Quinn proposes cuts to save Medicaid program

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Governor Pat Quinn says rescuing the Medicaid system in Illinois may force lawmakers to make some painful decisions.  Quinn wants them to approve his plan for filling a $2.7 billion hole through a series of moves, including a cigarette tax hike. Republicans are flatly opposed to that.

Indiana man accused of having 22 pounds of marijuna in a duffle bag.

22 pounds of marijuana is what police say they found after talking with a man from Indiana.  It happened Wednesday afternoon at Sapp Brothers in Peru.

A state trooper thought LeeRoy Gilbert was acting suspicious and asked to search his car.  That’s when police say they found a duffle bag packed with marijuana in the trunk.

Gilbert was arrested for possession of cannabis with intent to deliver and was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Rabid Bat In Ottawa

A bat found in Ottawa tested positive for rabies.

La Salle County Health Department officials confirm the rabid bat.  It’s the fifth bat testing positive for rabies this year in Illinois.

If you see a bat in your house, don’t release it outside until talking with an animal control or public health official.  Try to cover the bat with a large can or bucket and close the door to the room if you can without coming close enough to be bitten.

If you get bit by a bat, seek medical attention right away.

Hall School Board Looking At It’s Dress Code

What you can and can’t wear at Hall High School could soon change.

According to the NewsTribune, Assistant Principal’s Gary Barrera and Eric Bryant are proposing a stricter dress code.  They want all students to have to wear shirts with sleeves.  Right now students are allowed to wear tank tops with 2-inch straps.

Barrera says the change isn’t sitting well with students but he told the board “if they can show me anything that says more sleeves dehydrates them, I’ll think about it”.

Guilty Plea In Princeton High School Gun Case

The teen who walked into Princeton High School with a loaded shotgun has pled guilty to the crime.

18-year old Blake Schmidt of Princeton pled guilty Wednesday to a class 3 felony of unlawful use of a weapon.  He’ll be sentenced June 13^th.  He could get anything from probation to up to five years in prison.

Schmidt was arrested last November after he walked into Princeton High School with a loaded shotgun as classes were getting out.  After about an hour of negotiating, he surrendered his weapon.  He never pointed the loaded gun at anyone.

Schmidt didn’t go to Princeton High at the time.