Psychological Effects of Gas Prices
A local doctor says the high gas prices may be causing high anxiety.

Dr. Gene Broadland is a psychiatric social worker and says he's seeing more anxiety now than ever before.

He thinks the slumping economy and high gas prices are a big cause of the stress.

Broadland says if you don't handle you stress by talking about what's bothering you or exercising, you mat have a short-temper at home.

Dr. Broadland says another stressor besides high gas prices and a slumping economy -- is the presidential election.

Blagojevich Under Investigation?
CHICAGO (AP) -- Governor Rod Blagojevich says he's not a target of the federal investigation that brought down one of his former top fundraisers as part of a probe into political corruption in Illinois.

Blagojevich called it "ridiculous" to ask if he was a target. His comments came during a tense exchange with reporters following an unrelated Thursday news conference in Chicago.

Witnesses in the federal trial of Tony Rezko described conversations in which Blagojevich suggested favors in exchange for contributions.

Federal court records show prosecutors have questioned Blagojevich multiple times.

Rezko was convicted in June of 16 counts related to demanding money from companies seeking state business or regulatory approval.

Business Fire in Findlay
Stormy weather may be to blame for a blaze in Findlay.

Officials say an office building on the corner of North Mauzey and South Second Street caught fire just before midnight Wednesday night.

Firefighters from 4 departments responded, as well as volunteers from the American Red Cross.

They provided food and beverages to firemen as they battled the blaze.

No one was injured, but the building sustained heavy damage.

Gas Station Inspections
The state of Illinois is doing its part to make sure motorists don't get cheated at the pump.

At a press conference Thursday, Governor Rod Blagojevich told reporters he's instructing the Department of Agriculture to step up gas station inspections.

The agency is adding staff during the holiday weekend to ensure motorists get the entire gallon of gas they pay for.

They've also set up a hotline for people who think they've been cheated.

That number is 1-800-582-0468.

Murder Spree Suspect in Court
GALESBURG, Ill. (AP) -- A Knox County judge has upheld a $1 million bond for a man suspected of killing eight people in a two-state spree.

Nicholas Sheley appeared in circuit court Thursday in Galesburg, where he's charged in the beating death of 65-year-old Ronald Randall. Sheley waived his right to a public defender, indicating he'd hire his own attorney.

Authorities earlier transferred Sheley from Madison County, where he'd been arrested Tuesday night.

Sheley is charged in Knox County with first-degree murder, aggravated battery, vehicle hijacking and theft in Randall's death.

He's also charged in the death of a Sterling man, and authorities have named him a suspect in four killings in Rock Falls and two in Missouri.

No Summer Fun at the Lake Springfield Beach
CWLP officials say Springfield's public beach will not be open this holiday weekend.

The city was exploring the option of opening the beach with no lifeguards for the July 4th celebration.

But a city law requiring lifeguards prevents them from unlocking the gates.

So CWLP has decided not to open the beach this summer.

The action frees up nearly $300,000 needed to run the beach for much needed infrastructure projects.