Afternoon News Update: March 7

One person is dead after a house fire in northern Illinois. Officials say the fire began Thursday night at a home in Woodstock. The only occupant of the house was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Jefferson J-Hawks will be a little short for tonight’s Regional Championship game against Huntley. Five players and Head Coach Todd Brannan have been suspended due to Wednesday night’s brawl with East High School. The IHSA did not publicize which five players are being suspended. Officials say punishment for East still will be forthcoming.
Roadways in Winnebago and Stephenson Counties are about to get a huge face lift. Officials announced that $1 million will be going towards two projects. The first one will replace a bridge over Bolton Road near Freeport. The second project involves a box culvert replacement on Winnebago County Highway 21 over Collidge Creek.
An American Airlines flight from Chicago had to be searched due to a bomb threat. Officials say the plane was taken to a remote area at Kansas City International Airport because someone made a comment about a bomb. There not sure if it was a passenger on Thursday’s flight or if it was phoned in. FBI agents conducted a search of the plane but didn’t find anything suspicious.
With tax season being just four weeks in, the IRS says more than 48 million refunds have been issued. The average refund amount is $3,000, which is an increase of about 3% from last year’s average. Between January 31 and February 28, the IRS has sent out $147 billion in refunds.
Some major Illinois newspapers are making their primary endorsements in the Republican race for governor. The Chicago Tribune and Crain's Chicago Business are backing venture capitalist Bruce Rauner, while the Daily Herald of Arlington Heights has endorsed state Senator Kirk Dillard.
National and state environmental groups are praising Illinois for buying more renewable energy. A new report says the Land of Lincoln has done so more than any other state in the nation. Officials say the move is reducing pollution which is equivalent to taking more than a million cars off the road.

Categories: News