Wayne County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for the person or persons who stole a black 2 week old angus calf from Christopher Gill. The calf was taken from property he rents. Call or text crime stoppers at 842-9777. An Indiana woman has pleaded guilty to staging her own kidnapping. Gibson County Judge this week ordered 24-year-old Hannah Potts to complete 120 hours of community service after she pleaded guilty to false informing. Judge Jeffrey F. Meade also sentenced Potts to 360 days in jail, but that was suspended to probation. Joshua Thomas, 45, and Maria Hopper, 35, also previously pleaded guilty and received probation. An Illinois Manufacturers Association initiative to create advanced training academies has come to fruition after two years. The new training facilities will be established at Heartland Community College in Normal, and Southwestern Illinois College in Metro East. State funds will be met with $4.95 million in matching commitments for capital projects, as well as additional support from employers and regional partners. The programs are expected to launch later this year. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding the public that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023. With the extended federal deadline of REAL ID, current Illinois driver's licenses and ID cards will continue to be accepted at airports until May 3, 2023. In addition, White has extended all drivers' license and ID card expiration dates until Aug 1, 2021. This extension does not apply to commercial driver's licenses (CDL) and CDL learner's permits. Wednesday, May 5th, Adam Niemerg, State Representative of Illinois' 109th District, will be hosting satellite office hours throughout the area. Niemerg will begin the day in White County, where he will be stationed at the White County Farm Bureau from 8-9:30 a.m. He will then make a stop at the Albion Hope Center from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The state rep will then close out his office hours in Mount Carmel City Hall from 2-3:30 p.m. The White County Farm Bureau is located at 304 E. Robinson Street in Carmi, the Hope Center at 23 W. Cherry Street in Albion and Mount Carmel City Hall at 631 N. Market Street in Mount Carmel. Those hoping to schedule an appointment in advance may do so by calling 217-813-6036. A state watchdog report into the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans' Home found multiple failures that contributed to 36 veterans deaths, stemming primarily from the home's complete lack of infection prevention plans or policies. The report also found deficiencies in communication and staff training at the LaSalle home, as well as repeated lack of compliance with personal protective equipment protocols. Gov. Pritzker re-issued the evictions moratorium in its entirety, which was set to expire Saturday. The executive order states that by temporarily halting eviction proceedings, it will avoid numerous interactions associated with being evicted, including with law enforcement officers, courtroom personnel, landlords, movers and friends and family. By temporarily halting these proceedings, the order says it will help slow the spread of COVID-19. Rental property owners from across the state could soon have access to hundreds of millions of federal tax dollars to cover rent their tenants aren't paying because of an ongoing eviction moratorium. Thursday, the Illinois Senate passed House Bill 2877. If signed by the governor, the measure would allow for the administration of about $700 million in rental assistance across the state. The measure is now poised to be sent to the governor for his signature. Initial details about the program can be found at IHDA.org. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is offering free admission to people vaccinated against COVID-19. Officials at the museum in Springfield, Ill. announced this week that the offer is good throughout May and June. Anyone who has received at least one shot is eligible to get a free ticket at the museum's website. Acting Executive Director Melissa Coultas says the museum wants to offer extra incentives for people to get vaccinated. People claiming a free ticket will have to show a vaccination card at the museum. River stages as of this morning: the Little Wabash east of Fairfield stands at 18.75 feet, above the 17 ft. flood stage. Meanwhile, the Skillet Fork at Wayne City has a reading of 6.65 feet (flood stage is 15 ft.). The Little Wabash below Clay City is at 13.32 feet (flood stage is 18 ft.). Bonpas Creek at Browns reads 10.59 feet, and the Little Wabash at Main Street in Carmi reads 17.89 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel sits at 11.67 feet.