Afternoon News Update: Friday January 23
- A Rockford man accused of killing four people, including two children, just before Christmas has held off entering his plea. In his court appearance this morning in a Winnebago County courthouse, 22-year-old Calvin Carter asked for a new judge. Carter is accused of shooting 24-year-old Martia Flint, her two children and her 24-year-old boyfriend, Demontae Rhodes. He will be back in court on February 3rd with a new judge.
- A $1 million grant will be used to provide weatherization services to residents in the Rockford area. Rockford's Comprehensive Community Solutions will receive the grant funding as part of the second phase of the state's Urban Weatherization Initiative. The funds will allow approximately 65 homes per year for two years to receive needed energy efficiency upgrades.
- A large-scale fire destroyed a building in Rochelle yesterday afternoon. Five different fire departments responded to a mechanic’s garage near the intersection of 2nd Ave and Washington Street. Officials believe a wood burning stove was the immediate cause and the flames spread into the building’s attic. No one was injured.
- Two members of the Belvidere school board will not have the opportunity to run for re-election. Dan Wilson and Jason Colson were removed from the April 7th ballot for not properly filing out their candidacy paperwork. Both feel they made a positive influence during their tenure so far. No announcement of any appeals has taken place.
- Illinois’s unemployment numbers are the lowest in more than six years. Figures released today show the jobless rate is at 6.4 percent. 2.5 million job postings were viewed during the first three quarters of 2014.
- Hunters killed about 146,000 deer during the latest hunting season in Illinois. The Department of Natural Resources says the total is down about two percent from the previous season. Hunters using guns took about 77,000 deer and took about 56,000 with bows and arrows.
- Chicago officials have announced construction of a new office building for the Bulls and Blackhawks near the United Center. The planned facility would house a retail store, along with offices. Crews will break ground on the project in the spring. It's slated for completion in 2016.
- Former Gov. Pat Quinn failed to fulfill a constitutional requirement before leaving office. Despite promising to do so, Quinn did not release his final state-of-the-state message to the Illinois General Assembly. The constitution has required this to take place since 1870 and Quinn is now the third governor in a row to fail on delivery. His predecessor, Rod Blagojevich did not fulfill the obligation, following his impeachment.
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