Afternoon News Update: Friday March 6

A woman has pled guilty and has been sentenced in connection to a fatal stabbing death in Rockford. Jeanette Short plead guilty to second degree murder in the March 2014 stabbing death of Achaiah Mcghee. Last March, Rockford Police were called to the Rockford Mass Transit District bus terminal at 411 Mulberry St. for a stabbing. Witnesses say Mcghee and Short got into an argument and Short pulled out a knife and stabbed Mcghee. Mcghee later died at the hospital from the injuries she sustained. Short has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Illinois climate experts say this February was the seventh coldest on record in the state. Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel says the statewide average temperature last month was 18.6 degrees. That's 12.3 degrees below average. It's also been a cold last three months. Angel says the average temperature for December, January and February was 26.1 degrees or 7.5 degrees below average.
DeKalb County communities have recycled more than a half-million pounds of computers, TVs and other electronics since it hired a new company to handle "e-waste" a year ago. The DeKalb Daily Chronicle reports that the company rotates pickup sites among DeKalb, Genoa, Sandwich, Sycamore and Waterman. DeKalb collected the largest amount -- more than 234,000 pounds and saw a jump in junked TVs after the new year.
Another warrant sweep through Beloit has netted eight arrests. Beloit Police and the Rock County Sheriff's Office attempted to serve 54 warrants last night as part of the city's 'Stop the Violence' initiative. They say they were able to clear 17 arrest warrants on eight wanted subjects.
The Northern Illinois Food Bank has moved their location from Loves Park to Rockford, for more space. The new location has a loading dock, which makes it easier for them to help the 70,000 people they serve each week The new facility, is markedly larger and officials believe that it has a better layout.
Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey delivered his State of the City address last night. His speech was focused on the governor's cuts, the newly formed partnership with uber and future downtown development. Unlike in years past, he ditched the podium and invited the crowd to participate in an open discussion at the venue.
BNSF Railway now says more than 20 oil tank cars left the tracks in yesterday’s train derailment south of Galena and five are burning. BNSF says cars that split open in Thursday's derailment are a newer model retrofitted to meet a higher safety standard than federal law requires. This isn't the first time the newer model tanker has failed in a crash.
Illinois labor unions are asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit Governor Bruce Rauner filed against them last month. Rauner wants a federal court to rule against "fair share" union dues -- ending a requirement that nonmembers pay them. The unions say it's a question of state law and a state court should decide it.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has created a "Top 10" list of tips for people applying for medical marijuana cards. Department spokeswoman Melaney Arnold says the list answers common questions about the multi-step process. The first tip covers meeting with a doctor to discuss marijuana. Others explain submitting fingerprints, the $100 fee and the requirement for a passport-style photo.
Regents and chancellors in the University of Wisconsin System are vowing to fight back against Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget cuts. The State Journal reports regents spent hours yesterday discussing how to respond to state lawmakers about Walker's proposal to cut the system's funding by $300 million in the next two years.
A spokeswoman for likely presidential candidate Scott Walker is blasting Democrat Hillary Clinton for using a personal email account while she was secretary of state. Walker officials criticized the potential 2016 Democratic presidential hopeful yesterday comes even though Walker used his personal email account to communicate with aides when he was Milwaukee County executive.
An investigation has found thousands of Wisconsin motorists continue driving despite license revocations, suspensions and fines. Law enforcement officials tell Post-Crescent Media that a significant amount of drivers simply ignore suspensions or revocations and continue to drive. According to Wisconsin Department of Transportation data, there were more than 114,000 convictions last year for operating while suspended, operating without a valid license or operating after revocation.

Categories: Local News, News