Colin Jeffery
Illinois farmers happy winter storm brought precipitation to area
Friday, 22 February 2013 10:45 Published in Local NewsFrom his acreage near Edwardsville, Campbell welcomed the snow. Like many farms, his soil in southwestern Illinois craves any moisture after a bone-dry growing season last year.
Climatologists say a foot of snow is roughly equal to an inch of water, depending on the snow's density. Campbell's region isn't getting quite that much, but the snow is important to growers of winter wheat. That crop goes dormant over winter before resuming growth in the spring, along the way using snow cover as a protective insulating blanket.
The latest weekly U.S. Drought Monitor update shows more than half of the continental U.S. still in some form of drought.
Coroner: Infant found on bed near body of teenager
Friday, 22 February 2013 10:44 Published in Local NewsSt. Clair County Coroner Rick Stone tells the Belleville News-Democrat that 19-year-old Dyilion Rojas was found dead Thursday in a home after someone anonymously called police to report a possible overdose.
The 6-month-old baby was found beside Rojas and was later turned over to a relative.
The connection between Rojas and the infant isn't clear.
An autopsy is planned, and results of lab screenings of his blood aren't expected to be available for weeks.
Friday's hearing is before the House Judiciary Committee on Friday in Chicago, and it follows another hearing held by the same committee earlier this week in Springfield.
Chicago has made national headlines in recent months as the number of homicides climbed - especially in January when Hadiya (hy-DEE'-uh) Pendleton was killed about a mile from President Barack Obama's Chicago home.
Representatives from law enforcement, city and county government and the National Rifle Association are scheduled to speak.
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