• Jury selection began today in the kidnapping case against the woman accused of taking a newborn from a Beloit home back in January. Kristin Smith allegedly took the baby during a family gathering and left him in a tote bag at an Iowa gas station after family members contacted her by phone, and was arrested soon afterward.  If convicted, Smith faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.
  • The woman who was killed in a lawn mower accident in Janesville has been identified. Sue Flynn of the 600 block of Fenrick road has been identified by the Rock County Sheriff’s office as the victim. She was found partially trapped under a small riding lawnmower last night which was tipped upside down. She was transported to Mercy Hospital and pronounced dead.
  • A local Rockford business has made national headlines with positive ratings. The Rockford Brewing Company is deemed a must-try by Zagat ratings agency. It has been deemed as one of the five breweries outside of Chicago to visit.
  • A 22-year-old man has pleaded guilty to making bomb threats against court facilities in Kane County last September. Prosecutors say Akiel Davis of Carpentersville called 911 and falsely said four bombs were hidden at the Kane County Judicial Center. He has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
  • State officials say the closure of a southern Illinois center for people with developmental disabilities will be a "long process." A department of Human Services spokeswoman says there's no timetable to close the Warren Murray Developmental Center in Centralia. Last week, a federal judge ruled the state has the authority to close the center.
  • The managers of two Illinois state fairs have been fined for soliciting and accepting free beer tickets for the events. Executive Inspector General’s office released a report Monday detailing violations against Amy Bliefnick and John Rednour. Officials say Rednour asked a beer vendor in 2012 to give him 1,000-2,000 tickets. Bliefnick accepted at least 120 tickets last year.
  • Coal exports from Illinois have risen significantly in recent years. The state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity says about 12 million tons were exported in 2013. That's down slightly from the 13 million tons exported in 2012, but far more than the 5.5 million tons exported in 2011 and 2.5 million tons in 2010.

 

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