IL HOUSE PASSES BUDGET; GOP REACTS SAYING NO INPUT…. CONGRESSMAN AGAINST IMMIGRATION BILL…..HASTERT CHALLENGER EMERGES…..  WATSEKA BURGLARY PROBED…… TILL ROAD FATALITY IN INDIANA….. some of the top news stories on WGFA on the final day of May    >

40% Chance of showers and T-storms today and tonight in Illiana.  High near 80 today.

• The Illinois House late last night passed a new budget.  It’s a budget most Republicans say is not balanced and they say they had no input on.  Democratic leaders say the package holds the line on most of last year’s spending.  The vote was 63-53, along party lines.
• Reaction on the budget today from area representatives Shane Cultra and Bill Black—on WGFA News.
• A local Congressman is speaking out against the propsoewd immigration bill.  It comes on the same day President Bush continues to attack opponents, suggesting they don’t “want to do what’s right for America.”  Congressman Tim Johnson says he doesn’t like what he sees in the bill.  The bill would give temporary legal status to millions of unlawful immigrants, provied they come forward, pay a fine and undergo criminal background checks.
• A millionaire, west-suburban businessman says he’ll challenge Dennis Hastert for his Congressional seat.  Geneva Democrat Bill Foster says he wants to lower the national debt and bring troops home from Iraq.  Hastert says he’s not sure if he will run for re-election.
• A weekend burglary in Watseka is under investigation.  City police are seeking information about a burglary at People’s Complete Building Center.  Investigators say between $5- $10,000 worth of tools were stolen Saturday or Sunday night.  Anyone with info is asked to call polcie at 815-432-6822.
• A Toll Road accident in Indiana Wednesday is under investigation.  Police believe a female fatality victim may be from Illinois.  The crash happened around 11 am near State Road 49.
•  ”Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA

CROPS LOOKING REAL GOOD AS MAY WINDS DOWN…. CROP DAMAGE REPORTS DUE BY THURSDAY, MAY 31st….. VANDALS DAMAGE GILMAN BUSINESS, REWARD OFFERED…… AREA LAWMAKERS COMMENT ON BUDGET PROCESS AS SESSION END NEARS IN SPRINGFIELD……Top news stories today on WGFA for Wednesday, May 30th   >

• Isolated showers and T-storms today.  High near 89.  Some patchy fog again this morning.  Rain possible tonight and tomorrow.
• Illinois producers are encouraged to report crop damage. A waiver has been granted for producers that destroyed their wheat crop prior to reporting the damage to the FSA office.  FSA Director James Brock said producers that may have destroyed their wheat crop without notification to FSA have until the close of business Thursday to report the failed wheat and still receive failed acreage credit.
• Illinois farmers made up lost time this spring, and then some.  The latest USDA Crop report for Illinois shows farmers ard done with corning planting, at least a week ahead of schedule.  Bean planting is quite impressive, considering a late start.
• Vandals damaged the property at Gray’s Material Service in Gilman last week.  The business is offering a reward for information leading to the person responsible.  Contact the Iroquois County Sheriff’s department.
• Iroquois County Sheriff’s polcie Tuesday arrested 21-yr-old Joshua Luening of Buckley.  He was wanted on a warrant for  Failure to Appear on a Possession of Cannabis charge.
• Sheldon Police report the arrest of 52-yr-old Greg Miller of Sheldon for no FOID card and reckless discharge of a firearm.

Other area news on WGFA NEWS LINKS —

94.1 fm, wgfa  —-  since 1961

Listen to the WGFA Breakfast Club daily during the 9am hour to win a pair of WGFA Summer Mystery T-Shirts and for Justin and Kristin’s thoughts as to who dun it, where and with what.  You could be the $1000 Grand Prize winner.

WGFA Summer Mystery Clues, this week, are available at…

The Loft Restaurant in Ashkum
Tholen’s Home and Garden Showplace in Bourbonnais
Watseka Animal Hospital

It’s a $1000 grand prize with the WGFA Summery Mystery.  Details are available at WGFARadio.com

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES….. SENATOR GARY DAHL REMARKS DURING MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY…… TRAFFIC FATALITY IN BENTON COUNTY, (IN)…… I-57 ACCIDENT KILLS 9-YEAR-OLD…… some of the lead stories on WGFA for Tuesday, May 29th   >

PATCHY FOG BLANKETS MUCH OF ILLIANA THIS MORNING. OTHERWISE, PARTLY CLOUDY WITH HIGH IN THE UPPER 80s.

• Several area observances marked Memorial Day 2007 over the weekend.  There was emphasis put on America’s need to support the U-S troops in Iraq.  Senator Gary Dahl addressed a gathering at the capitol, asking everyone to support the troops and remember those from past wars.
• Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth was the keynote speaker at the Memorial Day event at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
• A Benton County, IN accident killed one man and injured two other occupants of a car that left State Road 352 and rolled several times.  22-year-old Jeremy Bell of Fowler was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the car–22-yr-old Kara Crisp of Fowler–and another passenger, 22-yr-old Ismael Caraballo of Boswell, were transfered to an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition.  Sheriff’s Police report the car ran into a field.  All three were ejected.  They were not wearing seat belts.
• A nine-year-old boy died in an accident on I-57 near Rantoul.  Raymundo Vasquez of Chicago was riding with his father, Raymundo Vasquez Sr. Friday when their car was hit by a car that entered the interstate from westbound 136.  That driver–Melissa Darr of Gifford–is now facing a DUI charge and Improper Lane Usage.
• WGFA’s first Featured Farmer of the Week is announced today.
• Check out other WGFA News Links …..

94.1 FM, WGFA — since 1961

DANFORTH HOUSE LOST IN FIRE…. KANKAKEE FIREMEN ANSWER CALL TO HARVEY, (IL)……. DRIVER FACES DUI AFTER A CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENT….. GAS PRICES AN ISSUE FOR HOLIDAY SEASON….. INDY 500 COVERAGE on WGFA   >    NEWS HI-LIGHTS ON WGFA FOR THIS FRIDAY, MAY 25th   >

SOME EARLY-MORNING RAIN BRINGS .15 AT WGFA’s OFFICIAL WEATHER REPORTING STATION.  HIGH TODAY AT 74 WITH A 50% CHANCE OF MORE SHOWERS.  

• A family of five was left homeless Thursday after a morning fire in rural Danforth.  Firemen found the two-story farmhouse engulfed in flames when they arrived at the scene five miles west and two miles north of Danforth.  Fire Chief Gary Perzee reported no injuries.  Ashkum and Gilman provided mutual aide. Firefighters were on the scene from 6 am ’til 2 pm.  The cause is under investigation.
• The Kankakee fire department was one of a dozen units on the scene of a huge warehoue fire in suburban Harvey yesterday. The blaze destroyed several buildings in an industrial park.  A fire in Bolingbrook also forced an evacuation of an R-V dealership Thursday afternoon.  No one was injured in either fire.
• Kankakee police report four people hospitalized after a man charged with DUI ran into a construction truck, injuring one worker seriously.  Lewis Johnson of Urbana was doused with a hot paint liquid used to put down stripes on streets and highways in Illinois.  Willie Felton of Momence drove his pick-up truck into a truck Johnson and three other employees of the Varsity Striping Company were on–while working on Court Street at 3 am.  Lewis was air-lifted to Loyola Medical Center.
• Gas prices are at $3.52 a gallon in Illinois, making the state’s prices the highest in the nation.  Relief at the pump is being pushed by some lawmakers.  There’s suggestions to reduce the state’s sales tax on gasoline.
• I-DOT is suspending construction where possible during the Memorial Day weekend.  Motorists need to be aware of limited traffic in some construction zones. 
• It’s “Carb Day” today at the Indianapolis Moter Speedway.  WGFA’s coverage today is from 4-5 pm.  Sundays big race can be heard on 94.1 FM.

“You’re INDY 500 Connection”— 94.1 fm, wgfa 

 *  It’s easy and fun to play.  Fax in your answer on company letterhead with full contact information to 815-432-4957 or submit it online at WGFARadio.com.

*  5. Which of the following is not a weapon used in Clue?
a. Poison
b. Knife
c. Pipe
d. Candlestick

*  Fax in your answer on company letterhead with full contact information to 815-432-4957 or submit it online at WGFARadio.com.

*  Illiana’s Choice for the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and Today! Now with more of your all-time favorites. 94 Point 1 WGFA.

JUDGE DECLARES MISTRIAL IN IROQUOIS COUNTY….. DRY CONDITIONS SPARK FIRE ADVISORY…… WORK ACCIDENT KILLS A FORD COUNTY MAN….. FORD-IROQUOIS PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT EARNS ACCREDITATION……Today’s Illiana News Stories on WGFA     >

ILLIANA WEATHER TODAY CALLS FOR A HIGH OF 89 UNDER PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

• The jurors in the Watseka arson trial of Matthew Wilkins were unable to reach a verdict, so Judge William Schmidt declared a mistrial.  There will be a new trial.  A scheduled date will be announced.  Witnesses offered questionable and contradictory testimony, leading jurors to a n0-decision. The 31-year-old Wilkins faces arson charges for the 1997 Watseka fire that destroyed two businesses.
• A “Red Flag” warning was issued for several Illinois counties.  The NWS warning asked for a heads-up from the public due to dry conditions.  The threat of fires erupted due to lack of rain and dry, parched fields.  Area fire departments were dispatched to field fire.  An attic fire alerted officials in Martinton and Watseka.  A structure fire in Danforth also alerted fire responders this morning.
• A Ford County man has died from work-related injuries.  55-year-old Gerald Harris of Paxton died Monday at Carle Hospital in Urbana.  An autopsy revealed he suffered head and neck injuries when he fell from a railcar earlier this month.
• The Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department has earned national accreditation, recognizing the administration and staff workforce for leadership in meeting the national standards.  Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Eric Whitaker was in Watseka Wednesday to present local administrator John POickering and his staff an Achievement Plaque.
• Tinker Parker of St. Anne has been named this year’s recipient of the Athena Award.  The award is symbolic of professional achievement, serving and mentoring women.  The award is a high point of the Annual Women in Business seminar.  Parker is a trainer with the Kankakee County Training Center.
• Circuit Judge Adrienne Albrecht will receive the Tradition of Excellence honor.  Chief Judge Clark Erickson said the award will be presented at the annual meeting of the Illinois State Bar Association.

“Your Illiana News Source” —- 94.1 FM, WGFA 

DEADLY BANK SHOOTING IN CHICAGO….. AN INDIANA TEEN IS IN CUSTODY FOR SHOOTING IN POTER COUNTY, IN…..NO VERDICT IN WILKINS ARSON TRIAL….. RED CROSS ASSISTS HOMELESS AFTER APARTMENT FIRE IN BOURBONNAIS……Top news stories on WGFA for Wednesday, May 23rd     >

PARTLY CLOUDY BUT A HIGH NEAR 90 TODAY.  weather details at wgfaradio.com 

• Authorities in Chicago have located a getaway car used in Tuesday morning’s deadly bank robbery on the city’s south side.  But the search continues for the suspects.  The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for info that leads them to the suspects.  A teller was shot and killed.  Two others were injured.
• Northwest Indiana authorities say a teenager is in custody in connection with a shooting and wounding of another teen.  Poter County Sheriff’s Police say a 15-year-old is expected to be charged with an incident where a 14-year-old was shot in the face.
• The jury in the Matt Wilkins arson case has not reached a verdict and will resume deliberations this morning.  The seven women-five men jury deliberated for about five hours Tuesday.  The judge recessed for the day a little after 6 pm.  Wilkins is facing an aggravated arson charge for a 1997 Watseka fire that destroyed two businesses.
• The Kankakee County Chapter of the Red Cross is assisting 15 homeless people after a fire destoyed an apartment building in Bourbonnais.  Tuesday’s fire had emergency responders rescuing three children and an adault from the building.  The fire is being blamed on food left on a stove.
• State Police will be out in force Friday.  A crackdown is scheduled along I-55 between Chicago and St. Louis.
• Lawmakers are considering another compromise from utility companies.

94.1 FM, WGFA —-  SINCE 1961 

WGFA RADIO’s TOP NEWS STORIES FOR A TUESDAY, MAY 22nd   >     Iroquois County arson trial continues, closing arguments likely today….. Apartment fire in Bourbonnais leaves 15 homeless…… Pontiac plant fire forces employee evacuation….. Area news notes on WGFA news links…..

A warm, sunny day in the local forecast.  High today near 88.

• Fire officials in Bourbonnais report 15 people are homeless today following an early-morning fire.  The blaze destroyed an apartment building on Gettysburg Drive.  Fire Chief Ed St. Louis said the fire started in an upstairs apartment of the four-unit building.  Some occupants had to be rescued and helped to safety.  The fire’s origin is under investigation.
• There were no injuries in a Pontiac plant fire.  More than two dozen emergency vehicles and more than 50 firefighters from area communities were on the scene of the fire at Interlake Material Handling.  The fire is believed ot have started in the paint line, but the cause is still under investigation.  There were about 120 employees at the plant when the problem started about 9:40 pm. Monday. 
• Accused arsonist Matt Wilkins took the stand in his own defense at his trial in Iroquois County Monday.  Wilkins said he was at his apartment with his then-wife–Amy–and a good friend, Dan Gounder, the night a fire destroyed two businesses in downtown Watseka.  The 1997 fire has Wilkins facing arson charges. Wilkins ex-wife told the court last week Wilkins told her he started the fire–which destroyed the Toggery and the Ritz restaurant.  The case is likely headed to the jury following closing aruments this morning.
• Illinois is among a list of states demanding a list of sex offenders from Myspace.com.  Details on WGFA News today….

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA