SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Legislation approved Thursday is supposed to save hundreds of millions of dollars for Illinois businesses and government. The bill involves unemployment insurance. Right now, Illinois is paying out so much in unemployment benefits that it has to borrow money from the federal government. That means paying interest, and it triggers higher rates for Illinois businesses. So officials plan to borrow money at low rates and use that to pay the federal government. They say that will save Illinois about $240 million over the next few years. It should also save businesses about $400 million and let many pay lower rates to the unemployment system. Governor Pat Quinn backs the legislation. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association says it will help businesses grow. - http://goo.gl/Trjow
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Area artists in spotlight
Cedarhurst Center for the Arts will spotlight southern Illinois performing artists at the first "Cedarhurst's Got Talent" event Saturday.
"Cedarhurst has a focus on regional artists of all kinds, but we generally showcase visual arts," said Hillary Settle, director of development for Cedarhurst. "This is an opportunity to emphasize performing arts talent in our region and raise money for our 2012 programs."
The evening will start at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction before dinner from Cindi's Catering at 6:30. The talent show portion will begin at 7:30 p.m. and feature eight acts from Mt. Vernon and the surrounding area.
Read full article at http://register-news.com/local/x899727823/Area-artists-in-spotlight
Community Thanksgiving dinner set for locals
For the 14th year, Central Christian Church will hold a community Thanksgiving dinner for more than a thousand local residents.
Anyone may attend from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and donations are accepted but not required.
Preparations for the meal begin at least two days in advance, with breaking bread for the turkey stuffing and preparing sweet potato casserole, said Randy Sells, Central Christian Church pastor.
Read full article at http://register-news.com/local/x185144738/Community-Thanksgiving-dinner-set-for-locals
Salem Woman Wanted for Hit and Run in Kell
The Marion County Sheriff's Department is looking for a 23-year-old Salem woman who fled from the scene of a hit and run accident Wednesday afternoon. Danielle Hills reportedly was northbound on the Old Salem Road in rural Kell when she sideswiped a car driven by 66-year-old Charles Mills of Old Salem Road who had run off the side of the road to try and avoid the crash. Neither driver was hurt. Deputies say Hills is wanted for leaving the scene of an accident and driving on a revoked license. Meanwhile, the owner of the van Hills was driving, James Russell of Green Road in Iuka, said the vehicle was taken without permission. The Marion County canine was called out to assist in locating Hills. Anyone with information on Hills whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff's department or Marion County Crime Stoppers toll-free and anonymously at 1-800-499-8835.
Read full article at http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=29917
Centralia Man Found Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity On Stalking Charge
A 50-year-old Centralia man has been found not guilty by reason of insanity for stalking a Centralia woman in June. Judge Sherrie Tungate ruled at the close of the bench trial that the prosecution had proven Tom Arnold guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but said the defense had proven that Arnold was guilty by reason of insanity. The defense presented a report from Clinical Psychologist Dr. Daniel Cuneo. His testimony was not countered by an expert witness by the prosecution. Arnold will now be sent to the State Department of Human Services for an evaluation and treatment. He'll be brought back to court on December 13th for a status hearing. Arnold had been found not guilty by reason of insanity before for stalking the same woman, but had been released after undergoing treatment for the maximum time allowed for that class of crime. Arnold was charged with driving past the victim's home on three days in June, starring at her, writing multiple letters and sending flowers causing the victim to suffer significant mental suffering, anxiety or alarm.
Read full article at http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=29910
Vacant Sandoval Home Destroyed By Fire; Arson Suspected
Sandoval Firemen say arson is believed to be the cause of a fire that heavily damaged a vacant home at 207 North Broadway in Sandoval early this morning. Assistant Chief Chad Parsons says heavy fire was coming from the rear of the home when they arrived on the scene at four Thursday morning. The roof burned off the structure, but the walls remain standing. The Odin Fire Department was called for mutual aide assistance. Firemen were on the scene for about five hours. Parsons says there were no utilities on in the home. There were reports of several young people seen running from the area of the home shortly before the fire was discovered, but they have not been identified and firemen are uncertain if they were involved with the fire. No word yet on who owned the home. There were no injuries.
Read full article at http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=29911
Illinois' October Home Foreclosures Up 9.7%
CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois home foreclosure activity rose 9.7 percent in October compared to the previous month. A report released Thursday by RealtyTrac shows Illinois with 12,522 foreclosure filings last month. Filings include default notices, auction-sale notices and bank repossessions. The filings represent one in every 423 housing units in the state. That rate is 26.2 percent lower than in October of last year and seventh-highest nationally. RealtyTrac says the increase in many states likely is due to lenders resolving paperwork processing problems that had delayed many foreclosures. But it says new state court rulings and laws create uncertainty that threatens to delay a real estate recovery. Nevada continued to have the nation's highest foreclosure rate. Other states with foreclosure rates higher than Illinois are Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia and Michigan.
Read full article at http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=29907