board meetings. Chairman of the DeWitt County Republicans, Dustin Peterson addressed this last Thursday night before the County Board and says the party has little power to address Savage's absence.

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Denise Torbert is a Precinct Committee Chair in District C, which is represented by Savage. She says they are very frustrated by the situation and are asking the County Board to seek his resignation.

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According to DeWitt County Board Chair David Newberg, the County Board has no authority on the matter.

Attempts to reach Savage for comment were unsuccessful.

Jordan Spieth Wins PGA Championship, FedEx Cup

 width=Jordan Spieth took home the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup on Sunday by four strokes over Henrik Stenson, Danny Lee and Justin Rose on Sunday at East Lake. He shot a 1-under 69 to put the finishing touches on what was an incredibly historic season.

On Sunday, Spieth did it just like he did all season. With his putter. Long putts at Nos. 8, 9 and 11 for birdies put his playing partner (and closest competition) Stenson away pretty early in the day.

Spieth mostly cruised home, though he needed his putter again to save some lengthy pars late. He made par at the last seven holes as Stenson made a bit of a mess of things.

With the win, Spieth goes back to No. 1 in the world, wins $1.5 for winning the Tour Championship and and collects the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus to become golf's first $22 million man.

Spieth absolutely owned 2015 with wins at the Valspar Championship, Masters, US Open, John Deere Classic and Tour Championship.

Oregon Out of Top 25; Florida, Michigan Enter

 width=Ohio State, Michigan State, Ole Miss, TCU and Baylor all stayed in the top five of the AP Top 25. Thanks to the Horned Frogs' lucky tip touchdown to beat Texas Tech, TCU avoided a potentially damning loss that may have tumbled them down the rankings.

Oregon fell out of the poll and College Football Playoff picture after getting run out of Autzen Stadium by Utah.

The Utes moved up to No. 10 after the win, and seem as likely to win the Pac-12 South as No. 7 UCLA or No. 17 Southern California. One AP voter even gave Utah a No. 1 vote after the win in Eugene.

For Oregon, this is the first time the Ducks have not been ranked in the AP Top 25 since September 2009.

First-year coaches Jim McElwain (Florida) and Jim Harbaugh (Michigan) are ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time in 2015, but only the Gators made both rankings, checking in at No. 25 on the AP's list and No. 23 in the Coaches Poll. Michigan, at 3-1 and No. 22 in the AP Top 25, fell a few votes short of making the Coaches Poll.

Blackhawks, Seabrook Agree on Extension

 width=The defending champion Chicago Blackhawks and defenseman Brent Seabrook have agreed to an eight-year contract extension through the 2023-24 season.

With the announcement Saturday, the Blackhawks locked up a key figure on three Stanley Cup winners since 2010.

The 30-year-old Seabrook holds franchise records among defensemen in regular-season overtime goals (six), postseason goals (19) and postseason overtime goals (three). Seabrook helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Last season, he made his first All-Star game appearance.

Seabrook has 318 points (71 goals, 247 assists) in 763 career regular-season games with Chicago dating to 2005-06.

Rams, Bears Lose; Packers on Monday Night Football

>>Steelers Barely Get By Rams; Roethlisberger Lost With MCL Injury

Big Ben was the only postgame topic that really mattered to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Michael Vick's reaction when Ben Roethlisberger went down in the third quarter, and he had to grab his helmet and go, said it all.

 width=Le'Veon Bell scored from a yard out in the first half in his first game back after a suspension, but the Steelers needed their defense to step up without a quarterback who has been hard to knock out in a a 12-6 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

The Rams were 2 for 10 on third down, 0 for 2 on fourth down and limited to 258 yards. Will Allen's interception with 1:56 left set up a field goal by Josh Scobee to put Pittsburgh ahead by six points.

Pittsburgh (2-1) averaged 32 points in its first two games but was held down well before Roethlisberger's leg got caught underneath him on a diving, sliding sack by Mark Barron.

The Rams (1-2) were limited to two field goals by Greg Zuerlein and have scored just 16 points the last two games. Their last chance ended when a potential first-down catch by Kenny Britt near midfield with 1:19 to play was overturned by officials.

Roethlisberger hasn't missed a game since late in 2012. He won his franchise-record 108th game, passing Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw, while going 20 of 24 for 192 yards and an interception.

Vick was 5 of 6 for 38 yards and had two carries for minus-2 yards.

Antonio Brown had 11 catches for 108 yards, his third straight 100-yard receiving game.

Both teams had running backs make debuts and Bell's production was far superior to that of Rams rookie Todd Gurley.

Bell had 62 yards on 19 carries. Gurley, who did not start and split time with Tre Mason, had just 9 yards on six carries.

Kickoff was delayed about 26 minutes by a small fire near a corner of the south end zone from sparks emitted by a pyrotechnic display during Rams player introductions. The cleanup job was hampered by a malfunctioning wet-dry vacuum that spewed collective material back out.

Rams MLB James Laurinaitis became the franchise career tackle leader, passing late Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen. Laurinaitis has started all 99 games since being drafted in the second round in 2009.

>>Seahawks Crush Bears

After the Seahawks sleepwalked for a half, Tyler Lockett provided a jolt.

From there Russell Wilson, Jimmy Graham and a defense that was whole again after the return of safety Kam Chancellor took over.

 width=Lockett returned the second-half kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown, Wilson and Graham connected on a 30-yard TD in the third quarter, and the Seahawks routed the undermanned Chicago Bears 26-0 on Sunday.

Seattle led just 6-0 at halftime after an offensive performance that led to a cascade of boos. That changed when Lockett started a huge second half running untouched on a perfectly executed return, the longest in franchise history.

It was Lockett's second touchdown return of the season, taking a punt back 57 yards in the opener.

Later in the quarter, Wilson found Graham across the middle for his second touchdown catch of the season and Steven Hauschka added four field goals as the Seahawks started the process of erasing an 0-2 start.

Not all went well for Seattle. Starting running back Marshawn Lynch capped a strange day by leaving at halftime with a hamstring injury. Lynch finished with 14 yards on five carries and spent half of the first quarter in the locker room before coming to the Seahawks bench. Lynch was questionable entering the game with a calf injury.

Carroll said Lynch could not get loose before the game, but tried to play. The hamstring was checked and ''it's nothing to be alarmed by,'' Carroll said.

Chicago (0-3) was shut out for the first time since 2002 and the fourth time since 1990. Jimmy Clausen started at quarterback in place of Jay Cutler and was 9 of 17 for 63 yards. With sacks included, the Bears finished with 48 net yards passing, the second time since 1990 they finished with less than 50 net yards through the air.

Chicago punted on all 10 of its possessions. Matt Forte was held to 74 yards on 20 carries and the Bears finished with just 37 yards in the second half.

Only one Chicago drive finished in Seattle territory, and the Bears ran just three plays on the Seahawks' half of the field.

Wilson finished 20 of 30 for 235 yards, while Graham had seven catches for 83 yards a week after getting just one catch. Lynch's replacement became undrafted rookie Thomas Rawls, who flashed by rushing for 104 yards, 98 in the second half.

>>Packers Battle Chiefs on MNF

The Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers are coming off emotional Week 2 games with vastly different outcomes.

While the Chiefs look to turn the page on a bitter loss to a division rival, the Packers try to move on from a satisfying revenge win when the teams face off Monday night at Lambeau Field.

 width=This prime-time matchup would have been between unbeatens had Kansas City (1-1) held on to a seven-point lead in the final minute of last Thursday's showdown with Denver, in which the Broncos scored two touchdowns in the final 36 seconds to pull out a stunning 31-24 decision.

The winning score came on cornerback Bradley Roby's 21-yard return of a Jamaal Charles fumble, the star running back's second of the night and the Chiefs' fifth turnover.

Kansas City draws another tough assignment in its visit to Lambeau Field, where Green Bay (2-0) owns a 10-game win streak - including playoffs - and Aaron Rodgers has put together an even more remarkable run.

Counting the postseason, Rodgers recorded an 18th consecutive home game without an interception in last week's 27-17 victory over Seattle. The reigning NFL MVP has attempted 539 passes, thrown for 43 touchdowns and posted a 124.0 passer rating over a streak dating to December 2012.

Packers Coach McCarthy is hopeful that running back Eddie Lacy and receiver Davante Adams can go. Lacy missed most of the Seattle game with a sprained right ankle, though veteran backup James Starks ran 20 times for 95 yards in his place.

Cubs Win Behind Arrieta; Cards, Sox Lose

 width=>>Arrieta Again Flirts With No Hitter

Jake Arrieta pitched seven dominant innings and homered in his major league-best 21st win, and Chicago stopped Pittsburgh's eight-game win streak with a 4-0 victory over the Pirates on Sunday night.

Arrieta (21-6) retired his first 18 batters before Gregory Polanco grounded a leadoff single into left field in the seventh. He struck out nine and walked none while improving to 15-1 with a dazzling 0.89 ERA in his last 19 starts.

Pittsburgh (95-61) and Chicago (90-65) each have clinched a playoff spot and lead the NL wild-card standings, so the Pirates could see Arrieta again in the first game of the postseason on Oct. 7. But they likely would have Gerrit Cole for that one - the All-Star pitched seven crisp innings in a 3-2 victory over the Cubs in the series opener on Friday.

Arrieta improved to 6-1 with a 1.68 ERA in nine career starts against the Pirates.

A.J. Burnett (9-6) pitched six effective innings in the season finale against the Cubs, but Arrieta shut down the Pirates right from the start. Pedro Alvarez's leadoff fly ball to left in the sixth was Pittsburgh's first ball to leave the infield.

Kris Bryant had an RBI single in the first for Chicago, and Arrieta made it 2-0 with a one-out drive to right-center in the second. Arrieta's second homer of the season led to a curtain call for the crowd of 40,617 at Wrigley Field.

The Pirates threatened after Polanco's single in the seventh. Arrieta hit Andrew McCutchen with one out, putting runners on first and second, but Ramirez bounced into an inning-ending double play.

Starlin Castro hit a two-run double in the bottom half, and Travis Wood finished the one-hitter for his third save in three chances. Castro, Bryant and Montero had two hits apiece for the Cubs.

Kyle Hendricks (7-7, 4.23) gets the ball when the Cubs host Kansas City on Monday in their final scheduled home game. RHP Yordano Ventura (12-8, 4.40) starts for the Royals in the makeup of a May 30 rainout.

>>Brew Crew Rallies Late For Win Over St. Louis

Jason Rogers' hit a pinch-hit grand slam in the ninth inning off St. Louis closer Trevor Rosenthal to lift the Brewers to an 8-4 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday.

 width=The Cardinals' NL Central lead is three games over Pittsburgh. The Cardinals' magic number for clinching the crown was cut to four after the Pirates lost to Chicago later Sunday.

St. Louis has lost two of three heading into a three-game showdown in Pittsburgh starting Monday.

Khris Davis homered twice and drove in four runs for the Brewers, who scored seven runs in the ninth.

All four Milwaukee batters reached safely against Rosenthal (2-4), who had converted 47 of 49 save opportunities. His last blown save came July 12 at Pittsburgh.

Rogers, who is 13 of 48 as a pinch hitter, ripped his second pinch-hit homer of the season and first grand slam of his career.

Davis added a three-run homer later in the ninth off Seth Maness for an 8-3 lead.

David Goforth (1-0) picked up the win with one inning of relief.

Francisco Rodriguez recorded his 37th save in 39 chances. He retired Brandon Moss with two on to end the game.

Matt Carpenter and Stephen Piscotty hit back-to-back homers in the seventh to give the Cardinals a 3-1 lead.

Hernan Perez then started the Milwaukee ninth with a single. Martin Maldonado was hit by a pitch and Jonathan Lucroy walked to load the bases for Rogers.

St. Louis starter John Lackey allowed one run on five hits over seven innings for his 26th quality start in 32 outings this season.

Lance Lynn (12-10, 3.16) faces LHP J.A. Happ (10-8, 3.88) on Monday in the first of a crucial three-game series in Pittsburgh.

>>Yankees Slam Sox

Dustin Ackley homered in the sixth to spark New York's late-waking offense Sunday and back Luis Severino's six innings of five-hit ball as the Yankees moved closer to a playoff berth with a 6-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Severino (5-3) induced three double plays in shutting down the White Sox in his 10th big league start, helping the Yankees cut their magic number for clinching at least a wild card to three and move within one of the franchise's 10,000th regular-season victory.

 width=The White Sox finished their road schedule 36-45, three wins better than last season.

Brian McCann had a sacrifice fly in the first inning off Erik Johnson (3-1) that was set up by a leadoff walk and first baseman Jose Abreu's errors on consecutive plays, the second two-error game of Abreu's major league career.

The Yankees repeatedly wasted chances against Johnson, who was making his fifth start this season. New York was 0 for 9 with RISP through four innings.

Slade Heathcott scored on a passed ball in the sixth, and Jacoby Ellsbury had an RBI single in the seventh. Greg Bird drove in one in the eighth with a single and Heathcott had a sacrifice fly.

Severino got into trouble in the fifth, when the White Sox got a pair of leadoff singles, and in the sixth when Chicago put two on with one out. Each time the 21-year-old rookie got a double play to get out of it.

Jeff Samardzija (10-13) is coming off a one-hit shutout at Detroit, but he's 0-3 with an 8.15 ERA in three starts against Kansas City this season.

Illinois Survives Middle Tennessee State

 width=Taylor Zalewksi kicked a 51-yard field goal with just over two minutes left on Saturday to deliver Illinois a come-from-behind 27-25 win over Middle Tennessee.

But, before they could celebrate, the Illini had to endure Cody Clark's 43-yard field-goal try for the Blue Raiders that missed wide left with eight seconds left in the game.

The Illini (3-1) led 24-12 going into the fourth quarter.

Brent Stockstill then led the Blue Raiders (2-2) on a pair of late scoring drives. The second gave them a 25-24 lead on a 22-yard touchdown pass to Ed Batties.

Stockstill threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns. Batties caught 13 passes for 175 yards and two of those touchdowns.

Wes Lunt led Illinois with 238 yards passing and a touchdown.

Clinton Police Weekend Report

ON 09/24/15 CLINTON POLICE ARRESTED EMILY B. WHITE 25, CLINTON FOR DOMESTIC BATTERY AND POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND DONALD E. STURGEON 28, LINCOLN ON A DEWITT COUNTY WARRANT. BOTH SUBJECTS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

ON 09/26/15 CLINTON POLICE ARRESTED RICHARD BENSON 60, CLINTON FOR DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. BENSON WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

ON 09/26/15 CLINTON POLICE ARRESTED COREY W. COOK 34, CLINTON FOR AGGRAVATED BATTERY AND POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. COOK WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

ON 09/26/15 CLINTON POLICE ARRESTED JOSE J. CARBALLOSA 30, CLINTON ON A DEWITT COUNTY WARRANT. CARBALLOSA WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

ON 09/26/15 CLINTON POLICE INVESTIGATED A PROPERTY DAMAGE ACCIDENT AT RT 10 & ALEXANDER ST. A VEHICLE DRIVEN BY LISA S. STEWART 34, DECATUR WAS SOUTHBOUND ON ALEXANDER ST AND HAD STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN. A VEHICLE DRIVEN BY MONA L. RICH 37, CLINTON WAS EASTBOUND ON RT 10. STEWART PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION AND COLLIDED WITH RICH CAUSING RICH’S VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND LAND ON ITS ROOF. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

ON 09/27/15 CLINTON POLICE ARRESTED JENNIFER J. ETCHASON 26, CLINTON FOR CRIMINAL TRESSPASS TO PROPERTY. ETCHASON WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

 

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW

DeWitt County Sheriff's Weekend Report

Jail Population: 33

Paper Services: 0

Warrants: 0

Jeffrey Meire, 54, Normal was issued a Citation for Speeding 73 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Meire was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Angela Feriozzi, 23, Mt. Zion was issued a Citation for Operating Uninsured Vehicle. Feriozzi was issued a Notice to Appear and was released.

Gregory Osgood, 21, Waynesville was issued a Citation for Passenger Illegal Transportation Alcohol. Osgood was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Dustin Hoffman, 22, Maroa was issued Citations for Speeding 108 MPH in a 65 MPH Zone, Driving While License Revoked, Reckless Driving, Speeding 108 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone, Improper Lane Usage, Failure to Signal when Required, Illegal Transportation Alcohol and Improper Parking on Roadway. Hoffman was issued a Notice to Appear and was released.

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

Millikin Names Interim Dean of Business School

Millikin University has appointed Dr. J. Mark Munoz as the interim dean of the Tabor School of Business.

 width=Dr. Munoz is currently the professor of management and international business. His appointment takes effect November 2.

Dr. Munoz has been with Millikin since 2001 and is a former Visiting Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is a recipient of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Teaching Excellence Award and in 2012, he was recognized as a Distinguished Scholar by the Academy of Global Business Advancement.

He has also written several books.

Dr. Munoz succeeds Dr. Susan M. Kruml, who will assume her duties as vice president of academic affairs at Midland University in Fremont, Neb., beginning Nov. 2.

Millikin University will conduct a comprehensive national search for the next dean of the Tabor School of Business.

90-Thousand Estimated For This Year's Apple n' Pork Festival

The numbers are in and the festivities are all but wrapped up and indications are it was another wildly successful Apple n' Pork Festival in Clinton.

The community of 75-hundred hosted roughly 90-thousand this weekend for the 47th annual Apple n' Pork Festival. Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers indicates once again, the Sunday of the festival slowed compared to Saturday, but it was still a busy day in the community.

[audio:9271554502-92815porkndorkday21.mp3] [/audio]

For as many people as enter the community, very few, if any, leave having caused a great disturbance. The Chief attributes this to the traditional nature of Apple n' Pork. According to Chief Lowers, the biggest issues they face are generally minor health concerns.

[audio:9271554505-92815porkndorkday22.mp3] [/audio]

Joey Woolridge is the Director of the CH Moore Homestead, the beneficiary of the Apple n' Pork Festival. She leads the tours of the Manion throughout the weekend and says trends of attendance there match what is happening throughout the community.

[audio:9271554509-92815porkndorkday23.mp3] [/audio]

For Woolridge, one of her favorite parts of the festival is the reunion aspect to Apple n' Pork. She explains people plan their get togethers at the Apple n' Pork Festival and old friends inadvertently bump in to each other there as well.

[audio:9271554512-92815porkndorkday245.mp3] [/audio]

Woolridge says planning for the 2016 edition of Apple n' Pork will start tomorrow (Monday) and then they will begin to focus on what to change in the coming weeks as they meet with their Board.

Former State Fair Manager Breaks Silence

The former Manager of the Illinois State Fair says he resigned only after the Governor’s Administration was going to fire Director of Agriculture Phillip Nelson.

Today Patrick Buchen laid out a long list of complaints about political cronyism, wasteful spending and heavy handed tactics from inside the Governor’s office that eventually became too much to handle. Buchen says that he understood that he was next on the list to be fired so he quit before they could fire him. After just a few months on the job Buchen says that it was evident political forces were against the way Nelson and Buchen wanted to run the fair and other operations.

[audio:92615104344-FAIRMANGER1.mp3] [/audio]

Buchen says he isn’t sure what is next for him and he’s heartbroken about losing the job.

University of Illinois Clinic Searching for Escaped Bird

A University of Illinois clinic is looking for a bird of prey that escaped from its handler.

The University of Illinois Wildlife Clinic says the American kestrel named Thistle has one eye and can't survive in the wild. According to reports, the bird escaped Wednesday morning and was last seen flying west from the veterinary complex in Urbana.

Thistle came to the clinic in May 2012 with an eye injury, and College of Veterinary Medicine spokeswoman Chris Beuoy says they have a state permit to keep her as an educational bird. Beuoy says the bird visits schools and goes to public events to educate people about the species.

The bird is about 7 inches tall and still has on leather bracelets and straps. Those who see the bird are asked to call 217-333-5300.

Week 5 Football Scores

The Okaw Valley:

Champaign St. Thomas More 14, Rantoul 13

St. Joseph-Ogden 26, Monticello 7

Maroa-Forsyth 34, Tolono Unity 0

 

Little Okaw Valley Northwest:

Arcola 72, Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond 0

Decatur Lutheran 48, Argenta-Oreana 28

Sangamon Valley 41, Cerro Gordo-Bement 25

 

Little Okaw Valley Southeast:

Villa Grove-Heritage 58, Oblong 20

Palestine 64, Martinsville 16

Toledo Cumberland 47, Oakland Tri-County 13

 

Apollo Conference:

Mattoon 48, Charleston 14

Taylorville 31, Mt. Zion 6

Effingham 42, Salem 19

 

Big Twelve:

Normal Commuity 49, Bloomington 14

Peoria 48, Champaign Centennial 20

Normal West 49, Peoria Richwoods 25

Champaign Central 55, Peoria Manual 6

Peoria Notre Dame 44, Danville 37

 

Central Stae Eight:

Chatham Glenwood 35, Springfield Lanphier 32

Springfield 58, Decatur MacArthur 22

Decatur Eisenhower 54, Jacksonville 22

Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 70, Lincoln 0

Rochester 63, Springfield Southeast 33

 

Corn Belt:

Mahomet-Seymour 55, Illinois Valley Central 24

Normal U-High 28, Prairie Central 14

Bloomington Central Catholic 38, Pontiac 21

Eureka 24, Olympia 21

 

Heart of Illinois:

Fieldcrest 56, Ridgeview 23

El Paso-Gridley 41, Flanagan-Cornell-Cornell-Woodland 13

Tri-Valley 62, Dee-Mack 21

Tremont 21, Heyworth 14

 

Mid-Illini:

Pekin 48, East Peoria 0

Metamora 30, Canton 15

Dunlap 40, Morton 35

Washington 49, Limestone 28

 

Non-Conference Action:

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 51, Urbana 0

Caterpillar Says 'Now Is Not The Time' For Peoria Headquarters

Caterpillar says now isn't the time to start construction on its new world headquarters in downtown Peoria.

The Peoria-based company announced Thursday morning that it is planning another round of job cuts that could exceed 10,000 people through 2018. That's more than 8 percent of its employees.

Caterpillar announced in February that the construction and mining equipment maker planned to build a new, multi-building headquarters in downtown Peoria.

But when construction would start remains unclear.

Reports indicate Caterpillar spokeswoman Rachel Potts says "given the current conditions, now is not the time to start, and we cannot say now when that will happen."

However, Potts says Caterpillar remains committed to Peoria and Illinois and its hopes for downtown Peoria haven't changed.

Caterpillar Planning More Job Cuts as Global Markets Slow

Caterpillar is cutting as many as 5,000 jobs as the construction and mining equipment maker pushes to reduce costs while dealing with downturns in key markets that it serves.

The Peoria, Illinois, company says most of the cuts will occur in 2015 in its salaried and management workforce.

It said total cuts could exceed 10,000 people as the company considers factories and manufacturing sites to close through 2018.

The company employs more than 126,000 people worldwide.

Caterpillar also is dropping its 2015 revenue forecast by $1 billion to about $48 billion, and it says sales for 2016 should be about 5 percent lower.

The company said the job cuts and other expense reductions are expected to help lower operating costs by around $1.5 billion.

Caterpillar says it faces challenging conditions in key sectors like mining and energy.

Former University of Illinois Chancellor To Return To Teaching During Spring Semester

Former University of Illinois Chancellor Phyllis Wise will start teaching in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology in the spring.

According to reports, interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson says Wise is working with the department this semester to determine what classes she will teach. Wise chose not to take a year-long sabbatical.

Wise resigned last month after the university revealed more than 1,000 pages of emails in which she and others used personal email accounts to discuss university business. As a tenured professor of molecular and cellular biology she will earn $298,926. She won't receive a $400,000 bonus after politicians complained.

Professor Milan Bagchi is head of the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology. He said Wise also will help mentor faculty and advise graduate students.

Oil Prices May Stay Low

We all remember the days of four dollar a gallon gasoline, but those high prices led to increased production, especially here in the U.S. and crude oil prices plummeting. Harry Cooney energy price analyst with GrowMark thinks these lower prices will stick around well into next year if not longer.

[audio:9251582343-HarryC1.mp3] [/audio]

When fracking rules were approved in Illinois last year, while oil prices were still high, speculation was that there would be a boom in oil production in Illinois. But that has not happened.

[audio:9251582343-HarryC2.mp3] [/audio]

Prices have moved from highs well over 100 dollars a barrel down to the 40 dollar range. The downside of sharply lower oil prices has been the failure of fracking to develop in southeastern Illinois.

University of Illinois Clinic Searching for Escaped Bird

A University of Illinois clinic is looking for a bird of prey that escaped from its handler.

The University of Illinois Wildlife Clinic says the American kestrel named Thistle has one eye and can't survive in the wild. According to reports, the bird escaped Wednesday morning and was last seen flying west from the veterinary complex in Urbana.

Thistle came to the clinic in May 2012 with an eye injury, and College of Veterinary Medicine spokeswoman Chris Beuoy says they have a state permit to keep her as an educational bird. Beuoy says the bird visits schools and goes to public events to educate people about the species.

The bird is about 7 inches tall and still has on leather bracelets and straps. Those who see the bird are asked to call 217-333-5300.

Giants Hold Off Redskins on TNF; Rams, Bears in Action Sunday

>>Giants Hold Off Redskins on TNF

The Giants ended up on the wrong side of NFL history last week when they became the first team ever to start the regular season by blowing two straight double-digit leads in the fourth quarter.

 width=The third time was the charm though for the Giants on Thursday as they held on to their fourth quarter double-digit lead to beat the Redskins 32-21 at MetLife Stadium.

Giants fans didn't have to panic in this game because New York actually extended its fourth-quarter lead against the Redskins, something the team couldn't do against either the Falcons or Cowboys.

In Week 1, the Giants led the Cowboys 23-13 in the fourth quarter before losing 27-26. In Week 2, the Giants led the Falcons 20-10 in the fourth quarter before losing 24-20.

This time around the Giants pushed an 18-6 lead to 25-6 before the Redskins tried to mount a small comeback.

On the Redskins' first possession of the game, the Giants forced a punt that running back Rashad Jennings would end up blocking.

The blocked punt would end up going out of the end zone to give the Giants an early 2-0 lead.

On the Redskins' second possession, Kirk Cousins got picked off by Prince Amukamara, an interception the Giants would turn into a touchdown and a 9-0 lead just four plays later.

That hot start helped New York win the game.

Andre Williams scored on a 1-yard run, Josh Brown kicked three field goals, and Beckham toasted Bashaud Breeland to settle matters. Randle had a 41-yard TD catch in the closing minutes, after which Washington's Rashad Ross returned the kickoff 101 yards for the final score.

Washington, which has lost five straight to the Giants, got field goals of 44 and 37 yards from Dustin Hopkins, but any thoughts of a comeback ended when Matt Jones fumbled on his way into the end zone with 9 1-2 minutes remaining. A late 4-yard TD pass to Chris Thompson and 2-point conversion brought the deficit to 11, then Randle made his scoring catch.

The victory provides some optimism for the Giants in the muddled NFC East, where Dallas is 2-0 but missing several stars, and Philadelphia is 0-2.

Manning was coolly efficient, finishing 23 of 31 for 279 yards. Beckham had seven receptions for 79 yards, and Randle had seven for 116.

New York was missing five starters, including top draft pick Ereck Flowers at left tackle and cornerback Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie.

>>Rams Host Steelers Sunday

 width=The Pittsburgh Steelers are about to add the NFL's second-leading rusher from a year ago to complement the league's current second-best rusher.

The St. Louis Rams are still waiting on the debut of rookie running back Todd Gurley.

Le'Veon Bell will make his season debut Sunday for the Steelers when they visit a Rams team that has struggled against the run.

Pittsburgh's DeAngelo Williams has 204 yards on the ground but he will likely give way to Bell, who returns from a two-game suspension following his arrest on DUI and marijuana charges last August.

Bell, who was second in the league with 1,361 yards in 2014, trimmed his body fat to 4 percent during the offseason. He adds a different dimension after leading all running backs with 854 yards receiving last year.

Gurley, the first running back chosen in the first round in three years and No. 10 overall selection in 2015, has yet to play following knee surgery. He worked with the first-team offense last week and looks close to getting on the field, though coach Jeff Fisher was non-committal on the issue.

St. Louis was held to 213 yards last weekend for the league's second-lowest total this year. Nick Foles was 17 of 32 for 150 yards and one TD.

>>Bears in Seattle

The Seattle Seahawks find themselves in a position they haven't been in four years, but they're not overreacting after two disappointing losses.

 width=The Chicago Bears, meanwhile, would seem to have plenty of reasons to panic.

Playing in Seattle for the first time, the Seahawks look to win for the 27th time in 29 home games Sunday against Chicago.

Kam Chancellor reported Wednesday, ending his nearly eight-week holdout. Coming off his second straight second-team All-Pro selection, Chancellor has deflected 29 passes with eight interceptions in 61 starts since 2011.

The Seattle secondary, which limited opponents to an NFC-low 6.3 yards per attempt and an 80.4 passer rating last year, has given up 9.1 and 116.4 this year.

Jimmy Clausen was 14 of 23 for 121 yards with an interception in relief. He's 1-10 as a starter, and his 60.0 passer rating is the lowest among the 67 quarterbacks with at least 300 attempts since 2010, his rookie year.

With Clausen at the helm, Chicago figures to lean heavily on Matt Forte, whose 271 yards from scrimmage leads all running backs.

Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham figures to be able to take advantage of this matchup. He had just one reception for 11 yards against Green Bay, a letdown after he caught six passes for 51 yards and a score in his Seahawks debut.

Lawyer for Kane Accuser Quits Over Evidence Bag

 width=The lawyer of a woman accusing Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane of sexual assault abruptly quit the case Thursday night, saying he's no longer comfortable representing the woman because of how her mother reported finding an evidence bag they believed once held the woman's rape kit.

Thomas Eoannou (ee-WAHN'-oo) told reporters on Thursday night that he doesn't believe the story he was told about how the bag was found. Eoannou says he confirmed with prosecutors investigating the case that the bag is authentic. But he says he doesn't know what evidence the bag contained.

The reversal comes after police said Wednesday that the rape kit and the bag itself were handled properly. Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita planned a news conference Friday to talk about the case.

Eoannou previously said that the folded up paper bag was found by the woman's mother in between her storm door and her front door.

Eoannou says he's still confident in the woman's allegations against Kane.

Cards Win; Sale's One Mistake Propels Yankees

 width=>>Cardinals Top Brewers

Jhonny Peralta picked a big time to end his homer drought, and then rookie Stephen Piscotty followed with a timely hit of his own.

Together, they combined for seven RBIs and powered the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday night.

The Cardinals trailed 3-0 in the fourth when Peralta hit a three-run homer into the center field bleachers, and Piscotty followed two pitches later with a blast into the left-center seats. The homer by Peralta, St. Louis' cleanup hitter, was his first since Aug. 1.

St. Louis, a major league-best 97-56, went 41 games over .500 for the first time. The Cardinals have won five straight and hold a four-game lead over Pittsburgh in the NL Central.

Piscotty added a two-run, two-out single off Taylor Jungmann (9-7) in the fifth and a run-scoring single in the seventh. Since being called up July 21, the rookie outfielder is hitting .313 with six homers and leads the Cardinals with 37 RBIs, many of them coming in key spots.

Michael Wacha (17-6) worked five innings and allowed three runs, all in a 28-pitch first inning when he gave up three hits and walked two. Rookie Jason Rogers singled in Milwaukee's first run, and Hernan Perez drove in two with an opposite-field double grounded just fair down the right field line.

Wacha allowed three baserunners and threw 27 pitches in the second before getting Adam Lind to ground out.

Five Cardinals relievers limited the Brewers to three singles over the final four innings.

Jungmann allowed only three homers in his first 16 starts but has served up seven in his past four.

Matt Holliday (quad) is being eased into his return from an eight-week stint on the disabled list. After going 1 for 3 Wednesday in his first start since July 29, Holliday was not in the lineup.

Carlos Martinez (14-7, 3.01) will look to continue his dominant pitching against the Brewers. Martinez has allowed one run in 15 innings against Milwaukee, striking out 17 and giving up six hits.

 width=>>Sale's Only Mistake Propels Yankees

Carlos Beltran lined three-run homer off White Sox ace Chris Sale, leading Michael Pineda and the Yankees past Chicago 3-2 Thursday in their push for a playoff spot.

After a tribute to Yogi Berra in their first home game since the Hall of Famer died, the Yankees closed within three games of idle Toronto in the AL East. New York's magic number for clinching at least a wild-card berth was cut to five.

Pineda (12-8) gave up one run, on Trayce Thompson's homer, in six innings. He improved the best strikeout-to-walk ratio in the AL, fanning six without a free pass.

Pineda is 3-0 in his last five starts, a nice recovery after missing a month because of a strained right forearm.

Girardi again went to All-Star setup man Dellin Betances to lock down the seventh. Betances entered with two on and two outs, but walked Melky Cabrera and Thompson to force home a run before striking out Adam LaRoche.

Andrew Miller pitched the ninth for his 35th save in 37 chances, sending Chicago to its third straight loss.

Sale (12-11) fell to 0-4 in his last six starts. A Yankees lineup minus lefties Brian McCann and Brett Gardner got seven hits in seven innings against the lefty. Sale walked one and hit a batter, and both led to Beltran's homer.

Sale struck out eight, moving within two of tying the White Sox record of 269 in a season set by Ed Walsh in 1908. Sale is second in the majors in strikeouts this year, trailing only Clayton Kershaw's 281 for the Dodgers.

Jacoby Ellsbury was hit by a pitch opening the third and stole the 300th base of his career. He was called out for interference when he didn't get out of the way of shortstop Alexei Ramirez on Chase Headley's popup near second base.

Alex Rodriguez then walked, and scored his 2,000th career run on Beltran's homer.

Rookie Carlos Rondon (8-6, 3.78) tries to make up for his only other start vs. the Yankees, when they scored eight runs on eight hits and four walks in three innings against him July 31.

CC Sabathia (5-9, 4.80) is 19-4 vs. the White Sox, matching his win totals over the Tigers and Royals for his most against one opponent.

Illini Get Last Non-Conference Tune Up; ISU, EIU On Bye

 width=>>Illini Get Final Non-Conference Tune Up

Coming off a disappointing 48-14 loss to North Carolina last week, the Illinois Fighting Illini will take on Conference USA opponent Middle-Tennessee State.

Each team comes in at 2-1 on the season with high powered offenses. The Blue Raiders average over 50 points per game.

After two weeks of stellar defensive performances, last year's porous defense reared it's ugly head against the Tar Heels last Saturday as the Illini were gashed for 471 total yards of offense.

An equally big concern for head coach Bill Cubit was the team's dropped passes.

Between Wes Lunt and Chayce Crouch, the two Illini QBs combined to complete 50% of their passes and zero touchdowns thanks to roughly ten dropped passes.

This Saturday's 3pm start against Middle-Tennessee State will be the Illini's final non-conference game, as next Saturday Illinois hosts Nebraska at Memorial Stadium for both squads' Big Ten openers.

 width=>>ISU Redbirds Football Team on Bye

The Illinois State Redbirds football program heads into week 4 of the college football season with a bye.

The Redbirds have opened the season 2-1 after starting the year ranked second in the country in the FCS preseason rankings.

The Redbirds opened the year with a tough road loss to Big Ten opponent Iowa, 31-14 then came back to blow out Morgan State 67-14.

The Redbirds hit the road for their annual clash with Eastern Illinois, this year in Charleston and edged out an overtime, 34-31 win.

The bye for Illinois State couldn't come at a better time as ISU prepares for Missouri Valley Conference rival, and seventh ranked, Northern Iowa. The Redbirds since the start of the season have dropped to fourth in the FCS rankings.

Following a home clash with NIU, ISU hits the road for Youngstown State, under first year head coach and ex-Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini. Then it's off to Missouri State.

 width=>>Eastern Illinois on Bye This Week

Off to a rocky start after an offseason where expectations were optimistic, the Eastern Illinois Panthers head into their bye week with an 0-3 mark.

The Panthers opened the year with a 33-5 loss to Western Illinois then fell to Big Ten oponnent Northwestern.

Last week at O'Brien Field, the Panthers lost to Illinois State in overtime, 34-31 on a last second field goal.

Following the bye week, the Panthers head to Clarksville, Tennessee to open Ohio Valley play against Austin Peay.

Game next week is 4 pm. Hear all the action on The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM WHOW.

Clinton, Monticello Returns To WHOW/WEZC Airways Tonight

 width=>>Clinton Maroons Hit Road Again This Week

The Clinton Maroons will hit the road to Decatur to take on the Decatur St. Teresa Bulldogs.

The Maroons rebounded last Friday with a shootout win at Central A&M, 45-42. The Maroons come in to action tonight 3-1.

The Bulldogs of St. T have won their last two with wins over Central A&M and Meridian after dropping their first two games with Tolono Unity and Maroa-Forsyth.

Tonight's game kicks off at 7 pm and can be heard on The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM WHOW and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Elsewhere in the Central Illinois Conference:

Meridian at Sullivan-Okaw Valley
Central A & M at Tuscola
Shelbyville at Warrensburg-Latham

 width=>>Monticello Puts Undefeated Record on the Line Vs Top 10 St. Joe-Ogden

The Monticello Sages and St. Joe-Ogden Spartans will both put their top ten, unblemished records on the line Friday night as the two square off from Monticello High School.

After a brilliant performace at Tolono Unity last Friday and into Saturday resulting in a 27-20 win, the Sages look to get off to their best start under Coach Cully Welter.

The Spartans are no slouch though. A prennial pest for the Sages, Monticello will look to use their home field advantage against their second straight top 10 Class 3A opponent.

Elsewhere in the Okaw Valley:

Rantoul at Champaign St. Thomas More
St. Joseph-Ogden at Monticello
Tolono Unity at Maroa-Forsyth

Across the area tonight...

Little Okaw Valley Northwest

Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond at Arcola
Decatur Lutheran at Argenta-Oreana
Sangamon Valley vs. Cerro Gordo-Bement at Cerro Gordo

Little Okaw Valley Southeast

Oblong at Villa Grove-Heritage
Palestine at Martinsville
Toledo Cumberland at Oakland Tri-County

Apollo

Charleston vs. Mattoon at EIU
Mt. Zion at Taylorville
Salem at Effingham

Big Twelve

Bloomington at Normal Community
Champaign Centennial vs. Peoria at Peoria Stadium
Normal West vs. Peoria Richwoods at Richwoods Stadium
Peoria Manual at Champaign Central
Peoria Notre Dame at Danville

Central State Eight

Chatham Glenwood at Springfield Lanphier (Sat.)
Decatur MacArthur at Springfield
Jacksonville at Decatur Eisenhower
Lincoln at Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin
Springfield Southeast at Rochester

Corn Belt

Illinois Valley Central at Mahomet-Seymour
Mahomet-Seymour at Pontiac (Mon.)
Normal U-High at Prairie Central
Pontiac at Bloomington Central Catholic
Olympia at Eureka

Heart of Illinois

Ridgeview at Fieldcrest
Flanagan-Cornell-Cornell-Woodland at El Paso-Gridley
Dee-Mack at Tri-Valley
Tremont at Heyworth

Mid-Illini

East Peoria at Pekin
Metamora at Canton
Morton at Dunlap
Washington at Limestone

Non-conference action tonight...

Paxton-Buckley-Loda at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley
Urbana at Hampshire

DEA's 'Take Back Initiative' This Weekend

This weekend may be Apple and Pork Weekend in Clinton, but one local entity is also doing an event in conjunction with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers indicates the DEA's Take Back Initiative has fallen on Apple and Pork Weekend, so in addition to having extra patrols across the community, they will also be at the station for a special collection of unused prescription drugs.

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After several years of drug collections in Clinton, Chief Lowers indicates the amount of drugs they properly dispose of does not decrease. He feels that is not a bad thing either.

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Among narcotics abuse, Chief Lowers believes the abuse of prescription drugs is perhaps the most widely abused. He says it is likely because of the accessibility to it.

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Officers will be outside the Clinton Police Department this Saturday and Sunday as a part of the Take Back Initiative however, this weekend is not the only time to bring those in.

Chief Lowers indicates they have a 24-hour drop box available inside the Clinton Police Department. Residents are encouraged to utilize that.

Additionally, the DeWitt County Sheriff's Department has started a home pickup service for prescription drugs. That is available for county residents who are elderly or unable to get out.

Apple and Pork Festival Returns Classics, Welcomes New Groups

The CH Moore Homestead grounds for Apple and Pork Festival is known for it's classic food tents.

The ham and beans along with the ginger bread cookies are just a few of the classic food offerings each year but in 2015, Larry Buss with the CH Moore Homestead, indicates they have some new offerings on the grounds this year.

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While the food is the main attraction for the CH Moore Homestead grounds, there's also more to do than eat. According to Buss, they try to bring small entertainment items to the grounds. There is rope making, a self-propelled train ride along with other unique demonstrations.

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Additionally, having music at the festival has become a big hit. Buss indicates this year, they will have a great lineup once again and it starts out Saturday morning with the Clinton High School Band.

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Tune in to The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM WHOW for live coverage from the Apple and Pork Festival.

Tune in Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm for live coverage then on Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. All coverage can also be heard live online at dewittdailynews.com.

Below are photos from Thursday's preparations on the Homestead Grounds.

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Michelle Van Valey Announces Candidacy For Circuit Clerk

 width=The Circuit Clerk's office in DeWitt County will be contested race in the upcoming spring primary.

Michelle Van Valey has announced her intention to seek the position of DeWitt County Circuit Clerk.

Van Valey is a native of Clinton and has over 14 years of experience working in the DeWitt County court system. last 10 years have been spent working in the DeWitt County State’s Attorney’s Office.

While at the State’s Attorney’s Office, Van Valey initially served the citizens of DeWitt County as their Victim/Witness Coordinator, assisting in preparation of Orders of Protection, providing notifications to victims, obtaining restitution information from victims, maintaining data for State grants funding her position, as well as other administrative duties as assigned by the State’s Attorney.

Currently, Van Valey serves as the Office Manager for the State’s Attorney’s office and is responsible for overseeing the internal functioning of the office including: preparation of case files and pleadings, submitting payroll documentation, procuring necessary equipment on behalf of the office, supervising the State’s Attorney’s budget by documentation of all expenditures and income, and coordinating scheduling of cases with other courthouse and law enforcement personnel.

Van Valey also spent four years as the Family/Child Support Clerk in DeWitt County under former Circuit Clerk Kathy Weiss. While serving in this capacity, Van Valey was responsible for addressing questions from the public, maintaining official court records, and providing assistance to the Court in the courtroom.

Van Valey will be on the republican ticket, challenging current Circuit Clerk Pam Barnes.

Former State Fair Manager Breaks Silence

The former Manager of the Illinois State Fair says he resigned only after the Governor’s Administration was going to fire Director of Agriculture Phillip Nelson.

Today Patrick Buchen laid out a long list of complaints about political cronyism, wasteful spending and heavy handed tactics from inside the Governor’s office that eventually became too much to handle. Buchen says that he understood that he was next on the list to be fired so he quit before they could fire him. After just a few months on the job Buchen says that it was evident political forces were against the way Nelson and Buchen wanted to run the fair and other operations.

[audio:9251525103-FAIRMANGER1.mp3] [/audio]

Buchen says he isn’t sure what is next for him and he’s heartbroken about losing the job.

Chicago Activist Calling For Impeachment of Governor Rauner

Rob Sherman is well known around Chicago for picking up the torch for atheism/separation of church and state related causes.

He once again has made waves downstate at the Capitol, using the "I word", calling for Governor Bruce Rauner to be booted out of office. His latest push came during a House Committee discussion on appropriations.

[audio:9251525344-impeach.mp3] [/audio]

Republican Representative Ed Sullivan angrily demanded that Sherman remove himself from the table where he addressed the appropriations committee. He left a short time later.

DeWitt County Sheriff's Report for Sept. 25

Jail Population: 33

Paper Services: 3

Warrants: 1

Dustin Hoffman, 22, Maroa was arrested on a DeWitt County Warrant charging him with Aggravated Fleeing or Attempt of Elude a Peace Officer. Hoffman Posted the necessary bond and was released.

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

RECAP: Bulldogs Blast Maroons

In a game heard Friday night on WHOW, the St. Teresa Bulldogs dominated the Clinton Maroons 51-14 in Central Illinois Conference football action.

St. T scored early and often on their Homecoming night, and the Maroons had very few answers for the Bulldogs potent rushing attack.  Junior quarterback Ryan Fyke led the Bulldogs with 10 carries for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He also threw the ball well, going 10 for 17 for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Freshman running back Jacardia Wright also ran 15 times for 117 yards and a touchdown.  Backup tailback Joey Martini carried the ball 4 times for 154 yards and a touchdown.

Clinton was once again led by Junior running back Alec Cooley.  He carried the ball 25 times for 147 yards and a score.  He also caught a 14 yard touchdown pass.  Unofficially Cooley now has 1,033 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns in only five games this season.  Quarterback Nolan Griffin was hurried most of the night by St. T's dominant line.  He was 11 of 21 for only 61 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

The Stephan York Country Financial Player of the Game award went to Junior Canaan Isaac, who displayed outstanding speed on several occasions as he chased down breakaway plays.  Three of those plays would've been sure touchdowns if not for Isaac's efforts.

The Maroons fall to 3-2 overall with the loss, and are now 1-2 in CIC play.  St. T improves to 3-2 on the season, and 3-0 in conference.  Clinton next hosts Tuscola next Friday night at home.  Hear the game on 92.3FM WHOW and streamed online at DeWittDailyNews.com.

St. Joseph Ogden Uses Stifling Defense To Ground Monticello

From top to bottom, it was a disappointing night for the Monticello Sages in a 26-7 loss to Okaw Valley Conference rival, St. Joe Ogden Friday night.

That was the assessment by head coach Cully Welter following his team's performance. The Coach placed blame on himself for never finding a rhythm in the play calling as he juggled a pair of talented quarterbacks battling various injuries and trying to solve a stingy Spartans defense.

 width=Junior Caleb Hanson started the game as the Sages quarterback but played only a handful of snaps in the first quarter before being lifted for senior Brandon Wildman, who had been cleared to play just hours before the game after missing the remainder of a postponed game last Saturday at  Tolono Unity with a shoulder injury.

Wildman would see the field most of the game, finishing a frustrating 22 of 41 with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Tyus Welter hauled in seven catches for 104 yards and Isiah Florey finished with seven receptions and 41 yards. Noah Freemon caught the only touchdown for Monticello on the night and finished with 68 yards on six catches.

The theme of the night though for the Sages was perhaps missed opportunities. On two possessions the Sages were knocking on the doors of a score inside the 10 yards line, only to be turned back on a four down turnover and a fumble recovered by St. Joe Ogden.

For the Spartans, Ty Brown carried the load with 29 rushes for 126 yards and three touchdowns.

Griffin Meeks rumbled for a heartbreaking 32 yard touchdown off a Wildman interception in the third quarter that put the Spartans up 20-0.

Meeks finished with 55 yards on five carries.

St. Joe Ogden remains unbeaten on the season, at 5-0 and 2-0 in Okaw Valley play.

Monticello drops to 4-1 with a 1-1 mark in conference action.

The Sages are at home for Homecoming next Friday night, hosting Maroa Forsyth at 7 pm.

Our WEZC game of the week is Cerro Gordo Bement traveling to Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond.

Action is set for a 7 pm start time.

The next Monticello action on WEZC can be heard October 10 when the Sages travel to Champaign St. Thomas More High School. 

EHD Back in Deer Populations

Deer hunting season is nearly upon us. State Department of Natural Resources is asking for those outdoors to keep an eye out for sick or dead deer. DNR is tracking cases of EHD or Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, in the deer population. According to Chris Young with DNR they have seen 47 suspected cases.

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Hunters or others might find sick or dead deer near water sources as infected deer develop a high fever and will seek out water.

The 47 cases have been seen in 17 counties, EHD generally ends when freezing weather kills the insects that spread the virus. EHD does not impact humans or pets. Anyone with a suspected case of EHD can report them to the DNR.

Grain Storage Should Not Be An Issue This Year

As this year’s harvest comes in a lot of farmers may be tempted to hang onto some of that grain in hopes of better prices down the road. With some of last year’s crop still in the bins could we be facing a storage crunch?

Rick Boyd, acting Bureau Chief of Warehouses at the Illinois Dept. of Agriculture thinks between on farm and commercial storage we should be in good shape.

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At the same time, Boyd predicts elevators may have to use temporary or even emergency storage until some of the grain can be shipped into commercial channels..

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Rick Boyd is Acting Dir of Warehouses at the IDOA.

Springfield Hosting National K-9 Competition

Springfield is hosting a competition between police K-9 units and their partners this month, capping off with a big finale tonight.

Police dogs will show off their skills at Robin Roberts Stadium from 7 to 8:30 pm. Springfield Police Officer Ryan Machins (May-chuns) says the police dogs will show off a number of skills.

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The event is a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House.

Train Safety

Despite many efforts of safety advocates, car versus train collisions continue to be a problem in Illinois. Chip Pew with the Illinois Commerce Commission says motorists need to always act as if a train is coming.

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Pew adds many people will ignore train tracks because they haven't seen a train in many days.

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Pew says More than 67 percent of all collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices such as flashing lights, gates, and ringing bells.

Nationally, Illinois is second only to Texas in the total number of highway-rail crossings with over 8,400 highway-rail grade crossings, over 800 of which are on state roads, and more than 7,600 of which are on local roads.

Farm Safety Week Kicked Off At Parkland College

It's National Farm Safety and Health Week, and several agencies kicked off the week last Friday at Parkland College in Champaign. Farm Broadcaster Jared White has more...

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Authorities Preparing For Weekend's 80-Thousand Guests

The Apple and Pork Festival annually brings in tens-of-thousands of visitors to the community of Clinton.

That many guests in a town of 75-hundred can create it's own set of challenges. According to Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers, this coming weekend can be a somewhat demanding weekend for his department and the other first responding agencies in Clinton and DeWitt County.

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For Chief Lowers and his staff, it's all hands on deck that weekend. Chief Lowers explains with that many people, in years past, they've been fortunate to not have many problems.

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With the lack of problems for the weekend, the Chief credits that a lot to organizers, especially at the homestead grounds. While they are rarely a problem, Chief Lowers sends out a few friendly reminders.

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The Apple and Pork Festival takes place this weekend across the community. Chief Lowers says anywhere from 75-thousand to 90-thousand people will come in to Clinton for the weekend.

He encourages safety throughout the busy weekend and for those coming into the community that get caught in traffic to practice patience.

Lakers Notes

>>LA Great Expects Lakers To Make Playoffs

When it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers, Julius Randle isn't the only person saying crazy/optimistic things right now.

Former Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is doing a media tour to promote his new novel about Sherlock Holmes' brother, Mycroft and he told SiriusXM NBA radio that he sees good things on the horizon.

 width=>>Lakers' Randle Predicts Double-Double Average

We only saw Los Angeles Lakers' Julius Randle on the floor for 14 minutes before his rookie season ended with a broken leg. The injury suffered in the opening-game loss to the Houston Rockets cost him valuable experience on the floor that many rookies are able to use to learn the speed of the game, the strategy of the game and build toward the future of their careers. Randle had to observe and learn by sight instead of experience.

That's not going to keep him from being confident in his abilities and projecting his production in his sophomore season in the NBA. Per the Los Angeles Daily News, Randle "absolutely" believes he'll average a double-double for the Lakers this season and whatever is best for helping the team win games.

Lakers coach Byron Scott may also favor starting veteran Brandon Bass at power forward. Though Randle “absolutely” sees himself averaging a double-double, Randle maintained, “I'm just going to do what's best for the team and whatever I can do to help the team win.”

The No. 7 overall pick from the 2014 draft class averaged a double-double in his lone season at Kentucky. In 30.8 minutes, Randle averaged 15 points and 10.4 rebounds, so the ability to do some on a competitive level certainly exists. However, he also will be battling for minutes with Brandon Bass at the starting power forward position, and if he doesn't get the starting nod then his opportunities will be limited.

Seattle Seahawks Notes

>>Seahawks Chancellor Ends Holdout

The Seahawks' two-week nightmare is over: Kam Chancellor is coming back to the team.

The All-Pro safety told ESPN he is ending his holdout and will report back to Seattle to "help us get back to the big dance."

"Ima go help my teammates that are understanding of my position and the ones who aren't. God forgives all, why can't i?" Chancellor texted. "Time to help us get back to the big dance. I can address business after the season. Me and Marshawn started a mission 2 years ago. I can't let my Dawg down....Real talk."

>>Seattle's Graham "Hates" Role With 'Hawks

 width=Jimmy Graham's career in Seattle hasn't exactly gotten off to a hot start and apparently, the tight end isn't happy about that.

Graham was only targeted two times in the Seahawks' 27-17 loss to Green Bay, and coach Pete Carroll was willing to admit that things aren't going exactly as the Seahawks had hoped with Graham.

"It's frustrating," Carroll said during his Monday radio show on KIRO-AM in Seattle. "We're frustrated just like anybody watching. We had so many cool calls in that game where we're trying to get him in position to make a play. ... We're not neglecting him at all, it's just we're not hooking it up and it's not getting there."

Carroll also said that the team has to do a better job of getting Graham involved.

As for Graham himself, Carroll was asked if he thought his tight end was frustrated with his role in the team's offense through two weeks.

Carroll added quote-"I think he is. I think he's a competitor, he wants the ball, he wants to help us win."

The Seahawks tight end has seven catches for 62 yards and one touchdown this season, with most of that -- six catches, 51 yards, one touchdown -- coming in Week 1 against St. Louis.

PGA Tour Championship Preview

 width=The final event of the 2014-15 wraparound season, this week’s Tour Championship is held at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

Thirty pros will battle for the FedEx Cup title on this 7,307-yard, par-70 test. Motivation to win the $10 million purse, along with the season championship, could be at its highest among Jason Day and Jordan Spieth.

Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson are the next closest players within striking distance. Following a reset of points after the BMW Championship, anyone can win it all by conquering East Lake and receiving help from those ahead of them in points.

Aggregate scores have reached the low end of double-digits in three of the last six years, topping out at 13-under par in 2013.

Weather could be a factor Friday and Saturday. Otherwise, comfortable temperatures are in the forecast.

Day has four wins in his last six starts, with the other two resulting in Top 12 showings. He finished tied for fourth in 2014 and tied for sixth in 2012.

Fowler has shed the stigma of not being a big-game hunter, capable of shooting scores that others have to chase.

College Football Notes

 width=>>Jones To Remain Ohio State QB

Cardale Jones is still Ohio State's starting quarterback.

Urban Meyer announced on Wednesday that Jones will remain Ohio State's starting quarterback when the Buckeyes face Western Michigan this weekend, and that he'll be the starter until he's beaten out for the job.

Following last week's narrow win over Northern Illinois, Meyer said he didn't know who his starting quarterback was, and that he would "spend a lot of time thinking about" naming a permanent starter.

Jones was benched for J.T. Barrett on Saturday after a poor performance. He was only 4 for 9 for 36 yards with two interceptions before being replaced, but Barrett didn't perform much better once he was in the game.

And Ohio State's offense hasn't been that great overall. It's averaging only 33.3 points per game after scoring 44.8 points per game in 2014. The Buckeyes are also lacking the big plays they had so many of last season.

Through three games Ohio State's offense has managed only four plays of 30 or more yards, or 1.3 per game. Compare that to 2014 when the Buckeyes had 46 plays that gained 30 yards or more, averaging 3.1 per game.

Whether naming Cardale the permanent starter can fix that remains to be seen, but the consistency of knowing who the quarterback is from week to week could help.

 width=>>Florida Suspends Pair For Game vs Tennessee

Florida hasn't lost to Tennessee since the 2004 season, and if the Gators want to keep that 10-game winning streak alive, they'll have to do so without two important players.

UF coach Jim McElwain announced Wednesday that quarterback Treon Harris and cornerback Jalen Tabor have been suspended for Saturday's game against Tennessee. McElwain did not give reasons for the suspensions, saying only that they were "based on some choices they made."

Tabor is a starter for the Gators opposite star CB Vernon Hargreaves III. Harris started Florida's opener at quarterback and has appeared in two games this season, not playing i UF's contest last Saturday against Kentucky.

In two games, Harris has completed 19 of 27 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, he threw for 1,019 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions.

Tabor has one interception this season and has broken up four passes.

Attorney For Kane's Accuser Says Evidence Bag 'Altered'

 width=The attorney representing the woman who has accused Chicago Blackhawks player Patrick Kane of raping her claims that an official evidence bag, purported to have contained the evidence from a rape kit, was ripped open and placed at the door of the alleged victim's mother's home with its contents removed.

The shocking twist was announced during a press conference in Buffalo, N.Y. Attorney Thomas J. Eoannou had the bag in his possession and shared pictures with the assembled media.

Eoannou said quote - "The purpose of an evidence bag is to protect the evidence items from tampering."

As a result, Eoannou hopes to get an outside law enforcement involved, be it the FBI or state police.

He added - "On behalf of my client, I will be requesting an independent law enforcement investigation by a separate law enforcement agency into how this breach could have possibly happened."

Cards Win; Cubs, Sox Lose

 width=>>Cards Pound Reds

Lance Lynn returned to form and Matt Holliday returned to the lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.

Matt Carpenter simply kept doing what he's been doing.

The result was a 10-2 rout of the Cincinnati Reds that completed a three-game sweep and improved St. Louis' major league-best record to 96-56. The Cardinals remained four games in front of second-place Pittsburgh in the NL Central.

Carpenter hit a pair of two-run homers, Lynn (12-10) pitched six scoreless innings and Holliday had an RBI double in his first start since July 29 during a game when virtually everything went right for the Cardinals.

Randal Grichuk and Peter Bourjos also homered as the Cardinals hit four for the first time this season.

Cincinnati fell into last place in the NL Central, a half-game behind Milwaukee.

Both of Carpenter's homers came off rookie Brandon Finnegan (1-1), who allowed six runs in five innings. With his second multihomer game, Carpenter increased his total to 26 homers, 15 more than his previous career best.

Lynn gave up three singles, walked none and allowed only one runner to reach second base before leaving with the Cardinals ahead 9-0 after the sixth. He had allowed 12 runs in 11 2-3 innings over his past three starts.

Grichuk, one of four Cardinals regulars to spend time on the disabled list in the second half, started the offensive barrage with a two-out homer in the second.

Cincinnati slugger Joey Votto hit his 29th homer in the seventh and singled while extending his streak of reaching base safely to 40 games, one shy of his career best.

Michael Wacha (16-6, 3.08) will make his first start this season against Milwaukee in the opener of St. Louis' final home series. Wacha has given up 12 earned runs in 15 innings over his past three starts.

Taylor Jungmann (9-6, 3.31 ERA) will face the Cardinals looking for his first win since Sept. 3. Jungmann has taken no-decisions in his last two outings during which he has given up nine earned runs.

 width=>>Brewers Beat Cubs

Zach Davies allowed two hits over six innings and Martin Maldonado drove in two runs to lead Milwaukee to a 4-1 victory over Chicago on Wednesday night, snapping the Brewers' nine-game losing streak to the Cubs.

Jorge Soler homered for the Cubs, who lost for the second time in nine games and finished with three hits total.

Davies (2-2) allowed two singles in the second inning, walked one and struck out four. Davies kept the Cubs off-balance all game, notching a win that Brewers manager Craig Counsell said was a real confidence booster for the young right-hander.

Milwaukee's bullpen took over from there before Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth and picked up his 35th save in 37 opportunities.

Luis Sardinas gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead with an RBI single just out of the reach of a diving Kris Bryant at third base.

The Brewers took a 3-0 lead in the seventh when Khris Davis followed Adam Lind's double with an RBI single. Two walks by reliever Justin Grimm loaded the bases and Maldonado hit a sacrifice fly.

Maldonado had an RBI single in the ninth.

Soler homered in the seventh off reliever Will Smith, his 10th of the season.

The Brewers couldn't solve Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks (7-7), who retired the first 14 hitters. Jean Segura finally reached in the fifth when he legged out an infield single and he scored on Sardinas' hit.

Hendricks went six-plus innings, striking out eight and allowing three runs and four hits.

Jon Lester (10-11, 3.46 ERA) will be looking for his third win in September and his second against the Pirates after limiting Pittsburgh to one hit over five innings on Sept. 15.

 width=>>Verlander Leads Tigers Past White Sox

In possibly his most encouraging start of the season, Justin Verlander reached back to past, but familiar, territory with his velocity on Wednesday.

In his prime, the 32-year-old's signature style included dialing upper-90s heat in the late innings, and true to his old form, he stepped on the gas in a seventh-inning jam Wednesday. With two outs and the bases loaded, he used five 98-99 mph fastballs to strike out Geovany Soto, exiting with a four-run lead.

Verlander allowed three runs on five hits with eight strikeouts in his seven innings.

Melky Cabrera's 100th career home run, a two-run shot in the fourth, accounted for the first two White Sox runs.

Detroit scored twice in the first on Victor Martinez's 11th home run, his 200th career homer, then added four more runs in the third - two of them on J.D. Martinez's bases-loaded double that gave him 98 RBIs for the season.

Rajai Davis, who scored three runs, had two singles and a triple for the Tigers.

Making his first career start, White Sox right-hander Frankie Montas (0-1) worked the first three innings. He allowed six runs on six hits.

Chicago opens a four-game series at Yankee Stadium, with Chris Sale (12-10, 3.47) facing Michael Pineda (11-8, 4.10).

 width=>>Wainwright Closer To Returning

Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright moved a step closer to returning when he faced hitters for the first time since having left Achilles surgery April 30.

The operation was expected to end his season, but Wainwright now hopes to pitch out of the bullpen next week.

After throwing 25 pitches in simulated-game conditions to Cardinals hitters, Wainwright said he felt strong but lacked sharpness.

''I like being out there again,'' he said. ''I wanted to be better than that. The second time, it's got to improve.''

Clinton Man Accused of Soliciting Boy on Craigslist

A 50 year old Clinton man is being charged with indecent solicitation after a Decatur Police detective impersonated a 15-year old boy and allegedly agreed to meet with him.

Det. Todd Koester conducted the investigation on individuals attempting to solicit sex with people younger than 17.

The ad was posted on Craigslist by Vincent C. Peters of Clinton. Peters and Det. Koester, whom Peters believed to be a 15-year old male, communicated via email and text and according to Det. Koester, the meeting was described as "sexual in nature."

Peters was arrested and jailed Tuesday in lieu of $4-thousand bond.

DeWitt County Sheriff's Report for Sept. 24

Jail Population: 34

Paper Services: 5

Warrants: 1

Brandon Hieronymus, 23, Clinton was Arrested on a DeWitt County Warrant charging him with Driving 15-20 MPH Above Limit/ Failure to Appear. Hieronymus posted the necessary bond and was released.

 

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois Ag Director, State Fair Manager Both Resign

 width=

Various media sources are reporting that Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Phillip Nelson, and Illinois State Fair manager Patrick Buchen, both resigned on Thursday.

In a statement released by Governor Bruce Rauner late Thursday afternoon, the Governor said Nelson will remain employed with the Department for the next 30 days to help with the transition.
 
Rauner added that he appreciated Director Nelson’s commitment to agriculture and his service to the people of Illinois.
 
Rauner appointed current Department of Agriculture Chief of Staff Warren Goetsch as Acting Director.  A search for a permanent replacement is underway.

Both were appointed by Governor Bruce Rauner when Rauner took office last winter.

Both Nelson and Buchen presided over last month's Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair.

Stay tuned to Regional Radio for more information on this developing story.

Layofss at DNR On Hold

Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration has agreed to delay more than 100 layoffs of Illinois State Museum staff, conservation police officers and other state workers scheduled for next week.

The Republigan governor had targeted the positions for layoffs on Sept. 30 because of the state budget crisis. Unions representing the workers sued, saying the state was violating labor contracts.

Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said Tuesday that layoffs of union employees have stopped, pending court action. She says the administration believes the courts will conclude the administration followed the law.

Police Benevolent and Protective Association director Sean Smoot says the conservation officer layoffs have been "delayed indefinitely."

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees spokesman Anders Lindall says it remains unclear whether the state museums will close as scheduled next week.

Rauner Warns of Vetoing $3.8 Billion Stopgap Spending Bill

Gov. Bruce Rauner's office is warning lawmakers that the Republican will veto a $3.8 billion spending bill pending in the Illinois House.

The measure approved by the Senate this month would provide funds for breast cancer screenings, autism treatment, lottery payouts and more during the state budget stalemate.

It's scheduled to be considered by the House executive committee and could get a floor vote on Thursday.

In a letter to House lawmakers on Monday, Rauner Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs Richard Goldberg calls the bill "the latest multibillion-dollar piecemeal attempt" to pass an unbalanced budget. He urges legislators to reject the spending plan.

Rauner and majority Democrats have been unable to agree on a budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.

Governor Teaming Up With Girl Scouts in Latest Campaign

Girl Scouts in Central Illinois have a catchy new fundraising campaign with a friend in high places helping out.

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois have launched the "Are you man enough to be a Girl Scout". Taking up the torch is none other than Governor Bruce Rauner.

[audio:9231575630-Scouts1.mp3] [/audio]

Kate Peters with the Springfield Girl Scouts office knows there are side effects when you involve someone from the political realm, but she believes the message will transcend the political divide.

[audio:9231575631-scouts2.mp3] [/audio]

The fundraising campaign runs through September 30th.

Good Harvest Weather Ahead

 width=As harvest progress begins to pick up around Illinois, state Climatologist Jim Angel says favorable weather should continue right into early Octobe

[audio:9231575629-Angel1.mp3] [/audio]

After a record wet spring and early summer, things have turned dryer, especially in areas of Western Illinois, but Angel says for the most part precipitation has been about normal since late July and soil moisture is in great shape heading into the fall season.

[audio:9231575629-Angel2.mp3] [/audio]

As of last Sunday about 13% of the state’s corn has been harvested and the bean harvest is just getting underway in a few areas.

HRC Ends Trash Clean Up At Apple and Pork, Starts New Event

Thanks to a dire situation the State of Illinois has put a local non-profit in, a DeWitt County group is scrambling to keep themselves afloat.

Apple and Pork weekend was traditionally a busy time for DeWitt County Human Resource Center volunteers and clients as they were responsible for trash cleanup on the homestead grounds. According to Executive Director Lynn Scovill, they will not be on the grounds this year.

[audio:9231575622-92315hrcap1.mp3] [/audio]

Scovill indicates they are going to be hosting an event in their parking lot at their Route 54 location during the Saturday and Sunday of Apple and Pork. She explains they will be doing a 50/50 drawing and will have merchandise from their Encore Thrift Store at the site as well.

[audio:9231575626-92315hrcap2.mp3] [/audio]

HRC will be set up Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm and then Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.

That is at their location at 1150 Illinois-Route 54 in Clinton.

Cowboys Trade For QB Matt Cassel

 width=The Cowboys, who could be without Tony Romo for two months, have traded for Matt Cassel, reports CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora. Cassel was traded from the Vikings to the Bills in the offseason and has been Tyrod Taylor's backup through the first two weeks of the season. He will reprise that role behind Brandon Weeden in Dallas.

The news comes two days after Romo fractured his left clavicle against the Eagles.

The expectation is that Weeden will remain the starter -- the Cowboys had just two quarterbacks on the active roster to start the season -- and Cassel will now serve as his backup.

Cassel joins his fifth team after previous stops in New England, Kansas City, Minnesota and Buffalo. He has started 72 games in 11 seasons and has thrown 96 touchdowns against 70 interceptions. But Cassel has also struggled with consistency and accuracy during his career, completing just 59 percent of his passes and sporting a quarterback rating of 80.1.

Hall of Famer Yogi Berra Dies At 90

 width=Hall of Fame catcher and New York Yankees legend Yogi Berra died Tuesday at age 90, the Yogi Berra Museum announced and the Yankees and MLB confirmed.

Considered one of the greatest catchers of all time, Berra was a three-time AL MVP who became at least as well-known for his unusual sayings as his Hall of Fame career.

He appeared in 14 World Series for the Yankees during their dynasty era, the first in 1947, and won the first of his three MVPs in 1951 (the others came 1954 and 1955). He was a 15-time All-Star, who played alongside Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford and caught Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 Series.

He was enshrined in Cooperstown in 1972.

Berra also managed in the majors, compiling a .522 winning percentage in seven season piloting the Yankees (1964, 1984, 1985) and Mets (1972-75).

Arrieta First To 20 Wins As Cubs Down Brewers; Cards Win; Sox Lose

>>Arrieta First to 20 Wins Following Win Over Brewers

With a no-hitter already to his name, right-hander Jake Arrieta of the Cubs added another impressive accomplishment to his sparkling 2015 season: He's the first 20-game winner in the major leagues.

 width=Arrieta three-hit the Brewers and struck out 11 in a 4-0 victory at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night, continuing a dominant season that's made him a Cy Young contender and helped to make the Cubs a World Series contender. Kris Bryant set the Cubs rookie record for home runs and Chicago inched closer to a playoff berth with a 4-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Arrieta (20-6) also lowered his ERA to 1.88 -- second to Zack Greinke of the Dodgers at 1.65 -- in becoming the first Cubs pitcher since Jon Lieber in 2001 to win at least 20 games in a season. He's also made a team-record 18 consecutive quality starts, which is going at least six innings and allowing three earned runs or fewer. Only four times this season has Arrieta even allowed four earned runs in a start -- and it hasn't happened since July 16.

Arrieta reached peak dominance Aug. 30 when he no-hit the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Bryant, whose April 17 debut was one of the most anticipated in years, hit a two-run homer in the third off Tyler Cravy (0-8) to give Chicago a 2-0 lead. It was Bryant's 26th longball, besting Billy Williams' mark in 1961. Bryant added a run-scoring double in the eighth.

He also relished a curtain-call after his third-inning drive.

Kyle Schwarber was credited with an RBI double in the fifth when shortstop Jean Segura couldn't catch his high popup to short right field, allowing Dexter Fowler to score.

Kyle Hendricks (7-6, 4.22) faces Milwaukee RHP Zach Davies (1-2, 6.00). Hendricks has gone 3-0 with a 1.07 ERA in four starts against the Brewers.

>>Cardinals Beat Reds

John Lackey (13-9) pitched seven innings and allowed only a first-inning homer by Jay Bruce during his 16th quality start in 16 outings at Busch Stadium. Tommy Pham doubled and hit a sacrifice fly to drive in St. Louis' first two runs.

 width=The Cardinals improved to a major league-best 95-56 and maintained their four-game NL Central lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-3 winners at Colorado.

Lackey struck out seven, walked none and lowered his home ERA to 1.97. Reds manager Bryan Price said the right-hander is pitching as well if not better than he has in any of his 13 seasons.

Pham hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field in the seventh that scored Tony Cruz and broke a 1-all tie. Pham drove in the Cardinals' first run with a third-inning double that brought in Matt Carpenter, who doubled with one out.

Steve Cishek worked the ninth to earn his first save for St. Louis.

Lackey induced three ground-ball double plays in the first five innings that thwarted rallies and brought his National League-leading total to 28. He also helped himself by grabbing a line drive drilled right at his glove by Todd Frazier to end the sixth.

Brayan Pena led off the seventh with a liner up the middle that hit Lackey on the backside, but he remained in the game.

The Reds had nine hits off Lackey and at least one runner in every inning except the sixth.

Bruce's 456-foot homer off a 93 mph fastball from Lackey was the longest by a left-handed hitter at 10-year-old Busch Stadium.

Kolten Wong drove in the Cardinals' third run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Joey Votto walked in the top of the eighth to reach base for the 39th consecutive game.

Yadier Molina said he plans to return before the end of the regular season despite a left thumb injury. Molina was relieved to hear he would not need surgery after sustaining a slight ligament tear Sunday.

Brandon Finnegan, acquired from Kansas City in the Johnny Cueto trade, will make his second career start in the finale of the three-game series. Finnegan allowed three hits and one run in five innings and picked up a win at Milwaukee last week.

Lance Lynn will try to get on the right track after lasting 3 1-3 innings at Wrigley Field last week. Lynn (11-10, 3.28) has a 5.11 ERA over his past five starts.

>>Tigers Walk Off On Sox in 10th

Rajai Davis' two-out triple in the 10th gave Detroit a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox, one inning after the Tigers lost what would have been the first combined no-hitter in franchise history.

Instead, they got their third walk-off win in five days.

Anthony Gose drew a two-out walk from Zach Duke (3-6) in the 10th. Davis sliced a 3-1 fastball into the corner in right field and Gose easily beat Trayce Thompson's throw to the plate.

Blaine Hardy (5-3) got the win with a scoreless 10th.

 width=On Aug. 26, Justin Verlander lost a no-hit bid when Chris Iannetta of the Los Angeles Angels led off the ninth with a double. On Tuesday, it was Tyler Saladino's triple with one out against Neftali Feliz - Detroit's fifth pitcher - that broke up the no-hitter.

Feliz was making his debut as the Tigers closer after Bruce Rondon was sent home earlier in the day. Starter Daniel Norris was limited to five innings by a pitch count.

Saladino tripled into the left-center field gap, and Adam Eaton, who had broken up Detroit's attempt at a perfect game by being hit with a pitch in the seventh, tied the game with a single.

The Tigers weren't able to put anything together against Jose Quintana until the bottom of the seventh. With one out, J.D. Martinez singled, took second on Nick Castellanos' hit and easily beat Eaton's throw when James McCann lined a single into center.

The teams finish the four-game series with Frankie Montas (0-0, 1.13) facing Verlander (3-8, 3.46). Montas has allowed one run in eight innings over five relief appearances since making his major league debut on Sept. 2.

>>Maddon Brings Petting Zoo To Wrigley Field

Now that's living the wild life!

With the Chicago Cubs closing in on their first playoff berth in seven years, quirky manager Joe Maddon has turned Wrigley Field into a mini-zoo.

Before the Cubs played the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night, a small petting zoo was set up in the left-field corner for players to enjoy with their children and families. There was a sloth, a penguin, a snow leopard and a flamingo on display, as well as other animals.

The flamingo, named Warren, made an appearance at Maddon's pregame media briefing and strutted in front of reporters.

The animals were brought in by the Columbus, Ohio, zoo and were the latest example of Maddon exposing his players to the wild life. When he was managing the Tampa Bay Rays, Maddon brought in cockatiels and other exotic creatures for the team.

DeWitt County Sheriff's Report For Sept 23

Jail Population: 31

Paper Services: 17

Warrants: 4

Casey Fisher, 27,Miner was arrested on a DeWitt County Warrant charging her with Contempt of Court.  Fisher posted the necessary bond and was released.

Lola Barr, 21, Clinton, was arrested on a DeWitt County Warrant charging her with Contempt of Court.   Being un-able to post the necessary bond, Barr remains lodged in the DeWitt County Jail.

Zacary Angell, 37, Decatur was arrested on a DeWitt County Warrant charging him with Contempt of Court.  Being un-able to post the necessary bond, Angell remains lodged in the DeWitt County Jail.

Amanda Smith, 26, Shelbyville, was arrested on a DeWitt County Warrant charging her with Contempt of Court.  Being un-able to post the necessary bond, Smith remains lodged in the DeWitt County Jail.

Beverly Mitchell, 25, Clinton, was arrested for Domestic Battery/Bodily Harm.  Being un-able to post the necessary bond, Mitchell remains lodged in the DeWitt County Jail.

Quintin Malinoqaki, 20, Wapella was Arrested on a DeWitt County Warrant charging him with Possess Drug Paraphernalia/ Failure to Appear. Malinoqaki unable to post the necessary bond remains lodged in the DeWitt County Jail.

Vincent Johnson, 49, Clinton was issued a Citation for Using Electronic Communication Device while Driving. Johnson was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Leslie Vallar, 35, Morton was issued a Citation for Speeding 74 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Vallar was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Jessica Broekerschwhover, 25, Farmer City was issued a Citation for Operating Uninsured Vehicle. Broekerschwhover was issued a Notice to Appear and was released.

Katie McPherson, 26, Mahomet was issued a Citation for Speeding 79 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. McPherson was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

Farm Safety Week

 width=This week, Sept 20-26th, is National Farm Safety and Health week.

Farming continues to be one of the most dangerous occupations, and according to Dave Newcomb, head of the State Fire Service Institute, this time of year is especially dangerous with all the slow moving vehicles on rural roads at harvest time.

[audio:9221582421-Safety1.mp3] [/audio]

While slow moving vehicle accidents are a big issue, tractor rollover accidents remain the leading cause of injury and death, according to Eric Vanasdale of Country Financial.

[audio:9221582422-Safety2.mp3] [/audio]

We'll have more on Farm Safety Week in Illinois later this week on Regional Radio News, including how DeWitt County and central Illinois drivers could be impacted in other ways because of the fall harvest.

Scientists Find New Corn Disease In Illinois Fields

Illinois agriculture officials say a new disease is affecting corn in the state.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture said Monday that the disease tar spot has been confirmed in Illinois' Bureau, DeKalb and LaSalle counties. Agriculture director Philip Nelson doesn't anticipate an impact on yields this late in the season but he says farmers should report any suspected findings to prevent spreading.

Plant pathologists at Purdue University confirmed the Illinois cases. Their confirmation of tar spot in Indiana last week was the first in the U.S. The disease previously was found in Mexico, Central America and South America.

Illinois corn farmers should look for brown lesions on leaves followed by black, spore-producing structures that make leaves feel rough or bumpy. Farmers should contact University of Illinois Extension with suspected cases.

University of Illinois Crop Research, Looks To Shutter Farms

 width=The University of Illinois plans to reduce off-campus crop research and may shut down several agricultural centers as part of a cost-cutting move tied to flagging state support.

The budget cuts will affect the Brownstown Agronomy Research Center near Vandalia; the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in southern Illinois; the St. Charles Horticulture Research Center west of Chicago; and the Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Center near DeKalb.

Associate dean for research Neal Merchen of the university's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences says that nine jobs will be lost, with only the Dixon Springs center likely remaining open.

University-sponsored crop research will continue on campus and at locations in northwestern Illinois and in Pike County.

Merchen said the agricultural college expects nearly $4 million less in state money this year.

Marty Neitzel Named Acting Mayor of Lincoln

During their regular meeting on Monday, September 21st, the Lincoln City Council selected Marty Neitzel to serve as Mayor of the City of Lincoln. Neitzel will serve out the balance of the term of former Mayor Keith Snyder which ends April 30, 2017.

Neitzel is a lifelong resident of Lincoln and has served on the Lincoln City Council as alderman since November 2002.

During her time on the council, Neitzel has been appointed Mayor Pro Temp and served as temporary chairman after the resignation of Mayor Snyder earlier this year.

In a release by the City of Lincoln Monday, Neitzel said quote-“It has been my life’s passion to contribute in some way towards the positive growth of Lincoln, Illinois. As your newly appointed mayor, I will be committed to working with all residents in every neighborhood, listening to your individual ideas and concerns.”

Neitzel graduated from Lincoln Community High School and later worked as a bookkeeping accountant and claims adjuster for Economy Insurance Company. Prior to her retirement in 1999, Neitzel was named “Illinois Woman Adjuster of the Year.”

Ms. Neitzel’s appointment is effective immediately and will begin meeting with establishing City Hall office hours in the near future.

Scott Cooper was appointed Mayor on June 1 of this year to succeed former Mayor Keith Snyder. Cooper passed away in mid-August.

Clinton Police Department Welcomes New Officer

 width=In a rather slow Monday night Clinton City Council meeting, Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers welcomed a new member to their staff.

Office Sean Crissey was sworn in as the latest officer join the force. Chief Lowers indicates Officer Crissey is a lateral transfer. Crissey has been on staff for roughly one week and the Chief indicates he is still in the training stages with the department.

[audio:9221582908-92215officercrissey1.mp3] [/audio]

In other news from the Monday Clinton City Council meeting...

>>The Council approved the sale of surplus property to the Heyworth Police Department.

>>The Council approved the purchase of two 2016 police interceptor utility vehicles at a cost of just over $79-thousand.

>>The Fire Department had a couple purchases approved. The first was one set of fire gear at cost of just over $18-hundred. A GMC tanker purchase for $80-thousand was also approved.

Cutler Has Hamstring Strain; Jets Pounce Colts

 width=Chicago Bears coach John Fox says quarterback Jay Cutler has a strained hamstring.

Fox says tests showed no major structural damage. He also says "anytime it's not really severe, it's good news."

Fox spoke Monday, a day after Cutler was injured trying to make a tackle after getting intercepted in Sunday's 48-23 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

His status for this week's game against defending NFC champion Seattle is in question. Fox would not say if Cutler had an MRI or if he expected him to practice Wednesday.

He also would not say if Jimmy Clausen would start for the Bears (0-2) against the Seahawks (0-2).

>>Turnovers Lead Jets Passed Colts

Darrelle Revis' new team is getting the same results he's always had against Andrew Luck.

 width=The veteran cornerback is still mystifying the young quarterback.

Revis picked off one pass, recovered two fumbles and helped the suddenly opportunistic Jets defense come up with five turnovers again Monday night to help New York pull away for a 20-7 victory at Indianapolis.

Revis' homecoming has been everything New York fans hoped for. With Revis and Antonio Cromartie locking down outside receivers, first-year coach Todd Bowles has been able to rely on his defensive front to stop the run and routinely pressure quarterbacks.

In the opener against Cleveland, New York converted five turnovers into 21 points.

Against the supposedly, high-powered Colts offense, they did it again. The Jets matched that five-turnover total, kept the Colts out of the end zone for three full quarters and never gave Luck a chance to get comfortable. The result: New York is off to its first 2-0 start since 2011.

After starting last season with back-to-back losses, they won five straight.

This time seems different. Luck was 21 of 37 for 250 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions and lost one fumble. After a strong start, Frank Gore finished with 15 carries for 57 yards and Donte Moncrief was the only receiver to top the 50-yard mark. Moncrief caught seven passes for 122 yards and Indy's only touchdown.

Indy was called for 11 penalties, Gore bobbled a handoff at the Jets 1-yard line that Revis recovered in the end zone, Adam Vinatieri missed a 29-yard field goal - the first time he's missed one from shorter than 30 yards since 2007 - and for the first time since 1997, the Colts were shut out in the first half in back-to-back weeks.

Indy has scored just 21 points in eight quarters, and inside the stadium, the fans who roared for Robert Mathis' return and Jeff Saturday's induction into the ring of honor, booed heartily as the mistakes piled up.

On Indy's first series, Calvin Pryor intercepted a pass and ran it back to the Colts 9-yard line. Four plays later, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a 6-yard TD pass to Eric Decker.

Fitzpatrick finished 22 of 34 for 244 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception - getting his first career win at Lucas Oil Stadium. Fitzpatrick became the first player since 1950 to start five consecutive road games against one team while playing for five different teams. He was 0-4 in the previous starts.

Eric Decker had eight receptions for 97 yards before leaving with a knee injury, and Brandon Marshall caught seven passes for 101 yards and one touchdown.

Indy finally got on the board with Luck's 26-yard TD pass to Moncrief with 10:07 left in the game.

Fitzpatrick answered on the next series with a 15-yard TD pass to Marshall and Marcus Gilchrist's late interception set up Folk's final field goal.

Indy cornerback Vontae Davis (concussion) and tight end Dwayne Allen (ankle) left the game with injuries and did not return. Decker is expected to have an MRI on his injured knee Tuesday.

After MRI, Molina's Season Up In Air But Wainwright Could Be Close To Return

 width=The Cardinals delivered two pieces of injury information Monday. One is pretty great news for the club while the other is at least somewhat bad news.

Ace starter Adam Wainwright, who was previously declared out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, has been cleared for baseball-related activities, the team announced.

Wainwright will soon throw a simulated game and could become part of the bullpen by the end of the regular season, Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told reporters.

But catcher Yadier Molina has a slight tear in a ligament in his left thumb. Later this week, he'll be re-evaluted, but the language the Cardinals are using says they are "optimistic he'll return this season." That also means he might not, since optimism isn't definitive.

Wainwright, 34, was 2-1 with a 1.44 ERA in his four starts before tearing his Achilles.

Molina, 33, is hitting .270/.310/.350 with four homers and 61 RBI this season. Obviously his work behind the plate means he's still a valuable piece, though. Cardinals pitchers have a 2.79 ERA with Molina behind the plate and a 3.70 mark with Tony Cruz catching.

Cards, Cubs Win; Sox Sweep Day/Night Double-Header

>>Cardinals Come Back Late, Top Reds

Key hits from rookies helped the St. Louis Cardinals get to the Reds bullpen before Cincinnati could get to Aroldis Chapman.

Trevor Rosenthal was ready for the ball.

 width=Stephen Piscotty doubled in the go-ahead run in a two-run eighth inning, a rally that began with Tommy Pham's leadoff triple, and Rosenthal earned his 47th save in 49 chances to match the franchise record in a 2-1 victory on Monday night.

Rosenthal tied the record held by Lee Smith (1991) and Jason Isringhausen (2004). Manager Mike Matheny said in July, Isringhausen told him to ''slow that kid down.''

Rookie Tommy Pham tripled off J.J. Hoover (8-2) to open the eighth and Jhonny Peralta's one-out single tied it ahead of Piscotty's drive off the wall in left-center. It was the seventh go-ahead RBI for Piscotty in 55 games with St. Louis.

Johnathon Broxton (3-5) allowed one hit the eighth for the Cardinals, who have a four-game NL Central lead over Pittsburgh. They're a major league-best 51-24 at home and have the best overall record, too, at 94-56.

Reds rookie starter John Lamb held St. Louis scoreless for the second time this month, striking out six and allowing five hits in six-plus innings. Brandon Phillips had three hits including a first-inning RBI single.

Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia allowed a run on five hits in seven innings. He lacked control in the first but survived with minimal damage after throwing two wild pitches, walking two and allowing two hits, then retired the side in order the next four innings - once with the help of a double play.

Joey Votto drew his 136th walk, in the sixth, breaking his own franchise record set in 2013. Votto also singled in the first and is 5 for 6 against Garcia with a homer, double and three walks.

Randal Grichuk's arm was exposed in the sixth when Eugenio Suarez took second on a routine single but was tagged out when he over-slid the bag. Todd Frazier attempted to exploit Grichuk when he tagged on a routine fly out in the seventh but the Cardinals had moved Piscotty to left and Frazier was out at second for the third out.

John Lackey (12-9, 2.79) has a 2.23 ERA since June 15, fifth-best in the majors, but he's 0-2 with a 3.33 ERA in four starts against Cincinnati. Rookie Keyvius Sampson (2-5, 7.09) has qualified for the decision just four times in his first nine career starts.

>>Cubs Outslug Brewers

The Chicago Cubs haven't played meaningful baseball in September for a while. But now that they are, confidence isn't at a shortage.

Anthony Rizzo had three hits and scored three runs, Jorge Soler hit a pinch-hit, 3-run homer and the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-5 on Monday night.

 width=The Cubs inched closer to a NL playoff berth as their magic number to clinch fell to four. Chicago, which last made the playoffs in 2008, entered Monday two games behind Pittsburgh for the first wild card berth and has now won six of seven, playing well when it matters.

Soler's first career pinch-hit home run broke the game open in the seventh inning after the Cubs snapped a 4-4 tie in the fifth with a pair of runs. Castro, who had two hits and two RBIs for Chicago, drove in a run with a sacrifice fly before Miguel Montero singled in Rizzo, who doubled.

Rizzo reached in all five of his at-bats after collecting two walks to go along with his three hits and extended his hitting streak to seven games.

Milwaukee's Adam Lind tied the game at 4 with a two-run homer in the fifth inning off Cubs starter Jason Hammel (9-6), who allowed three earned runs over his five innings. He scattered five hits while striking out six and walking one.

After falling behind 2-0, the Cubs responded with three runs in the second inning. Dexter Fowler followed up Castro's RBI double with a two-run double that ricocheted off the second base bag. Fowler was initially called out at second, which would have nullified the go-ahead run from scoring. But the ruling was reversed following a review, allowing the Cubs lead to stand.

Addison Russell's RBI walk in the third inning extended Chicago's lead to two runs. Milwaukee starter Wily Peralta (5-10) allowed four walks and gave six runs over 4 2-3 innings on eight hits. He also struck out two.

The Brewers, who got a home run from Khris Davis in the eighth, strung three singles together and took advantage of a Hammel throwing error in the first to build an early 2-0 lead. Hammel threw wide of first base while attempting to pick off Logan Schafer, which scored Scooter Gennett. Schafer, who also singled, scored on an RBI single by Domingo Santana.

Milwaukee has lost eight straight games to Chicago and eight of nine overall, running into a red-hot Cubs team.

Jake Arrieta (19-6, 1.96 ERA) will make his second attempt at becoming the major league's first 20-game winner and the Cubs' first pitcher to reach the mark since 2001 after taking a no-decision in his last outing on Sept. 16.

Tyler Cravy (0-7, 6.42 ERA) will make his sixth start of the season, pitching in Nelson's place. Cravy suffered his seventh loss of the year in a relief role on Sept. 19 against Cincinnati.

>>Samardzija, Johnson Terrific As Sox Sweep DH With Detroit

When Jeff Samardzija finally broke out of his slump, he dominated.

Samardzija pitched a one-hitter, allowing a leadoff single to Victor Martinez in the fifth inning, and led the Chicago White Sox over the Detroit Tigers 2-0 Monday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.

Martinez blooped an opposite-field hit over shortstop Alexei Ramirez and in front of left fielder Trayce Thompson on a 2-0 pitch, then was erased when Jefry Marte grounded into a one-out forceout.

 width=No other batter reached base against Samardzija (10-13), who struck out six in his second shutout this season and the third of his big league career. He threw just 88 pitches in a game that took 2 hour, 12 minutes.

Samardzija won at Detroit for the first time in four starts with the White Sox.

He also earned his first career win at Comerica Park in four tries since joining the White Sox.

In the makeup of a May 27 rainout, Adam Eaton singled in Carlos Sanchez in the third, and Sanchez homered in the sixth against Kyle Ryan (2-4).

Erik Johnson followed a one-hitter by Jeff Smardzija with six solid innings Monday night, leading the White Sox to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers for a doubleheader sweep.

Gordon Beckham homered, Jose Abreu had an RBI double and Avisail Garcia a sacrifice fly in the night cap of the split-doubleheader. All the runs came off Detroit's Randy Wolf (0-4).

Trayce Thompson led off the second inning with a triple for the White Sox and scored on Garcia's fly before Beckham hit his fifth homer of the season, into the right-field seats. Tyler Saladino tripled in the third and came home on Jose Abreu's RBI single.

Johnson (3-0) allowed a long ball to Alex Avila and a sacrifice fly to Ian kinsler. The Tigers loaded the bases in the fourth but Johnson worked out of the jam unscathed, holding the 3-2 lead.

Making his fourth start this season after spending most of it at Triple-A Charlotte, Johnson matched a career best with nine strikeouts. He allowed five hits and two walks.

The teams continue the four-game series Tuesday night when Chicago's Jose Quintana (9-10, 3.45) faces fellow left-hander Daniel Norris (2-2, 4.28).

Chris Sale likely won't start until Thursday at the New York Yankees. Manager Robin Ventura said the bullpen's workload Monday was a concern after he decided to move Sale's next scheduled start back a day.

Maroa-Forsyth Takes Maroons Invitational

 width=The Maroa-Forsyth boys golf program swept the day at the Maroons Golf Invitational.

With a team score of 162, good for first place by 24 strokes, combined with Dylan Flock shooting a day low of 35, the Trojans dominated the day with three other players in the top ten of individual scores.

Sophomore Chase Reynolds shot a 39 for the day, good for third. He followed Cole Babcock of Meridian, who shot a 38.

Cayden Brilley of Decatur St. Teresa and Dalton Cunningham of Maroa-Forsyth shot 41s on for the afternoon.

Zach Johnson and Justin Beckemeyer both shot 43s to round out the day's top scorers.

 width=Tri-Valley shot a 186, good for 2nd place, followed by LeRoy who shot a 190.

DeWitt County Circuit Judge Announces Election Bid

 width=Karle Koritz (right) has announced he will seek election in the 2016 primary as DeWitt County's Circuit Judge.

Koritz indicates he has been serving as an the appointed Judge in DeWitt County, however, his role changed recently as he has sat in for the Piatt County Circuit Judge over a conflict there.

[audio:9221515120-92315koritzreelection1.mp3] [/audio]

Koritz explains his role will entail hearing felony cases as well as taking care of the administrative duties of the office. He would be the only Circuit Judge in the County.

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The Circuit Judge can be a challenging position and one that requires a high quality individual. Koritz hopes the public will be able to see those qualities in his time in the position.

[audio:9221515125-92315koritzreelection3.mp3] [/audio]

Koritz also feels he is a good fit for the position because he is a native to Clinton. He says he grew up in the community and now he is raising his family here and knows the challenges facing the community.

DeWitt County Economic Development Leader Taking Different Approach at FPS

While tens-of-thousands of farmers and agriculture professionals went to Progress City in Decatur to check out the latest and greatest in agriculture, DeWitt County's economic development leader used the three days to seek out potential businesses in Clinton. According to Ruth Stauffer, Executive Director of the DeWitt County Development Council, she used the three day event to canvas for potential businesses that could potentially come to DeWitt County.

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Stauffer says given the agriculture hub central Illinois is, she felt it was a no-brainer to try and talk with agriculture businesses about coming to DeWitt County.

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Thanks to their efforts, Stauffer indicates they came away with quite a few prospects. She notes, sometimes it's not all about receiving a "yes" or "no" answer, a lot of times the networking is a good opportunity.

[audio:9211582220-91815fpsdevel3.mp3] [/audio]

Stuaffer says she came away very excited from the week in Decatur. She also is excited about what the future of agriculture holds. She hopes young people will get behind what is happening and take advantage of the opportunities.

CPD Officially Introduces K-9 Unit

 width=In an unveiling Friday afternoon, the Clinton Police Department unveiled their latest K-9 unit.

(Picture left to right: K-9 Officer Ryan Kemp with Charlie, Police Chief Ben Lowers, Bill Stormer with Exelon, DeWitt County State's Attorney Dan Markwell, Connie Smith and Marjorie Devore of Clinton Crime Stoppers.)

The black lab named Charlie will be assigned to Officer Ryan Kemp. Police Chief Ben Lowers indicates the K-9 position was unfortunately opened up after their previous dog tore his ACL.

[audio:9211582223-92115dogintro1.mp3] [/audio]

Exelon was represented at the Friday unveiling of Charlie and Chief Lowers indicates they were a lead supporter of helping fund the purchase and training of Charlie. He says Exelon was joined by many other community entities.

[audio:9211582225-92115dogintro2.mp3] [/audio]

For the Clinton Police Department purposes, Charlie is not an agressive dog. She will primarily be used in narcotics detection and for community outreach purposes.

[audio:9211582228-92115dogintro3.mp3] [/audio]

Exelon was represented Friday by Bill Stormer Friday, additionally, DeWitt County State's Attorney Dan Markwell and representatives from Clinton Area CrimeStoppers were all present at the gathering at the Clinton Police Station.

College Football Notes

 width=>>Big Shifts in College Football Top 25

The top 10 of the AP saw its biggest shakeup yet after previous No. 2 Alabama and previous No. 6 USC both suffered upset losses at home, making way for Ole Miss and LSU.

The Rebels were the poll's big riser after stunning the Tide, leaping 12 spots into a tie for No. 3 with TCU. Alabama slipped from No. 2 to No. 12, while the Trojans fell 15 spots to No. 19. The Cardinal reentered the poll after a one-week absence at No. 21.

At No. 1, Ohio State remained in the top spot but saw 17 more pollsters change their first-place votes away from the Buckeyes, giving Urban Meyer's team "only" 42 out of a possible 61. Seven of those went to new No. 2 Michigan State, with 11 first-place votes going to Ole Miss.

Michigan State leapfrogging TCU means the Buckeyes and Spartans give the Big Ten the top two spots in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2006, when Ohio State and Michigan famously played as undefeated No. 1 and No. 2 teams.

The only team to drop out of the poll this week was Auburn, heavy losers to LSU, who rose five spots to No. 8.

 width=>>Notre Dame Safety Tears ACL

Another Notre Dame player has suffered a season-ending injury.

Brian Kelly released a statement confirming sophomore safety Drue Tranquill will be out for the rest of the season after tearing his right ACL against Georgia Tech on Saturday. Tranquill tore his left ACL last November.

Tranquill was celebrating a pass break up in the end zone late in the second quarter against the Yellow Jackets when he came down awkwardly on his right knee and immediately collapsed.

This is the sixth season-ending injury to a Notre Dame player this season. Starters quarterback Malik Zaire, running back Tarean Folston, tight end Durham Smythe have all gone down in the first two games of the season, while defensive tackle Jarron Jones and defensive back Shaun Crawford suffered season-ending injuries in fall camp.

The safety position for the Irish now features the two starters, senior Elijah Shumate and junior Max Redfield, with Matthias Farley as the primary backup.

Notre Dame keeps getting wins, starting the season 3-0, but as injuries continue to pile up depth has to become a bit of a concern.

Jason Day Wins BMW Championship, Becomes No. 1 Player in World

 width=With his fourth win in six events, Jason Day took over the spot for the first time in his career. He's the 19th golfer to hold the spot and the third Australian (Greg Norman and Adam Scott).

Day rolled through the BMW Championship at Conway Farms with a six-stroke win over Daniel Berger. He cruised on the weekend after shooting 61-63 the first two days to tie the lowest 36-hole score in PGA Tour history.

It pretty easy on Sunday as Day shot his second-straight 69 with birdies on two of the last three holes to get the six-stroke win. It was the second wire-to-wire win on the season (Jordan Spieth did it at Augusta).

McIlroy finished third in the field in strokes gained tee to green and 48th in strokes gained putting. That's become a too-common theme for him over the last few months. Still, he moved up enough (to No. 11) that he's in a good position to take down the FedEx Cup if he plays well at East Lake next weekend.

Cards Avoid Sweep To Cubs But Yadi Hurt; Sox Fall To Indians

 width=>>Cardinals Beat Cubs But Molina Hurt

Addison Russell's fly ball in the eighth inning Sunday might be the most important play in baseball so far this year.

St. Louis star catcher Yadier Molina suffered a sprained left thumb on the play as the Cubs ran themselves out of late scoring chances and the Cardinals ended Chicago's five-game winning streak and avoided a sweep with a 4-3 win Sunday.

The Cardinals moved six games ahead of Chicago in the NL Central. The Pirates beat the Dodgers on Sunday to remain four games behind St. Louis.

Molina was injured tagging out Anthony Rizzo on Russell's sacrifice-fly attempt in the eighth. Right fielder Jason Heyward had the assist, throwing out Rizzo on the no-out, bases-loaded fly for a double play.

Molina said he'll have an MRI on the thumb Monday.

The Cubs ran into another out in the ninth. Starlin Castro led off with a single, but pinch-runner Quintin Berry was thrown out trying to steal second by Molina's replacement, Tony Cruz.

 width=Trevor Rosenthal then struck out Jorge Soler and got Kyle Schwarber to ground out for his 46th save in 48 chances.

Despite falling short in this one, the Cubs won four of their final six regular-season games against the Cardinals.

St. Louis became the first team to clinch a postseason berth - its fifth straight - on Saturday when San Francisco lost.

In the eighth, the Cubs loaded the bases on a single and two walks, then Cardinals reliever Jonathan Broxton walked in a run. Rosenthal entered and struck out Miguel Montero to end the threat.

Martinez retired 11 straight at one point and finished with six strikeouts. His only trouble came in the third, when he walked two then allowed a two-run single to Rizzo.

Lester (10-11) labored despite entering the game with a string of three solid starts in which he allowed four runs in 21 innings. He allowed four runs in six innings while striking out seven.

LHP Jaime Garcia (9-5, 2.52) faces Cincinnati LHP John Lamb as St. Louis opens a three-game series and its final homestand against the Reds. Garcia is 6-1 with a 3.02 ERA since Aug. 1.

RHP Jason Hammel (8-6, 3.73) takes the mound against Milwaukee RHP Wily Peralta (5-9, 4.41) as the Cubs continue their 10-game homestand. Although Hammel is 2-1 in his last five starts, he's allowed 16 runs in 26 innings for a 5.54 ERA during the span.

 width=>>Tribe Doubles Up White Sox

With two weeks left in the regular season, the Cleveland Indians still have a chance to make the playoffs. Just not a good chance.

The Indians (74-74) trail Houston by four games with 14 to play for the AL's second wild card following Sunday's 6-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Josh Tomlin pitched 5 2-3 scoreless innings, and Lonnie Chisenhall had a two-run homer and three RBIs.

While Cleveland (74-74) remained four games behind the Astros (79-71), they also trail the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota, who are both 76-73. The Indians have alternated wins and losses over their past eight games.

Cleveland completed a 6-4 homestand and opens a three-game series in Minnesota after a day off.

Tomlin (6-2) allowed four hits and matched a season high with eight strikeouts. He won a career-high five straight starts before allowing two runs in a complete-game loss to Kansas City on Tuesday.

Zach McAllister relieved after Alexei Ramirez's two-out double in the sixth and struck out Mike Olt. Cody Allen, the Indians' fifth pitcher, worked the ninth for his 31st save in 35 chances.

Chisenhall's homer highlighted a three-run second inning against John Danks (7-13), and he added an RBI single in the sixth. Rookie Francisco Lindor had an RBI single in the second and a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Danks gave up three runs and seven hits in five innings, falling to 5-14 against Cleveland. He is 1-5 in eight starts since beating the New York Yankees on Aug. 1.

Jose Abreu's two-run single in the seventh gave him 95 RBIs.

Yan Gomes singled with one out in the second and Chisenhall hit a 1-0 pitch to right, his first homer off a left-hander in 52 at-bats this season.

Chicago plays a day-night doubleheader in Detroit on Monday. RHP Jeff Samardzjia, who has one win since July 28, starts the opener. RHP Erik Johnson is scheduled to start the night game.

>>Brewers To Hire 30-Year Old GM

The Milwaukee Brewers are going to name 30-year-old David Stearns their new general manager, CBS Sports MLB insider Jon Heyman confirmed Sunday afternoon. Stearns, who had been the top assistant to Astros GM Jeff Luhnow, replaces Doug Melvin, who announced in August that he was stepping down after 13 seasons.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and Brian McTaggart of MLB.com had the story first.

Stearns is a 2007 Harvard graduate who appears to have an analytics background, but also gained hands-on experience in every aspect of helping to run a front office over the past three seasons as Luhnow's top aide.

He's going to be the youngest GM in the majors, but he's not the youngest in history. Jon Daniels was 28 when the Rangers named him GM in 2005. Theo Epstein also was 28 when he took over the Red Sox in 2002, but was several months older than Daniels when he became GM.

Packers Topple Seahawks; Bears Pounded; Rams Falter At Washington

>>Packers Top Seahawks

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers defense came up big in the fourth quarter of a 27-17 win in a bruising, physical rematch of last season's NFC title game with the Seattle Seahawks.

 width=The Packers blew a 16-0 lead against the Seahawks in the NFC title game in January. They held on after giving up 13-3 lead at halftime on Sunday.

And in the fourth quarter, with the Packers down 17-16, he orchestrated a 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive, capped by a 5-yard scoring pass to Richard Rodgers. A 2-point conversion pass, also to Richard Rodgers, made it 24-17 with 9:28 left.

On Seattle's next drive, Jayrone Elliott made a lunging, one-handed interception of a short pass from Wilson with 6:50 left, one of the rare mistakes in the second half for Seattle's dual-threat quarterback. The Packers (2-0) cashed in with one of Mason Crosby's four field goals on the night for a 10-point lead with 2 minutes remaining.

Russell Wilson was 19 of 30 for 206 yards, while running for 78 yards on 10 carries.

Rodgers finished 25 of 33 for 249 yards and connected with favorite target James Jones for a 29-yard touchdown pass on the game's opening series.

The Packers held Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch to 41 yards on 15 carries.

Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy left the game in the first quarter with a right ankle injury. Backup James Starks kept Packers running game going with 95 yards on 20 carries.

>>Cutler Exits Early, Arizona Pounds Bears

Carson Palmer threw for four touchdowns to lead the Cardinals to a 48-23 victory over the Chicago Bears, who lost Jay Cutler to a pulled hamstring Sunday.

 width=Palmer connected with Larry Fitzgerald for three of his TDs, giving the quarterback seven in two games after returning last week against New Orleans from a torn anterior cruciate ligament that cut short his season after just six games a year ago.

Palmer was 17 of 24 with 185 yards to improve to 15-2 in his last 17 starts. Fitzgerald had 112 yards, and with those three TDs, he matched a career high he set against Philadelphia in the conference final seven years ago.

David Johnson returned the opening kickoff a club-record 108 yards and added a rushing TD, becoming the first player in NFL history with a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown and kickoff-return touchdown in his first two games to begin a career.

Chris Johnson ran for 72 yards with Andre Ellington sidelined by a sprained right knee for the Cardinals (2-0). And, coach Bruce Arians gained a measure of revenge after the Bears hired Marc Trestman over him in January 2013.

Bears QB Jay Cutler walked to the locker room after he was stiff-armed trying to tackle Tony Jefferson on a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the first half.

That was the biggest development in a game that included several big plays and ended with Chicago (0-2) remaining winless under new coach John Fox. The seven touchdowns allowed tied the franchise record for the Bears, who had never given up 48 points in a home game. They also tied a club record with 170 penalty yards.

Cutler completed his first eight passes for 120 yards before getting picked off. He threw a 48-yard touchdown to Josh Bellamy.

Jimmy Clausen was 14 of 23 for 121 yards after Cutler went down.

 width=>>Redskins Best Rams

Matt Jones ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns, an efficient Kirk Cousins avoided turnovers, and the Redskins dominated for a half, then held on to beat the St. Louis Rams 24-10.

Cousins did not throw an interception - his pair of picks a week ago gave him 21 in 15 career games - and was sacked only twice. Jones and Alfred Morris had plenty of room to rumble: Washington outrushed St. Louis 182-67.

Cousins completed 23 for 27 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown.

Rams QB Nick Foles was 17 for 32 for 150 yards.

Illinois State Tops Eastern in O/T; Illini Pounded At North Carolina

 width=>>Illinois State Tops Eastern Illinois in Thrilling Rivalry Game

Sean Slattery connected on a 32-yard field goal in overtime, sending Illinois State to a 34-31 win over Eastern Illinois on Saturday night.

The Panthers got the ball first in overtime, but Devin Church lost a fumble on Eastern Illinois's second play. Church rushed for 109 yards and a score, adding four receptions for 34 yards.

Marshaun Coprich rushed for two touchdowns and 178 yards for Illinois State (2-1). Anthony Warrum had 96 receiving yards, and Michael Clements caught a 40-yard score.

Eastern Illinois (0-3) had a chance to win the game in regulation, with Nick Bruno attempting a 31-yarder from the left hash mark with 11 seconds remaining. It sailed wide right, and the Redbirds kneeled on it to send it to overtime.

Jalen Whitlow's 5-yard touchdown run tied the game at 31 with 1:48 remaining. Whitlow ran for 55 yards and completed 16 of 28 passes for 165 yards.

 width=>>North Carolina Crushes Illinois

Marquise Williams threw three touchdown passes and also ran for 105 yards to help North Carolina beat Illinois 48-14 on Saturday.

Williams led a big offensive performance for the Tar Heels (2-1), who had plenty to feel good about in a rout of a Power-Five nonconference opponent. The overhauled defense continued its improved play by surrendering just one touchdown through the first three quarters, Ryan Switzer had two big punt returns after a frustrating drought and kicker Nick Weiler hit two more field goals to stay perfect on the season.

It was the kind of solid across-the-board performance UNC coach Larry Fedora has been hoping to see, one that has eluded his team for four straight games dating to last season.

Josh Ferguson ran for 133 yards and a touchdown for the Fighting Illini (2-1), who had outscored their first two opponents 96-3 under interim coach Bill Cubit.

Clinton Police Weekend Report

CITATION 09/19/15
JAMES CHRISPEN 32, CLINTON NO VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. NOTICE TO APPEAR ISSUED

ON 09/19/15 CLINTON POLICE ARRESTED JONATHAN COLON 18, NORMAL FOR POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA. COLON WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

ON 09/19/15 CLINTON POLICE INVESTIGATED A HIT & RUN ACCIDENT AT CAIN & WEBSTER. A VEHICLE HAD STRUCK A STREET SIGN AND A WEBSTER APARTMENTS SIGN. THE VEHICLE HAD THEN LEFT THE SCENE. POLICE LOCATED THE VEHICLE AND ARRESTED WILLIAM M. WHEELER 25, CLINTON FOR RECKLESS DRIVING, DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, OPERATING UNINSURED MOTOR VEHICLE, FAILURE TO REDUCE SPEED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, FAILURE TO GIVE INFORMATION AFTER STRICKING UNATTENDED PROPERTY AND CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO STATE SUPPORTED PROPERTY. WHEELER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

 

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW

Week 4 Football Scores

Central Illinois Conference:

Meridian 0, Decatur St. Teresa 55

Tuscola 65, Shelbyville 24
Warrensburg-Latham 21, Sullivan-Okaw Valley 41

 

Okaw Valley:

Champaign St. Thomas More 13, St. Joseph-Ogden 44

 

Little Okaw Valley Northwest:

Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond 6, Niantic Sangamon Valley 40
Cerro Gordo-Bement 39, Decatur Lutheran 38

 

Little Okaw Valley Southeast:

Martinsville 6, Oakland Tri-County 38

Oblong 0, Toledo Cumberland 21

Villa Grove-Heritage 46, Palestine 0

 

Heart of Illinois:

Tri-Valley 40, Colfax Ridgeview 0

El Paso-Gridley 7, LeRoy 14

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 50, Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland 13

Heyworth 28, Fisher 6

 

Big Twelve:

Peoria Notre Dame 27, Champaign Centennial 12

Danville 41, Peoria 49

Peoria Manual 0, Normal Community 47

Peoria Richwoods 35, Bloomington 34

Urbana 0, Champaign Central 49

 

Central State Eight:

Decatur Eisenhower 47, Lincoln 6

Rochester 53, Chatham Glenwood 14

Springfield 30, Jacksonville 40

Springfield Lamphier 26, Springfield Southeast 12

Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 48, Decatur MacArthur 0

 

Corn Belt:

Bloomington Central Catholic 21, Stanford Olympia 6

Eureka 21, Normal U-High 0

Fairbury Prairie Central 45, Illinois Valley Central 21

 

Mid-Illini:

Limestone 21, Morton 12

Canton 3, Pekin 34

Dunlap 35, East Peoria 7

Metamora 0, Washington 35

 

Non-Conference:

Grayslake North 54, Normal West 59

 

Monticello Bests Unity

After threatening weather postponed Monticello's matchup with Unity Friday night, it was revealed the Sages would be without their starting QB coming back Saturday.

That didn't matter in the least Saturday afternoon as junior Caleb Hanson played brilliantly in place of starter Brandon Wildman, leading the Sages to a 27-20 victory over Okaw Valley rival, Tolono Unity.

 width=Wildman was injured on a run Friday night, awkwardly landing on his left shoulder. The play resulted in a 15 yard late hit penalty.

Wildman played the rest of the series and the next possession, but showed up Saturday with the arm in a sling.

Hanson, who was thrust into the reserve role, played like a seasoned veteran. The Jr completed 14 of 23 passes for 214 yards, ran for 34 yards and had three total touchdowns.

Jacob Burton had 3 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Noah Freemon hauled in seven catches for 90 yards and Tyus Welter had five receptions for 51 yards.

Following an injury late in the third, Hanson stayed on the field but the Sages pass game was not the same.

It didn't matter as Monticello used creative play calling to keep the stingy Unity defense honest.

"Caleb had big heart today" Monticello Coach Cully Welter said after the game. "We just ran a lot more run option stuff with Caleb. He had a hurt shoulder, but I knew he was a threat to run the ball so we picked our spots to throw downfield."

Isiah Florey had five carries for 51 yards. Matt Baker carried the ball 12 times for 49 yards.

Unity was led by tailback Chandler Cousins. Cousins carried 27 times for 120 yards and two scores.

Trailing 27-13 late in the game, QB Bobby Barnard came in and led the Rockets down the field for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 27-20 but Monticello barely recovered an onside recovery, and converted consecutive third downs into first downs and ran the clock out for their second straight victory over Unity.

In his only series, Barnard was 4 for 6 for 58 yards.

Monticello moves to 4-0 on the season and 1-0 in Okaw Valley Conference play.

The Sages play host to Okaw Valley rival St. Joseph Ogden next Friday night.

Hear all action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

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Could 2016 Be A Dry Year?

The record wet weather we saw this year from spring into midsummer may have been due to the strong El Nino, or warming of waters in the central pacific ocean.

The opposite of El Nino is La Nino, or cooling of those waters. While El Nino can bring wet conditions, the La Nino sometimes leads to drought conditions.
Doug Werling with Bower trading tell us that climatologists are expecting a flip to La Nino this winter.

[audio:9181585636-DougW1.mp3] [/audio]

As Werling points out, the odds still favor a normal growing season, but the odds of drought can be significantly increased under the influence of La Nino. Something farmers should be watching over the upcoming months.

Darin LaHood Begins Time in DC

On the eve of his swearing-in, new 18th District Congressman Darin LaHood says he's already hard at work in the nation’s capital.

LaHood says because the district was not represented for months after the March 17th resignation of Aaron Schock, he has a lot to do, and not a lot of time in which to do it.

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LaHood goes into detail on what he has to do in Washington.

[audio:9181585638-LaHood4.mp3] [/audio]

LaHood was officially sworn in Thursday afternoon.

Kobe Reported Cleared For Basketball Activities

It has not been a good couple of years for Kobe Bryant. At the end of an individually fantastic 2012-13 season, the Los Angeles Lakers star ruptured his Achilles' tendon. 

 width=

When he tried to come back from that injury, he was only able to play six games in the 2013-14 season before a fracture in his knee effectively ended his season. Then in the 2014-15 season, Bryant played in just 35 games before a torn rotator cuff and surgery to repair it ended his season.

As we head into possibly his final NBA season, it looks like Bryant will have a full bill of health. According to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report, Kobe has been "medically cleared for all basketball activities."

Kobe is entering his 20th season in the NBA, and if it is going to be his last season, the majority of basketball fans want to see him on the court as much as possible. He's only played in a quarter of games the last two seasons and another injury-plagued season just wouldn't be a fitting end to what has obviously been a historic, Hall of Fame career. Being fully cleared medically is a great sign for Bryant.

In his last healthy season (before he missed the final few games with a ruptured Achilles' tendon), Bryant averaged 27.3 points on 46.3 percent from the field. Over the last two seasons, he's averaged 21.1 points on 37.8 percent from the field.

Broncos Storm Back For Win In KC

Denver cornerback Bradley Roby returned Jamaal Charles' second fumble 21 yards for a touchdown with 27 seconds left, completing a stunning comeback in the closing minute for a 31-24 victory - the Broncos' seventh straight over their AFC West rivals.

 width=Peyton Manning threw for 256 yards and three scores, the last to Emmanuel Sanders with 36 seconds left as the Broncos (2-0) appeared to force overtime. But on the next play from scrimmage, with the Chiefs (1-1) also eyeing overtime, Charles was stripped by Brandon Marshall and the ball bounced right into Roby's hands.

The dramatic about-face came after Knile Davis gave Kansas City the lead with 2:27 left on an 8-yard run, raising hope among a sellout crowd that the Chiefs might finally end some curses.

Instead, Denver won its 13th straight division road game, breaking a tie with the San Francisco 49ers (1987-90) for most in NFL history. And for one night, Manning quieted his growing doubters by improving to 14-1 in his career against the Chiefs.

Charles finished with 125 yards rushing and a touchdown, but he will only remember his fumbles - one in the red zone early in the game, the other deep in his own territory late in the game.

Alex Smith threw for 191 yards for Kansas City, but also had two passes picked off.

Manning threw a pick-six of his own, but he responded when it mattered the most.

The Broncos took over at their own 20 after Davis had given Kansas City the lead, and the seven-time All-Pro marched them calmly down field. Manning found Demaryius Thomas for three long receptions to get deep into Chiefs territory, then hit Sanders with a strike over the middle on third-and-10 from the Chiefs 19 for the touchdown that kept Denver alive.

Jason Day Rolling At BMW Championship

Only the weather could stop Jason Day at the BMW Championship on Thursday.

 width=Day began his latest quest to reach No. 1 in the world by holing out from a fairway bunker for eagle and powering his way to nine birdies. The PGA champion was 10-under par through 17 holes when the first round at Conway Farms was halted because of approaching storms.

Day had just hammered a tee shot 346 yards with the wind at his back, leaving him 44 yards to the hole at No. 9. He needed to hole that shot for a 59, and he had to wait until Friday morning for that. The round was to resume at 7:30 a.m.

He was four shots ahead of PGA Tour rookie Daniel Berger, who had a 6-under 65.

Jordan Spieth had a hole-in-one and followed with a chip-in from 80 feet for birdie to get his game on track. He was at 5 under.

It was the best show of the PGA Tour's postseason, even for a Thursday that was interrupted by a dark and stormy sky north of Chicago. The group of Day, Spieth and Rickie Fowler - Nos. 1-2-3 in the FedEx Cup - attracted an enormous gallery and the players delivered one great shot after another.

Fowler, coming off his third win of the year at the TPC Boston two weeks ago, must have felt like a third-wheel at the end, though he produced four straight birdies on his front nine. When they made the turn, the hits kept coming.

Day's power was evident on the 600-yard eighth, into a strengthening wind. He hit his tee shot 305 yards, and then hit 3-wood high and into the wind just over a bunker to the collar of the green. His chip for eagle narrowly missed.

Blackhawks Kane Says He Will Be Absolved

The Chicago Blackhawks opened their training camp at the University of Notre Dame on Thursday afternoon with what can only be described as an uncomfortable press conference addressing the ongoing legal investigation around forward Patrick Kane.

 width=Kane is currently at the center of a police investigation amid allegations of a sexual assault in upstate New York during the summer. The case is expected to go before a grand jury in the coming weeks. After Blackhawks president John McDonough confirmed that Kane, despite his off-ice issues, will in fact participate in camp, the forward read the following prepared statement to the media.

"This has been an incredibly difficult time for many people. I cannot apologize enough for the distraction this has caused my family, my teammates, this incredible organization and of course our fans. While I have too much respect for the legal process to comment on an ongoing matter, I am confident that once the facts come to light, I will be absolved of having done nothing wrong."

Following that statement, Kane answered any non-hockey question by simply saying he appreciated the question, but would be unable to answer it given the ongoing legal process. He even gave the same answer when asked, no matter how this ends up playing out, if he will give up drinking. Given the current situation, as well as Kane's inability to answer anything that didn't relate to hockey -- and hockey is obviously a very distant secondary matter when it comes to Kane at this point -- it made his presence at the press conference all the more confusing and awkward.

Cubs, Cards Win; Sox Lose

>>Cubs Blast Pirates

Anthony Rizzo started a six-run fifth inning with his 30th homer, and the Chicago Cubs rallied for a 9-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday to take three of four games between NL playoff contenders.

 width=The Cubs moved within two games of the wild card leaders. Should the teams end up tied at the end of the regular season, Chicago would have home-field advantage, having won the season series with 10 wins in 16 games.

Pittsburgh trails St. Louis by 4 1/2 games in the NL Central. The Cardinals play a night game against the Brewers at Milwaukee.

The Cubs turned a 4-3 deficit into a 9-4 lead with the fifth-inning outburst that included a two-run double by reliever Clayton Richard (4-2) and RBI singles by Addison Russell and Tommy La Stella.

The Cubs' Kris Bryant had his second straight three-hit games. La Stella and Russell drove in two runs each and were two of four Chicago players with two hits along with Rizzo and Dexter Fowler.

Richard allowed two runs in 3 1-3 innings in relief of starter Kyle Hendricks, who gave up four runs on three home runs in three innings. Travis Wood struck out five in two perfect innings for his second save.

Charlie Morton (9-8) lost for the fourth time in five starts as he was rocked for six runs - five earned - and nine hits in four-plus innings.

Gregory Polanco and Pedro Alvarez both homered while finishing with two hits and two RBIs for the Pirates. Travis Snider also went deep while Neil Walker and Jordy Mercer had two hits each.

Polanco hit an RBI single in the seventh and scored on Walker's double to pull the Pirates to 9-6.

The Pirates went ahead 4-3 in the third inning when Polanco led off with his ninth home run and Alvarez hit a two-run shot, his 24th.

The Cubs built 3-0 lead as a first-inning run came home on a double play grounder then Russell and La Stella had RBI doubles in the second.

Snider hit a solo homer in the second, his fourth of the season and first since the Pirates re-signed him last month after he was released by the Baltimore Orioles.

RF Jorge Soler was activated from the 15-day disabled list after being out since Aug. 24 with a strained left oblique.

Mercer replaced INF Jung Ho Kang in the top of the first inning when the rookie sustained a knee injury as Chris Coughlan slid into him while unsuccessfully attempting to break up a double play.

The Cubs are at home and open a three-game series and 10-game homestand Friday against St. Louis as RHP Dan Haren (9-9, 3.87 ERA) start against Cardinals RHP Lance Lynn (11-10, 3.17).

>>Cardinals Double Up Brewers

Startled at the sight of his line drive hitting Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson in the head, Tommy Pham felt himself freeze for a moment.

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Pham wound up with a double when the ball ricocheted off the back of Nelson's head and down the left field line, a scary sight in the St. Louis Cardinals' 6-3 win over Milwaukee on Thursday night.

Prone face down on the mound for about a minute, Nelson later walked off the field and was hospitalized overnight for observation. A CT scan showed a contusion, and Pham was relieved it wasn't a more severe injury.

John Lackey pitched seven shutout innings as the NL Central leaders completed a three-game sweep. The Cardinals extended their winning streak to four and now lead Pittsburgh by five games in the division race.

Pham tripled, doubled and singled, driving in two runs and scoring twice as St. Louis sent the Brewers to their sixth loss in a row.

Pham's liner struck Nelson in the third inning. Pham got prompted by first base coach Chris Maloney to keep running.

Lackey (12-9) scattered five hits and two walks while striking out eight. He has a 2.23 ERA in his last 17 starts dating to June 15.

Matt Carpenter got three hits, including a home run. He singled to open the game and scored when Pham followed with a triple.

Carpenter doubled and scored in the third and hit his 23rd homer into the second level of the right-field bleachers in the sixth.

Jean Segura hit a three-run homer with two outs in the Milwaukee ninth off Mitch Harris.

St. Louis plays a day game to open a three-game series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Lance Lynn (11-10) will start and is 0-2 with a 9.72 ERA in his last two starts, giving up nine earned runs in just 8 1-3 innings.

>>A's Double Up White Sox

Billy Butler's ninth-inning drive cleared the right-field wall and Avisail Garcia's glove - barely.

Butler's three-run homer off David Robertson lifted the Oakland Athletics over the Chicago White Sox 4-2 Thursday. At first, Butler was not sure he had a hit.

Chicago led 2-1 but Robertson (6-4) blew a save for the seventh time in 36 chances. Brett Lawrie doubled, Danny Valencia singled, and Butler hit his 13th homer.

Garcia jumped at the wall and appeared to snag Butler's drive, but the ball fell out of his glove and into Oakland's bullpen as Garcia hit the fence.

Sean Doolittle (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth. Rookie Sean Nolin allowed two runs and five hits in five innings in his third start since being recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Sept. 4.

White Sox starter Jose Quintana pitched crisp four-hit ball through seven innings and Mike Olt homered for the second straight day.

Quintana allowed one run, struck out six and walked one. In his last 20 innings, the left-hander has allowed two earned runs and 15 hits, while fanning 16.

Ace lefty Chris Sale (12-9, 3.55 ERA) will try to rebound against Indians RHP Cody Anderson (4-3, 3.68 ERA) on Friday night in the opener of a three-game set at Cleveland. Sale gave up six runs and nine hits in three innings against Minnesota last Sunday, his shortest outing this season.

>>Pirates Lose INF Kang For Season

In Thursday afternoon's loss to the Cubs (CHC 9, PIT 6), the Pirates lost infielder Jung Ho Kang to a knee injury when Chris Coghlan slid into him on a take-out slide at second base. Kang remained on the ground for several minutes before being helped off the field.

The Pirates initially announced it as a knee injury but have not given any further details. Kang released a statement Thursday evening acknowledging a "serious" injury, and he absolved Coghlan of any blame.

The Pirates have since confirmed Kang had surgery Thursday night for a "displaced lateral tibial plateau fracture and lateral meniscal repair." His estimated timetable for a return is 6-8 months. Devastating.

Clinton, Monticello Return to Gridiron in Week 4

After a disappointing effort at home in week 3, the Clinton Maroons look to bounce back tonight at Central A & M.

The Maroons were pounded 52-7 last Friday at the hands of the Shelbyville Rams. Following the loss, the Maroons are 2-1 on the season. Tonight's Central Illinois Conference matchup can be heard on the The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM WHOW and online at dewittdailynews.com.

The Monticello Sages are coming off a dominating victory of overmatched Oakland Tri-County in week 3 action 50-0. The Sages enter play tonight 3-0 and put that undefeated record up against top 10 ranked and Okaw Valley rival Tolono Unity. Both teams are in the top-10 of the latest Class 3A state rankings.

Hear all the action tonight on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Elsewhere in the Central Illinois Conference:

Meridian at Decatur St. Teresa
Tuscola at Shelbyville
Warrensburg-Latham at Sullivan-Okaw Valley

Okaw Valley Action tonight...

Champaign St. Thomas More at St. Joseph-Ogden
Maroa-Forsyth at Rantoul

Little Okaw Valley Northwest

Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond at Niantic Sangamon Valley
Cerro Gordo-Bement at Decatur Lutheran

Little Okaw Valley Southeast

Martinsville at Oakland Tri-County
Oblong at Toledo Cumberland
Villa Grove-Heritage at Palestine

Heart of Illinois

Tri-Valley vs. Colfax Ridgeview at Farmer City
El Paso-Gridley at LeRoy
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley at Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland
Heyworth at Fisher

Big Twelve

Champaign Centennial vs. Peoria Notre Dame at Richwoods
Danville vs. Peoria at Peoria Stadium
Peoria Manual at Normal Community
Peoria Richwoods at Bloomington
Urbana at Champaign Central

Central State Eight

Decatur Eisenhower at Lincoln
Rochester at Chatham Glenwood
Springfield at Jacksonville
Springfield Lanphier at Springfield Southeast (Sat.)
Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at Decatur MacArthur

Corn Belt

Bloomington Central Catholic at Stanford Olympia
Eureka at Normal U-High
Fairbury Prairie Central at Illinois Valley Central
Mahomet-Seymour at Pontiac

Mid-Illini

Limestone at Morton
Canton at Pekin
Dunlap at East Peoria
Metamora at Washington

Non-Conference action tonight...

Grayslake North at Normal West

Clinton JFL Holding Saturday Fundraiser

With the Junior Football League 2015 season over half way through the season, the public is invited to attend a regular season home game this Saturday, September 19th, admission is free and the 1st of 4 games kicks off at 1:00 PM with the 4th graders at the Clinton High School's Sprague Field.

The first game will play host to the Meridian Hawks, while games 2, 3, and 4 will play host to Shelbyville.

Addtionally at the Saturday games, fans can support the local JFL program by purchasing a Meal Deal at the football field with local meat from Toohill Seed and Beef.

CHS Golf Finishes Third at El Paso

The Clinton High School boys golf team finished third among three teams at Thursday's meet at El Paso.

The host of the day's match, El Paso, finished first with a team score of 163 and Kevin Green was the day's medalist, with a score of 38.

Chase Reynolds paced Clinton with a score of 42 on the Par 35 course.

Wesley Conn shot a 52 and Jake Torbert shot a 55.

Clinton hosts their Maroons Invitation Monday.

RECAP: Clinton Maroons Defeat Central A&M

As heard Friday night on 1520AM / 92.3FM WHOW, the Clinton Maroons picked up their first Central Illinois Conference win of the season on the road against Central A&M, 45-42.

In a game that saw a little bit of everything, including an hour long lightning delay, Clinton was able to score just enough to hold on for the win.  The Maroons were paced by Stephan York Country Financial Player of the Game, Alec Cooley, who ran the ball 36 times for 244 yards and a touchdown.  Junior quarterback Noah Griffin overcame two first half interceptions to finish the night 11 of 15 passing for 161 yards and 3 TDs.  Griffin also ran 8 times for 55 yards and 2 scores.

The Maroons receiving core was led by Logan Winter's 4 catches for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Tanner White also had a 41 yard touchdown catch, and threw an 11 yard score.  Dalton Whitted had 3 receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown.  He also had two key fumble recoveries.

Despite giving up 42 points to the Raiders, the Maroons defense had three key 4th down stops in the game, including a 4th and goal from the one yard line, and a 4th and goal from the 6 yard line.

Central A&M was led by sophomore quarterback Jameson Smith, who finished the night 18 of 26 passing for 257 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception.  The Raiders also had tailback Austin Black run 20 times for 117 yards and a score.

The win moves the Maroons to 3-1 on the season, and 1-1 in the Central Illinois Conference.  A&M falls to 1-3 on the season, and 0-2 in conference.  

Clinton plays next Friday night on the road at St. Teresa.  Hear the game on 92.3FM WHOW and online at DeWittDailyNews.com.

Monticello-Bration Highlights Downtown Businesses

Monticello Main Street is looking forward to another year of fun on the downtown square.

Kerry Redshaw is Director of Monticello Main Street and indicates they are hoping this year's Monticellobration will be as successful as in year's past. She indicates their theme highlights the golden era of the railroad and Redfield indicates it coincides nicely with what is going on at the Railway Museum.

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New to the event this year, Redshaw indicates they've added a car show to their lineup. She explains it's something that festival goers will see first thing when they arrive and hopes the cars lined up lead to the downtown area.

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Redshaw indicates they hope to set the mood of the day with the music on the main stage. She explains they have a couple local acts that Monticello and central Illinois residents might be familiar with.

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The Monticellobration runs all day Saturday and part of Sunday with various events early in the day.

For all information visit monticellomainstreet.org.

Knicks Porzingis Says He's Not Shawn Bradley

 width=New York Knicks president Phil Jackson compared rookie big man Kristaps Porzingis to Shawn Bradley recently, and it's hard to imagine another executive doing anything like that. Knicks fans booed the pick when it was made, and Porzingis is a 20-year-old project.

Jackson has been known to try to deliver messages to his players and opponents through the media. He also seems to be past the point of censoring himself, especially when it comes to his ESPN series with Charley Rosen. Porzingis could be correct that it was a challenge, but it's indisputably hilarious that he had to say, "I'm not Shawn Bradley, you know?"

Porzingis doesn't want to be known as a mysterious European or just a skinny big guy.

Story Courtesy of CBSSports.com

Bears Sign DE Lavar Edwards

 width=The Chicago Bears have signed defensive end Lavar Edwards.

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Edwards appeared in 11 games over two seasons with Tennessee (2013) and Dallas (2014), recording 10 tackles and one pass break-up. He was a fifth-round draft pick by the Titans out of LSU in 2013.

The Bears announced the move Wednesday.

Blackhawks' Kane on Camp Roster Amid Police Investigation

 width=The Chicago Blackhawks have put Patrick Kane on their training camp roster as the star awaits the results of a sexual-assault investigation in his hometown of Buffalo, New York.

The Blackhawks released the roster Wednesday. Training camp begins Sept. 18 on the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, Indiana.

Kane is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s last month at his offseason home, a person familiar with the investigation has told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because police have not revealed details of the case.

Kane has not been charged. The former No. 1 pick has helped Chicago win three Stanley Cup championships in the last six years, including this past season.

Sox, Cubs, Cards All Win

 width=>>White Sox Slug A's

Mike Olt homered and Melky Cabrera had a two-run double as part of a six-run fourth inning to help Chicago beat the Oakland Athletics 9-4 on Wednesday night.

Chicago's scoring burst in the fourth came a night after the White Sox allowed 10 runs in the fourth inning during an 11-run loss.

In this game, the White Sox hit three home runs to help Erik Johnson (2-0) to his second straight win. He gave up three runs and six hits over six innings.

Chicago sent 11 hitters to the plate in the fourth to extend their lead to 9-1. Olt's two-run homer and Cabrera's two-run double came after Jose Abreu - who hit his 29th home run in the third inning - drew a bases-loaded walk off reliever Pat Venditte.

Oakland starter Cody Martin (2-5), called up from Triple-A after Jesse Chavez was placed on the 60-day disabled list with a broken rib, gave up six runs and six hits in three-plus innings.

Martin gave up three homers, walked three and struck out two less than two days after getting the call that he was joining the Athletics.

OF Trayce Thompson (hyperextended left elbow) missed his second straight game after leaving Monday night's game with the injury. Thompson was initially in the White Sox lineup for Wednesday's game, but was later scratched.

LHP Sean Nolin (1-1, 3.09 ERA) will make his third start coming off his first major league victory when he allowed only one run in 5 2/3 innings on Sept. 12 against Texas.

LHP Jose Quintana (9-10, 3.53 ERA) has won his last two starts after recording only one win in August.

 width=>>Cardinals Edge Out Brewers

Tommy Pham homered twice and tripled, Matt Carpenter added a solo shot and Jaime Garcia went 6 1-3 innings to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night.

The Cardinals increased their lead in the NL Central to four games over the Pirates, who lost 3-2 to the Chicago Cubs.

Pham's two-run shots came in the second and the fourth off Milwaukee starter Wily Peralta (5-9). It was the rookie's third and fourth home runs of the season and first multi-homer effort in 43 career games over this season and last. He was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on August 17 when Randal Grichuk went on the disabled list with a right elbow strain.

His first home run came on a 3-1 pitch he deposited over the wall in center. His second blast was on a 3-2 count that ended up on the short porch near dead center.

Carpenter led off the third with his 22nd home run and 74th RBI of the season, both team highs.

Garcia (9-5) won for the third time in his last four starts and improved to 6-1 in nine starts since Aug. 1, helping the Cardinals go 8-1 over that span.

Garcia's only trouble came in the fourth when the Brewers pushed across four runs, highlighted by Martin Maldonado's three-run homer.

Garcia allowed eight hits, struck out four, walked one in 6 1-3 innings as the Cardinals won their third straight after a 2-8 skid.

Jonathan Broxton retired the side in order in the eighth. Trevor Rosenthal struck out the side in the ninth for his 45th save, matching his career high set in 2014.

Peralta hadn't allowed a home run in four starts since Aug. 19 against the Miami Marlins, but Pham and Carpenter ended that quickly.

John Lackey (11-9, 2.89 ERA) makes his team-leading 30th start and fourth against the Brewers this season. He is 2-0 with a 2.70 over that span.

Jimmy Nelson (11-12, 3.95 ERA) makes his team-leading 30th start and third against the Cardinals this season. He is 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA in the two prior starts. Overall, he is 0-4 with an 8.72 ERA in five career games, including four starts, facing St. Louis.

>>Arrieta Strong in Cubs Win But Can't Pick Up 20th Win

Jake Arrieta's streak of winning starts ended Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.

Pinch-runner Quintin Berry raced home on Anthony Rizzo's sacrifice fly in the top of the 12th inning, and the Cubs slipped by the Pirates 3-2.

Arrieta's bid to become the first 20-game winner in the majors went along smoothly before he wavered in the eighth as Pittsburgh rallied to tie it. Arrieta allowed two runs, one earned, and six hits but received a no-decision after winning eight consecutive starts since Aug. 4.

Not that he cared much after the Cubs drew within three games of the Pirates for the top spot in the NL wild-card race despite an errant throw to first in the sixth that gifted Pittsburgh a run and a jam in the eighth he couldn't quite escape unscathed as the Pirates pulled even.

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Chris Denorfia singled off Vance Worley (4-6) to start the 12th and was replaced by Berry, who advanced to second on a wild pitch and third on Austin Jackson's single. Starling Marte tracked down Rizzo's sinking liner to left field but had no shot at Berry.

Kris Bryant had three hits for Chicago. Hector Rondon (6-4) worked two innings in a game that served as a potential preview of what awaits the two clubs in October.

Neil Walker and Marte had two hits apiece for Pittsburgh, which fell four games behind first-place St. Louis in the NL Central.

Rizzo singled in the sixth and scored on a double by Bryant. The rookie slugger made it 2-0 when he raced home from third on a sacrifice bunt back to the mound by Starlin Castro, who reached safely when reliever Jared Hughes threw wide of first for an error.

Burnett gave up two runs and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings. He walked one and struck out seven to give him 2,495 strikeouts in his 17-year career.

Pittsburgh scored in the sixth when Arrieta threw wide of first on a comebacker by Marte and tied it in the eighth after Maddon decided to keep Arrieta in even with the bases loaded and his pitch count at 116.

Gregory Polanco grounded to second, but rather than go to second for the forceout, Castro hesitated and went to first instead, giving pinch-runner Sean Rodriguez time to cross the plate safely before a double play was completed with several throws.

Kyle Hendricks (7-6, 4.08 ERA) starts the series finale. He is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in three career starts against the Pirates.

Charlie Morton will try to win 10 games for the second time in his career when he makes his 21st start of the season Thursday. Morton (9-7, 4.02) is 6-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 10 games at PNC Park this year.

UPDATED: House Fire In Clinton

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Business Highway 51 was shut down mid-day Thursday due to a house fire on the south side of Clinton.

Stone Drive was the site of the fire where a family of three escaped harm. Open flames were visible upon arrival. According to assistant Fire Chief Jason Karr, there was heavy fire on the north side of the house.

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There are no reported injuries. Karr indicates the residents were not home at the time the fire happened and the home is likely a total loss.

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Multiple fire departments were on scene including Argenta-Oreana, Maroa, Hickory Point, Kenney and Wapella. It took crews approximately an hour to get things under control.

Power has been turned off at the scene by Ameren and Red Cross is on scene to assist the victims.

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Monticello Couple Being Charged Over Missing Money

 width=A Monticello couple is being charged with theft after money turned up missing from the school's Parent Teacher Organization.

Superintendent of Monticello Schools, Dr. Vic Zimmerman indicates money was report missing and as a result, and arrest has been made in the case. The PTO has made changes to their financial procedures among other changes.

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Charges were filed in Piatt County Wednesday against Haley VanVleet and Seth VanVleet, both 33, both of Monticello. Each was charged with one count of theft between $500 and $10,000.

Haley VanVleet had been treasurer of the PTO since August 2014.

Each year, the PTO hosts "Sages Strut Fundraiser". This year's event is September 25. According to a press release by the school, all checks for the event have been received and deposited.

Illinois Lifts Ban On Out of State Birds At Fairs, Shows

State agriculture and health officials say birds from other states once again may participate in Illinois shows, fairs and exhibitions.

Out-of-state birds were banned starting on June 5 because of concerns over an avian flu that showed up in several states.

Officials say no bird flu cases were detected in Illinois during the outbreak, and none have been reported in the U.S. since June 17.

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Philip Nelson says the state will work closely with federal agricultural officials and other state agencies to monitor for the disease. They'll also continue educating commercial and backyard producers about measures to prevent an outbreak.

The highly virulent avian influenza was discovered in the U.S. in December. Over 48 million birds have either died or were euthanized due to the virus.

Pet Owners To Hear Trial of Woman Charged With Killing Dog

A jury composed of current and former pet owners will hear the trial of a Champaign woman accused of placing her former boyfriend's puppy in a hot oven, killing it.

According to reports, the six jurors and two alternates chosen Tuesday in the trial of 24-year-old Kinny Redmon all said they could remain impartial.

Redmon has pleaded not guilty to animal torture and aggravated cruelty to animals.

Urbana police have said the former boyfriend found the 3-month-old pit bull dead inside the 300-degree oven on June 4 after Redmon called him telling him he'd find the dog there. The two had been fighting.

Assistant Public Defender Stephanie Corum tried to limit prosecutors' use of the word puppy to avoid playing on jurors' emotions. A judge denied the request.

Western Illinois To Add Graduate Degree in Statistics

Western Illinois University next spring will offer a new master of science graduate program in applied statistics and decision analytics.

The Macomb, Illinois-based school announced Tuesday that the Illinois Board of Higher Education has approved the program.

The degree program requires 36 semester hours. It is designed to provide students with a foundation of statistical analysis and modeling which are commonly used in education, science, technology, health care, government, business or social science research.

University officials say the program is intended for graduates of programs in quantitative and biological sciences, mathematics, sociology, psychology, business, computer sciences and physics.

Working professionals could also benefit from the program.

Western also offers a post-graduate certificate in business analytics and a master of arts in economics.

Superintendent Proposes Outside Consulting For Upcoming Planning

 width=As the Clinton School Board of Education and their new leader prepare to enter the strategic planning process, the Superintendent proposed Tuesday night using outside help to evaluate themselves.

Superintendent Curt Nettles (Pictured left with Board President John Blythe) approached the Board of Education about seeking out the Regional Office of Education (ROE) or the State Board of Education to provide an evaluation of the Board as a whole. He explains it might be worth while given new members to the Board.

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One of those new Board members is Ron Connor, who also served as Principal in the District for over 20 years and has been through a similar process. He says he is very much in favor of the evaluation through one of the two divisions of oversight.

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Former Board of Education President Buck Carter too has been through the process several times and commends the idea. He feels the it is very worth while as a long time board of education member and it would be beneficial for the new members.

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Former Board President Rod Wertz also spoke in favor of the idea and gave no preference to which organization came in to help.

Nettles indicated he would be putting together a plan of action and gather cost information for the Board to make a decision in the near future as he desires to begin the planning process very soon.

Spieth, Day Favorites To Win FedEx Cup Tournament

 width=Jordan Spieth and Jason Day are the huge favorites. And they should be. Those two are Nos. 1 and 2 in the FedEx Cup standings right now and both have played very well at East Lake which is where the Tour Championship is held.

Additionally, both will almost certainly be inside the top five going into that final event which means all they have to do is win it to claim the $10 million.

NHL Makes Deal With Adidas Official

 width=The NHL announced Tuesday that it has entered into a seven-year partnership with Adidas will become the authentic outfitter of on-ice uniforms for the NHL and supplier of licensed apparel and headwear. The deal will kick in beginning in the 2017-18 season.

Adidas will also be the official outfitter of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

When reports surfaced that the NHL would be signing on with Adidas, there were a lot of questions. The jersey has become such a part of the tradition of the game. The two biggest concerns were regarding if this opened the door to ads on jerseys and how, if at all, it would change the aesthetic look of the league's iconic uniforms.

In a lengthy teleconference with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL COO John Collins, NHLPA director Donald Fehr and Adidas North American president Mark King, some of those questions were answered – kind of. Hockey fans may have been put to ease at least a little bit by what was said.

Golden State Hires Former PG Nash As Development Consultant

 width=The Golden State Warriors are coming off their first championship in 40 years and looking to defend it with a full squad throughout the organization. They traded away David Lee this summer and lost assistant coach Alvin Gentry, who is now the head coach in New Orleans. But other than that, everybody is coming back for the title defense in the 2015-16 season.

A big part of that title defense will be making sure the skills are sharp and the team keeps trying to improve, rather than getting complacent with their success. They're bringing in one of the hardest workers of the past 15 years and one of the most skilled players in NBA history by reportedly hiring Steve Nash as a part-time player development consultant.

Nash has a history with Steve Kerr, who was his general manager in Phoenix from 2007 to 2010. Kerr was tasked with bringing the hopeful title contenders over that hurdle they couldn't seem to clear against teams like San Antonio and Dallas each season. Kerr still had the team built around Nash, who was a two-time MVP, but tried to make it a bit more traditional with a trade for Shaquille O'Neal.

It didn't work out for the Suns, but they still had quite a bit of success. Nash eventually moved on to play for the Lakers in 2012, and Kerr went back to the announcing table before taking over as coach for the Warriors last season. Nash will now work with helping players hone their skills, but probably doesn't have to do much with reigning MVP Stephen Curry, who Nash is a pretty big fan of watching.

NCAA Football Notes

>>Texas Fires Athletic Director

Texas president Gregory Fenves has fired athletic director Steve Patterson, according to the Austin-American Statesman and the Associated Press.

Citing a source, the Statesman's Kirk Bohls noted that a lack of support from the Texas coaches was the "final straw" for Patterson at Texas. Fenves met with reporters Tuesday night, saying he "accepted the resignation" of Patterson. Former Texas linebacker Mike Perrin will take over as interim athletic director until the school hires Patterson's successor.

 width=Fenves said per the Statesmen- quote - "I felt the that the risks of not accepting his resignation at this time and try to have him stay outweighed the benefits. There was no one thing that led to his decision to resign or my decision to accept that resignation."

Fenves will put off his search for a permanent AD.

Patterson hired both football coach Charlie Strong and basketball coach Shaka Smart during his brief 22-month tenure at Texas, but his ouster comes after several months of reported displeasure from inside the athletic department and within the Longhorns fan base.

For starters, Patterson's efforts to cut the athletic department budget resulted in fewer luxuries for athletes and new costs for alumni. A scathing Horns Digest piece from the summer opened the story of Patterson charging 158 members of the school's Class of 1964 -- back on campus for their 50-year reunion -- $25 apiece just to stand on the field at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

Texas also increased ticket prices for football by an average of 21.5 percent, with 59 percent of seats seeing a price increase between 25-50 percent, and doubled ticket cost for faculty and school staff.

 width=>>Michigan Coach Harbaugh Open To Renewal of Rivalry With Notre Dame

To know how important Michigan tradition is to Jim Harbaugh, you don't have to look any farther than his hat, which uses the same "M" logo worn by his old Wolverines coach and Michigan legend Bo Schembecler.

So it's no surprise that when asked about the possibility of renewing the Wolverines' traditional rivalry with Notre Dame, Harbaugh indicated Tuesday that he'd be "open" to playing the Irish again.

Harbaugh discussed the possibility on the Big Ten coaches' teleconference, per MLive.com, saying quote-"I'd probably have a conversation with coach [Brian] Kelly about that before anyone else, that'd be the best course of action. But I would be open to it, yes."

Harbaugh's comments come fresh on the heels of Kelly saying that the potential for a renewal between the two sides is "trending up."

On the Rich Eisen Show, Kelly said qoute - "I think that's something that everybody wants to get going and get Michigan back on the schedule. I think that sentiment is coming back to the forefront of where college football needs to be and some of those classic rivalries coming back together. I know we're going to be working hard to see if we can get that done."

"I think we're going to see it happen."

>> width=

Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. has been battling an undisclosed finger injury that he suffered in the Ducks' opener against Eastern Washington. Oregon has not offered any official specifics on the injury, but according to CSN Northwest, Adams is dealing a broken right index finger. However, it is not expected to keep him out of action.

The injury is likely to bother Adams for weeks, but he will continue to play through the pain as he did against Michigan State in a three-point loss on Saturday night.

Adams was not particularly sharp, completing 22 of 39 passes for 309 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The broken index finger on his right hand -- which he had in a splint after the game -- makes it difficult to get enough grip pressure on the ball, and some people wonder if that caused him problems with accuracy.

Adams and offensive coordinator Scott Frost won't use the injury as an excuse for his performance in East Lansing and insist Adams will be fine.

Frost said after the game that backup Jeff Lockie would be prepared just in case Adams could not finish. With Georgia State on the schedule this week, we'll see if the Ducks take any extra precautions with Adams in a game Oregon should win with ease.

Rams' RB Gurley Could Be Back Vs Redskins

 width=>Rams Not Ruling RB Gurley Out Vs Redskins

Fresh off an overtime win over the Seahawks, the St. Louis Rams' stock continues to rise. After sitting out Week 1, rookie running back Todd Gurley, who is coming off an ACL tear, is not being ruled out for Sunday's game against the Redskins.

And that's coming from coach Jeff Fisher.

When the Rams used the 10th-overall pick to select Gurley, they knew there was a chance he wouldn't be completely healed from the ACL injury that occurred last November. About a week prior to the beginning of the season, Fisher announced that Gurley wouldn't play in the season opener. A few days later, Gurley mentioned that it might be wise to wait a few more weeks before making his debut.

Now, Gurley is saying that he's close to returning.

On Sunday, the Rams relied on Benny Cunningham to run the football. He got the bulk of the carries (16), but only picked up 45 yards.

>>Giants DE Pierre-Paul Missing Parts of Middle Finger, Thumb

After Jason Pierre-Paul's Fourth of July fireworks accident, which resulted in the amputation of his index finger, Giants co-owner John Mara said that he didn't know how many fingers Pierre-Paul actually has.

Pierre-Paul finally reported to the Giants last week and underwent a physical. And now, it appears the Giants know how many fingers are on Pierre-Paul's hand.

According to ESPN, Pierre-Paul is missing more than just his index finger. He's also missing a portion of his thumb.

After taking his physical with the team last week, Pierre-Paul didn't sign his franchise tender. Pierre-Paul reportedly returned to Florida to get himself into playing shape until he's ready to make his return to the field. But according to an earlier ESPN report, some members of the Giants organization fear that Pierre-Paul could miss the entire season.

This latest report only adds fuel to that fear.

Last season, Pierre-Paul recorded 12.5 sacks. He has 42 sacks in his career. On Sunday, in a last-second loss to the Cowboys, the Giants defense hit Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo just once.

Cubs Pirates Split DH; Cards Win; Sox Routed

 width=>>Cubs, Pirates Split Double-Header

Pedro Florimon scored on Starling Marte's sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, and the Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 5-4 in the first game of a day-night doubleheader Tuesday to inch closer to first-place St. Louis in the NL Central.

Tied 4-4, Florimon entered as a pinch runner after Pedro Alvarez worked a leadoff walk against Justin Grimm (3-5). Florimon stole second and sprinted to third when the throw from catcher Jesus Montero rolled into center field.

Marte, playing for the first time since injuring his shoulder last Thursday, hit a sharp liner to left. Florimon flew Superman-style across home plate to easily beat Austin Jackson's throw as the Pirates momentarily moved five games ahead of the Cubs for the top NL wild-card spot and within two of the Cardinals.

Tony Watson (4-1) pitched a scoreless eighth. Mark Melancon worked a perfect ninth for his major league-leading 46th save, tying the club record Mike Williams set in 2002.

Travis Snider drove in two runs for the Pirates. Andrew McCutchen had two hits, and Neil Walker provided an RBI double as Pittsburgh improved to 32-15 in one-run games, including 21-5 at PNC Park.

Montero had two hits for the Cubs, who took advantage of two wild pitches from Joakim Soria to rally from a 4-1 deficit.

Pittsburgh starter Gerrit Cole gave up four runs, three earned, in 6 1-3 innings in his return after the Pirates skipped his last turn in hopes of giving their 25-year-old ace a breather before the stretch run. Cole struck out eight without issuing a walk and settled down after surrendering an unearned run in the first. He retired 11 straight at one point before the Cubs took advantage of a couple breaks to get back in it in the seventh.

The mistakes bailed out Chicago starter Jason Hammel, who didn't make it out of the fourth for the fourth time since July 8. He allowed four runs in 3 2-3 innings. Snider hit a two-run single in the first, and Walker added a two-run double in the fourth that sent Hammel off in favor of reliever Trevor Cahill.

In game two of the day-night double header, Jon Lester limited the Pirates to five hits in a 2-1 win that earned Chicago a needed split if it wants to have any shot at catching the Pirates for the top spot in the NL wild-card chase.

Lester (10-10) walked one and struck out nine while picking up his 12th career complete game. David Ross and Javier Baez had two hits each for the Cubs.

JA Happ (9-8) had his five-game winning streak end. Happ pitched in and out of trouble, allowing two runs on eight hits in 5 2-3 innings. Aramis Ramirez had two hits but Pittsburgh's rejiggered lineup mustered little.

The Pirates' best chance came in the seventh. Ramirez led off with a single and moved to third on single by Francisco Cervelli. Morse worked the count to 3-1 before hitting a sharp grounder to Chicago shortstop Addison Russell, who turned a double play. Lester then hit Sean Rodriguez to put the tying run on first. With the crowd chanting his name, Lester struck out pinch-hitter Jung Ho Kang with catcher David Ross pumping his fist in celebration.

Lester retired the final seven batters he faced, needing only six pitches to navigate the heart of Pittsburgh's order in the ninth.

Chicago took the lead in the top of the first on a run-scoring single by Anthony Rizzo. Dexter Fowler made it 2-0 with an RBI double in the fifth. The Cubs had a chance to break it open, loading the bases before Happ struck out Starlin Castro to avoid further damage. He exited with runners in scoring position and two outs in the sixth. Arquimedes Caminero came on to get out of the jam, but Lester already had all the support he needed.

Jake Arrieta goes for his major league-leading 20th win on Wednesday. Arrieta is 8-0 with a 0.46 ERA in his last eight starts and is 13-1 with a 1.00 ERA since June 21.

Burnett (8-5, 3.14 ERA) makes his second start since returning from the disabled list with a strained right elbow. The 38-year-old, in the final season of his career, pitched five innings in a no decision against Milwaukee last Thursday.

 width=>>Cardinals Get By Brewers in 13 Innings

Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.

Heyward had two doubles to finish with three or more extra-base hits for the first time since Sept. 26, 2013, with Atlanta. The right fielder is batting .478 (11 for 23) with five RBIs in his last six games.

Carlos Martinez matched a season high by going eight innings. He struck out nine and gave up one earned run and four hits, as the team improved to 16-4 in his last 20 starts.

Kevin Siegrist (7-1) pitched the ninth and Trevor Rosenthal the 10th for his 44th save.

Milwaukee's Ariel Pena made the second start of his career and allowed one earned run and four hits in five-plus innings.

Pena allowed a leadoff double to Heyward in the sixth and he scored on a single by Jhonny Peralta, as St. Louis tied the score 1-1.

Khris Davis' solo homer to deep center field gave Milwaukee a 1-0 lead in the fifth and it came after Martinez retired 10 straight.

In the sixth, Martinez got out of a bases-loaded jam when Lind hit into an inning-ending double play.

Matt Carpenter led off the 10th and reached on an error on by first baseman Adam Lind. With one out, Heyward connected off Tyler Thornburg (0-2) for his 12th homer.

St. Louis has won consecutive games following a 2-8 skid and increased its lead in the NL Central to three games over second-place Pittsburgh.

Milwaukee lost its fourth straight game and has just 10 victories in its last 36 home games against St. Louis.

Jaime Garcia (8-5) gets the ball tonight in Milwaukee, he is 5-1 with a 2.68 ERA since Aug. 1.

The Brewers will turn to right-hander Wily Peralta (5-8) who is 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA against St. Louis this season.

 width=>>Sox Crushed By A's

Josh Reddick homered and drove in four runs during a 10-run fourth inning to power the Oakland Athletics to a 17-6 rout of the Chicago White Sox.

Reddick had a two-run homer and a two-run single in the big inning. The 17 runs were the most by the A's since they scored 18 on Sept. 11, 2013, against the Minnesota Twins.

Billy Butler had three hits and three runs batted in, and Eric Sogard and Jake Smolinski each had a pair of RBIs as the Athletics snapped a six-game losing streak against Chicago.

Aaron Brooks (2-3) allowed six runs on 10 hits in six-plus innings for the win. Brooks had been 0-3 with a 14.14 ERA in his last five games in the majors with an opponents' batting average of .439 before Tuesday.

Melky Cabrera had a homer and three RBIs and Alexei Ramirez had a solo homer for the White Sox.

Jeff Samardzija (9-13) was roughed up for 10 runs and 11 hits in three-plus innings. The right-hander has dropped eight of nine starts since the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31.

Oakland took a 6-2 edge into the fourth inning. Samardzija faced four batters in the inning and failed to record an out. Marcus Semien led off with a single and Reddick followed with a two-run shot to make it 8-2. Mark Canha started a new rally with a single and scored on a double by Butler for a 9-2 margin.

That was it for Samardzija, but the A's were far from finished. Daniel Webb walked the first two batters he faced to load the bases. After Sogard popped out in foul territory for the first out, Smolinski followed with a high-bouncing grounder to third base. Mike Olt bobbled it for an error, allowing Smolinski to reach and then picked up another error when he threw wide of first base. Butler scored on the grounder and the throwing error allowed Max Muncy to score to make it 11-2.

Sam Fuld followed with a run-scoring. Semien walked and Reddick added a two-run single to make it 14-2. Canha then chased Webb with an RBI single.

The 10th and final run of the inning scored on a fielder's choice by Muncy. Oakland sent 15 batters to the plate in the inning.

Position players Leury Garcia and Ramirez each pitched a scoreless inning of relief for Chicago.

Samardzija, who was the subject of multiple trade rumors earlier this summer, is 1-8 9.24 ERA since the trading deadline.

RHP Cody Martin (2-4, 6.57 ERA) will be activated before Wednesday's game to take the place of Jesse Chavez. This will be Martin's second start in the majors this season.

Erik Johnson (1-0, 3.27 ERA) gets another chance to showcase his talents with an eye toward 2016. This will be Johnson's third start of the month after spending much of the season in Triple-A.

Clinton Police Chief Discusses Railway Safety Week

 width=Anyone familiar with the history of Clinton, Illinois knows this community was founded thanks to the expansive rail system that ran through the community at one time.

Picture right: rail work on Center Street from 2012.

According to Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers, because of that, this week's "Rail Safety Week" initiative holds great importance for local residents. He says the week is designed to bring awareness for motorists and pedestrians when they encounter the rail systems that run through every community.

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According to the Chief, there are laws that accompany the railroads in Illinois as it relates to both motorists and pedestrians. He says it will be those laws they are especially focused on this week in hopes of raising awareness.

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Given the statistics from last year involving train or railway incidents, accidents and even fatalities, Chief Lowers says it simply a matter of safety when adhering to the laws surrounding railroads.

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Chief Lowers indicates any time there is an accident that involves trains or the railway system, it is likely a significant and severe case.

House Members At Odds Over Budget Solution

Both sides want a budget solution, but how to get there is still not clear. Illinois News Network has more:

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The Governor vetoed a one month spending bill Thursday and said a recently passed Senate measure to fund human services is the same bad budgeting policies Democrats have shown in the past.

Illinois Schools Superintendent Warns Of Tests

Illinois schools Superintendent Tony Smith is warning school districts to be prepared for dismal statewide test scores.

In a letter to school administrators, Smith describes the first PARCC results as "simply a new baseline from which we can move forward. He added he didn't want anyone to use the results to "shame teachers or schools."

The Illinois State Board of Education is scheduled on Wednesday to release what Smith called "initial, and still incomplete" test results.

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers tests math and English language arts literacy. It replaced the ISAT tests for grade school students and the Prairie State Achievement Examination for 11th-graders.

In 2013 and 2014, more than 40 percent of students statewide in those grades flunked the old exams.

Provost at Minnesota School Named Illinois Wesleyan President

The provost of a university in Minnesota has been named the new president of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.

The school announced Monday that Hamline University provost Eric Jensen would take the job, replacing Dick Wilson who is retiring next month. Jensen was selected after a nationwide search. Hamline is a private school in St. Paul, Minnesota, with about 4,900 students. He also worked at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, for 30 years.

While at Hamline, Jensen's responsibilities also included oversight of student affairs and creating the university budget with the school's chief financial officer.

Sen. Durbin Wants Stability in Highway Funding

Senator Dick Durbin returns to Washington today and one of the biggest blips on his radar screen will be a federal highway bill.

Speaking at a Springfield road project, Durbin told the media that current highway funding resembles tv's end of season cliffhangers.

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Durbin says many of the stalled road projects in Illinois can't be blamed on state government's budget stalemate.

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Durbin has worked with the likes of Republican Mitch McConnell to help the push toward more concrete highway funding. He hopes for movement from the US House within the next two weeks.

With LaHood in Congress, State Must Fill His Senate Seat

The state has a new Congressman, last week Darin LaHood was elected in the 18th Congressional District.

That leaves his State Senate seat vacant. The 37th State Senate District takes in all or parts of 11 counties. LaHood says it’s a clear process to fill his old seat.

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After all the applications are in the County Chairmen will make a weighted vote to select a candidate. LaHood adds that whoever is selected they will need to be ready to run for reelection quickly, his old seat up next year.

Despite Off Week, McIlroy Takes Back No. 1 World Ranking

 width=Neither Rory McIlroy nor Jordan Spieth played a golf tournament over the weekend, and yet McIlroy took the No. 1 spot in the world back from Spieth.

Even more befuddling, there wasn't even a PGA Tour event as the tour had the week off before the final two events of the season over the next two weeks.

Don't expect any of this to change any time soon, either. Right now, the two are closer in points than any 1-2 combination in the history of the world rankings. McIlroy has 11.9826 points. Spieth has 11.9596.

San Francisco Runs All Over Minnesota on MNF

Carlos Hyde wanted to outplay the better-known No. 28 on the field, Adrian Peterson. He did that and more, and Jim Tomsula's San Francisco 49ers produced a victory in his debut as head coach minus the interim status he had for the final game of 2010.

 width=Hyde carried the offense with 168 yards on the ground and touchdown runs of 17 and 10 yards in his first career start, spinning away from a defender and diving into the end zone untouched on a rare nice play in a first half full of ugly ones to lead the Niners past the Minnesota Vikings 20-3 on Monday night.

Peterson ran 10 times for 31 yards playing his first game in more than a year following paid leave and then a suspension last year in the fallout from a child-abuse case against him in Texas.

Colin Kaepernick threw for 165 yards and second-year back Hyde ran 26 times to easily best his top rookie performance of 55 yards in his final game last year.

A sloppy first half featured a pair of botched field goals, Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater running into his own teammate that led to a 10-yard sack, an 85-yard punt return touchdown called back on penalty, and a fumbled punt - by the former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne on his first NFL touch.

The 27-year-old rookie lost the fumble on a punt return in the first quarter when he misjudged the ball and had to dive forward to try to field it. He made a 1-yard run in the second quarter and caught a 7-yard pass. He was forced into running back duties as the only active backup after Reggie Bush was lost to a left calf injury with about 6 1/2 minutes left in the first quarter.

49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman had one of five sacks against Bridgewater and also seven tackles in his first game in 20 months following a left knee injury sustained during the NFC championship game loss at Seattle in January 2014 that required surgery.

NL, AL Player of the Week

 width=>>Mets' OF Cespedes NL Player of the Week

Yoenis Cespedes of the New York Mets has been named National League Player of the Week for the week of September 7th-13th.

In seven games last week, Cespedes led the Majors with 12 RBI and 26 total bases, while tying for the Major League lead with four home runs. The 29-year-old posted an NL-best .897 slugging percentage and was tied for third among NL hitters with 10 hits. Cespedes hit .345 (10-for-29) for the week, helping the NL East-leading Mets to a perfect 7-0 record.

Cespedes' career-high 102 RBI are currently fourth-most in the Majors this season. He is the first Cuban-born player to post back-to-back 100-RBI seasons since Rafael Palmeiro (Havana, Cuba) accomplished the feat in 2002-03.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Milwaukee's Ryan Braun (.393, 5 R, 11 H, 4 RBI, .433 OBP); Corey Seager (.474, 6 R, 9 H, HR, 4 RBI, .789 SLG) and Zack Greinke (2-0, 1.93 ERA, 13 SO, 14.0 IP) of the Los Angeles Dodgers; Atlanta's Andrelton Simmons (.429, 12 H, 4 RBI, .414 OBP); Colorado's John Axford (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 SV, 8 SO, 4.0 IP); Cincinnati's Anthony DeSclafani (2- 0, 1.35 ERA, 16 SO, 13.1 IP); Cespedes' Mets teammate Jeurys Familia (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 7 SO, 5.0 IP); and Miami's A.J. Ramos (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 6 SO, 4.1 IP).

 width=>>Red Sox Ortiz Named AL PLayer of the Week

David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox has been named American League Player of the Week for the week of September 7th-13th.

Ortiz, who clubbed his 500th career home run on Saturday, led the Majors with a 1.111 slugging percentage last week, while pacing the AL with 20 total bases in five outings.

"Big Papi" also ranked among league leaders in hitting (2nd, .444), on-base percentage (2nd, .545), and RBI (2nd, 9), and was tied for second among AL hitters with three home runs.

The veteran slugger hit his 499th and 500th career homers in Saturday's 10-4 victory at Tampa Bay, becoming the 27th player in Major League history to reach the 500 home run plateau.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Ortiz' Boston teammate Mookie Betts (.429, 6 R, 12 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .679 SLG, .467 OBP); Kansas City's Mike Moustakas (.292, 2 HR, 11 RBI, .542 SLG); Toronto's Ben Revere (.407, 7 R, 11 H, 4 RBI, 3 SB, .467 OBP); Colby Lewis (1-0, 0.00 ERA, CG, SHO, 4 SO, 9.0 IP) of the Texas Rangers; and Masahiro Tanaka (1-0, 0.60 ERA, 17 SO, 15.0 IP) of the New York Yankees.

Sox Beat A's

>>ChiSox Outlast Oakland

Melky Cabrera drove in Geovany Soto with two outs in the 14th inning to give the White Sox an 8-7 win Monday night over the Oakland Athletics.

Cabrera singled off Arnold Leon (0-2) to end the season's longest game for both teams, one that lasted 5 hours, 9 minutes.

 width=Dan Jennings (2-3) pitched two scoreless innings in relief for Chicago, which squandered a 7-3 lead in the ninth when David Robertson allowed four runs.

The Athletics loaded the bases on a Brett Lawrie double, Danny Valencia reaching after he swung through a Robertson wild pitch for strike three, then Josh Reddick getting to first on a catcher's interference by Tyler Flowers wiping out a potential game-ending double play.

Robertson walked Coco Crisp to bring in a run, and after striking out Jake Smolinski for the second out, allowed Sam Fuld's two-run single and then threw a passed ball when he crossed up Flowers to bring in Crisp to even the game.

Jose Abreu and Trayce Thompson hit two-run homers off Sonny Gray in the third.

John Danks went seven innings and allowed three runs and three hits. He only surrendered solo homers to Smolinski in the third, Lawrie in the fourth and Reddick in the seventh.

Gray was charged with a season-high seven runs while allowing eight hits, four walks and the two homers in three-plus innings in his shortest start of the year. His recent problems with the home run continued, after Gray entered Monday having allowed six in his previous six starts.

White Sox rookie LHP Carlos Rodon is expected to make his next start sometime this weekend in Cleveland. Rodon's most recent start was last Tuesday against the Indians as Chicago uses a six-man rotation.

Rodon is 7-6 with a 3.94 ERA in 125 2-3 innings. He also threw 10 at Triple-A Charlotte before joining Chicago.

As for whether LHP Chris Sale could be limited down the stretch, Ventura said a decision will be made ''by how he feels.'' At 250 strikeouts, Sale is unlikely to reach the 300 milestone this year but getting there wouldn't be a motivation to keep him throwing.

Oakland RHP Aaron Brooks (1-3, 7.62) faces Chicago RHP Jeff Samardzija (9-12, 4.89) on Tuesday. Samardzija was dealt by Oakland to the White Sox over the offseason for a package of prospects led by INF Marcus Semien and Bassitt.

 width=>>Mets Continue Hot Streak With Another Come From Behind Win

David Wright had a go-ahead double in the seventh inning, Yoenis Cespedes homered again and the Mets won their eighth straight, 4-3 over the Miami Marlins on Monday night.

The Mets lead in the NL East remained at 9 1/2 games with 18 to left play, as Washington beat Philadelphia 8-7.

With two outs and runners on first and second, Wright hit a fastball from reliever Kyle Barraclough (2-1) to the deepest part of the park, well over the head of scrambling center fielder Christian Yelich, for a ground-rule double - scoring pinch-runner Eric Young Jr. and giving the Mets a 4-3 lead.

Travis d'Arnaud also homered for New York. Cespedes connected for the ninth time in 13 games.

Hansel Robles (4-2) pitched a scoreless seventh for the win. Jeurys Familia was perfect in the ninth for his 41st save in 46 opportunities.

Local Non-Profit Up For RK Dixon's Annual Contest

Another DeWitt County non-profit is up for RK Dixon's annual contest, Make My Non-Profit Run Better.

According Joey Woolridge with the DeWitt County Museum, they are very excited to be a part of this annual contest. She says currently, they have advanced from the first round of voting and had to make a video, which is being voted on right now.

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Larry Buss points to their need for an upgraded printer in the office. He explains it would improve the efficiency in their office in a variety of ways.

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The grand prize for the contest is a $15-thousand office makeover, however, Buss and Woolridge both say they haven't thought about what they would do with that. Buss says, not matter what they do, it would go to better accommodate their events and visitors.

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To view the CH Moore Homestead's video or to vote for them, check out www.mmnprb.com. Voting can be done once per day per device. Buss and Woolridge encourages everyone to vote as much as possible

You can also check out the CH Moore Homestead's Facebook page to find the video they made and for a link to the voting page.

Maroa-Forsyth HS Enrollment Up

The 2015-16 school year is in full swing and one local district is looking at an unusual spike in enrollment.

Thanks to a larger than normal freshman class, Mike Williams, Superintendent of Maroa-Forsyth schools indicates they have a spike in their high school enrollment. He says that combined with a large sophomore class, that is providing some unique challenges in their staffing.

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Despite the spike in enrollment combined with the challenges of funding from the State of Illinois, Williams remains confident in their teachers abilities.

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Williams says the staff turnover this year was not any more than in years past. He notes they were fortunate to have a few part time staffers that were able to find full time employment, and he wishes them well.

Ageless Apple and Pork Festival Thriving Into 2015

One of the biggest festivals in central Illinois is just a few weeks away and organizers are chomping at the bit for the big weekend to arrive.

September 26-27 is Clinton's annual Apple and Pork Festival. Entering it's 48th year, the annual festival brings out "old fashioned" ideas in an age of boundless technology and a non-stop society. Joey Woolridge, with the Festival's benefactor, the CH Moore Homestead, believes it's the touches of tradition that make the festival unique.

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The historic CH Moore Mansion continues to be a big draw for Apple and Pork goers through the years. Woolridge indicates at last year's festival, exactly 1,000 people made their way through the Mansion.

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One area of the festival has seen a slight decline in the last several years, and that is the flea market. According to Larry Buss, organizer of the Apple and Pork Festival, the flea market has seen a decline in the number of vendors because of a couple of factors, but he believes most of it is due to the increase in online shopping.

[audio:9141575823-91415tradition3.mp3] [/audio]

What most attendees come to the Apple and Pork Festival for is the food. According to Buss and Woolridge, DeWitt County non-profits all operate the booths on the Homestead grounds and a small portion of their funds raised come back to the Homestead, then the rest stay with the non-profit groups.

[audio:9141575825-91415tradition4.mp3] [/audio]

Again, this year's festival is the final weekend of September. September 26-27 are the dates.

For more information, visit the Apple and Pork Facebook page.

NBA Great Moses Malone Dies at Age 60

Hall of Fame center Moses Malone died on Sunday morning. He was 60 years old.

 width=Malone was found in bed on Sunday, per Howard Eskin of Fox 29 Philadelphia. He died in his sleep in Norfolk, Va., former Houston Rockets teammate and close friend Calvin Murphy told Fox 26 Houston's Mark Berman. The two of them were going to play in a golf tournament.

Malone was MVP of the NBA three times and won Finals MVP when the Philadelphia 76ers swept the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA title in 1983. He was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players in 1996, and he averaged 20.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game in the NBA. He was an NBA All-Star 12 years in a row.

A truly dominant force, Malone is eighth all-time on the NBA's scoring list with 27,409 total points. He's also fifth all-time on the rebounding list, with 16,212 boards. He's one of four players in NBA history -- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Elvin Hayes are the others -- to finish with 25,000 points and 15,000 rebounds.

Malone also has the distinction of being the first player to go from high school to the pros -- he played his first game for the ABA's Utah Stars at the age of 19. He played all the way until he was 39 years old.

Blackhawks Notes

>>Blackhawks Deal Versteeg To Hurricanes

The Chicago Blackhawks' summer of trading continued on Friday afternoon when they sent forwards Kris Versteeg and Joakim Nordstrom to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Dennis Robertson, Jake Massie and a 2017 fifth-round draft pick.

 width=For Chicago, the deal is pretty much a straight salary dump and sheds Versteeg's salary cap hit for the 2015-16 season, something that needed to be done not only for the team to get some additional room under the $71.4 million limit, but also so it can re-sign restricted free agent Marcus Kruger.

The Blackhawks owed Versteeg $2.2 million this season.

Versteeg appeared in 61 games for the Blackhawks this past season, scoring 14 goals to go with 20 assists for the Stanley Cup champions. He appeared in just 12 playoff games, scoring one goal and one assist.

Also member of the Blackhawks' 2009-10 championship team, Versteeg was traded after that championship under similar circumstances as the team dealt with a different salary cap crunch. He was reacquired by the team during the 2013-14 season from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Jimmy Hayes and defenseman Dylan Olsen. As part of that trade, the Panthers paid half of Versteeg's remaining salary and are still on the hook for $2.2 million against the salary cap this season.

Versteeg and Nordstrom are the latest members of the most recent Cup-winning team to leave this offseason, joining a list that includes Brandon Saad, Patrick Sharp, Johnny Oduya, Brad Richards, Antoine Vermette, Antti Raanta and Kimmo Timonen. It is a significant turnover for a team that just won its third championship in six seasons, but it has also helped them rebuild their depth with the additions of players like Artem Anisimov, Marko Dano, Trevor Daley and Ryan Garbutt.

In exchange for Versteeg, the Blackhawks receive Robertson and Massie, a duo that has combined for zero NHL games. Robertson, a 24-year-old defenseman, spent the 2014-15 season playing for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League, scoring three goals to go with 14 assists in 57 games in what was his first full year of pro hockey. Before that he spent four years playing college hockey at Brown University.

Massie was the Hurricanes' sixth-round pick, No. 156 overall, in the 2015 draft.

The other player in the deal, Nordstrom, appeared in 38 games for the Blackhawks this past season, recording only three assists.

>>Blackhawks Agree To Terms With Kruger

Just a couple of hours after trading veteran forward Kris Versteeg to the Carolina Hurricanes in an effort to create additional salary cap space, the Chicago Blackhawks had another roster move to announce.

That is when the team re-signed restricted free agent forward Marcus Kruger to a one-year contract that will bring him back into the mix for the 2015-16 season. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately released, however Bob McKenzie of TSN reported it will come with a $1.5 million cap hit.

In 81 games in 2014-15 Kruger scored seven goals for the Blackhawks to go with 10 assists while also playing a significant role on the team's penalty killing unit. He's never going to be a big-time point producer in the NHL but he fills a valuable spot in the team's bottom-six and gives them quality minutes and depth where a lot of other teams tend to fall short. He also recorded four points (two goals, two assists) in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup champions.

Cards Win; Cubs, Sox Lose

 width=>>Sliding Cards Pick Up Finale Win in Cincinnati

Tommy Pham made the most of a rare start, giving his St. Louis Cardinals a needed boost.

Pham hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning, pinch-hitter Matt Adams added a two-run drive in a five-run eighth and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied to beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-2 Sunday and avoid getting swept in the four-game series.

The Cardinals, on their worst stretch this season, had lost eight of 10 going into the series finale, and their division lead over Pittsburgh was down to 2 1/2 games. St. Louis then fell behind 2-0 on Todd Frazier's second-inning homer and Tucker Barnhart's fourth-inning sacrifice fly.

Those were the only runs the Reds would score against Michael Wacha (16-5), who allowed three hits and four walks in six innings.

Outscored 20-3 in the first three games, the Cardinals tied the score in the fifth against Raisel Iglesias on Kolten Wong's run-scoring infield single and Matt Carpenter's RBI single.

Sam LeCure (0-1) walked Greg Garcia and Pham homered on a 2-2 pitch for a 4-2 lead, his second home run of the season and first since July 5.

St. Louis broke open the game in the eighth against Carlos Contreras, when Barnhart's passed ball allowed Wong to come home from third, and Jason Heyward hit an RBI double and scored on Yadier Molina's single.

The Reds bullpen allowed seven runs, snapping a 14 2-3 a stretch of consecutive scoreless innings.

Adams, was activated from the disabled list on Wednesday after missing 91 games with a right quadriceps injury, homered for the first time since May 20.

Jason Heyward, who watched Adam Duvall's go-ahead, two-run homer bounce off the top of the wall in Saturday's completion of a suspended game, made a leaping catch in right to rob Ivan De Jesus Jr. of what would have been a go-ahead home run in the fifth.

St. Louis C Yadier Molina threw out Billy Hamilton trying to steal second base in the seventh inning on Sunday. Hamilton had been 10-for-10 in his career against the All-Star and Gold Glove winner, the longest active streak by any player. The stretch included two in this series that included two throwing errors on Molina.

After an off day, RHP Carlos Martinez (13-7) starts against the Brewers in Milwaukee.

 width=>>Howard Homers Sends Phillies Past Cubs

Ryan Howard homered and drove in three runs to help the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Chicago Cubs 7-4 Sunday.

Chris Coghlan hit a homer and two triples for the Cubs, who lost two straight to the team with the worst record in the majors. Chicago still has a comfortable lead over San Francisco for the second NL wild-card spot.

Aaron Altherr scored the go-ahead run in the seventh on a wild pitch by Clayton Richard (3-2) with two outs. Altherr hit a triple to left-center and scored one out later when Richard's fastball bounced in front of the plate and skipped to the backstop.

Freddy Galvis hit a two-run double in the eighth to make it 7-4.

Dalier Hinojosa (1-0) gave up one unearned run in one inning to earn his first major league win. Jerome Williams tossed a perfect eighth and Ken Giles finished for his 13th straight save.

>>Twins Rock Sale, Sox

Torii Hunter battled with White Sox starter Chris Sale, fouling off five pitches before hitting a three-run home run in the first inning. He later added an RBI single as the Twins beat the Sox 7-0.

 width=

Kyle Gibson won for the third time in four starts against Chicago as Minnesota beat Sale, who had another bad start against the Twins.

Gibson (10-10) gave up five hits in 7 2-3 innings, struck out seven and walked one, and Casey Fien and Michael Tonkin followed with hitless relief.

Sale (12-9) lasted three innings and dropped to 1-4 with a 7.36 ERA in six starts against the Twins this year. He allowed six runs and nine hits and struck out three, raising his AL-leading total to 250.

Hunter homered in a four-run first for the Twins after Aaron Hicks singled on Sale's first pitch and scored on Miguel Sano's single.

Minnesota made it 6-0 in the third with four straight singles, getting RBIs from Hunter and Eddie Rosario. Joe Mauer added a run-scoring single in the sixth against Frankie Montas.

Hunter's home run was his 19th this year and the 350th of his career.

RF Avisail Garcia and C Rob Brantly are day to day. Garcia left Saturday's game after two innings due to back spasms. Brantly has a nagging knee issue, manager Robin Ventura said.

Chicago's John Danks (7-12, 4.60) is scheduled to start Monday night against Oakland and Sonny Gray (13-7, 2.28). Danks is 7-3 against Oakland.

Packers Beat Bears in Opener; Rams Stun Seahawks; Colts Lose

>>Green Bay Uses Late Turnover To Get Past Bears in Opener

Aaron Rodgers saw James Jones go up for a one-handed touchdown catch and experienced a few flashbacks.

Like they had stepped back in time.

Rodgers threw for three touchdowns, two to Jones, and the Green Bay Packers beat Chicago 31-23 to spoil John Fox's debut as Bears coach Sunday afternoon.

 width=The Packers got all they could handle from the rebuilding Bears but took control down the stretch to beat them for the 10th time in 11 games, including the postseason.

Rodgers improved to 13-3 lifetime against Chicago. The 2014 MVP completed 18 of 23 passes for 189 yards.

Jones, who spent seven seasons in Green Bay before signing with Oakland last year, caught four passes for 51 yards. That included a one-handed grab on a 13-yard score late in the first quarter that left Rodgers flashing back to 2012, when Jones led the league with 14 TD catches.

He added a 1-yarder in the third - a good start after being released by the Raiders in the spring and by the New York Giants on the final roster cut. With Jordy Nelson (knee) out for the season, the Packers were quick to bring back Jones.

Randall Cobb, hampered late in the preseason by a sprained right shoulder, had 38 yards receiving. He caught a 5-yard touchdown that made it 24-16 early in the fourth quarter, and Clay Matthews sealed the win by intercepting Jay Cutler at the Green Bay 20 and returning it 48 yards.

Eddie Lacy ran for 85 yards and a late touchdown. Julius Peppers chipped in with 1 1/2 sacks for the four-time defending NFC North champions.

The Bears, essentially starting over under Fox and new general manager Ryan Pace after a five-win season, kept this one close though Cutler had a rough afternoon. He was 18 of 36 for 225 yards, with that late interception by Matthews. He also threw a 24-yard touchdown to Martellus Bennett with 34 seconds left, but Green Bay recovered the onside kick.

Matt Forte ran for 141 yards - 105 in the first half - and a touchdown. Alshon Jeffery caught five passes for 78 yards after missing the preseason because of a left calf injury. Robbie Gould kicked three field goals to give him 246 to surpass Kevin Butler as Chicago's all-time leader.

>>Rams Stun Seahawks In O/T In Opener

The Seahawks needed a yard. The Rams defense knew that this time, unlike in the Super Bowl, they would give the ball to Marshawn Lynch.

 width=Once again, Pete Carroll's choice didn't work out. Rams defensive linemen Michael Brockers and Aaron Donald stuffed Lynch for a 1-yard loss on fourth down to seal a 34-31 overtime over the two-time defending NFC champs victory Sunday.'

The Rams assembled a defense that features five first-round picks up front for just such a moment. They sacked Wilson six times, getting two each from Donald and Robert Quinn.

Greg Zuerlein kicked a 37-yard field goal on the opening drive of overtime.

The Rams watched a 24-13 lead disappear, as Seattle scored 18 points in the fourth quarter, capped by Cary Williams' strip-and-score of Nick Foles with 4:39 left.

With 53 seconds left, the Rams tied the game at 31 after Seahawks defensive back Dion Bailey - the replacement for holdout Kam Chancellor - stumbled on Lance Kendricks' 37-yard touchdown catch.

The Seahawks opened overtime with an onside kick that could have given them a shot at winning the game outright, as Bradley Marquez caught Steven Hauschka's popped-up attempt. After throwing a flag for an illegal fair catch, officials ruled the ball was kicked directly in the air, so Marquez was OK raising his hand.

Carroll said it wasn't supposed to have been of a pooch kick.

Foles hit Steadman Bailey for a 22-yard catch for the key gain to set up Zuerlein's kick.

The Seahawks had another special teams letdown when Tavon Austin returned a 57-yard punt by Jon Ryan 75 yards for a touchdown.

Austin was virtually untouched on two touchdowns, also scoring on a 16-yard run.

Foles was 18 for 27 for 297 yards and one TD with no interceptions in his St. Louis debut.

Wilson was 32 for 41 for 251 yards with a TD and an interception, and added 31 yards on eight carries.

Rookie Tyler Lockett had a 57-yard punt return TD and Jimmy Graham caught a touchdown pass in the fourth for Seattle.

>>Buffalo Dominates Indy in Opener

The Buffalo Bills showed signs of unveiling the bully Rex Ryan had vowed to build in Buffalo when he took over in January after Doug Marrone stepped down abruptly.

Karlos Williams and Boobie Dixon each rushed for touchdowns as part of a ground-and-pound attack that combined for 147 yards. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was efficient in his Bills debut. He completed 14 of 19 for 195 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown pass to Percy Harvin, and added 41 yards rushing.

 width=And Buffalo's dominating defense put the clamps on Andrew Luck and what was one the NFL's best offenses a year ago.

The Colts managed just nine first downs and 148 yards of offense in the first half, which ended with usually reliable Adam Vinatieri missing a 52-yard field goal wide right.

Luck finished 26 of 49 for 243 yards, and two touchdowns - a 2-yard pass to Donte Moncrief's 2-yard catch and Dwayne Allen's 6-yard score - and two interceptions.

The Bills grabbed the momentum by capitalizing on Luck's first interception.

Rookie cornerback Ronald Darby timed his leap perfectly to intercept Luck's deep pass intended for T.Y. Hilton. Five plays later, Taylor dropped back in the pocket and hit Harvin in stride to open the scoring.

Buffalo proceeded to score on its next three possessions, capped by Dixon's 1-yard run in the third quarter to build a 24-0 lead six minutes into the second half.

It was a hole far too deep for the Colts to overcome.

Illinois, Illinois State Roll To Victories; Eastern Crushed By Northwestern

 width=>>Illini Race Past Western

Wes Lunt threw for 316 yards and a touchdown Saturday to lead Illinois to its second-straight blowout win, 44-0 over Western Illinois.

Lunt had 240 yards by halftime and Illinois (2-0) carried a 30-0 lead to the locker room.

Geronimo Allison was Lunt's favorite target with eight catches for 124 yards.

Western Illinois (1-1) was coming off a 35-3 win over fellow Football Championship Subdivision school Eastern Illinois. But the step up to a Big Ten team was a struggle. The Leathernecks finished the day with 141 total yards.

The win was the second straight for interim coach Bill Cubit after beating Kent State 52-3. Cubit took over after Tim Beckman was fired last month.

The shutout was Illinois' first since a 44-0 win over Charleston Southern in 2012.

 width=>>Illinois State Crushes Morgan State

Tre Roberson tied a career high with four touchdown passes and Marshaun Coprich ran for three scores to lead Illinois State to a 67-14 victory over Morgan State on Saturday night.

It was the Redbirds' highest scoring output since beating Indiana State 69-17 on Oct. 13, 2007.

Roberson completed 9 of 13 passes for 259 yards and Coprich finished with 130 yards rushing on 20 carries. Anthony Warrum had five catches for 126 yards and a career-high three touchdowns for Illinois State (1-1).

Coprich tied Toby Davis' school record for total touchdowns (39) and broke his record for rushing touchdowns (37).

Three Morgan State players combined to complete 11 of 25 passes for 122 yards.

Illinois State's Sean Slattery kicked field goals of 48, 41 and 44 yards.

The Redbirds forced three turnovers and finished with 513 total yards while the Bears (0-2) had just 268.

 width=>>Northwestern Shuts Out Eastern Illinois

As heard on The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM WHOW and online at dewittdailynews.com, redshirt freshman Clayton Thorson threw his first career touchdown pass and ran one in himself for the second straight game to lead Northwestern to a 41-0 rout of Eastern Illinois on Saturday.

Justin Jackson and Warren Long also rushed for scores as the Wildcats had their way on the ground and in the air against the Panthers.

Thorson completed 11 of 16 passes for 152 yards, including a throw to Austin Carr who ran in his first collegiate touchdown off a pass to complete a 44-yard play early in the second half.

Matthew Harris intercepted Eastern Illinois' Jalen Whitlow twice. His second pick, with 1:08 left in the third quarter, resulted in a wide-open 71-yard touchdown return.

Jake Mitchell added a pair of field goals as Northwestern followed up on a tight 16-6 upset of then No. 21 Stanford last week by limiting Eastern Illinois to 138 total yards.

 width=>>Ohio State Still No. 1 But Not Unanimous

The SEC lost three of its record 10 teams in the AP Top 25 after a week two that saw both Arkansas fall to Toledo in Little Rock, Tennessee let a 17-point lead slip away at home against Oklahoma and Auburn, the SEC West favorite, needing overtime to beat Jacksonville State.

The biggest movement this week was Auburn dropping 12 spots to No. 18 after that win against Jacksonville State. BYU moved up eight spots to No. 19 to make its debut in the top 25.

Northwestern moves into the Top 25 at No. 23 after wins against Stanford and Eastern Illinois.

Michigan State jumped to 4th in the country after a win over Oregon Saturday night. Oregon dropped to No. 12.

House Members At Odds Over Budget Solution

Both sides want a budget solution, but how to get there is still not clear. Illinois News Network has more:

[audio:9141594015-BUDGET.mp3] [/audio]

The Governor vetoed a one month spending bill Thursday and said a recently passed Senate measure to fund human services is the same bad budgeting policies Democrats have shown in the past.

Clinton Travel Baseball Program Hosting Tryouts

 width=Middle school to high school student athletes are encouraged to consider attending a tryout this weekend for summer travel baseball teams at Clinton Junior High School.

There will be four summer travel baseball teams starting at 10 am Sunday morning. From 10 am to noon, a 10 and under team will hold tryouts. The coach of the 10 and under team is still unnamed.

From 1 pm to 2:30 pm, the 12 and under team will tryout, coached by Jeff Harrold and Doug Cross.

The 14-under team will be coached by Aaron Stacey and Jerry Wayne. They will hold tryouts from 2:30 pm to 4 pm.

And finally, a 16 under team will host tryouts from 4 pm to 6 pm and will be coached by Ryan West.

A rain date of October 3rd.

Clinton Police Weekend Report

ON 9/10/15 CLINTON POLICE ARRESTED MARTIN PALACIOS JR 20, LAKE LEELANAU, MI FOR NO VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. PALACIOS WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

ON 9/11/15 CLINTON POLICE ARRESTED CHAD M. EVANS 36, CLINTON FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE WITH A B.A.C. GREATER THAN .08. EVANS WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

 

 

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW

DeWitt County Coroner Announces Re-Election Bid

 width=DeWitt County Coroner Randall J. Rice has announced that he is seeking re-election in 2016.

Rice has served as the DeWitt County Coroner for the past 4 years and prior to that was the Chief Deputy Coroner under Alex Calvert for 16 years.

In a Monday news release he says quote- "It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of DeWitt County, and I continue to pledge my experience and knowledge to work for you”.

Clinton FD Responds To Early Morning House Fire Sunday

The Clinton Fire Department responded to a house fire at 6330 Magill Road in Clinton at just after 5 am Sunday morning.

According to Assistant Fire Chief Jason Karr, the fire was contained to the basement and he indicates it appeared to be electrical in nature.

[audio:9141523520-91515housefire1.mp3] [/audio]

According Karr, the family was alerted to the situation after the power had gone out and could hear a loud pop from the basement of the home.

Crews were dispatched from Kenney, Maroa, and Wapella. He says the situation wasn't "super serious".

He adds to check to make sure your home is properly grounded and to check your gas lines from time to time.

DeWitt County Sheriff's Weekend Report

Jail Population: 27

Paper Services: 8

Warrants: 0

David Abejide, 19, Elgin was issued Citations for Speeding 81 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone and Operating Uninsured Vehicle. Abejide was issued a Notice to Appear and was released.

Harvey Dozier, 58, Decatur was issued a Citation for Speeding 74 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Dozier was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Joseph Harr, 34, Clinton was issued a Citation for Operating Uninsured Vehicle. Harr was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Mark Herriott, 65, Champaign was issued a Citation for Speeding 77 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Herriott was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

 

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

Illinois shuts out Western Illinois

Wes Lunt threw for 316 yards and a touchdown Saturday to lead Illinois to its second-straight blowout win, 44-0 over Western Illinois.

Lunt had 240 yards by halftime and Illinois (2-0) carried a 30-0 lead to the locker room.

Geronimo Allison was Lunt's favorite target with eight catches for 124 yards.

Western Illinois (1-1) was coming off a 35-3 win over fellow Football Championship Subdivision school Eastern Illinois. But the step up to a Big Ten team was a struggle. The Leathernecks finished the day with 141 total yards.

The win was the second straight for interim coach Bill Cubit after beating Kent State 52-3. Cubit took over after Tim Beckman was fired last month.

The shutout was Illinois' first since a 44-0 win over Charleston Southern in 2012.

Gov. Rauner Honors First Responders on 9/11

GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER IS HONORING ILLINOIS’ FIRST RESPONDERS AND REMEMBERING THOSE WHO DIED 14 YEARS AGO IN THE TERRORIST ATTACKS. (two stories, same lead).

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS FROM ALLOVER THE STATE ARE GATHERED IN SPRINGFIELD FOR TRAINING. GOVERNOR RAUNER STOPPED BY THE CONFERENCE.

[audio:9131575052-911honor1.mp3] [/audio]

GOVERNOR RAUNER URGES ILLINOISANS TO NEVER TO FORGET WHAT HAPPENED ON NINE-ELEVEN AS WE MOURN THE LOSS OF NEARLY THREE THOUSAND PEOPLE IN THE ATTACKS. HE HAS ORDERED FLAGS TO BE FLOWN AT HALF STAFF.

[audio:9131575053-911honor2.mp3] [/audio]

RAUNER ALSO THANKED THE FIRST RESPONDERS IN ATTENDANCE…TELLING THEM THEIR WORK IN TIMES OF CRISIS IS INVALUABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS.

2nd DeWitt County Farm Crawl Bringing Community Groups Together

The DeWitt County Farm Bureau and the Clinton FFA Chapter are among the many groups taking part in this Sunday's 2nd annual Route 10 Farm Crawl.

According to organizer Mariah Dale-Anderson, groups like the Farm Bureau and FFA are coming together to improve on this event that is in it's second year.

[audio:91215100518-91215sundayfarmcrawl1.mp3] [/audio]

Last year, Dale-Anderson indicate they put together the event rather quickly and used the feedback from those that came out to improve this year's event. She explains there were two predominant recommendations they took into this year's planning: food and entertainment.

[audio:91215100522-91215sundayfarmcrawl23.mp3] [/audio]

This weekend's Route 10 Farm Crawl is from 10 am to 5 pm.

All the information can be found by searching "Route 10 Farm Crawl" on Facebook or you can visit route10farmcrawl.com.

High School Football Week 3 Scores

Central Illinois Conference:

Meridian 0, Warrensburg-Latham, 42, F

Central A&M 20, Decatur St. Teresa, 14, F

Clinton 7, Shelbyville 52, F

Sullivan-Okaw Valley 15, Tuscola 48, F

Okaw Valley:

Argenta-Oreana 30, Champaign St. Thomas More 33, F

Heyworth 6, Maroa-Forsyth 49, F

Monticello 50, Oakland Tri-County 0, F

Tolono Unity 54, Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton 14, F

Taylorville 40, Rantoul 0, F

Heart of Illinois:

Ridgeview 0, El Paso-Gridley 39, F

Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland 6, Tri-Valley 47, F

Dee-Mack 49, Tremont 40, F

Fieldcrest 21, Fisher 6, F

Big Twelve:

Champaign Central 21, Peoria Notre Dame 27, F

Danville 59, Peoria Manual 8, F

Normal Community 35, Normal West 14, F

Peoria 66, Urbana 28, F

Peoria Richwoods 12, Champaign Centennial 14, F

Central State Eight:

Rochester 55, Springfield Lanphier 22, F

Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 62, Jacksonville 14, F

Corn Belt:

Eureka 0, Bloomington Central Catholic 45, F

Normal U-High 10, Illinois Valley Central 9, F

Pontiac 34, Praire Central 26, F

Olympia 14, Mahomet-Seymour 47, F

Non-Coference:

Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond 8, Oblong 40, F

Cerro Gordo-Bement 27, Toledo Cumberland 12, F

Decatur Lutheran 20, Villa Grove-Heritage 48, F

LeRoy 26, Illini West 28, F

GOP Lawmakers Pitch New Plan For Illinois Pension Debt

Republican lawmakers are pitching a new idea they say would make a small dent in Illinois' worst-in-the-nation pension debt.

Rep. Mark Batinick wants the Illinois House to hold hearings on a plan to offer employees nearing retirement a lump sum payment for a portion of their pension benefits, rather than an annuity.

Batinick said Thursday the "exchange option" won't solve Illinois' $111 billion pension crisis. But he says it would "move it in the right direction."

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that 2013 legislation that cut public-employee pension benefits was unconstitutional. Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office said Wednesday she won't appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Steve Brown, spokesman for Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, declined to comment because he hasn't seen the proposal.

Governor Reacts To Low Marks in Civil Courts

A new survey of business attorneys and executives ranks Illinois as one of the three worst states in perceived fairness of civil courts to businesses.

The 2015 Lawsuit Climate Survey is the product of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform. Governor Bruce Rauner says Metro-east and Chicago courtrooms continue to show a bias in favor of plaintiffs and offer excessive judgements. Rauner says the current environment is opening the door for companies to leave the state while closing the door on new ones.

[audio:9111575427-Raunerclimate.mp3] [/audio]

Seventy-five percent of those surveyed said a state's litigation environment is likely to influence business decisions, including where to locate.

The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association says curtailing lawsuits only hurts middle-income Americans who depend on courts to get a fair day in court in their complaints against businesses.

National Weather Service Says Possible Tornado Touched Down in Central Illinois

Officials from the National Weather Service say a possible tornado touched down briefly in central Illinois causing minor damage.

Meteorologist Dan Smith says the touchdown was in Mason County around 5 p.m. on Thursday. He says damage reports included shingles off homes.

The weather service has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for other parts of the region, including Sangamon County. The agency warns of possible tornadoes, quarter-size hail and 25 mph winds.

The burst of severe weather came Thursday during a special election in central Illinois to replace ex-U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock. However, clerks in Mason and Sangamon counties said the weather didn't affect operations at the polls.

Postponed Illinois Football Game Could Cost University of Illinois Six Figures

University of Illinois officials say postponing last Friday's football game could wind up costing the school more than $100,000. And insurance will not cover it.

A long thunderstorm during Friday's opener against Kent State forced postponement until Saturday.

That meant after paying stadium staff, police who direct traffic and others for Friday the university had to do it all again a day later.

Susan Young is a senior associate athletic director. According to reports, she says police and events staff alone cost $75,000 on a typical game day.

There are other costs, such as $18,000 for an additional night's hotel stay. Teams typically stay at a local hotel ahead of home games.

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will cover those additional costs.

Schock Attends Fundraiser Before Election To Replace Him

Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock has made a rare public appearance since resigning from his congressional seat earlier this year amid an intensifying spending scandal.

Reports indicate, the Republican attended a Navy Seal Foundation fundraiser Wednesday at a Chicago hotel with other high-profile guests. His appearance came on the eve of a special election to replace him.

Schock has declined to comment on his time in office or a federal investigation. He stepped down in March after reports questioning his spending, including redecorating his congressional office in the style of "Downton Abbey" and travels documented on Instagram.

He says he's involved in real estate as he was before he took office.

Thursday's matchup features Republican state Sen. Darin LaHood and teacher Rob Mellon of Quincy.

State, AFSCME Continue Talks

State officials will continue contract negotiations with Illinois' largest public employee union without the possibility of a strike, work slowdown or lockout.

The contract expired June 30, but Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31 agreed to continue bargaining until Sept. 30. An agreement signed by both sides and made public Thursday says the date is now open-ended.

The idea is to let both sides negotiate without the threat of disruption of services.

An AFSCME spokesman says the parties met at the bargaining table three days this week.

The negotiations come amid a state budget impasse. The Republican governor and the Democratic-controlled Legislature haven't agreed on a plan for the July 1 fiscal year.

AFSCME represents roughly 36,000 state workers.

University of Illinois Adds Background Checks For Many Jobs

All prospective faculty and many other University of Illinois job applicants will have to go through background checks starting in October.

University trustees on Thursday approved the new policy requiring the checks.

Right now only applicants for jobs in high-security positions require such checks.

In addition to faculty members, academic professionals and civil service applicants will need background checks. Student workers and volunteers will not.

Trustee Patrick Fitzgerald said in a news release that the policy is intended to make sure "our campuses are safe, not deny second chances to people who have served their time."

University officials have said the policy was not created in response to uproar last year over the hiring of former 1970s radical and convicted felon James Kilgore.

University of Illinois OKs New Interim Leaders in Wake of Turmoil

University of Illinois trustees have approved the interim appointments of three people who are taking over for top leaders who recently resigned or were fired over turmoil on the Urbana-Champaign campus.

The unanimous votes Wednesday confirmed that Dean Barb Wilson takes over as interim chancellor. Another dean, Edward Feser, becomes is the interim provost. And offensive coordinator Bill Cubit has stepped in as interim football coach.

Wilson told trustees that her short time on the job "has not been dull."

Wilson takes over for Chancellor Phyllis Wise, who resigned last month just before the university revealed she and others had used private emails accounts to avoid public scrutiny. Provost Ilesanmi Adesida (il-eh-SAHN'-muh uh-DISH'-eh-duh) resigned, too.

Football coach Tim Beckman was fired over allegations he interfered in medical decisions regarding players.

Organizers of Weekend Event Showcasing County's Specialty Agriculture

A trio of local agriculture specialty growers are teaming up for an event this weekend to promote their various farms.

The 2nd Annual Route 10 Farm Crawl is this Sunday east of Clinton on a trio of farms. According to Mariah Dale-Anderson, her family farm along with the Wagon Wheel Pumpkin Farm and the Timberview Alpaca Farm will all be on display this weekend.

[audio:9111575415-91115farmcrawl1.mp3]c [/audio]

Dale-Anderson indicates this event is the brainchild of an event she held a few years ago at her farm and at the time, her neighbors contacted her wanting to be a part of it.

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The day will feature food vendors from different DeWitt County groups and there will be a tractor and antique car show and different sites. Dale-Anderson indicates they will be working to benefit the DeWitt County Relay For Life through the day's events.

[audio:9111575419-91115farmcrawl3.mp3] [/audio]

The 2015 Route 10 Farm Crawl is this Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. The three farms in DeWitt County include Mariah's Mums, Wagon Wheel Pumpkin and Timberview Alpacas.

For further details on the day, check back with dewittdailynews.com this weekend for all the details.

NBA Notes

 width=>>Lakers Rookie Russell Says LA Is A Playoff Team

The Los Angeles Lakers have made a lot of changes this offseason, none more important than selecting guard D'Angelo Russell with the No. 2 pick in the draft. The front office has faith that Russell will help turn the franchise around, and he's talented enough to be a huge part of that. It will likely take a while, however. This is a team that won 21 games last season.

Russell, though, doesn't sound like he's very patient. "Expectations are high," Russell told Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy, "but this Lakers squad will most definitely be a playoff team."

Wow. Even Kobe Bryant hedged a little on this subject, saying that while the Lakers "absolutely" can make the playoffs, they really don't know how the pieces are going to come together. Russell said they will most definitely be in the postseason, which is really something. Especially considering they are a Western Conference team.

 width=>>Spurs Duncan Excited About Aldridge Joining Team

After seeing that LaMarcus Aldridge was heavily considering signing with the San Antonio Spurs early in the free agency process, Tim Duncan confirmed that he would be returning to play in his 19th NBA season. Duncan knows that Aldridge is the key to the Spurs winning another championship, and as he told Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling, he can't wait to push and help his new teammate.

In assessing how he'll mesh with Aldridge, Duncan says, “I'm not worried about him benefiting my game; I'm going to worry about me benefiting his. I'm going to let him do his thing and just see where I can fit in and help. I'm going to ride his coattails and I'm going to push him.”

Duncan hasn't played with an offensive big man like Aldridge since David Robinson, so you can understand his excitement. As Duncan's career winds down, he is still playing at an All-Star level, but the addition of Aldridge should help him conserve his body for the playoffs and San Antonio's hopeful championship run.

Aldridge has already said that he isn't worried about his game meshing with Duncan, so it sounds like the two are already on the same page well before the season starts. It may take the Spurs and Aldridge some time to properly acclimate to each other. However, Duncan seems willing to help his new teammate through this process.

(Story Courtesy of CBSSports.com)

Brady Leads Pats Over Steelers

Whether sprinting out of the tunnel for warmups, watching former teammates and the Patriots owner carrying Lombardi Trophies, or tearing apart the Steelers, Tom Brady relished every moment of this NFL season opener.

Brady called it "a pretty special night''.

 width=Brady threw for four touchdowns, three to favorite target Rob Gronkowski, in a 28-21 victory Thursday night over undermanned and generally ineffective Pittsburgh.

His four-game league suspension overturned by a federal judge one week ago, the three-time Super Bowl MVP was in midseason - or postseason - form. He led drives of 90 and 64 yards for scores on passes to Gronkowski. Gronkowski also recovered a fumble by running back Dion Lewis at the Pittsburgh 1 before his final TD.

Showing some love for his other tight end, newcomer Scott Chandler, Brady hit him for a 1-yard score to cap an 80-yard march with the second-half kickoff.

Fourth-quarter crowd chants of ''Where is Roger?'' mocked Commissioner Roger Goodell over ''Deflategate.'' Goodell did not attend.

Minus two All-Pros on offense - running back Le'Veon Bell (suspended) and center Maurkice Pouncey (injured) - and without suspended receiver Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh moved the ball decently, gaining 464 yards. But it never really was close.

Ben Roethlisberger threw for 351 yards and a late TD to All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown. Backup DeAngelo Williams rushed for 127 yards.

Pittsburgh had moved the ball decisively on its first drive, but things collapsed after Brown was sacked on a trick play. The drive fizzled, with a missed 44-yarder by Josh Scobee.

Scobee, acquired on Sept. 1 from Jacksonville, also missed from 46 yards and connected from 44 and 24. But the damage was done earlier.

Cubs/Phillies Rained Out; Cards Crushed

>>Cubs, Phillies Rained Out; Double Header Today

The game between the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies scheduled for Thursday night was postponed because of rain.

The game never started and will be made up as a part of a doubleheader starting Friday at 5:05 p.m.

Chicago holds a nine-game lead over San Francisco for the second NL wild-card spot.

 width=>>Reds Crush Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals hoped their come-from behind win on Wednesday over the Chicago Cubs would get them back on track.

Instead, they followed with their most one-sided defeat this season.

Todd Frazier and Brandon Phillips both homered and drove in three runs as the last-place Cincinnati Reds beat the NL Central-leading Cardinals 11-0 Thursday night.

St. Louis opened its longest trip this season - 10 games in 11 days - with its fourth loss in five games, including a 9-0 defeat to the Cubs on Monday.

Reds star Joey Votto doubled and singled, driving in a run and scoring one, a day after his tantrum at home plate following an ejection.

Jaime Garcia (8-5) lasted a season-low 4 1-3 innings and gave up six runs. He had been 5-0 in seven starts since losing to the Reds on July 28.

John Lamb (1-3), one of three left-handers acquired from Kansas City for Johnny Cueto in late July, shook off control problems for his first major league win. He walked six, struck out six and gave up three hits in five innings.

Four relievers combined to complete St. Louis's 12th shutout loss this year, matching last season's total.

The Reds scored their first two runs on groundouts. Lamb got his first career RBI in the second and Phillips made it 2-0 in the third.

Cincinnati chased Garcia in a four-run fifth that included RBI doubles by Votto and Frazier. Phillips and Bruce each had a sacrifice fly.

Votto's double into the left field corner came on a 3-2 pitch after he fell behind 0-2 and was sent sprawling by a high-and-tight fastball.

Phillips hit 12th homer, a leadoff shot in a three-run seventh. Right fielder Jason Heyward almost made a leaping catch, but he couldn't keep the ball in his glove.

Frazier added his 32nd homer, a two-run line drive in the eighth.

>>Phillies GM Amaro Out

Ruben Amaro Jr. is out as Phillies GM. On Thursday, the team announced they will not extend Amaro's contract as senior vice president and general manager. Assistant GM Scott Proefrock takes over as the interim GM, effective immediately.

Amaro, 50, has been with the Phillies since 1998. He served as assistant GM under Ed Wade and Pat Gillick before taking over as GM following the 2008 season. Amaro played eight seasons in the big leagues as an outfielder, including three with the Phillies, before joining Philadelphia's front office.

The writing has been on the wall for Amaro since the Phillies announced MacPhail was coming on board back in July. Amaro had been on the hot seat for a few years prior to that. The Phillies enjoyed tremendous success from 2009-11 under Amaro, including winning the 2009 NL pennant and 102 games in 2011.

The club has since devolved into the worst teams in baseball thanks to a string of bad contracts, bad trades and bad player development. The Phillies finally embraced a full-on rebuild last offseason and have since traded most of their veteran for prospects.

Among his most notable moves, Amaro traded for Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Hunter Pence, then re-signed Lee as a free agent. He also gave Ryan Howard a five-year, $125 million extension that has been nothing short of a disaster.

High School Football Week 3 Preview

 width=The Clinton Maroons open Central Illinois Conference play tonight and come into their matchup with Shelbyville 2-0.

The Maroons have used two convincing victories over Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland and Fithian-Oakwood-Armstrong-Potomac and have combined for 108 total points. That is tops in the CIC.

For Shelbyville, the Rams also come into play 2-0 with wins over Pawnee and Rantoul. The Rams were a 7-3 playoff team in 2014.

Tonight's game get goings at 7 pm from Sprague Field at Clinton High School. Hear all the action on The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM WHOW and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Elsewhere in the CIC Friday night...

Meridian at Warrensburg-Latham
Central A & M at Decatur St. Teresa
Sullivan-Okaw Valley at Tuscola

In the Okaw Valley tonight...

Argenta-Oreana at Champaign St. Thomas More
Heyworth at Maroa-Forsyth
Monmouth-Roseville at St. Joseph-Ogden (Sat.)
Monticello at Oakland Tri-County
Tolono Unity at Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton
Taylorville at Rantoul

Heart of Illinois

Ridgeview at El Paso-Gridley
Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland at Tri-Valley
Dee-Mack at Tremont
Fieldcrest at Fisher

Big Twelve

Champaign Central vs. Peoria Notre Dame at Richwoods
Danville at Peoria Manual
Normal Community at Normal West
Peoria at Urbana
Peoria Richwoods at Champaign Centennial

Central State Eight
Decatur MacArthur at Decatur Eisenhower (Sat.)
Lincoln at Springfield (Sat.)
Rochester at Springfield Lanphier
Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at Jacksonville
Springfield Southeast at Chatham Glenwood

Corn Belt
Eureka at Bloomington Central Catholic
Normal U-High at Illinois Valley Central
Pontiac at Prairie Central
Olympia at Mahomet-Seymour

Non-Conference area action tonight...

Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond at Oblong
Big Rock Crossroads Academy at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley (Sat.)
Bloomington at LaSalle-Peru
Cerro Gordo-Bement at Toledo Cumberland (95.9 FM WEZC Game of the Week)
Decatur Lutheran at Villa Grove-Heritage
LeRoy at Illini West

DeWitt County Sheriff's Report for Sept 11

Jail Population: 25

Paper Services: 9

Warrants: 1

Paula Conover, 40, Clinton was arrested on a DeWitt County Warrant charging her with Violate Stalking No Contact Order. Conover unable to post the necessary bond remains lodged in the DeWitt County Jail.

Jeremy Rich, 40, Waynesville was issued a Citation for Speeding 78 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Rich was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Kevin Dawson, 58, Decatur was issued a Citation for Speeding 78 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Dawson was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Theodore Cook, 21, Downers Grove was issued a Citation for Speeding 79 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Cook was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

 

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

DeWitt County Sheriff's Report For Sept. 10

Jail Population:  27

Paper Services: 4

Warrants: 1

Donna Carver, 47, Farmer City was arrested on a DeWitt County Warrant charging her with Failure to Appear on Identity Theft/ Stolen Identification Information. Carver posted the necessary bond and was released.

 

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

Shelbyville Thumps Maroons In CIC Opener

In a game heard Friday night on 1520AM / 92.3FM WHOW, the Clinton Maroons fell to the visiting Shelbyville Rams 52-7 in the Central Illinois Conference opener for both teams.

Both teams came into the contest with 2-0 records in non-conference play, but Shelbyville's potent offense was too much for the Maroons.  The Rams were able to consistently convert on 3rd down throughout the contest.  That, plus Clinton's 6 turnovers were too much for the Maroons to overcome.

Alec Cooley once again led the Maroons offense with 15 carries for 194 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown run.  Noah Griffin had a rough day behind center.  He was sacked early and pressured often.  Griffin ended up 8 of 14 passing for 70 yards and 2 interceptions.  Bad snaps also resulted in 3 Clinton fumbles.

The Stephan York Country Financial Maroons Player of the Game was Collin Underwood, who was one of the Maroons top tacklers on the night.

Shelbyville was led by Sophomore quarterback Turner Pullen, who was 10 of 23 passing for 165 yards and a touchdown.  He also ran 11 times for 71 yards and 2 TDs.

The Rams also leaned heavily on Senior running back Garrett Brachbill, who carried the ball 22 times for 151 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Clinton will look to regroup, and go on the road next Friday to Central A&M.  You can hear that game on 1520AM / 92.3FM WHOW and streamed online at DeWittDailyNews.com.

Cerro Gordo Bement Defense Propels Broncos To Win

As heard on 95.9 FM WEZC, Dalton Groehler had 25 carries and 183 yards with 3 TDs as Cerro Gordo Bement rallied to beat Toledo Cumberland 27-12 Friday night on the road in non-divisional Little Okaw Valley play.

 width=Leading 14-12 at the half and allowing 98 yards to Pirates tailback Keaton Titus, the Broncos defense was lights out as they pitched a second half shut out.

JR Menezes tallied three second half sacks and 61 all purpose yards and a TD (41 rushing, 20 receiving).

Frankie Foran had two incredible catches for 79 yards.

Dalton Wooldridge finished the night 5 for 8 and 115 yards with an interception, his first pass attempt of the night that set up a Toledo Cumberland touchdown.

The Broncos improve to 2-1 on the season. They are at Decatur LSA next Friday night.

WEZC will broadcast next week's Monticello at Tolono Unity football game.

The next Cerro Gordo Bement football broadcast is October 2nd at Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond at 7 pm. 

Underdog Mellon Continues Grass Roots Efforts For Schock's Seat

Ahead of tomorrow's special election to find a successor to former Congressman Aaron Schock, Quincy Democrat Rob Mellon is trying to use his fundraising gap compared to opponent Darin LaHood as a strength, saying it shows he is independent of special interests and big contributors.

Mellon says he'd like to change the way business has been done in the 18th Congressional District.

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The Army Veteran returned to Quincy in recent years after he left active duty for the Illinois National Guard. He is now a history and government teacher at Quincy High School.

Voters To Decide Replacement For Ex-US Rep. Schock

Voters in a reliably Republican central Illinois district are set to choose a successor for former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, who resigned in March amid an intensifying spending scandal.

The ballot Thursday features Republican state Sen. Darin LaHood of Peoria and Democrat Rob Mellon, a Quincy high school teacher. LaHood has high name recognition as the son of Ray LaHood, a former longtime congressman from the area and former U.S. Transportation secretary.

Schock abruptly stepped down after reports questioning his use of taxpayer money, including the lavish redecoration of his Washington office in the style of the "Downton Abbey" television drama.

Turnout is expected to be light in the rare September election, which will restore the number of House members to 435.

Regulators Halt Study of Cancer Risks At 7 Nuclear Plants

Federal regulators are halting a five-year study of the risk of cancer in communities around six U.S. nuclear plants and a nuclear fuel site.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Tuesday remaining work on a pilot study would take too long, at more than three years, and cost too much, at $8 million. It's already spent $1.5 million. Completing the pilot study and subsequent nationwide reviews could take eight to 10 years.

The commission said radiation releases, when they occur, are too small to cause observable increases in cancer risk.

Anti-nuclear power group Beyond Nuclear said halting the study is outrageous and that funding it is a legitimate cost.

Nuclear sites to be studied included active and decommissioned plants in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan and New Jersey and a nuclear fuel fabrication plant in Tennessee.

Illinois Among Worst States in Survey on Environment

A new survey ranks West Virginia, Louisiana and Illinois as the three worst states in perceived fairness of civil courts to businesses. It ranks Delaware, Vermont and Nebraska as the three best.

The 2015 Lawsuit Climate Survey was released Thursday by the pro-business U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform. Illinois' Republican governor, Bruce Rauner, was set to speak at a Chicago news conference later in the day about the findings.

The survey's based on responses from 1,200 company attorneys and executives. Seventy-five percent said a state's litigation environment is likely to influence business decisions, including where to locate.

The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association has criticized such staunch advocates of tort reform. It says curtailing lawsuits only hurts middle-income Americans who rely on courts to right wrongs by businesses.

NIU Sees Slight Drop in Enrollment

The number of students enrolled at Northern Illinois University has dipped slightly, but retention rates are improving.

Reports indicate the university released its 10-day enrollment count for the academic year on Wednesday.

The university reported an enrollment of 20,130 students, a decrease of about 2.3 percent from last year.

NIU President Doug Baker says: "We are not where we want to be, but there are encouraging signs of progress."

The one-year retention rate for last year's freshmen increased 1 percentage point, to 72 percent.

Baker says the university also has been recruiting higher-achieving students. He says this year's freshman class has better numbers on all key indicators, including grade point average, ACT score and class rank.

NIU also has seen a marked increase in international student enrollment.

SIU Reports Slight Drop in Enrollment

Enrollment at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale has reached its lowest point in decades.

About 700 fewer students are attending the school this fall, accounting for an almost 4 percent decrease. In fall 2014, roughly 17,990 students were enrolled, compared to about 17,290 students this fall.

Reports indicate administrators expect the enrollment decline will result in $5.2 million in lost revenue for the university. On top of the anticipated state budget cuts, that means programs and services could be cut at the school over the next few weeks.

Randy Dunn, president of the SIU system and the Carbondale campus's acting chancellor, says smaller freshman and graduate student classes contributed to the overall enrollment decline.

University Reports Large, Diverse Freshman Class

This fall's freshman class at the University of Illinois' flagship Urbana-Champaign campus is the second largest in school history.

Numbers released by the school this week show that the class has slightly more Illinois residents and more African-American students than last year. The class also has 1,100 international students and more than 70 percent of them are from China.

After a decade-long percentage decline, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign saw a 9 percent increase in its freshman class, with 7,565 incoming students. That's just below the largest freshman class in school history, with about 7,580 students in 2005.

According to reports, overall enrollment on campus increased by roughly 1 percent. Nearly 44,100 students were enrolled this year, compared to about 43,600 last year.

Parkland Student Charged in Damaging University of Illinois Menora

A 20-year-old college student has been charged with a felony and is accused of damaging a 9-foot menorah at the Jewish center on the University of Illinois campus.

Parkland College student Max Kristy of Champaign was arraigned Tuesday. According to reports, an anonymous caller identified Kristy after surveillance video of the Aug. 19 incident was distributed.

University of Illinois police say Kristy told them during an interview that he planned to take the menorah to a Jewish friend. UI police say the damage hasn't been classified as a hate crime.

Kristy waived his rights to a preliminary hearing. He is represented by Rantoul attorney Craig Hunt and is due in court Nov. 3.

Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel of the Illini Chabad Jewish Center says people "feel hurt about what happened."

Peoria City Approves $125-Thousand Twitter Settlement

An Illinois city's council has approved a $125,000 settlement in a lawsuit filed by a man whose home was raided by police over a fake Twitter account he created depicting the mayor as a lewd fan of drugs and alcohol.

According to reports, the Peoria City Council approved the settlement Tuesday night with no discussion. When the deal was announced last week, attorneys for 30-year-old Jon Daniel of Peoria called it "a civics lessons" for governments around Illinois that parody isn't cause for a police investigation.

The deal includes no admission that Peoria did anything wrong. Daniel has said he is satisfied with the settlement.

Daniel created the Twitter account in March 2014, writing as Mayor Jim Ardis and focusing on alcohol, drugs and sex.

Normal Votes To Boost Sales Tax For Mental Health Services

The city council in Normal has approved a sales tax increase of 1 cent per dollar to fund mental health services.

If Bloomington also approves the tax increase in a vote on Monday, the change will take effect Jan. 1.

Ten percent of the estimated $6 million in extra annual revenue will go toward mental health.

Reports indicate the rest could be split among projects such as athletic fields, public transit and business development.

The Normal City Council voted 6-0 on Tuesday to increase the sales tax from 7.75 percent to 8.75 percent.

Council member R.C. McBride says it's not like splurging on a new convertible in "some midlife crisis." He says, "These are investments."

Rep. Mitchell Responds To Report From Comptroller

State Comptroller Leslie Munger Wednesday said Illinois government is beginning to drown in red ink as the cost of the continuing Springfield budget war steadily worsens the already bad condition of state finances.

Munger went on to say that without legislative action to adopt a balanced budget, the state's backlog of unpaid bills will hit $8.5 billion in December, not counting an additional $4 billion in spending for state universities, lottery winners and other purposes that has been indefinitely deferred. State Representative Bill Mitchell calls it insanity the state of Illinois does still not have a budget.

[audio:9101581415-91015mitchellinsanity1.mp3] [/audio]

The Representative says each side needs to sit down and compromise. Rep. Mitchell says neither party is going to get everything what they want.

[audio:9101581417-91015mitchellinsanity2.mp3] [/audio]

Most of the state's money is being spent through court orders, which Munger says continues at unsustainable rates. There's also less revenue with a rolled back temporary income tax increase.

While the number fluctuates monthly depending on revenues, Munger's office says it could worsen as the state figures out all the money that needs to be allocated through a budget.

Mayor Addresses Discussion of Asst. Fire Chief

 width=It was discussion that left many in attendance of the Tuesday night Clinton City Council meeting perplexed.

The discussion in open session of a volunteer fire fighter's status on the department despite legal troubles he ran into earlier this year.

The nearly 10 minute discussion centered around the appointment of Assistant Fire Chief Raymond James and a DUI he received in DeWitt County earlier this year. Mayor Roger Cyrulik indicates it was discussion the Council had internally prior to the meeting, however, Council Member Nan Crang brought it back up in open session.

[audio:9101581333-91015duidiscuss1.mp3] [/audio]

The Mayor and Crang voted against the appointment of James to the position. The Mayor indicates he voted no because he felt James needed to better represent the Fire Department.

[audio:9101581334-91015duidiscuss2.mp3] [/audio]

City Attorney Steve Myers indicated Tuesday there was no conflict from keeping James from taking the post. He explains James was on his own time at the time of the incident and therefore he was not violating any policies the City or the Fire Department had.

Additionally, both Ballenger and interim Fire Chief David Dallas vouched for James, giving him a vote of confidence in front of the Council.

NHL Commissioner Says NHL To 'Watch Process Play Out' For Blackhawks' Kane

With NHL training camps opening in just over a week and no resolution in the ongoing investigation into rape allegations against Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane, the clock is ticking for Kane, the Blackhawks and the NHL to come to a decision on whether Kane can or should participate.

 width=The allegations against Kane surfaced more than a month ago, however the Blackhawks star has not been charged. A grand jury was expected to convene Tuesday to review evidence and possibly hear testimony from witnesses, but according to multiple reports, those proceedings have been postponed. The Associated Press later reported that the grand jury has been put off for about two weeks.

That two-week timeline would suggest that the investigation would still be open when the Blackhawks hold their first practice of training camp on Sept. 18 at the University of Notre Dame. That presents a challenging situation for the league, the team and Kane.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman had not previously publicly addressed the Kane situation, but did so during his media availability Wednesday at the World Cup of Hockey announcement.

Bettman told the AP on Wednesday he has not yet spoken with Kane since the allegations became public. He also told the AP that the league's access to information in these types of cases is somewhat limited.

Bears, Packers WRs Return To Practice

 width=>>Bears WR Jeffry Returns to Practice

Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery practiced Wednesday for the first time in nearly a month after being sidelined by a left calf injury.

Whether he will be ready for this weekend's season opener against the Green Bay Packers is not clear. But practicing even on a limited basis was a big step for the former Pro Bowl receiver.

Jeffery had not practiced since Aug. 11 and sat out the preseason.

Coach John Fox says it was "encouraging to see him out there."

 width=>>Packers WR Cobb Returns To Practice

Receiver Randall Cobb has returned to practice for the Green Bay Packers after missing the last week of the preseason with a sprained right shoulder.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers' top receiver took part in special teams and position drills during a portion of practice open to media on Wednesday. Cobb was hurt on Aug. 29 during a preseason loss to Philadelphia.

Coach Mike McCarthy had said he expected all 53 players on the active roster to practice as Green Bay gets ready for the season opener on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

Guard T.J. Lang (concussion) also returned to practice. Safety Morgan Burnett did not participate in the open part of practice. Burnett sat out the last preseason game with a calf injury.

>>Former Bears WR Marshall Says Race is a Factor in NFL Discipline

If Brandon Marshall has made one thing clear during his nine-year career, it's that he's not afraid to share his opinion, and the Jets wide receiver did exactly that during the season premiere of Showtime's Inside the NFL on Tuesday.

During a discussion about Deflategate with co-panelists Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms, Marshall said that he -- and other players -- believe race played a factor in Tom Brady's suspension getting overturned on Sept. 3.

Marshall said quote-"There are a lot of players out there that believe that white players -- specifically, at the quarterback position -- are treated differently".

Marshall said that most NFL players felt one of three ways about Brady's suspension. No. 1 is the fighter. There are guys in the fight with Tom [Brady].

Marshall's second group consists of players who wanted to see Brady suspended.

Marshall said the third group was players who thought Brady got off because of "the race card."

Esiason was quick to interject after Marshall made his point.

"So you're telling me that there are players out there -- and I don't know if you believe this -- that there are players out there, that if this were Cam Newton, that his suspension would be upheld. And he would be there, that the judge would see Cam Newton differently because of the color of his skin?"

The Jets receiver said quote-"well, when you look back at the history of this sport, you can build a case on that, yes,"

Marshall made sure to emphasize that this wasn't just his opinion, it was also the opinion of other NFL players.

Cards Come From Behind For Win; Sox Lose

 width=>>Cardinals Avoid Sweep With Late Come From Behind Win

Cardinals rookie Stephen Piscotty continues to show a penchant for making quick adjustments.

After going hitless in his first three at-bats, Piscotty lined a two-run double off the centerfield wall to cap a three-run rally in the eighth inning that sent St. Louis over the Chicago Cubs 4-3 Wednesday.

Matt Carpenter tripled and scored twice as the Cardinals' ended their three-game losing streak. The NL Central leaders avoided their first sweep at home this season and their first against the Cubs since September 2010.

Cubs lefty Jon Lester exited after seven dominant innings. He gave up two hits, retired 20 of his final 21 hitters and left with a 3-1 lead.

Jonathan Broxton (2-4) got the win and Trevor Rosenthal picked up his 43rd save. Clayton Richard (3-1) took the loss.

Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez needed 99 pitches to get through five innings. The Cubs stranded at least one runner in each of his innings, and Martinez was able to limit the damage with eight strikeouts.

Chris Coghlan took advantage of Randal Grichuk's compromised throwing arm to score the Cubs' first run on Anthony Rizzo's double.

Grichuk, starting for the first time since straining his elbow Aug. 16, had to flip the ball to right fielder Jason Heyward, who threw it in allowing Coghlan to score from first.

Rizzo appeared to be caught in a run-down following his double, but Martinez failed to cover third, allowing Rizzo to take an extra base. Tommy La Stella followed with a two-out double to give the Cubs an extra run.

RHP Jake Arrieta (18-6, 2.03 ERA) takes the mound to kick off a four-game series Thursday at Philadelphia. Arrieta has a 17-inning scoreless streak and was the NL Pitcher of the Month for August.

LHP Jaime Garcia (8-4, 1.89 ERA) starts a 10-game road trip Thursday at Cincinnati. He is 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA since Aug. 1.

 width=>>Lindor, Ramirez Lead Tribe Past White Sox

Francisco Lindor's all-around game was on display Wednesday night.

Lindor had three hits, including a homer, Jose Ramirez also homered and the Cleveland Indians beat the Chicago White Sox 6-4.

Lindor, who also tripled and scored two runs, finished a double shy of the cycle. Since being promoted to the majors in mid-June, the 21-year-old is batting .309 with eight homers and 34 RBIs in 76 games.

Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin (5-1) allowed three runs on five hits in 5 2-3 innings to win his fifth straight.

Cody Allen allowed a run in the ninth inning but got the final three outs to record his 30th save.

The Indians took two of three in the series and have won four of the last five series.

Trayce Thompson, Tyler Saladino and Jose Abreu each had a solo homer for the White Sox.

Chicago starter Jeff Samardzija (9-12) allowed four runs on eight hits in 6 2-3 innings. Samardzija has lost seven of eight overall and six straight at U.S. Cellular Field.

The Indians grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Lindor tripled with one out and scored on a groundout by Michael Brantley.

Chicago tied it in the second on Thompson's homer, but Samardzija allowed Cleveland to take a 2-1 in the third inning on back-to-back doubles by Roberto Perez and Jason Kipnis. The lead grew to 4-1 in the fifth on homers by Ramirez and Lindor.

In the sixth, the White Sox pulled within 4-3 on back-to-back homers by Saladino and Abreu. It was the third time this season and second in less than a week that Chicago has hit back-to-back. Adam Eaton and Abreu did it last Friday at Kansas City.

The Indians restored the three-run margin in the eighth inning on a pair of unearned runs. With runners on first and second and one out, Chris Johnson singled to right field. Lonnie Chisenhall, who was on second, was going to stop at third, but Thompson whiffed on the ball and it rolled far enough past him to allow Chisenhall and Abraham Almonte to score.

Thompson drove in Avisail Garcia with a single in the ninth to close the scoring.

Following a day off on Thursday, the White Sox homestand continues with a three-game weekend set against the Minnesota Twins. RHP Erik Johnson (1-0, 4.50 ERA) pitches the opener on Friday vs. Twins RHP Ervin Santana (4-4, 4.93).

The Indians return home to begin a four-game series against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night. RHP Danny Salazar (12-8, 3.54 ERA) goes in the opener against Detroit RHP Alfredo Simon (12-9, 4.86).

Former Illini Basketball Star Dee Brown Now On Athletic Staff Full Time

 width=Former Illini basketball player Dee Brown is now a full-time special assistant to University of Illinois Athletic Director Mike Thomas.

Thomas made the announcement on Tuesday evening. Earlier this year the school said Brown was taking the position for the summer before he planned to play basketball internationally for one final pro season.

Brown was a key player on the 2004-2005 team that lost the national title game. As a pro he has played in the NBA as well as Israel, Turkey and other countries.

Brown will help with recruiting, fundraising and outreach efforts and be a mentor for student-athletes.

Brown says he decided to stop playing basketball so that he could be closer to his family.

WEZC airing Football Game of the Week Starting Friday Night

 width=Clinton radio station WEZC 95.9 FM has announced it will broadcast a “Football Game of the Week” involving the Monticello Sages and Cerro Gordo Broncos, starting Friday night, September 11.

All games will be broadcast live on WEZC 95.9 as well as streamed live by clicking the WEZC network1sports.com icon at dewittdailynews.com.

The game schedule includes:

Fri 9/11—Cerro Gordo at Cumberland
Fri 9/18—Monticello at Tolono-Unity
Fri 9/25—St. Joseph-Ogden at Monticello
Fri 10/2—Cerro Gordo at Arthur-Lovington
Fri 10/9—Monticello at St. Thomas More
Fri 10/16—Arcola at Cerro Gordo
Fri 10/23—Monticello at Monmouth Roseville

Broadcast time will be approximately 10 minutes before each kickoff.

Normal Cornbelters Fall to Traverse City Beach Bums

The Normal Cornbelters fell to the Traverse City Beach Bums by a score of 5-2 on Thursday night in their first ever playoff game.

Tune in Saturday night, September 12, as the Cornbelters take on the Traverse City Beach Bums. You can hear the game live on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Record 10 SEC Schools in Top 25

 width=Ohio State is still the team to beat, but Alabama looks like a dangerous No. 2 after looking strong in a win against Wisconsin on college football's opening weekend.

The new Associated Press Top 25 was released on Tuesday. The new poll featured a few shakeups at the top, the debut of some newcomers (Texas A&M at No. 16, along with Utah and Mississippi State) and LSU still sitting at No. 14 despite a canceled game against McNeese State. But the biggest storyline from this week's poll is the presence of all seven SEC West teams and a record 10 SEC teams making the Top 25.

NBA Changes Playoffs Format

 width=Thanks to the NBA's Competition Committee, seeding for the playoffs will now solely be based on a team's record. Division winners will no longer get preferential treatment by getting a top-four seed and home-court advantage in the first round.

From a press release from the NBA:

The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved changes to playoff seeding and qualification procedures effective with the 2015-16 season, the league announced today.

As part of the modifications, the eight playoff teams in each conference will be seeded in order of their regular-season record. Most recently, every division winner was guaranteed a top four seed in its respective conference regardless of its record but did not receive home-court advantage if its playoff opponent had a better record.

The Board also approved changes to tiebreak criteria for playoff seeding and home-court advantage. Head-to-head results have become the first criterion to break ties for playoff seeding and home-court advantage between two teams with identical regular-season records; the second criterion is whether a team won its division. Under the old tiebreak system, a division winner was awarded the higher seed and received home-court advantage in a series if the two teams met in the playoffs.

The Spurs were the defending champs at the time and had won 55 games but because the 51-win Portland Trail Blazers were the Northwest Division champs, Portland was the fourth seed. Even though the Spurs had won more games than the Blazers, they had to face off against the higher seeded Clippers instead of the Memphis Grizzlies (who also won 55 games).

Teams can still win their division and can hang their own banner to commemorate the achievement (the Toronto Raptors are big fans of division banners) but with this change, winning a division doesn't really have any actual merit anymore.

 width=>>Knicks' Porzingis Bulks Up

Before Phil Jackson drafted Kristaps Porzingis with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Knicks president told his buddy Charlie Rosen that he was worried that the Latvatian big man may be too skinny and compared him to Shawn Bradley. Jackson did believe that Porzinigis would be able to add "at least 10 pounds of muscle" before the season, and apparently he can see into the future because that is exactly what the Knicks rookie has done.

Porzingis told The Post- "It's the upper body, guys can't push me around that easy, and I still got time to get a little stronger. I can't wait for training camp."

Porzingis confirmed he's put on "five kilos" since late July -- equivalent to 11 pounds. "I'm working out twice a day, lifting hard, trying to eat as much as possible to gain weight, getting my sleep, doing the right things to gain weight. I'm getting stronger and I'm feeling stronger playing in five-on-five pickup. Definitely feeling stronger."

Porzingis said he's played five-on-five with no-longer rehabbing Carmelo Anthony at Anthony's new gym in Manhattan. The games have also included the Knicks' Jose Calderon, Langston Galloway, Jerian Grant, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and area college players.

Porzingis actually being able to add weight to his lithe frame is a good sign for the Knicks and himself. Often, skinnier players are just unable to add any real muscle, but if Porzingis is actually able to bulk up, he could eventually fill out just like Anthony Davis did this summer. Since he is a stretch four that will usually play around the perimeter, Porzingis won't have to bang in the post with bigger players that often, however, adding muscle should help defensively and on the boards.

Pierre-Paul Doesn't Sign Franchise Tag; Report Date Not Known

According to the New York Daily News, New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has still not signed his franchise tag.

 width=Pierre-Paul met with Giants officials on Monday, agreeing to see them for the first time since he injured his right hand in a fireworks accident that resulted in the amputation of a finger during Fourth of July weekend. Per the report, the Giants doctors that examined Pierre-Paul at the Hospital for Special Surgery on Monday did not believe he was healthy enough to play.

Pierre-Paul will instead return to Florida to work out and get himself into playing shape. There is currently no timetable for his return.

The fact that Pierre-Paul did not sign the franchise tag by last Saturday is significant because he can no longer receive the full $14.8 million contract assigned to defensive ends under the tag, but only the prorated total based on how many games he plays. If he'd signed by Saturday and been placed on the Non-Football Injury List, he could have gotten paid while sitting out (and worked out with the team while recovering), but he wouldn't be eligible for the active roster until at least after Week 6.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin knows the team needs Pierre-Paul in order to compete with the Cowboys and Eagles in the NFC East.

"We need a healthy Jason Pierre-Paul, certainly," Coughlin said. "He's a guy that would add to our team, provided he's healthy and can play at the level he's played at."

Instead of being able to help the Giants in practice while he recovers, the defensive end will have to be away from the team while he works on getting back to the point where he can step on the field.

District Attorney Postpones Kane Grand Jury Hearing

 width=After it was believed that a grand jury would begin reviewing the investigation into Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane this week, the Buffalo News is reporting that the grand jury investigation has been postponed.

The Buffalo News is also reporting that it is believed the postponement comes amid the possibility of ongoing settlement talks between attorneys for Kane and the alleged victim.

Scott Levin of WGRZ reports that the case was postponed by the Erie County District Attorney and that there have been no settlement talks as of yet.

Kane, who has not been charged with a crime, has reportedly been under investigation for the last month following allegations that he raped a woman in his home on the morning of Aug. 2. Local authorities have been tight-lipped about the case from the very beginning, admitting only that they were investigating an alleged incident that occurred at Kane's home and that they were awaiting forensic testing results.

According to the News, individuals tied to the case were summoned to appear before the grand jury Tuesday.

Neither the Chicago Blackhawks nor the NHL has said much publicly about the ongoing investigation and neither entity is believed to have taken any disciplinary action against Kane at this time.

If a settlement becomes a possibility, it would likely allow Kane to avoid any criminal charges, but only further shrouds what may or may not have happened on Aug. 2. A lack of criminal charges also would make it difficult for the league or the team to take further disciplinary action, if they saw fit.

However, if a settlement is not reached, it would appear that the grand jury proceedings would be back on at a later date and Kane's status remains in question.

>>Steven Stamkos Says Top Pick, McDavid, Better Than He Is

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is, at worst, one of the 10 best players in the NHL, probably closer to the top-five. He's two points away from 500 in his career at just 25 years old and has essentially averaged a goal every other game over his career. Yet he had some ridiculously high praise for the next phenom to enter the league: Edmonton Oilers' top pick Connor McDavid.

While meeting with the media at the NHL's media tour in Toronto Tuesday, Stamkos dropped this line on Craig Custance of ESPN.com:

"This guy is a special kid," Stamkos told ESPN.com. "I think he's better than me right now. I wouldn't have a second thought on saying that."

Stamkos, 25, also said McDavid is better than he was at 18 years old.

"He is good. The best I've seen for a player that age."

So whether at age 18 or age 25, Stamkos views McDavid as a better player before ever playing a shift in the league.

Mets Granted Waiver To Resign Cespedes

 width=Suddenly, the Mets have a lot more time to try to re-sign impending free agent Yoenis Cespedes this offseason. GM Sandy Alderson confirmed to reporters on Tuesday the Mets have been granted a waiver by MLB and the MLBPA extending their period to re-sign Cespedes this coming offseason.

Under his original contract, the Mets would have only been able to re-sign Cespedes within five days of the end of the World Series. Now they have the entire offseason to re-sign him, as they would any regular free agent. Adam Rubin of ESPN New York explains how this all works:

Because Cespedes came from Cuba with significant professional experience, his original agent negotiated a clause in his contract that would make the outfielder a free agent after four years in the majors rather than the customary six years.

However, the mechanism that makes Cespedes a free agent calls for him to be released within five days of the completion of the World Series.

MLB rules prohibit a team from re-signing a player until the following May 15 if he has been released at that point. So, barring this waiver, the Mets effectively would have been eliminated from re-signing Cespedes once open bidding begins five days after the World Series.

The contract clause allowing Cespedes to become a free agent after four years instead of the usual six is not uncommon. Players with significant professional experience who come over from Cuba or Asia are granted the clause as a professional courtesy.

The waiver granted to the Mets by MLB and the MLBPA is not unprecedented either. Just last offseason the Royals were granted one so they could attempt to re-sign Nori Aoki, a veteran of Japanese baseball with only three years of big league service time. Aoki eventually signed with the Giants, however.

Interestingly, it was Cespedes' camp who requested the waiver from MLB and MLBPA, not the Mets.

Cubs Blast Cardinals Again; Sox Win

 width=Less Starlin Castro has meant more production for the Chicago Cubs.

Castro hit a three-run homer with four RBIs in an 8-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.

Castro, the Cubs' longtime starting shortstop, was moved to second base last month to make room for rookie Addison Russell and is hitting .252 in semi-regular duty. But he's batting .323 in his last 34 games after hitting just .101 the previous 19.

Anthony Rizzo also homered and had three RBIs for the Cubs in the middle game of a three-game series. Rizzo's two-run homer in the first was the 100th of his career.

St. Louis was down 8-0 and had been outscored 24-1 over three games before pinch-hitter Randal Grichuk sparked a five-run seventh with a two-run homer estimated at 451 feet into Big Mac Land in the seventh. Grichuk was activated from the disabled list strictly to pinch run on Monday.

Pedro Strop struck out Grichuk with the bases loaded to end the threat, pumping his fist as he jumped off the mound. Hector Rondon earned his 27th save in 31 chances.

Rookie Stephen Piscotty had two hits and two RBIs for St. Louis.

Jason Hammel (8-6) allowed three runs in six-plus innings for Chicago.

Michael Wacha (15-5) gave up six runs in four innings, his shortest outing of the season and on 10 days' rest. Like Lance Lynn a day earlier, the 24-year-old right-hander got pushed back and it backfired.

The Cardinals have the best record in the majors at 87-51, but have dropped five of six. Their lead over Pittsburgh in the NL Central slipped to 4 1/2 games. The Cubs are 6 1/2 back and are second in the NL wild-card race behind the Pirates.

Jon Lester (9-10, 3.59) is 1-2 but with a 1.96 ERA in three starts against St. Louis this season. Carlos Martinez (13-7, 3.04) is 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA against the Cubs.

 width=>>Sox Blast Tribe

Soft-spoken rookie Carlos Rodon is quietly on an impressive roll for the White Sox.

Rodon allowed one run through seven innings and Rob Brantly smacked a three-run homer for his first American League hit to lead Chicago past the Cleveland Indians 7-4 on Tuesday night.

Jose Abreu went 3 for 4 - including his 26th homer and a double - to drive in two runs and help the White Sox win for the fifth time in six games. Trayce Thompson also had two RBIs.

Rodon (7-6) scattered five hits, struck out eight and walked one in his sixth straight quality start. He is 3-2 in that span while yielding eight earned runs in his last 41 innings.

Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer off White Sox reliever Nate Jones in the eighth and pinch-hitter Jose Ramirez added a solo shot against Zach Duke in the ninth. Mike Aviles had three hits and drove in the Indians' other run.

Brantly lined the first pitch he saw in the second inning from Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco (12-10) into the right-field bullpen to put Chicago ahead 3-0.

Carrasco lasted just 2 2-3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks in his first start since Aug. 21. He was on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.

Indians RHP Josh Tomlin (4-1, 2.55 ERA) faces Jeff Samardzija (9-11, 4.87) in the series finale Wednesday night.

DJWH Welcomes Back Annual Health Fair

 width=The Dr. John Warner Hospital's annual Health Fair returns Thursday afternoon after a year's absence.

Margie Gehres with the DJWH indicates this year's fair returns to the newly paved parking lot across the street from the City owned facility on White Street. Gehres says over 50 different groups and businesses will have displays set up devoted to health and wellness.

[audio:9091514510-91015healthfair1.mp3] [/audio]

Gehres indicates they have groups from healthcare groups to DeWitt County non-profits that benefit seniors to be on hand at the Thursday fair. She feels it's not about competing, but providing residents with as much opportunity to learn about health and wellness as possible.

[audio:9091514513-91015healthfair2.mp3] [/audio]

In addition to the health and wellness focus to the event, there will also be some displays that are for leisure purposes as well.

[audio:9091514515-91015healthfair3.mp3] [/audio]

The Health Fair is from 5-7 pm Thursday afternoon at the Dr. John Warner Hospital Parking lot on White Street.

The Red Cross will be doing a blood drive from 3-7 pm as well.

Ag Secretary To Make Biofuels Announcement in Illinois

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is scheduled to appear at an Illinois energy farm to announce a USDA initiative on renewable fuel.

Vilsack's office says he will be in Urbana on Thursday morning, when he will announce the states that will be included in the project. His office says Illinois will receive a multi-million dollar funding award.

Vilsack also will discuss how renewable energy could create new markets for U.S. farmers and ranchers and save Americans utility bill money among other issues.

Illinois AG To WATCH: EPA Does Not Share Your Concerns

Documents received by Regional Radio News, the Illinois Attorney General's Office responded to concerns expressed by members of WATCH Clinton Landfill. In a clear and emphatic way, the Attorney General's Office, using evidence provided by the Illinois and United State's Environmental Protection Agency, dispelled concerns brought forward by the local group.

The 13-page letter was addressed to Bill Spencer, President of WATCH, DeWitt County Board Members Sherrie Brown and Terry Hoffman, and former Board member George Wissmiller.

The letter says quote-"we note that your concerns are not shared by the US EPA".

 width=WATCH raised several concerns in a letter written in May of this year to the Illinois Attorney General. Those concerns included degradation of landfill liners, the proximity of the Mahomet Aquifer to the landfill's chemical waste unit, and coal combustion waste.

In its response to the AG about the protection liners, they cite an evaluation of the landfill done by the US EPA, and according to the US EPA quote-"given the highly redundant and conservative nature of the liner system, leakage of leachate into the substrate is not expected."

Additionally, the EPA says the Mahomet Aquifer is at least 170-feet below the base of the chemical waste unit and is well isolated and protected by watertight clay that is continous and capable of maintaining an artesian head of approximately 110 feet.

They add, quote-"favorable conditions for continued use of the Mahomet Aquifer for drinking water are know to exist".

The Attorney General's letter also states fluids will not get into the Mahomet Aquifer "even under the worst hypothetical scenarios" and "without migration, there is no way for drinking water risks to develop".

In the last year, the Clinton Landfill has withdrawn their application to store PCB's (polychlorinated biphnyls) despite the US EPA giving them permission. Clinton Landfill, INC. has also ceased it's pursuit of manufactured gas plant waste above the regulatory limits.

In February or 2012, the Attorney General's Office issued concerns to the EPA about the types of wastes that could potentially be stored at the Clinton Landfill site.

Rickie Fowler Figuring Things Out on PGA Tour

With his victory on Monday at the Deutsche Bank Championship, Rickie Fowler has now won three PGA Tour events in exactly 150 career starts. That doesn't sound like a lot until you consider the curve of most great players on tour.

 width=Justin Rose won three of his first 194. He has won four of his past 73.

Matt Kuchar won three of his first 256. He has won four of his past 92.

Bubba Watson won three of his first 152. He has won five of his past 78.

Zach Johnson won four of his first 139. He has won eight of his past 172.

Jason Day won two of his first 151. He has won four of 18 this season.

These are all potential or probably Hall of Fame players. Fowler's trajectory mirrors theirs.

"I definitely want to be the best player that I can be," Fowler said after winning the Deutsche Bank Championship. "I want to be the best player in the world at some point. But, yes, being called overrated, I won three times, so thanks for the poll, I guess."

"The poll" is, of course, the player poll that came out in May touting Fowler and Ian Poulter as the most overrated golfers in the world. It wasn't necessarily wrong. But it wasn't right either. And Fowler is proving that.

I agree with my colleague Sean Martin that when it comes to young studs, not all are built like Phil Mickelson or Rory McIlroy.

Duke Visits White House

For the second time during his presidency, Barack Obama welcomed in the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball program to the White House. As is custom with every national champion in myriad major American sports, a tour and quick press conference of congratulations were in order.

 width=So the celebration of Duke's 2014-15 season went down in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.

"We thought about inviting the Cameron Crazies here, but I didn't want any blue paint smudging my walls," Obama joked.

And the jokes were flying. The jovial, 20-minute ceremony included back-and-forth banter between the most powerful man in the world and (arguably) the most powerful man in college basketball.

"We've been to your house twice, and you've never been to our house," Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "We'll have to correct that in about a little over a year."

Obama agreed on a future visit to Cameron Indoor. He also received an invite from Krzyzewski to play in Duke's annual basketball fantasy camp. Unlike most 35-and-older participants, he won't have to pay, though. Krzyzewski said he'd be Duke's guest -- on "scholarship."

While praising the 2014-15 national champions, Obama name-checked all the Duke stars -- referring to former Duke star frosh point guard/Final Four MOP Tyus Jones by his superior moniker, "Tyus Stones" -- and even flashing a look at Grayson Allen. Current NBAers Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow were also on hand.

"You've been an amazing leader for our country," Krzyzewski told Obama, which is notable, given Krzyzewski has previously spoken out about some of the President's tactics re: the global fight against ISIS.

Obama also made mention of Krzyzewski's career 1,000-win achievement, a threshold he eclipsed at the beginning of last season.

"Somehow he did it without every saying a bad word to a referee," Obama said.

A smiling Coach K quickly replied, "That's true, that's true."

Clinton Police Weekend Report

ON 09/04/15 CLINTON POLICE ARRESTED TRAVIS W. JILES 39, WAPELLA FOR CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND ASSAULT. JILES WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

ON 09/06/15 CLINTON POLICE ARRESTED BRANDON R. J. DALLAS 24, CLINTON FOR SPEEDING 79 MPH IN A 40 MPH ZONE, AND FLEEING/ATTEMPT ELUDE POLICE. DALLAS WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

 

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW

Former Lt. Governor Shiela Simon Announces Bid For Illinois Senate

Former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon is running for state senate in southern Illinois' 58th District.

The Carbondale Democrat made the announcement Monday at the Du Quoin State Fair.

Simon says in a written statement that she'll "stand up for Southern Illinois' families and their jobs." The former teacher says she'll also campaign on the issue of funding for education.

Longtime Republican state Sen. David Luechtefeld has held the seat since 1995. Luechtefeld, the assistant minority leader since 2003, announced in June that he would not seek re-election in 2016.

Simon served as lieutenant governor with former Gov. Pat Quinn, who lost last year to Republican Bruce Rauner.

Simon made an unsuccessful bid for comptroller last November, losing to Republican Judy Baar Topinka, who died a month later.

Heroin Crisis Override Heads To Senate

It’s on to the Illinois Senate for a chance to fully override the Governor’s amendatory veto of House Bill 1, the Heroin Crisis Act, after an overwhelming vote approving a total override Wednesday.

[audio:90815115030-HB1.mp3] [/audio]

DeWitt County Sheriff's Weekend Report

Jail Population: 28

Paper Services: 5

Warrants: 1

Corey Cook, 34, Clinton was issued a Citation and Arrested and Charged with Driving on Revoked License. Cook posted the necessary bond and was released.

Katelyn Lane, 20, Clinton was issued Citations for operating Uninsured Vehicle and Speeding 78 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Lane was issued a Notice to Appear and was released.

Kaustubit Wategaonkar, 26, Bloomington was issued a Citation for Speeding 88 MPH in a 70 MPH Zone. Wategaonkar was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Kyle Hopper, 31, Tolono wasissued a Citation for Operating Uninsured Vehicle. Hopper was issued a Notice to Appear and was released.

Leslie Andrews, 43, Clinton was issued a Citation for Speeding 80 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Andrews was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

 

 

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

DNR Raising Awareness of Ginseng Harvesting

You may have heard of ginseng through various energy drink campaigns or medicinal use purposes, but did you know it is something that can be harvested in your back yard?

John Williamson is a Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Officer. He explains ginseng is a very popular herb overseas, and because of its prominence, it has all but become extinct, so the herb is in high demand.

[audio:90815114631-9815ginseng1.mp3] [/audio]

The roots of ginseng are extremely valuable and Williamson says the best ginseng is what is found in forested areas. He says what they are coming across recently is illegally cultivated ginseng.

[audio:90815114634-9815ginseng2.mp3] [/audio]

When cultivating ginseng, Williamson notes you can only harvest a plant that is 10-years or older and the berries it produces must be replanted.

[audio:90815114637-9815ginseng3.mp3] [/audio]

Ginseng harvesting is actually a season in Illinois. According to Williamson the season began Sept. 1. He indicates there are plenty of legal ways to harvest ginseng, but in some cases, the illegal cultivation of the herb could result in a felony at a state and even federal level.

Local Family Uses Tragedy To Benefit Others

 width=This past weekend marked the anniversary of the death of a Clinton teen that shook the community last fall.

Randy and Tammy Workman's son Evan (right) was a senior at Clinton High School last year when he took his own life. The community was quick to rally around the family and according Randy, the hashtag-EvanStrong quickly came to form. Workman indicates he was hesitant on the implications of the saying because of the circumstances surrounding his youngest child's death.

[audio:90815114622-9815evanstrong1.mp3] [/audio]

Once the #EvanStrong took off, Workman indicates they started to commemorate Evan's memory by doing different events and rather than allow he and his wife to handle all the funds, they set up the #EvanStrong Foundation to provide some transparency and in the last few months, they have acquired accreditation as a 501-C-3 non-profit organization.

[audio:90815114626-9815evanstrong2.mp3] [/audio]

With the funds that will be associated with the #EvanStrong Foundation will establish a scholarship tied to an awareness aspect. Additionally, Workman indicates they hope to work with area school districts to promote mental health and suicide awareness curriculum.

[audio:90815114630-9815evanstrong3.mp3] [/audio]

This past Saturday was a community lift at Cross Fit Influence where the Workman's have been active for a few years now. The lift benefited the #EvanStrong Foundation.

CBB: Former Oklahoma State Player Suing School, Coach

Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford is being sued by one of his former basketball players.

Stevie Clark, who played for the Cowboys during the 2013-14 season, has filed a suit against Ford, and the university, that claims he was coerced into taking mind-altering drugs during his time at OSU. 

Clark also alleges his recruitment to Oklahoma State included vows of gifting him a car -- specifically, a Camaro -- something that never came to be once he got on campus.

 width=The Tulsa World first obtained Clark's suit, which also alleges, per the World, that "Clark claims that he faced 'hazing and disrespect' from teammate Marcus Smart. ... When he expressed frustration to Ford, Clark alleges he was put on psychotropic drugs without his consent. He was required to take the medication to continue practicing with the team, according to the complaint."

(Smart's 2013-14 season, by the by, became instantly infamous when he had a physical altercation with a Texas Tech fan.)

Clark's suit and his lawyer state that the side effects of the drugs in question led to thoughts of suicide and murder. The also supposedly led to Clark being depressed. The lawsuit claims Clark sought counseling for his depression in December of 2013, soon after taking the drugs.

Oklahoma State responded to the lawsuit by deeming it "utterly baseless" in an email to the Tulsa World.

Clark was kicked off the team on Feb. 3, 2014, after he was cited for "outraging public decency." The catalyst for the charge: urinating in public on a moving car. It was his third major incident while a member of the team. Clark was previously charged (and suspended) that season for marijuana possession, in addition to sitting out for undisclosed reasons at the beginning of the season. The former top-75 recruit averaged 5.3 points with the Pokes.

The suit accuses Ford and Oklahoma State of blocking Clark from transferring to any Division I school. Clark wound up transferring to Iowa-based Indian Hills Community College, where he left before the 2014-15 season began.

Clark is now seeking myriad payouts on damages to his could-have-been basketball career, in addition to mental-health and emotional harm.

Big Second Half Propels Ohio State Past Virginia Tech

 width=The unanimous preseason No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes entered halftime in the same position they finished their last meeting with Virginia Tech: trailing. But a quick response after halftime by new offensive toy Braxton Miller helped jumpstart a 28-0 run that put the Buckeyes ahead for good.

Cardale Jones was named the Buckeyes' starter (finally) and performed well, especially early. The performance wasn't perfect but it was good enough to leave Blacksburg with an unblemished record. Ohio State remains No. 1, and now Virginia Tech has do deal with the fallout from losing starting quarterback Michael Brewer to a shoulder injury.

Jones finished with decent passing numbers (9 of 18 for 186 yards, two touchdowns and one interception) and 99 rushing yards and a score on 13 attempts.

Miller pulled in a 24-yard pass on his first target, diving to the ground to pluck the ball away from the turf. From there he put on a show, taking another pass 54 yards for a score and adding a 53-yard touchdown run.

Virginia Tech led 17-14 at halftime.

Fowler Rallies To Win Deutsche Bank Championship

 width=Remember when Rickie Fowler wasn't clutch or rated properly or whatever the heck that narrative was? On Monday, at the Deutsche Bank Championship, Fowler stole the second playoff event of the season from Henrik Stenson with a late barrage of huge putts.

First, he made a 12-footer at the par-3 11th.

Then he made a crazy 38-foot bomb at the par-4 14th to get within one.

In all, Fowler made over 110 feet feet of putts on Monday in what was his third win worldwide in 2015. It wasn't just the flat stick, either. He turned to his driver late and pumped one 341 yards at the par-5 18th hole in a scene reminiscent of the Players Championship earlier this year.

He would go on to make an easy par and win by one over Stenson.

For the first time in his pro career, Spieth has now missed two straight cuts on the PGA Tour. And still, he's going to regain his No. 1 ranking. That's likely not on his mind at this point, though. Fixing a woeful putting stroke (almost dead least in the 100-player field in strokes gained putting) should be at the forefront.

Hunter Mahan kept his crazy streak of playoff events played alive on Monday in Boston as he pushed into the top five. Mahan will now have played in all 35 FedEx Cup events in his career as he shot 64-70 in the final two rounds of the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Grand Jury Will Review Patrick Kane Case

After reports surfaced that one witness in the Patrick Kane investigation had been subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury, the Buffalo News is now reporting that the entire case as it stands will go before the grand jury. A 23-person panel of Erie County citizens will hear the evidence about the allegations of rape against Kane starting next week, according to the report.

The grand jury's role would be to hear all the evidence presented by the district attorney and then vote on whether there is enough evidence to sustain a criminal charge against Kane, those experts said.

 width=Kane has been the subject of a police investigation in Hamburg, N.Y., for an incident that allegedly occurred at the Chicago Blackhawks forward's home on the morning of Aug. 2. He has not been charged with a crime.

Local law enforcement officials have been tight-lipped on the proceedings and now that the case is going before a grand jury, the details will likely remain hard to come by. Grand jury proceedings are kept secret by law.

Former Erie County D.A. Frank J. Clark explained the key factors in bringing this investigation to the grand jury in an interview with the Buffalo News.

Kane can be called to testify, but cannot be compelled to do so. It was also reported by Scott Levin of WGRZ that everyone that was in Kane's home on the night of the alleged incident has been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury. Law enforcement officials could also be called to share information from their investigation.

NHL training camps open on Sept. 17. It is highly unlikely that a grand jury decision would be rendered by that time, but it is difficult to know just how long something like this will take.

If this process extends into training camp and beyond, the NHL could choose to suspend the forward indefinitely given that he is still the subject of a criminal investigation. The league has remained mostly quiet on this situation, but it's hard to see them allowing Kane to participate in team activities while the investigation remains unresolved.

That said, this is a major step towards resolving what has been a lengthy investigation.

Mets Harvey To Make 2 More Starts Before Playoffs

Since Jon Heyman's column on Mets starter Matt Harvey and an innings-limit controversy on Friday, the news has dominated headlines.

The most recent turn was Harvey stating that he plans to pitch in the playoffs Sunday evening. On Monday morning -- in front of a huge three-game series against the second-place Nationals in DC -- Mets general manager Sandy Alderson discussed the Harvey situation with local reporters.

 width=The basics are that it sounds like the Mets will definitely start Harvey against the Nationals and then skip him a few times to extend him toward the end of the season.

With Steven Matz off the disabled list, the Mets have gone to a six-man rotation, so they could easily absorb skipping Harvey a few times, at least in terms of having an able-bodied replacement. Following a Tuesday start against Washington, Harvey was next scheduled to face the Marlins on Sept. 14 and then the Braves on Sept. 21. It sounds like the Mets will sit him for those starts and then play it by ear until the final series against the Nationals.

The Mets face the Nationals in the final three games of the season. If the two clubs are within three games of each other, those are like playoff games and Alderson indicated Harvey would be used then.

If not, it sounds like it's possible Tuesday is the last time we see Harvey until the playoffs, if the Mets make it.

Harvey, 26, is 12-7 with a 2.60 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 158 strikeouts in 166 1/3 innings this season. The number of 180 innings is what is being tossed around as Harvey's soft "limit" this season, his first since returning from Tommy John surgery.

Cubs Blast Cardinals; Sox Fall To Indians

 width=>>Cubs Blast Cardinals

Dan Haren worked seven innings in a 9-0 victory over the Cardinals on Monday. Haren (9-9) had five strikeouts and two walks. He also contributed a single and sacrifice fly.

The NL Central-leading Cardinals maintained a 5 1/2-game lead over Pittsburgh, which lost 3-1 to Cincinnati. The Cubs are 7 1/2 games back.

Dexter Fowler had a leadoff home run and two-run double in the first two innings.

Fowler matched his season best for RBIs and became the Cubs' first switch-hitter to score 90 runs since Brian McRae scored 111 in 1996.

Addison Russell's three-run homer capped a five-run third that made it 8-0. The Cubs have won four in a row and got an 11-game trip off to a rocking start.

Lance Lynn (11-9) surrendered six runs in 2 1-3 innings on nine days' rest after getting extra time to recover from a sprained ankle in his last start. The ankle wasn't the issue.

Fowler's leadoff homer was his fifth this season and the 14th of his career.

The Cubs are 36-29 on the road, second best in the NL behind the Cardinals' 38-27.

2B Kolten Wong (calf tightness) was a late lineup scratch. He struck out pinch hitting and reached first in the ninth.

Randal Grichuk (elbow) pinch ran in the ninth after being activated off the DL, but has not been cleared for hitting or throwing.

Michael Wacha (15-4, 2.69) pitches for the first time since Aug. 28. He's 4-0 with a 2.88 ERA in nine career starts with six-or-more days rest. Jason Hammel (7-6, 3.55) faces the Cardinals for the third time this season. He's 1-3 with a 6.31 ERA record for his career against St. Louis.

 width=>>Indians Escape White Sox

Ryan Raburn hit a pair of solo home runs off Chris Sale, Trevor Bauer pitched two-hit ball for seven innings and the Cleveland Indians beat the White Sox 3-2 Monday, ending Chicago's four-game winning streak.

Raburn has eight multihomer games in his career, four of them against the White Sox. He is 10 for 33 with four home runs lifetime versus Sale (12-8).

Sale (12-8) struck out eight in seven innings. The lefty ace has fanned 247 this year, nearing the single-season team record of 269 set by Ed Walsh in 1908.

Bauer (11-11) shrugged off a lack of command early to allow two runs on two hits in seven innings. He walked five and struck out six.

Cody Allen pitched the ninth for his 29th save, completing the combined three-hitter.

The White Sox took a 2-0 lead in the second before getting a hit. Bauer started the inning by walking Avisail Garcia, J.B. Shuck and Mike Olt on 12 pitches.

Carlos Sanchez drove in the first run with a groundout and Tyler Fowlers had a sacrifice fly, but Bauer was happy to escape with just the two runs scoring.

The Indians tied it in the fourth on solo home runs by Mike Aviles and Raburn.

In the sixth inning, Raburn gave Cleveland a 3-2 lead when he hit another solo homer, a 425-foot drive over the left-field bullpen and into the bleachers.

RHP Carlos Carrasco (shoulder inflammation) will be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday and is scheduled to start the second game of the series.

LHP Carlos Rodon (6-6, 4.10) will will make his 21st start of the season. He is 2-2 with a 1.85 ERA in his last five starts.

Assistant Fire Chief's Appointment Called Into Question

 width=At the Tuesday night Clinton City Council Meeting, Commissioner of Public Health and Safety, Dan Ballenger (Picture right) appointed two fire fighters to the position of Assistant Fire Chief. One passed unanimously, the other was called into question.

Earlier this year, Asst. Fire Chief Raymond James was arrested in DeWitt County on a charge of driving under the influence. Monday night, Commissioner Nan Crang questioned whether that offense should be taken into account for his appointment. Commissioner Ballenger defended James and feels he has learned from that mistake.

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Additionally, Crang questioned why the offense did not disqualify James from being on the department at a leadership level. According to City Attorney Steve Myers, there is a difference between an alcohol related offense with a fire fighter that is on company time as opposed to personal time offenses.

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Ballenger, along with Interim Fire Chief David Dallas, says they are fully confident in James to not only handle the position but be dependable going forward.

The appointment of Raymond James passed by a vote of 3-2. Mayor Roger Cyrulik along with Crang were the "no" votes.

The appointment of Assistant Chief Jason Karr was approved 5-0.

Additionally, Commissioner Ballenger indicates he is close to a decision for the position of Fire Chief. Ballenger explains he has been in the evaluation process to make sure he gets leaders in the proper positions.

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Ballenger explains part of his evaluation process has been attending fires and watching his men work and evaluating on who would best fit in which positions. He indicates it has ruffled some feathers within the department but he has wanted to see his crews in action.

He also continues to report numbers continue to go up and more volunteers continue to join the department as time goes on.

In other business from the Monday night Clinton City Council meeting...

>>The Council approved the purchase of a backhoe from Altorfer just over $74-thousand. The Council heard from representatives from John Deere as well.

>>The Council approved the sale of a firearm from the Clinton Police Department Monday night.

>>The Council approved the contract of the Clinton Police Department. The Council still has contracts fro the Fire Department still to approve.

Tour DeWitt A Smashing Success

When Steve and Dana Lobb started planning to bring back the "Tour DeWitt" bike ride, they curbed their expectations.

After all, the ride hadn't gone on in DeWitt County in several years, so they weren't sure how popular it would actually be. Despite a crummy morning and no real break in the weather, Steve Lobb indicates the turnout was beyond what they could have expected.

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Lobb attributes the exceptional turnout to a couple of things. He says it is not uncommon for bikers to decide the day of an event if they are going to ride and he also feels the benefit for the Child Protection Network played into it as well.

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Almost half the riders chose to take on the longest route that stretched from Clinton to Farmer City and back and Lobb felt it had a lot to do with the great scenery DeWitt County has to offer.

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Thanks to the great participation and some outside donors, Lobb and his crew will be able to present the Child Protection Network with approximately $5-thousand. He says his goal was about half of that.

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Lobb says he is already looking forward to next year's event and is making adjustments.

He thanks all the volunteers that gave many hours of their time to help make the reintroduction of Tour DeWitt a success and thanked the many civic groups that stepped up in their various capacities and also thanks everyone that participated to make it the biggest Tour DeWitt on record.

DeWitt County Group Offering Low Income Residents Jobs Skills Training

DeWitt County's Community Action is offering low-income residents an opportunity to better their skills in order to be employed.

Community Action's "Jobs For Life" offers a unique solution to poverty and joblessness by equipping participants with skills to meet the pressing employment needs of local businesses.

The eight week course will cover a variety of topics including conflict resolution, effective communication skills, and how to develop a resume.

Alison Rumler-Gomez, Executive Director of Community Action, says one of the unique qualities of Jobs for Life is that it relies on a network of volunteers to commit to mentoring the students and forming relationships.

The volunteers participate in the classes along with the students and provide knowledge and support along the way.

Anita Russell, Coordinator for the Hand Up Project through Community Action, will be teaching the classes in Clinton. She feels it is a great opportunity for those unemployed or underemployed to quote-"become fully self-sufficient".

To participate in the Jobs for Life Program as either a student or a volunteer, please contact the DeWitt County Community Action office at 217-935-2455.

Community Action is also looking for local businesses to come and speak to the class about what they are looking for in an ideal employee.

Miller Park Zoo Readying For Annual Zoo-Doo Event

Organizers at the Miller Park Zoo are making final preparations this week for one of their biggest events of the year.

The Miller Park Zoological Society, the fundraising branch of the Bloomington Zoo, helps host the event each year which, according to Zoo Superintendent Jay Tetzloff, allows guests some unique opportunities.

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The theme will be a Caribbean/rain forest with food and drinks. Tetzloff says they hope to have some unannounced events that will leave those that attend talking long after the evening concludes.

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According to Tetzloff, the money raised from this year's event is going to help the zoo acquire some equipment that will benefit their animal care.

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The zoo recently embarked on construction for a flamingo exhibit. Tetzloff indicates past ZooDoo events have gone to benefit their efforts to advance that project.

The event is Saturday, September 12 beginning at 5 pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Miller Park Zoo at 309-424-2250 or visit millerparkzoo.org.

College Football Notes

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>> Illinois scores cathartic win over Kent State 52-3

Wes Lunt passed for four touchdowns and Illinois routed Kent State 52-3 in the opener for both teams on Saturday, a day after it was re-scheduled due to lightning.

An Illini team looking to bounce back from a season of off-field turmoil took a 38-0 halftime lead Saturday and cruised to the win. Lunt was 11 of 19 for 162 yards before heading to the bench in the third quarter with Illinois comfortably ahead.

The Illini defense held Kent State scoreless until Shayne Hynes hit a 43-yard field goal with 8:30 left in the game.

Golden Flash quarterback Colin Reardon was 15 of 34 for 156 yards and threw three interceptions.

Illinois has faced off-field problems since a former player accused coach Tim Beckman of interfering in medical decisions. Beckman was fired on Aug. 28 after an investigation found evidence that he had. Beckman has denied any wrongdoing.

 

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>> Iowa pounds Illinois State 31-14

C.J. Beathard threw for 211 yards and a touchdown in his first career start at Kinnick Stadium and Iowa pounded Illinois State 31-14 on Saturday.

Beathard also ran for two touchdowns, and LeShun Daniels, Jr. had 123 yards rushing for the Hawkeyes in their opener.

Iowa held the FCS Redbirds to just 231 yards - roughly half of what they averaged per game last season.

Iowa raced out to a 17-0 halftime lead and pushed it to 31-0 on Beathard's 1-yard plunge midway through the fourth quarter.

Jake Kolbe had 147 yards passing and two late TDs for Illinois State.

Chicago Bears Beat Arizona; Waive Mills

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>> Bryant hits long HR, Cubs beat Arizona 6-4

It's just not Kris Bryant's style to watch his home runs - even when he's launching a rocket nearly 500 feet off a gigantic video board.

Bryant hit a huge home run and tied a club rookie record for RBIs, Miguel Montero added a grand slam, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 to complete a three-game sweep Sunday.

Bryant's drive leading off the fifth against Rubby De La Rosa (12-7) traveled an estimated 495 feet.

The home run also gave Bryant 86 RBIs, tying a club rookie mark held by Hall of Famer Billy Williams (1961) and Geovany Soto (2008), and wiped out a 1-0 deficit.

Montero connected against Matt Reynolds in a five-run sixth. Pinch-hitter Jonathan Herrera added a solo drive off Silvino Bracho in the inning to make it 6-1, sending Chicago to the victory.

Former Cub Welington Castillo had three hits, including an RBI double in the fourth and a solo home run in the ninth. Nick Ahmed added a two-run drive off Pedro Strop in the inning before Phil Gosselin struck out, giving the Diamondbacks 11 losses in 14 games.

De La Rosa gave up three runs and five hits in five innings.

 

>> Bears waive Jordan Mills

The Chicago Bears have waived right tackle Jordan Mills.

A fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech in 2013, Mills started all 29 games he played in over two seasons.

Letting Mills go could open the door for Kyle Long to move from right guard to right tackle.

The Bears also claimed safety Harold Jones-Quartey and offensive lineman Patrick Omameh off waivers while terminating the contract of veteran safety Sherrod Martin on Sunday.

>> Bears keep Willie Young while trimming roster to 53

The Chicago Bears are keeping outside linebacker Willie Young - at least for now.

Young was not among the 20 players released as the Bears trimmed their roster to 53 before Saturday's deadline.

The was some speculation he might be let go even though he led the Bears with 10 sacks last season, in part because he is working his way back from a torn left Achilles tendon. The Bears also switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme under John Fox, and with that, Young got moved from the defensive line to outside linebacker, adding another wrinkle.

Chicago also kept David Fales as the third quarterback behind Jay Cutler and Jimmy Clausen.

 

White Sox beat Royals 7-5

It is probably too late for the Chicago White Sox, but they are back on a hot streak.

Adam Eaton homered and scored three times, and the White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-5 on Sunday for their fourth straight win.

The White Sox had lost their first six games at Kauffman Stadium before sweeping the Royals.

David Robertson worked a flawless ninth to log his 29th save and has retired 25 straight batters.

Eaton collected three more hits and is batting .517 (15 for 29) in his last seven games.

Erik Johnson (1-0) pitched six innings of three-run ball in his first major league appearance of the season, allowing three solo homers.

Pirates beat Cardinals 7-1

Gerrit Cole (16-8) got his first chance to face Lackey on Sunday night and could not have been much better. The 24-year-old righty gave up two hits in seven scoreless innings, and the Pittsburgh Pirates used home runs from Aramis Ramirez, Sean Rodriguez and Starling Marte to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-1.

The second-place Pirates cut the Cardinals' lead in the NL Central to 5 1/2 games and earned their first series victory at Busch Stadium since April 2013. The teams are 8-8 against each other with one series to play at Pittsburgh in the final week of the season.

Even the 37-year-old Lackey was impressed with Cole, who threw a 99 mph fastball on his 94th pitch.

Lackey (11-9) pitched well, too, allowing three runs and 10 hits in 7 1-3 innings while extending his streak of quality starts at home to 15.

Cole also drove in his first run of the season with a two-out single over second baseman Kolten Wong in the seventh.

Packers bringing WR James Jones back to Green Bay

After spending a year away from Green Bay, it looks like James Jones is ready to return. According to reports, the wide receiver is expected to sign with the Packers after flying into Green Bay on Sunday.

Jones arrived in Wisconsin just one day after being cut by the Giants.

"That's the plan, man," Jones said of signing with the Packers. "Hopefully something gets done. I flew all the way over here, so hopefully something gets done. I'm excited man, it feels good to get back and be back home, so we'll see what happens."

The Packers have been short on veteran receivers since they lost Jordy Nelson to an ACL tear on Aug. 23.

Jones spent seven seasons in Green Bay after the Packers selected him in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. The receiver left via free agency in 2014 and signed with the Raiders. After being surprisingly cut in May, Jones signed with the Giants where he lasted until he was cut Saturday.

During his first stint with the Packers, the 31-year-old went over the 600-yard mark in five of his seven seasons, including 2013, when he finished with a career-high 817 yards.

Patrick Kane case to be reviewed by grand jury

After reports surfaced that one witness in the Patrick Kane investigation had been subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury,reports are indicating that the entire case as it stands will go before the grand jury. A 23-person panel of Erie County citizens will hear the evidence about the allegations of rape against Kane starting next week, according to the report.

Kane has been the subject of a police investigation in Hamburg, N.Y., for an incident that allegedly occurred at the Chicago Blackhawks forward's home on the morning of Aug. 2. He has not been charged with a crime.

Local law enforcement officials have been tight-lipped on the proceedings and now that the case is going before a grand jury, the details will likely remain hard to come by. Grand jury proceedings are kept secret by law.

Labor Day Police Enforcement

AS POLICE BEEF UP PATROLS FOR THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND…OFFICERS SAY DRUNK AND DISTRACTED DRIVING ARE TWO OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THAT LEAD TO CRASHES.

LAST YEAR IN ILLINOIS…16 PEOPLE WERE KILLED OVER THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY. THREE OF THOSE DEATHS WERE ALCOHOL RELATED. ILLINOIS STATE POLICE LIEUTENANT DARRIN CLARK SAYS DISTRACTED DRIVING IS ALSO BECOMING A BIG FACTOR IN CAR CRASHES.

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STATE AND LOCAL POLICE WILL HAVE EXTRA PERSONNEL OUT ON THE ROADS, SATURATION PATROLS AND ROADSIDE SAFETY CHECKS THROUGH THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE LIEUTENANT DARRIN CLARK SAYS THEY ARE STILL SEEING TOO MANY DRUNK DRIVERS ON THE ROADS…AND MOTORISTS WHO ARE FOCUSED ON EVERYTHING BUT DRIVING.

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LAST YEAR 16 PEOPLE DIED ON ILLINOIS ROADWAYS OVER THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND. THREE OF THOSE DEATHS WERE ALCOHOL RELATED.

Illinois adding collections to national digital library

Collections from libraries across Illinois will soon be added to the nation's online library.

Secretary of State Jesse White - who's also the state librarian - announced Friday the Illinois State Library will become a "service hub" for the Digital Public Library of America.

The digital library was launched in 2013. It includes almost 11 million books, historical records and images from museums, libraries and archives across the U.S.

Users may access the materials online for free.

White says the Illinois State Library will work with the Chicago Public Library, the University of Illinois and academic and research libraries to contribute collections to the digital library. They'll be available in early 2016.

White says putting items online will ensure future generations "will have more convenient access to Illinois' rich history."

Illinois gets CDC grant to combat drug overdoses

Illinois will receive a four-year federal grant to combat prescription-drug overdoses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named Illinois as one of 16 recipients in a program called "Prescription Drug Overdoses: Prevention for States."

The grant is worth $3.6 million.

The money is meant to support a variety of strategies, including enhancing prescription drug monitoring and improving the prescribing practices for opioids. The funds would also help start prevention efforts at state and local levels to minimize misuse and overdose, and begin "rapid response projects" to take on new and emerging problems related to the epidemic.

The program is directed at prescription drug overdoses, but also provides the chance to increase surveillance and evaluation to understand and respond to heroin overdose deaths.

State of Illinois continues to hire despite lack of budget

The absence of a state budget hasn't kept Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration and other Illinois agencies from hiring more workers.

Illinois comptroller records show that 440 people were added to the payroll in August, more than the previous six-month average and an increase from the previous month. In July, 360 employees were hired, slightly less than the six-month average of 390 per month.

The hires come as the governor moves to lay off some state workers by closing the Illinois State Museum and reducing funding at the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said the new employees are replacing workers who have left the payroll.

The employees range from high-profile officials to interns.

Cornbelters Defeat the Boomers Fnishing the Regular Season

The Normal Cornbelters defeated the Schamburg Boomers by a score fo 3-1 Sunday afternoon, finishing the regular 2015 season 61-35.

Tune in Thursday, September 10, as the Cornbelters continue on to the post-season. You can hear the game live on 95.9 FM and online at dewittdailynews.com.

High School Football Week 2 Scores

Central Illinois Conference:

Central A&M 42, Big Rock Crossroads Academy 8

Bunker Hill 30, Meridian 13 

Maroa-Forsyth 18, Decatur St. Teresa 7

Shelbyville 29, Rantoul 16

Sullivan-Okaw Valley 42, Mt. Olive 0

Warrensburg-Latham 48, Kincaid-South Fork: 6

 

Okaw Valley Conference: 

St. Joseph-Ogden 44, Clifton Central 0,

Monticello 35, Macomb 33 

Tolono Unity 8, Monmouth-Roseville 8-36

St. Thomas Moore 26, River Grove-Guerin 42

 

Heart of Illinois:

Fisher 21, LeRoy 34

Heyworth 41, Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland 26 

Fieldcrest 40, Dee-Mack 34

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 32, Tremont 21

 

Corn Belt

Mahomet-Seymour 31, Eureka 7

Bloomington Central Catholic 31, Normal U-High 12 

Pontiac 47, Illinois Valley Central 26

Prairie Central 47, Olympia 6 

 

Central State Eight

Chatham Glenwood 65, Lincoln 0

Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 74, Decatur Eisenhower 31

Jacksonville 46, Springfield Southeast 20

Rochester 53, Springfield 15

Springfield (Lanphier) 63, Decatur (MacArthur) 13

 

Big Twelve

Peoria 47, Peoria Richwoods 21

Peoria Notre Dame 64, Peoria Manual 20 

 

Non-Conference

Arcola 42, Toledo Cumberland 0

Argenta 0, Villa Grove-Heritage 42

Arthur 36, Martinsville 23

Belleville East 55, Normal West 38

Belleville West 14, Normal Community 26

Williamsville 35, Breese Mater Dei 34

Taylorville 14, Limestone 7  

Decatur Lutheran 45, Oakland Tri-County 6

Dunlap 14, Champaign 26

Pawnee 22, Cerro Gordo-Bement 20 

Paxton 35, Bismarck-Henning 21

Tri-Valley 55, Watseka 6

Mt. Zion 53, Jerseyville 34

Pekin 48, Bloomington 27 

Marion 35, Champaign Centennial 34

Washington 19, Morris 13

Urbana 40, Morton 14

Princeville 27, Peoria Heights 6

Normal Cornbelters Fall to Schamburg Boomers

The Normal Cornbelters fell to the Schamburg Boomers by a score fo 5-2 on Saturday night.

Tune in tomorrow afternoon, September 6, as the Cornbelters take on the Schamburg Boomers in the last game of the regular season. You can hear the game live on 95.9 FM and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Budget Director Addresses Inaction in Springfield

With continued appropriations, consent decrees and court orders, the state’s budget is on auto pilot and the Governor’s Management and Budget Director says that means Illinois taxpayers are strapped in to pay up to $5 billion more than expected.

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Governor Intends To Continue Negotiating After SB1229 Fails

The Governor will stay at the bargaining table to represent taxpayers in negotiations with the state’s unions.

That’s after the House failed to gather enough votes for a veto override of Senate Bill 1229, the so-called no strike-no lockout bill supported by Democrats and the Unions.

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The veto override required 71 votes, but several Democrats either voted no, didn’t vote, or were not present.

Rauner, Madigan React To SB1229 Vote

The failure of a measure that would allow for either side of labor negotiations to declare an impasse allows the Governor to stay at the negotiating table, but will it mean a union strike?

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University of Illinois Names Interim Provost

The University of Illinois has named an interim provost to take over after the resignation of the No. 2 official on the Urbana-Champaign campus.

Acting Chancellor Barbara Wilson said Thursday that Edward Feser will serve as interim provost until someone is hired to permanently fill that job. Feser is dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the campus.

Feser takes over for Ilesanmi Adesida (il-eh-SAHN'-muh uh-DISH'-eh-duh).

Adesida resigned this month along with the campus' top official, Chancellor Phyllis Wise, amid a series of problems at the university. They included disclosure that Wise, Adesida and others used private emails to discuss university business without public scrutiny.

University officials have said a new chancellor will be hired in six to nine months and a provost after that.

Maroa-Forsyth Schools Budget Improving

The State of the Maroa-Forsyth Budget at this point last year was not good.

A major budget overhaul and borrowing money were a few of the options that school administrators contemplated as they faced a major deficit. Mike Williams, Superintendent of Maroa-Forsyth Schools indicates the buget is improving as they enter school year 2015-16.

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The improved budget outlook can be attributed to a couple things. Williams explains the biggest impact is the local property values. He points out there has been business growth in Forsyth which has helped them out greatly as well increased local property values.

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Williams notes the improvement in the local economy is just one of the ways they plan to continue to build their budget back up. He explains they hope to try for a tax referendum once more next year.

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Williams says their reserves are down from where they'd like to be but overall he say things are better than what they've been.

Farm Progress Show 2015 Wraps Up

The 2015 Super Bowl of Agriculture wrapped up Thursday from Progress City on the campus of Richland Community College and leaders and organizers are hailing this year's show a huge success.

One reason for that is because of the return of the field demonstrations. According to Matt Jungmann, Events Manager with Farm Progress, the field demos weren't able to be done the last few times around in Decatur, and the fact they returned in 2015 was huge. He says so many aspects of the three-day event were very successful.

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Stu Ellis organized a new addition to this year's event. The UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) show and he indicates farmers are asking him great questions about the UAV's, also called drones.

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Jungmann says the crowds were phenomenal the first two days of the show and Thursday was slower but he says that is the type of crowd that intentionally comes to talk to the exhibitors ready to make decisions about products.

Organizers all say the show was great and thank everyone with Richland Community College and the community of Decatur that helped make a success.

Deutsche Bank Championship Opens Today

 width=The second of four playoff events will take place this week in Boston. It's easy to lose track of these with football just around the corner, but the Deutsche Bank is fun because it has a Monday finish and slices the playoff field to a mere 70 heading into the BMW Championship.

Jason Day appears to be a heavy favorite coming off a victory at the Barclays to open the Fed Ex Cup Championship.

The tournament wraps up Labor Day Monday, one of the few tournaments to open on a Friday and end on a Monday.

Harvard's Top Player, Chambers Out For '15-16

Perhaps the most important player to Harvard's team for the upcoming season will now not play a game. The school sent a release out Wednesday morning stating that senior starting point guard Siyani Chambers will miss the 2015-16 season with a torn ACL.

 width=Chambers put up 9.9 points and 4.3 assists per game last season. He's been the starter for the Crimson since his freshman year, putting up more than 35 minutes per game over the past three seasons.

Not only will Chambers miss basketball this season, but Harvard's release also states he's taking a voluntary leave from school altogether. This is tied to student-athlete rules that only apply in the Ivy League. Since there are no scholarships in the Ivy, Chambers cannot take a redshirt season, i.e., continue to go to classes while accepting a scholarship year. So in order for him to remain eligible in basketball for 2016-17, he has to stave off his coursework for a year.

Harvard, which had for decades been one of the worst programs in its league, has made the NCAA Tournament four consecutive seasons under Tommy Amaker. The upcoming season will be the most inexperienced Amaker's roster has been in seven seasons, dating back to when Jeremy Lin was a junior.

White Sox Solve Twins

J.B. Shuck's two-run, pinch-hit triple in the seventh inning sent the Chicago White Sox to a 6-4 win over Minnesota.

Shuck's single came off reliever Casey Fien (4-6), who allowed three runs while getting just one out.

Eddie Rosario hit a grand slam for the Twins, who fell 1 1/2 games behind idle Texas for the second AL wild-card spot. Minnesota now starts a nine-game trip to division leaders Houston and Kansas City and wraps up at the White Sox.

 width=The White Sox trailed 4-3 when Alexei Ramirez led off the seventh with an infield single that Fien kicked with his leg when it looked as if shortstop Eduardo Escobar already had a play on the ball.

Geovany Soto then walked, Carlos Sanchez sacrificed and Shuck delivered.

Jose Abreu had three hits for Chicago to back Jeff Samardzija (9-11). The White Sox starter ended his six-game losing streak and David Robertson got his 28th save in 34 chances.

Samardzija managed to earn his first win since July 28. He has an 8.33 ERA in his last seven starts and has allowed nine home runs during that span.

Chicago heads to Kansas City and will start LHP John Danks (6-12, 4.82 ERA) in the first game of the series against RHP Kris Medlen (3-0, 3.51). Danks has lost four straight decisions, allowing two runs and seven hits in six innings against Seattle on Aug. 28.

Manager Robin Ventura announced right-hander Erik Johnson will start Sunday's game in Kansas City, with left-hander Chris Sale being pushed back one day to start Monday at home against Cleveland in a Labor Day afternoon start.

Illinois Opens With Kent State Tonight; ISU Opens At Iowa Tomorrow

 width=>>After Long Offseason, Illini Ready For Season Opener

Illinois is about to open its football season and, after months of turmoil, the team says it couldn't be more ready to go play.

That turmoil led to the firing of coach Tim Beckman last week over his alleged interference in player medical decisions. He's denied wrongdoing.

Offensive coordinator Bill Cubit becomes interim coach as Illinois gets ready to face Kent State on Friday.

Cubit doesn't expect much to change. Illinois' offense will still be his and it will still revolve around quarterback Wes Lunt.

Offensive lineman Teddy Karras believes the adversity could give the team a boost.

Kent State coach Paul Haynes agrees. He says teams facing trouble tend to unite.

 width=>>ISU Looks To Get Season Off Right at Iowa

Coming off its most successful season in program history in 2014, the Illinois State football team kicks off the 2015 season in one of the toughest environments in college football at Kinnick Stadium against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Illinois State: Brock Spack (Purdue, 1983) is in his seventh season as the head coach at Illinois State (46-26). Spack led the Redbirds to their first Missouri Valley Football Conference title in 15 years in 2014, and set the school record for wins with 13 while being named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award.

The Hawkeyes have earned bowl eligibility in 13 of the last 14 seasons.

Junior quarterback C.J. Beathard, the nephew of Illinois State offensive coordinator Kurt Beathard, is making his second career start in the 2015 season opener. Beathard made his first career start at Purdue on Sept. 27, 2014, and led the Hawkeyes to a 24-10 win.

The Redbirds are ranked second in the country heading into the season and returning to key players from last year's championship game run in runningback Marshaun Coprich and quarterback Tre Roberson.

Game time from Iowa City Saturday is 11 am and can be seen on th Big Ten Network.

Western Drops Eastern in Season Opener; NCAA Football Opening Night Recaps

 width=As heard on WHOW, Lance Lenoir caught a touchdown pass and sparkled on punt and kickoff returns to help the Leathernecks beat Eastern Illinois 33-5 in a season-opener Thursday night.

The Leathernecks took advantage of three interceptions and two fumbles by Jalen Whitlow and 14 Panthers penalties.

Trailing 3-0, Lenoir returned the ensuing kickoff 71 yards. Three plays later Trenton Norvell threw 19 yards to Lenoir for a touchdown. Lenoir had 124 yards on 10 catches.

It was 14-3 after a 1-yard scoring run by Devon Moore, which came after an interception and a roughing-the-kicker penalty on a missed field-goal attempt.

Brett Taylor scored on a 42-yard interception return in the third quarter, though the Panthers returned the blocked PAT for two points.

After a 42-yard punt return by Lenoir, Moore scored from 4 yards out for a 30-5 advantage.

This was the second meeting since the two schools were conference rivals from 1934-1997.

 width=>>Utah Beats Michigan

The attention surrounding Jim Harbaugh consumed college football in the offseason. The prevailing opinion is it's a matter of when, not if, Harbaugh makes Michigan a national championship contender again.

The nation found out there's work to be done in Ann Arbor after the Wolverines lost 24-17 to Utah on Thursday night.

On the opposite sideline, Utah hoped its four-year starting quarterback would take the next step and show some consistency. The Utes called it a night feeling much better and more confident in Travis Wilson.

Jake Rudock finished 27 for 43 with 279 yards and two touchdowns. The first touchdown was a dangerous throw to tight end Jake Butt in triple-coverage.

Wilson didn't take many risks, but he made several plays that were key to the win. He came out running the ball with Michigan focused on running back Devontae Booker. Wilson was smart and took open check-downs and got the ball into the hands of his playmakers. He completed 72.7 percent of his passes and ran for 61 yards and a touchdown. The goal this season is to complete 65 percent of his passes.

>>No. 2 TCU Edges Minnesota

Longtime friends TCU coach Gary Patterson and Minnesota coach Jerry Kill met at midfield after another tough game and shook hands.

The second-ranked Horned Frogs enter this season with national championship aspirations, and the Golden Gophers showed them just how difficult that pursuit is going to be.

Trevone Boykin threw for 246 yards and a touchdown and ran for 92 yards and another score to help the Horned Frogs outlast Minnesota 23-17 on Thursday night.

Boykin started his Heisman push by completing 26 of 42 passes. But he also threw an interception and the Horned Frogs had a difficult time getting their frenetic offense rolling against Minnesota's determined defense. The 23 points were their fewest scored since Nov. 9, 2013, in a 21-17 victory over Iowa State.

Jaden Oberkrom made three field goals, including a 53-yarder, and Josh Doctson had eight catches for 74 yards and a touchdown for TCU.

Mitch Leidner was 19 for 35 for 197 yards for Minnesota. His touchdown pass to K.J. Maye with 1:32 left pulled the Golden Gophers within a touchdown, but TCU recovered the ensuing onside kick to hang on.

Maye had four catches for 73 yards and Rodney Smith rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown for the Golden Gophers. They haven't beaten a Top 10 team at home since 1977.

High School Football Week 2 Preview; Clinton At Home

 width=The Clinton Maroons, fresh off a smashing 67-35 victory of Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland last Friday night, are home for their first game at Clinton High School this fall.

The Maroons host Fithian-Oakwood-Armstrong-Potomac tonight at 7 pm. Last year, Clinton went on the road, and in a storm-delayed night across the state, the Maroons came away with a tight 22-20 victory. Last week, the Comets lost at home to Heyworth, 34-6.

Hear tonight's game on the Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM WHOW and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Kick off is set for 7 pm.

Week 2 Central Illinois Conference action:

Big Rock Crossroads Academy at Central A & M (Sat.)
Bunker Hill at Meridian
Maroa-Forsyth at Decatur St. Teresa
Rantoul at Shelbyville
Sullivan-Okaw Valley at Mt. Olive
Tuscola at Georgetown-Ridge Farm
Warrensburg-Latham at Kincaid-South Fork

Okaw Valley Conference action this week:
Clifton Central at St. Joseph-Ogden
Monticello at Macomb (Sat.)
Tolono Unity at Monmouth-Roseville
Champaign St. Thomas More at River Grove-Guerin (Sat.)

Heart of Illinois

Fisher at LeRoy
Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland at Heyworth
Fieldcrest at Dee-Mack
Tremont at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley

Corn Belt

Bloomington Central Catholic at Normal U-High
Illinois Valley Central at Pontiac
Prairie Central at Olympia
Mahomet-Seymour at Eureka

Central State Eight

Chatham Glenwood at Lincoln
Decatur Eisenhower at Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin
Jacksonville at Springfield Southeast
Springfield at Rochester
Springfield (Lanphier) at Decatur (MacArthur)

Big Twelve

Peoria at Peoria Richwoods
Peoria Manual vs. Peoria Notre Dame at Peoria Stadium

Non-Conference action this week:

Arcola at Toledo Cumberland
Argenta-Oreana at Villa Grove-Heritage
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond at Martinsville
Belleville East at Normal West
Belleville West at Normal Community
Breese Mater Dei at Williamsville
Catlin Salt Fork vs. Ridgeview at Lexington
Champaign Centennial at Marion
Decatur Lutheran at Oakland Tri-County
Dunlap at Champaign Central
Jerseyville at Mt. Zion
Morris at Washington
Pawnee vs. Cerro Gordo-Bement at Bement
Paxton-Buckley-Loda at Bismarck-Henning
Pekin at Bloomington
Taylorville at Limestone
Urbana at Morton
Watseka at Tri-Valley
Peoria Heights [Coop] at Princeville

Lane Man Sentenced in Christian County Felony

The bench trial of James D. Barr of Lane, Illinois was held at the Christian County Courthouse on Thursday afternoon.

Barr was present, along with Christian County State’s Attorney, Michael Havera and Public Defender Greg Grigsby.

A negotiated plea was presented and approved by the Court.

Barr plead guilty to a Count 1, Class 3 felony charge of aggravated battery.

He was sentenced to two years of probation and 90 days in the County jail.

#EvanStrong Foundation Hosting Community 'Lift'

It was a year ago this weekend tragedy struck a local family and to commemorate the memory a loved one, a local group is organizing a community "lift".

This Sunday marks the one year anniversary of the death of Clinton High School student Evan Workman, who took his own life Sept. 6, 2014. His father Randy Workman says shortly after it happened, the #EvanStrong Foundation was formed and this weekend they are having a community lift at Cross Fit Influence.

[audio:9041540620-9515evanstronglift1.mp3] [/audio]

Workman says the event is set up so you don't even have to come to work out. He says they have organized some food and drinks to be at the facility and there will be plenty of people to interact with.

The cost to lift is $5 and t-shirts are available for $20.

The #EvanStrong Foundation recently received accreditation as a non-for-profit 501-C-3 organization. Find out more about the Foundation next week on Regional Radio News.

Clinton Extinguishes the Comets Saturday Night

As heard on WHOW, The Clinton Maroons defeated the Fithian-Oakwood Comets by a score of 41-15. Noah Griffin is the Country Financial Representative Stephan York player of the game with 11 of 17 passing for 140 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 5 carries for 66 yards leading to a touchdown. Alec Cooley ran 22 times for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jacob Overton caught 4 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.

 

The Fithian-Oakwood Comets were lead by Skylar Bolton with 14 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Chase Vinson was 13 for 24 with 125 yards, a touchdown, and 2 interceptions.

 

The Maroons won the turnover battle 3-0 

 

Tune in next Friday as Clinton takes on Shelbyville to open CIC play. You can hear the game live on the Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM and online at dewittdailynews.com.

House Fails To Override Gov. Veto of Union Backed Bill

ATTEMPTS TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR’S VETO OF A UNION-BACKED BILL FAILED IN THE ILLINOIS HOUSE WEDNESDAY EVENING.

WITH BUDGET TALKS SEEMINGLY AT A STANDSTILL, THIS HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST HOTLY DEBATED TOPICS AT THE STATEHOUSE. IT SENDS UNION STATE WORKER NEGOTIATIONS TO AN ARBITRATOR IF TALKS STALL AND PROHIBITS A STRIKE OR LOCKOUT OF EMPLOYEES. HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JIM DURKIN NOTES THIS ONLY APPLIES FOR THE CONTRACT CURRENTLY UNDER NEGOTIATION.

[audio:9031574526-strike1.mp3] [/audio]

REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BRADLEY OF MARION STRONGLY DISAGREES, SAYING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ARBITRATION.

[audio:9031574527-strike2.mp3] [/audio]

THE SENATE ALREADY OVERRODE THE GOVERNOR’S VETO…BUT THE HOUSE COULDN’T MUSTER ENOUGH VOTES AND THE VETO STANDS.

Teamsters Agreements Could Play Role in Possible Binding Arbitration

The Governor’s office says their one step closer to finalizing an agreement with unions representing 4,600 state employees.

Meanwhile a couple of arbitrators say those terms could play a role in any possible looming arbitration down the road for all state employees.

[audio:9031574945-ARBITORS.mp3] [/audio]

Property Tax Freeze Legislation Has Local School Leader Concerned

 width=Property owners and taxpayers are excited about the possibility of a property tax freeze from the state but local school leader is voicing his concern over the matter.

Superintendent of Lincoln High School Robert Bagby says as a property owner and tax payer, he is for the property tax freeze, but when it comes to his professional interests, Lincoln High School, he has a number of issues with a potential two year freeze on property value increases.

[audio:9031574513-9315bagbytaxes1.mp3] [/audio]

Thanks to the education sales tax that has been in place in Logan County for several years now, Bagby says they committed to lowering their property tax levy on their taxpayers. He says a freeze of any kind is going to be very concerning for Lincoln High School.

[audio:9031574516-9315bagbytaxes23.mp3] [/audio]

As it relates to the overall financial health of Lincoln High School, Bagby says things look good, but he doesn't expect the state's finances to improve any time soon, which is going to be detrimental to other districts.

Clinton Superintendent Says Strategic Planning A Necessary

 width=Despite being relatively knew to the Clinton school district, their leader says he won't shy away from the strategic planning process.

Superintendent of Clinton Schools Curt Nettles revealed at the latest Board of Education meeting his intent to update a district-wide strategic plan. He says despite being knew to the district and the challenges that come with it, the updating of the plan is a must.

[audio:9031574519-9315nettlesplan1.mp3] [/audio]

For Nettles, getting to know the community better is going to take time and for him and his family to be present at various events. He feels even though it will take time for him to do that, he feels listening to other will be a big part of moving forward with the strategic plan.

[audio:9031574522-9315nettlesplan2.mp3] [/audio]

This week on Regional Radio, we've outlined neighboring districts who are introducing technology into their classrooms and Nettles feels technology certainly has it's place in the classroom, but he wants to continue to offer skills that don't always relate to that technology.

[audio:9031574525-9315nettlesplan3.mp3] [/audio]

Nettles plan is to work on the Strategic plan throughout the fall and winter months and hopes to have something put together for the Board of Education and the community by the spring semester.

Ohio State QB Jones Taken To Hospital with Head Pain

 width=Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones had to be rushed to the hospital on Wednesday night after experiencing severe head pain, CBS Sports' Jon Solomon confirmed with Jones' high school coach, Ted Ginn Sr.

Ginn received a call about the incident at approximately 10 p.m. ET.

Tony Zarella of Cleveland 19 News first confirmed with Jones' family that Cardale was experiencing "severe head pain," noting the player was "still undergoing tests" at the hospital.

Later Wednesday, Dave Briggs of The Toledo Blade spoke with Jones' mother, who confirmed that her son's hospital visit is over a headache. "He's good," she told Briggs.

Jones and the Buckeyes open their season against Virginia Tech on Monday night. He was expected to split time with quarterback J.T. Barrett, though his status may need to be updated by coach Urban Meyer on Thursday.

An Ohio State official had no comment on Jones' health when contacted by CBS Sports late Wednesday evening.

Bears Notes

>>Bears Acquire TE Lee From Houston

The Chicago Bears have acquired tight end Khari Lee from the Houston Texans for a 2017 sixth-round draft pick.

A product of Division II Bowie State, Lee entered the league as an undrafted free agent this year. He had 107 receptions for 1,255 yards and four touchdowns over 40 games in college.

 width=The Bears also waived tight end Blake Annen on Wednesday. He played in five games for Chicago last season.

>>Former Bears LB Briggs Announces Retirement

Lance Briggs, a seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker who helped the Chicago Bears reach the Super Bowl, plans to retire.

Briggs said Wednesday during CSN Chicago's broadcast of the Cubs' game against the Reds at Wrigley Field that he is ready to call it a career.

He said he plans to submit his retirement papers soon, although he did not completely shut the door on playing again for the right offer.

A third-round pick out of Arizona in 2003, Briggs played 12 seasons for Chicago and made seven consecutive Pro Bowls. Along with Brian Urlacher, he led a defense that consistently ranked among the league's best in his prime and helped the 2006 team reach the Super Bowl.

Blackhawks Notes

>>Ex-Goalia Raanta Wanted Blackhawks To Lose in Postseason

If you want honesty from your professional athletes in interviews, recent comments from Antti Raanta, currently the backup goaltender for the New York Rangers and a backup for the Chicago Blackhawks during their most recent Stanley Cup run, should be quite a treat.

 width=In a recent interview with Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat, Raanta said that after being passed on the depth chart by Scott Darling during the Stanley Cup playoffs he become so frustrated with his role on the team that he was hoping they would get swept by the Nashville Predators in the first round so he could return to Finland.

The 25-year-old Raanta appeared in 14 games during the regular season with the Blackhawks and recorded a .936 save percentage, the exact same mark as Darling. But when it came to the playoffs it was Darling, and not Raanta, that was called on early in the first round when starting goalie Corey Crawford was struggling against the Predators. Darling played five postseason games, starting four of them.

>>Blackhawks Agree To Terms with F Nordstrom

The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a one-year contract with forward Joakim Nordstrom.

The 23-year-old Nordstrom appeared in three playoff games as Chicago won its third Stanley Cup in six seasons. He also had three assists in 38 regular-season games.

The Blackhawks announced the move on Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed.

Cubs, Sox, Cards All Lose

 width=>>Bryant Error Leads To Decisive Votto Home Run

Kris Bryant hardly had time to enjoy his latest home run.

The rookie third baseman hit a tying drive in the eighth inning, then made a two-out error in the ninth that set up Joey Votto's three-run homer and lifted the Cincinnati Reds over the Chicago Cubs 7-4 Wednesday.

Bryant's two-run shot made it 4-all. The rookie has 22 home runs and 84 RBIs this season.

The top of the ninth started innocently enough with Cubs closer Hector Rondon (5-3) retiring the first two batters. Jason Bourgeois, who led off the game with a homer, then hit a high chopper to the right of the mound that he beat out for a base hit.

Jay Bruce followed by slicing a sharp grounder through Bryant's legs for the error.

Rondon fell behind Votto 2-0 before leaving a 97 mph fastball out over the plate. Votto drove it to left-center and the wind guided it several rows back into the bleachers.

Chicago manager Joe Maddon was asked if he considered walking Votto to load the bases with righty Brandon Phillips on deck.

Not really, he said, mainly because Rondon - who had a 0.45 ERA since May 25 and hadn't allowed a homer since May 22 - was pitching so well.

Tommy La Stella and Anthony Rizzo hit solo home runs for the Cubs. Chicago began the day with a 6 1/2-game lead over San Francisco for the second NL wild-card spot.

Reds rookie Raisel Iglesias struck out 10 in seven innings, allowing just three hits. It was his third straight start with double-digit strikeouts.

Cubs rookie Kyle Schwarber was slated to start in left field, but was a late scratch with right rib soreness.

The Cubs are off on Thursday but their homestand resumes on Friday with the first of three against Arizona. LHP Jon Lester (8-10, 3.59 ERA) pitches the opener.

 width=>>Washington Edges Cardinals

Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals' bullpen got plenty of big outs. Ryan Zimmerman took care of the offense.

Zimmerman homered twice, then doubled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning as the Nationals ended their nine-game losing streak at St. Louis, beating the Cardinals 4-3 Wednesday night.

Jayson Werth also homered for the Nationals.

Scherzer struck out 11, gave up 11 hits and left with a 3-2 lead after the sixth. Walking none was a big help.

Johnathon Papelbon earned his 23rd save in 23 chances, escaping a first-and-third, one-out jam in the ninth. Rafael Martin (1-0) got one out for his first career victory.

Johnathan Broxton (1-4) took the loss. The Cardinals had a base open with one out in the eighth but elected to pitch to Zimmerman and see if he would expand his zone with two strikes.

Brandon Moss hit a 454-foot homer for St. Louis, which leads the Pirates by six games with 29 to play in the NL Central.

The Cardinals opted to give 15-game winner Michael Wacha some rest and fill-in starter Tyler Lyons allowed three runs in six innings. Lyons struck out six the first time through the order.

Carlos Martinez (13-6, 2.91) will face the Pirates Friday to begin a weekend series with two extra days of rest. He's 2-1 with a 4.35 ERA against Pittsburgh, much better than Lance Lynn, 0-2 and 6.94. Lynn (ankle) is getting extra time.

 width=>>Milone, Twins Blank Sox

Tommy Milone gave the Minnesota Twins seven superb innings.

All Miguel Sano needed was one at-bat.

Milone struck out seven and Sano hit another monster home run to help the Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Milone (7-4) gave up three hits and finished seven innings for the first time since July 8. He is 4-0 with a 1.39 ERA in his career against the White Sox.

Trevor Plouffe added two hits and two RBIs and Kevin Jepsen picked up his 10th save for the Twins, who started the day one game behind Texas for the second AL wild card.

Carlos Rodon (6-6) gave up two runs and five hits with four strikeouts and three walks in six innings for the White Sox, who are 1-8 at Target Field this season.

Kyle Gibson (9-9, 3.82) will pitch for the Twins in the series finale against RHP Jeff Samardzija (8-11, 4.85). Gibson has a 0.56 ERA in 16 innings over two starts against the White Sox this season. Samardzija is 3-1 with a 5.12 ERA in his career against the Twins.

Clinton Golf: Maroons Downs Meridian

 width=Tuesday afternoon at the Clinton Country Club, Clinton High School golfers topped Meridian by an overall score of 189 to 209.

Chase Reynolds had the best score of the day shooting a 40. Wesley Conn shot a 45 for the day, Mac Hickman shot a 51 and Grant Davenport shot a 53.

Clinton is 2-7 on the year.

DeWitt County Sheriff's Report for Sept. 3

Jail Population: 29

Paper Services: 4

Warrants: 0

Deborah Forguson, 33, Clinton was Arrested and Charged with Domestic Battery/ Physical Contact. Forguson unable to post the necessary bond remains lodged in the DeWitt County Jail.

Michael Lange, 60, Princeton was issued a Citation for Disobeying Traffic Control Device. Lange was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

 

 

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

Illinois House Might Attempt To Override Union-Arbitration Veto

Illinois House Democrats are trying to line up votes to reverse Gov. Bruce Rauner on legislation they say will keep labor peace.

The Republican governor vetoed the bill in July. It would provide for an arbitrator to step in if contract negotiations break down between the Rauner administration and workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The union - fearing Rauner's attempts to curb labor power - says pulling an arbitrator in to decide a deadlock would prevent a strike or a government lockout. But Rauner officials say it takes away from taxpayers the power to decide how much the state can afford to compensate its workers.

Override success in the House is uncertain.

IMA Says Illinois Needs Adjustment in Business Climate

A Democratic state representative says he has a slew of tax incentives and loopholes the government could close to shore up the budget while a manufacturer's groups says the state should focus on creating more jobs, not increasing taxes.

[audio:9021564508-FRANKS2.mp3] [/audio]

It’s now Month No. 2 of the current fiscal year and the state still does not have a budget in place.

Lawsuit Says University of Illinois Retaliated Over Sex Harrasment Claim

A former University of Illinois graduate student is suing the school's board of trustees and others, claiming administrators retaliated against her for accusing a visiting researcher of sexual harassment.

Hye-Young Park demands $6 million in the June lawsuit.

She accuses Charles Secolsky of repeatedly pursuing and harassing her in 2014 and trying to force her to watch a sexually explicit video. He is named in the lawsuit.

Park claims that when she complained to the university, administrators denied responsibility saying he was not an employee. She says a professor who had agreed to supervise her then rescinded the offer.

University spokeswoman Robin Kaler declined to comment other than to repeat that Secolsky was not an employee.

According to reports, Secolsky says Park pursued him. He denied wrongdoing.

Rauner Signs Law Toughening Laws On Drunk Drivers

Illinois will begin putting ignition locking devices on the vehicles of drivers with two or more drunken driving convictions.

Reports indicate the ignition interlock devices require drivers to blow into them to prove the driver is sober before the vehicle can start.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the measure into law last week. The new law prohibits chronic violators from operating any vehicle unless the device is installed. But it also eliminates the period of time in which the offender cannot drive, except in cases where the offender has caused great bodily harm or death.

Secretary of State Jesse White, who has targeted drunken driving during his tenure in office, said he believes the law will make roads safer.

Weekly Crop Report

IT WAS A COOL, DRY WEEK FOR ILLINOIS CROPS.

STATE CROP STATISTICIAN MARK SCHLEUSNER SAYS 73 PERCENT OF CORN IS IN THE DENT STAGE AND 21 PERCENT IS MATURE.

[audio:9021564501-crop1.mp3] [/audio]

94 PERCENT OF SOYBEANS ARE SETTING PODS AND 11 PERCENT ARE TURNING COLOR.

[audio:9021564503-crop2.mp3] [/audio]

TEMPERATURES WERE ABOUT SEVEN DEGREES BELOW AVERAGE LAST WEEK AND WITH RAINFALL AN INCH BELOW NORMAL…STATEWIDE TOPSOIL MOISTURE DECLINED. IT'S NOW RATED AT THREE PERCENT VERY SHORT…24 PERCENT SHORT…67 PERCENT ADEQUATE AND SIX PERCENT SURPLUS.

Warrensburg-Latham Schools Expanding Technology in Classroom

More and more school districts continue to implement the latest technologies into their classrooms despite the struggles from the state of Illinois.

Warrensburg-Latham schools are in year two of a three year roll out and according to Superintendent, Dr. Kristen Kendrick-Weikle, the first installment was a huge hit. She indicates each student at the high school level will have a Chromebook this year.

[audio:9021564451-9215wltech1.mp3] [/audio]

Dr. Kendrick-Weikle feels the use of technology during class allows quicker feedback between the teacher and student. Additionally, she indicates it creates more accountability as well.

[audio:9021564455-9215wltech2.mp3] [/audio]

Before class starts each day, students in each classroom know whether they will be using the Chromebooks and Dr. Kendrick-Weikle believes the administration and staff have come up procedures that do not make having the technology in the classroom a distraction.

[audio:9021564457-9215wltech3.mp3] [/audio]

Dr. Kendrick -Weikle says they are very excited about the expansion of technology in their schools. She says evaluation of its use is always ongoing and their staff is always continuing their learning about the technology and it's place in the classroom.

5-Star Guard Frank Jackson Commits To Duke

 width=The Mike Krzyzewski/Duke recruiting train has not lost any speed this summer. And on Tuesday night, Duke picked up another five-star prospect.

Frank Jackson, who plays at Lone Peak High School in Utah, publicly and verbally pledged to Krzyzewski's program at a press conference Tuesday evening. Scout.com was the first to report the news. Jackson, who will graduate next spring, wasn't originally seen as a five-star player, but his stock has soared in the past 18 months. Once Duke became heavily interested earlier in the year, everyone else was basically competing for second.

The commitment from Jackson comes two days after he left Durham, N.C., on an official visit to Duke's campus. It was his second trip to the school in less than a year. Jackson joins Jayson Tatum, another five-star player, in the Blue Devils' class of 2016.

Jackson announced his decision on Tuesday from the school auditorium at Lone Peak High. Al Jackson, his father, told CBS Sports that Frank verbally committed to Duke on Saturday afternoon. The decision was kept secret over the past 72 hours between Jackson's family and the coaching staff.

Duke beat out Stanford, Utah and BYU in the end. BYU was where Jackson initially committed, but that was during his freshman year. Jackson stands 6-foot-3, has good athleticism, an ever-improving long-range shot and good savvy as a point guard. He's not a pure point guard, however. In many ways, he's an ideal model for a modern floor general under Krzyzewski.

>>Syracuse, Georgetown To Renew Rivalry Dec. 5

The past two years, college basketball's regular seasons had a weird glitch to them, something unfortunate and a mistake that should never be repeated.

Syracuse and Georgetown did not play each other.

With Syracuse's move to the ACC in 2013, scheduling couldn't be shored up so that the two longtime and bitter rivals could manage a game. But the good news is we're all set for the renewal of the clash this season. The schools have confirmed Dec. 5 to be the first of a four-year series. The Hoyas get hosting duties this upcoming season.

Then Syracuse will host come 2016 and 2017, with Georgetown getting the fourth game back in its building, the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. By then, if all parties have their priorities in line, the non-conference series will have been renewed for another decade-plus. If not for the remainder of the century.

These former Big East combatants have combined to create one of the five or six best conflicts in college hoops. The season feels right when they play, even if it can only be once/year now. The series lead belongs to Syracuse (49-41). Fittingly, the last time the schools played each other as Big East schools, it came in the conference tournament in 2013.

>>Information Courtesy of CBSSports.com

Blackhawks Took Calls About Trading Patrick Kane

As the investigation around Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane extends into its fourth week, questions about the star forward's future, both off the ice and on it, have been plenty.

 width=Kane, who has not been charged, was reportedly accused of raping a woman in his home on Aug. 2. Local police and the district attorney's office have been tight-lipped about the investigation and will likely remain so until a decision is reached on whether to file charges or not. Developments in the case have been hard to come by. However, according to a report, Kane and his lawyer recently met with investigators.

The fallout over the allegations so far has included Kane being removed from the cover of EA Sports' NHL 16 video game. Additionally, his junior team, the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, removed Kane's name from one of their four camp teams named after alumni.

Neither the Blackhawks nor the NHL has revealed much about their intentions in terms of how they'll react to this ongoing situation, but speculation continues to rise that even if Kane is not charged, his time in Chicago may be over.

Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times added more fuel to that fire by reporting the following:

At least five teams contacted the Hawks once the Buffalo News first reported the investigation — which involves Kane and a woman at his Hamburg home — and said they'd be willing trade partners should the Hawks decide to cut ties with their superstar winger, according to a league source.

There was the alleged assault of a cab driver in 2009 and Kane's highly-publicized Cinco de Mayo trip to Madison, Wis., which ended in embarrassment for both the player and the team. Perhaps these allegations are the final blow to a team that had shown patience with Kane despite these embarrassments.

Kane is supposed to enter the first year of his eight-year, $84 million contract in 2015-16. That comes with a $10.5 million cap hit.

Cobb Hoping For Opener Return; Rams Will Practice At Scott Air Force Base

 width=Packers receiver Randall Cobb says he doesn't plan to miss to Green Bay's regular-season opener against Chicago after spraining his shoulder in a preseason game last week.

Cobb watched practice on Tuesday. He says he's taking things day to day and waiting for swelling to go down.

The five-year veteran fell hard on his right side and had another player land on him while trying to make a catch on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles on Green Bay's first drive.

The Packers did get injured receiver Jared Abbrederis back at practice. He's been out since suffering a concussion on the first day of training camp.

Abbrederis is a Wisconsin native and fan favorite after playing his college ball in-state with the Badgers.

 width=>>Rams Will Practice At Scott Air Force Base

Twenty-two military personnel from Scott Air Force Base will join the St. Louis Rams on the practice field as the team prepares for the start of the NFL season.

The Rams' annual practice walk-through is scheduled to begin Wednesday evening at the southwestern Illinois base. Players will sign autographs following the one-hour session.

The practice marks the Rams' second preseason event with members of the military this summer. The team visited the Naval Air Station Point Mugu in Oxnard, California following a two-day joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys in August.

Cubs, Cards Win; Sox Lose

 width=>>Brandon Moss' Blast Sends Cardinals Home Winners

Brandon Moss hit a three-run walk-off home run with two outs in the ninth inning for an 8-5 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

The NL Central-leading Cardinals have won nine of 10 and lead the division by six games. They've won nine in a row over Washington, coming from behind the last two nights.

After a very slow start since coming from Cleveland, Moss is starting to put things together. All three homers with St. Louis have come in the last six games, and his drive off Casey Janssen (1-4) was his fifth career walk-off.

Janssen took the loss on Monday, allowing four runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Mitch Harris (2-1) worked the last two innings, allowing two hits. He was among three minor league call-ups Monday.

Ryan Zimmerman homered and Anthony Rendon had a two-run double in a four-run third for Washington.

The Cardinals scored three runs on one hit in the bottom of the third and tied it with two runs on one hit with an error in the eighth.

Both starters lasted just 2 2-3 innings. Nationals rookie Joe Ross gave up one hit but had a season-high six walks and was charged with three runs. Cardinals call-up Marco Gonzales allowed four runs on seven hits with lots of solid contact.

Carlos Villanueva replaced Gonzales and restored order, allowing one hit in 3 1-3 innings with a season-high six strikeouts.

Matt Holliday took batting practice at Busch Stadium for the first time since straining his right quadriceps muscle and lined several homers. Lefty Tim Cooney will be shut down after three weeks of inactivity following an appendectomy.

Max Scherzer (11-11, 2.88) tries to shake off a forgettable August in which he was 0-3 with a 6.43 ERA and surrendered seven homers in five starts.

Michael Wacha seeks his 16th victory and was 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in August.

 width=>>Schwarber's Blast Powers Cubs To Win

Rookie Kyle Schwarber put an end to the first slump of his major league career on Tuesday night.

Schwarber hit a two-run homer with two out in the seventh inning, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Kris Bryant had three hits and two RBIs for the Cubs, who had dropped five of six. Miguel Montero had two hits, and Fernando Rodney (1-0) got his first win since he was acquired in a trade with Seattle on Thursday.

The Reds led 4-3 before Dexter Fowler singled and Schwarber followed with a drive into the bleachers in left-center on a 3-2 pitch from Burke Badenhop (1-4). It was his 13th homer in 48 major league games.

Joey Votto hit his 26th homer for the Reds, who had an 8-21 record in August. Votto reached three times and is batting .399 with 59 walks in 44 games since the All-Star break.

Votto's first-inning drive gave Dan Haren nine consecutive appearances of allowing at least one home run. But Haren settled down and allowed two runs and four hits in five innings.

Fernando Rodney allowed Eugenio Suarez's tiebreaking homer in the seventh, but Schwarber's drive in the bottom half got him the win. Hector Rondon pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 29 tries.

Cincinnati right-hander Anthony DeSclafani went 5 2-3 innings and gave up three runs and four hits while striking out seven and walking two. He is 0-3 with a 4.55 ERA in his last five starts.

Reds RHP Raisel Iglesias faces Chicago RHP Jason Hammel. Iglesias (3-6, 3.92 ERA) has six straight quality starts, while Hammel (7-6, 3.42 ERA) is coming off an August when he was 1-2 with a 6.31 ERA.

 width=>>Sano Sparks Twins To Victory

Miguel Sano's towering home run tied the game for Minnesota in the seventh inning, and two Chicago errors aided the go-ahead rally in the eighth for the Twins in an 8-6 victory Tuesday night over the White Sox.

Promoted straight from Double-A two months ago, Sano had three hits to raise his batting average to a team-best .295. He has 41 RBIs.

Eduardo Escobar's leadoff double, his third hit, started the trouble for Zach Duke (3-5), who threw away a sacrifice bunt attempt by Kurt Suzuki for one run. Third baseman Tyler Saladino let a grounder go through his legs, and the Twins scored twice more on a single and a sacrifice fly.

Kevin Jepsen (3-6) pitched a perfect eighth inning for the win. Glen Perkins recorded his 32nd save, his first in 16 days, despite a three-hit ninth that included an RBI single by Saladino.

Avasail Garcia's two-run homer in the sixth inning gave Chris Sale and the White Sox a 5-4 lead, but Ventura pulled the lanky left-hander with one out in the seventh for hard-throwing righty Nate Jones for the right-handed heart of Minnesota's order. Sano drove a full-count, two-out changeup from Jones into the second deck.

Sale had 10 strikeouts for the White Sox, his 13th start this season with double digits. The last major league pitcher to strike out at least 10 batters that many times in a year was Randy Johnson, who had 13 such starts in 2004 for Arizona.

The White Sox send LHP Carlos Rodon (6-5, 4.15 ERA) to the mound Wednesday. LHP Tommy Milone (6-4, 3.86 ERA) starts for the Twins.

>>Baez, Wada Added To Cubs Roster

The Chicago Cubs have added infield prospect Javier Baez and three others from Triple-A Iowa before Tuesday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds.

With rosters expanding, Chicago recalled pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada and selected the contracts of outfielder Quintin Berry and reliever Trevor Cahill from Iowa. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated relievers James Russell and Rafael Soriano for assignment.

Outfielder Austin Jackson, acquired Monday from Seattle, was added to the active roster.

Baez, 22, is one of Chicago's top prospects but struggled during a brief stint in the major leagues last year. In 52 games, Baez hit nine home runs but struck out 95 times and batted.169.

This season at Iowa before being recalled, Baez hit .324 with 13 home runs in 70 games. He's in the lineup, batting seventh and playing second base.

DeWitt County Sheriff's Report for Sept. 1

Jail Population: 23

Paper Services: 2

Warrants: 0

Jade Mileham, 18, Lincoln was Arrested and Charged with Consumption Liquor/ Minor. Mileham posted the necessary bond and was released.

Hallie Barrow, 21, Broadwell was Arrested and Charged with Give/ Sell Liquor to Minor. Barrow posted the necessary bond and was released.

Trevor Stewart, 19, Arrowsmith was Arrested and Charged with Consumption of Liquor/ Minor. Stewart unable to post the necessary bond remains lodged in the DeWitt County Jail.

Skyler Confer, 18, Saybrook was Arrested and Charged with Consumption Liquor/ Minor. Confer unable to post the necessary bond remains lodged in the DeWitt County Jail.

 

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

Normal Cornbelters Defeat Evansville Otters

The Normal Cornbelters defeated the Evansville Otters by a score of 6-0 on Wednesday night.

Tune in Saturday, August 5, as the Normal Cornbelters take on the Schamburg Boomers. You can hear the game live on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Repairs Continue To Executive Mansion

Governor Rauner's personal worth may be in the nine figure range, but he has housing issues that might be relatable to the working poor thanks to years of neglect at the Illinois Executive Mansion.

Workers are moving beyond recent band aide efforts. A $493,000 contact is paving the way for ongoing roof repairs through mid month. Rauner says that work is welcome because rainy days really get him down.

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Rauner is welcoming workers to swing the hammer in the pre dawn hours.

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Repairs should wrap up mid month. Efforts continue to raise private funds for long term restoration of the mansion.

2015 Farm Progress Show Opens Today

 width=8 am today, organizers anticipate thousands upon thousands of farmers and others to flood Progress City in Decatur for the Super Bowl of Agriculture.

According to Events Manager for Farm Progress Matt Jungmann, this year's show is poised to bring back their always popular field demonstrations. Jungmann says this summer's climate in central Illinois should allow the demonstrations to return after a two-year absence.

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New to this year's "Super Bowl of Agriculture" will be a UAV, unmanned aerial vehicle, show. According to Brett Haas, who is the Sale's Representative for Crop Copter out of Gibson City, they originally wanted to bring UAV's to agriculture.

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Bill Wood from St. Mary's Hospital helps organize the First Aid Tent at the Farm Progress Show. He indicates they see everything from heat exhaustion to heart attacks in their tent. He says it's their goal to make sure everyone is safe on the grounds and can get back quickly to enjoying the show.

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For expanded coverage of this year's Farm Progress Show, keep your radio tuned to The Big 1520 AM/92.3 FM WHOW and streamed live online at dewittdailynews.com.

Also check in with Illinois Farm Radio on Facebook and Twitter for the latest traffic information on getting into the show and the latest in demonstrations and interviews with Farm Broadcaster Jared White.

Exelon Employees Raising Money For DeWitt County Human Resource Center

 width=DeWitt County's largest employer is stepping up to help a vital DeWitt County non-profit.

The employees of Exelon's Clinton Nuclear Power Station are stepping up this month to raise money to help the struggling DeWitt County Human Resource Center. Brett Nauman is the Communications Manager for the Power Plant and he indicates this is something the employees do each year, and they have chose HRC as their charity of choice in 2015.

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While HRC is the primary group for this year's drive, Nauman indicates the over $100-thousand raised so far does not always end up with HRC. He explains employees can choose other groups to give to.

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According to Nauman, employees of the power plant make up a special committee that decides on what non-profit to make their focus for each year's campaign.

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In the past, the Exelon employees contribution campaign has gone to benefit the Clinton YMCA where they helped purchase new lockers. Additionally, they helped the DeWitt County Friendship Center afford and put in a new kitchen.

Nauman also points out their contributions go beyond just their monetary donations. The company on many occasions has been active in physical labor donations, most recently, helping spruce up and fix up Kiwanis Park in Clinton.

NFL Notes

>>Kirk Cousins Named QB Starter in Washington

Completing a wild swing of events with the Washington Redskins quarterback situation, coach Jay Gruden confirmed the team would be going with Kirk Cousins as the starting quarterback for Week 1.

And beyond: Gruden also said Cousins is the starter "for 2015 moving forward." Gruden said it's not what Robert Griffin III didn't do, so much as what Cousins did do and called Cousins the best quarterback on our roster."

"I just think it's not so much what somebody didn't do, it's just what Kirk has done," Gruden said. "And I think what he's done in practice and OTAs is really opened our eyes. And he's proven to be the best quarterback on our roster at the time. It's a compliment to Kirk.

 width="I think Kirk has played so well he's earned the right."

The Redskins coach also confirmed that Griffin lost his job not because of injury -- Griffin is currently in the concussion protocol program -- but because of performance.

The quarterbacks are friendly as Cousins called Griffin a "class act."

>>Jaguars TE Thomas To Miss 4-5 Weeks

Earlier this month, Jaguars coach Gus Bradley was optimistic that tight end Julius Thomas would recover from a fractured bone in his hand in time for the team's season opener. But according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who cites a source, Thomas' injury is expected to require surgery and he's expected to be out four to five weeks.

Schefter noted that Thomas will get a second opinion on Tuesday.

The Jaguars landed Thomas this offseason, giving him a five-year, $46 million contract, which includes $24 million in guaranteed money. Thomas, who had been catching passes from Peyton Manning in Denver, has racked up more than 100 receptions and 1,200 yards in the last two seasons combined. He's also managed to reach the end zone 24 times in that span, with 17 of those scores coming in the red zone.

With quarterback Blake Bortles entering his second season, Thomas is expected to play a big role in the Jaguars' offense. But in just the team's second offensive snap of this preseason, Thomas was flipped over by a Steelers defender and ended up with a hand injury. He hasn't seen the field since, and if Schefter's report remains true after Thomas gets a second opinion, then Bortles will be without his top tight end at the onset of the season. In Thomas' absence, expect more game action for tight ends Clay Harbor and Marcedes Lewis.

Thomas isn't the only Jaguars pass catcher currently hobbled. Second-year wide receiver Marqise Lee is working his way back from a hamstring strain and hasn't practiced since the fifth day of training camp, though the team is hopeful he'll be ready to go by Week 1.

Luckily for the Jaguars, Bortles has looked much improved this preseason. Against the Lions on Friday, a game played without Thomas, Bortles completed 20 of 29 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown.

Indiana Dismisses Sophomore F Emmit Holt

 width=Ten days after he and teammate Thomas Bryant were cited by local police for possession of alcohol, Indiana has released sophomore forward Emmitt Holt.

It's a second strike against Holt under the Tom Crean regime, and now he's out.

Previously, Holt got into trouble when the car he was driving struck former teammate Devin Davis in the fall of 2014. Holt was not found at fault for the incident by the police, but he was suspended for two regular season games to start his Indiana career. Both men were found to have been drinking alcohol prior to that incident. Davis suffered significant brain trauma and did not play last season.

For Bryant, a five-star player in the high school class of 2015, this is his first encounter with Crean's discipline.

Holt averaged 3.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per game for the Hoosiers last season.

Ohio State, Michigan Football Notes; Golson Named FSU QB

 width=>>Urban Meyer Announces Both Barrett, Jones To Get Time At QB

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has stuck to his word with the Buckeyes' quarterback situation, reiterating his plans to announce the team's starter when it's time for the first snap against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg next Monday night.

Meyer met with reporters on Monday to discuss the preparations for Virginia Tech. When questioned about the staff's preparation tactics with two quarterbacks, Meyer deflected the question with comments about the similarities between J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones' skill sets and a suggestion that both quarterbacks will see the field.

Meyer later said the message to both quarterbacks will be to "get ready because I'd like to see both guys involved."

A few weeks ago, both Barrett and Jones told reporters they'd prefer one player be the designated starter at the end of the competition. Barrett, who had to rotate series-by-series in high school, said a rotation be ideal because the two "wouldn't have the same rhythm or efficiency." Jones doesn't think it would "be a great idea," but will be willing to adjust if Meyer wants to use both quarterbacks.

 width=>>Michigan Appears Undecided At QB

Michigan released on Monday its depth chart for Thursday night's opener against Utah, and the one thing made crystal clear from it is that Jim Harbaugh's going to continue playing things close to the vest. Harbaugh didn't exactly provide complete answers to every question as to who will be starting against the Utes.

The starting quarterback? That will be Shane Morris OR Jake Rudock. We still don't know which one.

The starting wide receivers? The Wolverines will start Amara Darboh OR Drake Harris on one side with Jehu Chesson OR Grant Perry on the other.

The starting defensive tackle? Well, either Chris Wormley OR Matt Godin will be out there on the first defensive series.

The biggest official news from this release is that junior De'Veon Smith has won the the Wolverines' starting tailback job and will have Derrick Green OR Ty Isaac behind him as the No. 2. On defense, 10 positions are set, with the exception of defensive tackle.

As for quarterback and the rest, we'll have to wait until the Wolverines take the field in Salt Lake City on Thursday night to find out who Harbaugh has decided on.

 width=>>Florida State Picks Ex-ND QB Golson

Florida State has made it official and announced Notre Dame transfer quarterback Everett Golson as the starter for Week 1. Golson will make his Florida State debut in Tallahassee against Texas State on Saturday night.

Golson, who transferred to the Seminoles in May, beat out junior Sean Maguire for the starting job in camp. Maguire had one start in 2014 for the Seminoles, a close win over Clemson when he threw for 304 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

In 2014 with the Fighting Irish, Golson completed 60 percent of his passes for 3,445 yards and 29 touchdowns, but he had problems with ball security throwing 14 interceptions and fumbling the ball 12 times, losing eight of them.

Rory McIlroy Back As World No. 1

 width=Rory McIlroy didn't even play this week at The Barclays. Jordan Spieth missed the cut after shooting 74-73. Regardless, McIlroy assumed the No. 1 spot on Monday and will remain there when the two tee it up at the Deutsche Bank Championship next week.

The OWGR is calculated based on a two-year rolling average. Tournaments played 24 months ago come off the books and your most recent results weigh most heavily. The tenths of points that currently separate the two mean they could go blow for blow for the No. 1 spot for a long time.

Spieth entered this week with 12.352 points. McIlroy with 12.300. Jason Day was third with just over nine points. The race is even closer now. McIlroy has 12.36. Spieth has 12.22. Day has 10.99.

The bigger point is that we have three clear-cut best golfers in the world in McIlroy, Day and Spieth. It would be surprising (though not shocking) to see a different name than one of theirs in that No. 1 spot over the next few years.

Cubs' Arrieta Named NL Player of the Week; Cards Scratch Martinez From Tuesday Start

>>Off No Hitter, Arrieta Named Player of the Week

Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta, who threw his first career no-hitter on Sunday, has been named National League Player of the Week for August 24th-30th.

Arrieta posted a perfect 2-0 record and led the Majors with 20 strikeouts across his two outings last week.

His 0.00 ERA was tied for lowest among qualifying pitchers and his 15.0 innings were tied for the most among Major League hurlers.

Sunday night, Arrieta held the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers hitless over 9.0 shutout innings en route to a 2-0 win, fanning 12 Dodger batters while issuing just one walk. He tossed 116 pitches (80 strikes) in the performance, in which he earned his 17th victory of the season and sixth in as many starts.

 width=Other noteworthy performances last week included San Francisco's Marlon Byrd (.318, 4 R, 2 HR, 11 RBI, .773 SLG); Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen (.462, 4 R, 12 H, 6 RBI, .533 OBP); Michael Cuddyer (.579, 11 H, 2 HR 7 RBI, 1.053 SLG) of the New York Mets; Washington's Ryan Zimmerman (.261, 3 HR, 10 RBI, .652 SLG); and Lance Lynn (2- 0, 1.38 ERA, 13.0 IP) of the St. Louis Cardinals.

>>Cubs Add OF Austin Jackson

The Cubs are adding outfield depth for the stretch run. The team acquired Austin Jackson and cash from the Mariners for an international free agency bonus slot and either a player to be named later or $1, CBS Sports MLB Insider Jon Heyman has confirmed.

The deadline to acquire a player and have him be eligible for the postseason roster is 11:59 p.m. ET Monday, so it's effectively a second trade deadline. Players who are not in the organization by that time are not eligible for the playoffs, with no exceptions. It's a hard deadline.

Jackson, 28, is hitting .272/.312/.387 (98 OPS+) with eight home runs and 15 stolen bases in 448 plate appearances this season. He's been much better against lefties than righties (114 vs. 86 OPS+) and much better in the second half than the first (111 vs 84 OPS+).

It's unclear how much cash the Mariners are sending to the Cubs in the trade. Jackson is still owed approximately $1.3 million of his $7.7 million salary. He's a pure rental who will be a free agent after the season. The Cubs won't be able to make him a qualifying offer to recoup draft pick compensation this winter since he was traded at midseason.

The Cubs currently have Dexter Fowler in center field but are without Jorge Soler, who is on the DL with an oblique injury. Chris Coghlan, Chris Denorfia, Kyle Schwarber and Matt Szczur have been flanking Fowler in the corner outfield spots of late.

Jackson gives the Cubs some more outfield depth -- and another player who can play center field, which is important -- and another platoon option against lefties. Rosters expand Tuesday, so the Cubs will be able to carry everyone at the same time. There is no roster crunch.

At this time of year, players to named later are usually players on the 40-man roster who have not yet slipped through trade waivers. However, the $1 part of the deal suggests the player to named later is not significant. The key to the trade for the Mariners is the international bonus slot and shedding Jackson's salary. The value of the slot is unknown but they are usually in the low- to mid-six figures.

The Mariners figure to use Ketel Marte and Brad Miller in center field for the remainder of the season. The team recently fired GM Jack Zduriencik and is still looking for his replacement. Monday was their last chance to move Jackson for any sort of return before losing him to free agency.

The Cubs are 74-55 and 9 1/2 games out in the NL Central, though they have a comfortable 5 1/2 game lead for the second wild-card spot. The Mariners, on the other hand, are one of the biggest disappointments in the league. They're 61-70 and well out of the race.

 width=>>Carlos Martinez Scratched From Tuesday Start; Cards Recall Marco Gonzalez

Carlos Martinez was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday due to a sore back suffered in his last start Thursday in Arizona.

Left-hander Marco Gonzales will be recalled from Triple-A Memphis to make the start. The Cardinals first-round selection in the 2013 draft, Gonzales is 1-4 with 5.20 ERA in 13 starts in Memphis.

Washington will counter with Joe Ross (5-5, 3.24 ERA) in the second game of the three-game set on Tuesday. Ross is 2-0 in his last two starts with a 0.69 ERA, allowing just one run in 13 innings.

RHP Lance Lynn will make his scheduled start Friday despite rolling his ankle in Saturday's 6-0 win at San Francisco.

>>Blue Jays' Edwin Encarnacion Ends Impressive Week With POTW Award

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending August 30th.

Encarnacion batted .391 (9-for-23) with seven runs scored, two doubles, six home runs and 17 RBI over six games to earn his fifth career weekly honor, last winning with the Blue Jays on May 11, 2014. He also paced the Majors in home runs, RBI, slugging percentage (1.261), extra-base hits (8) and total bases (29).

On Saturday against the Detroit Tigers at the Rogers Centre, the Dominican Republic native went 3-for-5 with four runs scored, three home runs and nine RBI.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Mike Moustakas (.423, 4 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI) of the Kansas City Royals; Didi Gregorius (.455, 10 H, 2 HR, 10 RBI) of the Yankees; Kyle Seager (.300, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 22 TB) of the Seattle Mariners; Derek Holland (1-0, 2.40 ERA, 1 CG, 1 SHO) of the Texas Rangers; Joe Kelly (2-0, 1.84 ERA, 14.2 IP, 6 SO) of the Boston Red Sox; and Detroit's Justin Verlander (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 CG, 1 SHO), who carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning of his August 26th start against the Los Angeles Angels.

Cards Win; Cubs Lose

>>Cardinals Outslug Washington

The usually reserved Jason Heyward celebrated in grand fashion after his two-run, tie-breaking double in the seventh inning keyed a five-run rally that helped the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 8-5 on Monday night.

Heyward screamed loudly and gave an emphatic double fist-pump upon reaching second base.

 width=St. Louis won for the eighth time in nine games and moved five games ahead of the idle Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Central.

Washington, which had won six of its previous eight, fell 6 1/2 games behind the New York Mets in the NL East. New York beat Philadelphia 3-1 on Monday.

The Cardinals sent 10 batters to the plate in the seventh and erased a 5-3 deficit with five two-out runs. They followed with one big hit after another as six successive hitters reached base.

Kolten Wong followed Heyward's hit with a run-scoring single to push the lead to 8-5.

Stephen Piscotty and Jhonny Peralta had RBI hits off Casey Janssen (1-3) to tie the game. Felipe Rivero gave up the double to Heyward.

Mark Reynolds started the outburst with a single. Brandon Moss reached on a broken-bat infield hit. Following a double play, Matt Carpenter drew a walk to start the line moving.

Kevin Siegrist (6-1) picked up the win despite allowing three runs in the seventh.

St. Louis closer Trevor Rosenthal recorded his 42nd save in 44 opportunities. He had missed the previous three games due to the birth of his daughter.

Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs for the Nationals. Zimmerman, who went 3 for 5 and was a triple shy of the cycle, has 15 RBIs in his last eight games.

St. Louis starter John Lackey gave up two runs, one earned, in six innings. He struck out eight and walked four.

Washington starter Gio Gonzalez surrendered three runs in six innings. He had given up 14 earned runs over his last three starts totaling 12 1-3 innings.

The loss was costly for the Nationals, who realize they have a tall order in chasing down the Mets.

>>Reds Pound Cubs

Adam Duvall's first swing with the Cincinnati Reds wasn't one to remember. He made up for it, though, with the rest of his inaugural at-bat.

Duvall and Eugenio Suarez hit two-run homers in a four-run sixth inning and the Reds took advantage of two late Chicago errors for a 13-6 victory over the Cubs on Monday night.

 width=Duvall, who was called up from Triple-A earlier Monday, snapped a 5-5 tie with his pinch-hit homer off Cubs reliever Justin Grimm (2-4), who surrendered all four runs in one-third of an inning.

Grimm started the inning by walking Ivan DeJesus Jr. and then gave up the home run to Suarez that tied it.

The Reds, who entered Monday having lost five of their last six, used the rally to erase a two-run deficit. Duvall, who came to the Reds from San Francisco in a deadline deal in July, had 30 minor league homers this season.

Cincinnati tackled on six unearned runs in the ninth off Chicago relievers Travis Wood and James Russell after second baseman Starlin Castro committed two of his three errors in the inning.

The big inning also included Reds closer Aroldis Chapman reaching on an error by Castro before scoring all the way from first on a two-run double by Jason Bourgeois.

Ryan Mattheus (2-4) picked up the win in relief while Chapman pitched 1 2-3 innings to earn his 26th save in 28 chances.

Fresh off Jake Arrieta's nationally televised no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday night, the Cubs, who have lost five of six, took a 5-3 lead during a four-run fifth.

Addison Russell doubled in two runs before Kyle Schwarber followed with an RBI single and Kris Bryant delivered a two-out RBI single past two diving Cincinnati infielders. Russell had a solo home run in the ninth.

The rally chased Cincinnati starter Michael Lorenzen, who was also called up from Triple-A on Monday. Lorenzen allowed five runs and six hits in 4 2-3 innings while walking one and striking out five.

The Reds built a 3-1 lead in the fifth when Brandon Phillips drove a two-out, two-run single past diving third baseman Tommy LaStella.

The go-ahead single came after Kyle Hendricks intentionally walked Joey Votto to get to Phillips.

Hendricks gave up three earned runs in five innings, scattering five hits while walking three and striking out four.

The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the third on Dexter Fowler's solo homer into the basket in the corner in left field. The Reds tied it in the fourth on DeJesus' two-out RBI single, scoring Votto, who singled earlier in the inning.

Reds RHP Anthony DeSclafani (7-10, 3.84) will be trying to end a four-game skid that dates to Aug. 4, while Cubs RHP Dan Haren (8-9, 3.90) will be looking for his first win since Aug. 11, after losing two out of his last three starts.

Rauner, Teamsters Reach Tentative Agreement

The Rauner administration says it has reached tentative or final agreements on new labor contracts with several Teamsters Union units representing about 4,600 workers.

The administration has reached agreements with Local 916, which represents 2,700 professional and technical workers at the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the negotiating committee representing about 1,100 highway maintenance workers. Both groups must still vote to ratify the agreements.

About 300 Teamsters members working in Cook County have already approved the deal, as have 200 master sergeants with the Illinois State Police

The agreements call for among other things a four-year wage freeze, continuation of a 40-hour work week before overtime is paid and a reduction in payouts for unused vacation days.

The administration is still in contract talks with AFSCME, which represents about 38,000 state workers.

DeWitt County Sheriff's Dept. Investigating Weekend Burglaries

The DeWitt County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in a string of burlgaries from this past
weekend.

Home surveillance video captured images of 3 burglary suspects believed to be responsible for 17
vehicle burglaries early Saturday morning in DeWitt County.

Sheriff Jered Shofner indicated these thieves targeted vehicles parked at rural homes northwest of
Clinton. Petty cash and small electronics were taken.

The majority of the vehicles were left unlocked.

The video depicts 3 suspects with masks approaching a vehicle on Carle Springs Road. When a
motion detection light illuminates the driveway, the thieves quickly look inside the vehicle and depart.

Anyone with information leading to the arrest of these thieves may contact the Sheriff’s Office at 217
-935-3196. Anonymous tips can be called into the Clinton Area Crime Stoppers at 217-935-3333. A
cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.

DeWitt County Sheriff's Weekend Report

Jail Population: 29

Paper Services: 3

Warrants: 0

Clayton Hamilton, 22, Chestnut was issued a Citation for Speeding 95 MPH in a 65 MPH Zone. Hamilton was issued a Notice to Appear and was released.

Mark Vance, 51, Atlanta was issued a Citation for Speeding 78 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Vance was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Maribel Laughin, 51, Champaign was issued a Citation for Speeding 72 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Laughin was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Kellie Bennett, 31, Romeoville was issued a Citation for Speeding 75 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone. Bennett was issued a Promise to Comply and was released.

Tyneria Brooks, 27, Decatur was issued a Citation for Operating Uninsured Vehicle. Brooks was issued a Notice to Appear and was released.

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

Clinton Police Weekend Report

ON 08/29/15 CLINTON POLICE ARRESTED JAMES M. RUSSELL 20, CLINTON FOR DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED. RUSSELL WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

ON 08/29/15 CLINTON POLICE ARRESTED NATHAN P. SPRAGUE 30, CLINTON FOR DOMESTIC BATTERY. SPRAGUE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE DEWITT COUNTY JAIL AND RELEASED TO CORRECTIONS.

 

 

 

ALL SUSPECTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW

Normal Cornbelters Defeat Evansville Otters

The Normal Cornbelters defeated the Evansville Otters by a score of 4-3 on Tuesday night.

Tune in tomorrow night, September 2, as the Cornbelters take on the Evansville Otters. You can hear the game live on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

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