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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon has released the identity of a man who was hit and killed by a train early Wednesday morning.
Allmon said the man is 40-year-old Shane Reid of Springfield. An autopsy performed on Wednesday determined Reid died of blunt force injuries sustained in the incident.
Reid was pronounced dead around 12:15 a.m. near 6th Street and North Grand Avenue after he was hit by an Amtrak train. Springfield and Amtrak Police are still investigating along with Allmon’s office. | 2022-04-28T03:10:58Z | www.wcia.com | Man killed by train identified | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-killed-by-train-identified/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-killed-by-train-identified/ |
CLAY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — One person has died and another person was seriously injured in a car crash in Clay County on Wednesday.
The crash happened on Ingraham Lane east of Sylvite Drive at 1 p.m. State Police determined from their preliminary investigation that a pickup truck crossed the center line for unknown reasons and hit a cargo van head-on.
The driver of the pickup truck, a 36-year-old man from Onley, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the cargo van, 34-year-old Gregory Stewart of Benton, was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries. | 2022-04-28T03:10:59Z | www.wcia.com | One dead, one hurt in Wednesday crash | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/one-dead-one-hurt-in-wednesday-crash/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/one-dead-one-hurt-in-wednesday-crash/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Major Fabio Salas has served in the United States Marine Corps for 22 years, and it was there that he found a love for running.
“When I was a drill instructor, when I really got into running, I made it a goal to run the Marine Corps Marathon,” Salas said. “And because of that, I started learning about running and training.”
He is now hoping to inspire others to not only run, but join the military.
“I’ve done a couple of marathons and half-marathons and cycling runs, stuff like that,” Salas said.
He moved to the U.S. from Colombia when he was nine, leaving behind a life of poverty.
“This is also not only a great opportunity for me, but it’s also given me a life that others can’t have,” Salas said.
He said that serving the U.S. has given him so much.
“This was kind of my way, and continues to be my way, to give back to the country that has adopted me,” Salas said.
His favorite part of the job has been working with University of Illinois ROTC students.
“We’re all one team. No identity,” Salas said. “When I look at these guys, these are the future. These are the guys who are going to replace me and someday do this job, become generals and other things in the Marine Corps. So to be able to be a part of their story, at least at the very start, even if it’s a small part, for me is significant.”
A big part of working with his students is training them.
“I can’t say necessarily keep up with them, but trying to keep up with them and trying to lead them and motivate them,” Salas said is what he tries to do.
And it’s working. He motivated two of his students to run the half-marathon with him this weekend in the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Race Weekend.
“It’s something that drives my passion and pushes me to keep going every day,” Salas said.
He originally singed up for the full marathon, but said running the half-marathon is a way to show his students they can do anything.
This will be one of Salas’ last chance to run in Illinois, as he will be restationed to San Diego in June. He said he is sad to leave his students, but this will be one last event they can enjoy together. | 2022-04-28T04:59:52Z | www.wcia.com | Face of the Race: Fabio Salas | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/face-of-the-race-fabio-salas/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/face-of-the-race-fabio-salas/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — After more than two years of planning, a travelling art exhibit about the Holocaust opened at Illini Hillel’s Cohen Center for Jewish Life on Wednesday.
The exhibit, titled “The Auschwitz Experience in the Art of Prisoners,” features more than 60 pieces created by 12 Auschwitz survivors that depict the horrors they experienced firsthand. It was that perspective that caught the eye of Bob Lehmann, Co-Director of the Holocaust Education Center of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation.
“I thought this would be an interesting perspective of presenting the Holocaust to various groups of people,” Lehman said. “It wasn’t historical photographs or pictures of artifacts. It was a movie-memorable experience of these people that went through the horrors in the tragedy of Auschwitz, and so they depict it in their paintings and their drawings. Because who knows more about what went on there than the people that experienced them?”
Lehmann and fellow Co-Director Brian Kahn began emailing the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland, which owns the exhibit, about bringing it to central Illinois in January of 2020. Their plans would soon be shelved by the pandemic, but 15 months later, they got the green light.
“In July, Brian tells me ‘We’re going to do it,'” Lehman said. “And so we signed the contracts, and we brought the exhibit here.”
The display at the Cohen Center, as well as an earlier display at the Vermilion County Museum in Danville, are the first two times this exhibit is being shown outside of Europe.
Hillel Executive Director Erez Cohen was also involved in the process. Hillel hosts major Holocaust educational programming three or four times per year.
“We are working each year to bring Jewish education to the campus, and specifically Holocaust education, to make sure that we help students on campus, faculty, staff to learn about horrors of the Holocaust and to basically to learn about the importance of human decency,” Cohen said. “It’s on us to continue to educate people about the importance of human life and of human decency to avoid something like the Holocaust or any type of genocide from happening ever again.”
The plan was to open the exhibit at the Cohen Center on January 27, the anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation by the Red Army in 1945. But the Omicron wave put those plans on hold as well.
“We had to shut down the building for the first week of school, which was exactly when International Holocaust Memorial Day was happening,” Cohen said. “And so we had to postpone this three more months to Yom HaShoah.”
Yom HaShoah is Israel’s official day of commemorating the Holocaust.
The delay of the Cohen Center hosting the exhibit allowed the Vermilion County Museum to host it first. That showing, which lasted the entire month of March, was a resounding success.
“The reception there in Danville was just fantastic. Everybody I think that went through was moved in one way or another,” Kahn said. “We got over 2,000 people in a month and left some wonderful comments on the reflection board, and comments to the museum staff and to us.”
“You would almost guarantee a crowd here on campus because there’s so many Jews here, but not in Danville,” Kahn continued. “So I was really taken by that, how many people were truly interested in that.
Lehmann is hoping for a similar turnout at the Cohen Center.
“I hope the community takes advantage of this opportunity and comes in and sees it,” Lehmann said. “I would love to see us do 2,000 people in a week, which would be fantastic.”
Cohen said that after recent incidents of anti-Semitism on campus recently, hosting the exhibit now means a lot.
“Despite the delays in bringing the exhibit to Hillel, having the exhibit here now in April, after we’ve had stones thrown at students on campus for following their Jewish faith, this is a tremendous moment for us,” Cohen said. “We are able to come and show what the development of hate can create in a country and what a horrible thing it is to demonize other people. And I think that for us to have the exhibit here is an opportunity for us to teach the campus about the importance of human decency, the importance of treating each other with respect and the importance of of knowing the past so that we can prevent it from ever happening.”
Cohen said Hillel has sent emails and placed fliers around campus to promote the exhibit and has also invited the university’s administration to see the exhibit. Everyone is welcome to attend as individuals or in groups.
The Auschwitz Experience in the Art of Prisoners will be open until May 6. | 2022-04-28T06:40:14Z | www.wcia.com | Illini Hillel opens Holocaust art exhibit | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/illini-hillel-opens-holocaust-art-exhibit/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/illini-hillel-opens-holocaust-art-exhibit/ |
SHELBY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A man was recently sentenced in connection with a deadly accident that happened in 2020.
Shelby County State’s Attorney Nichole Kroncke announced that Briar W. True was sentenced to the maximum of 364 days in jail for the offense of speeding in excess of 35 miles per hour.
The sentencing hearing followed a June 16, 2021 bench trial in which True was found guilty of the offense. The charge resulted from a fatal crash that occurred on June 4, 2020 on Route 16, Shelbyville near the U.S. Army Corps Visitors Center. Pedestrian Sidney Manning, age 84, was fatally struck by True’s vehicle as Manning walked across Route 16 shortly before 5 a.m..
Both the Shelbyville Police and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the crash site. Officers said there were no independent eye-witnesses to the crash.
At trial, Brian Scott and Steve Coady testified as expert witnesses in crash reconstruction. They estimated that True’s vehicle was traveling between 82 and 98 miles per hour at the point of impact. The posted speed limit where the fatal accident occurred was 45 miles per hour. Scott described the crash as a “quick and explosive event.”
During the sentencing hearing, family members of Manning testified and presented victim impact statements, describing Manning as a loving, hardworking man who married a widowed woman and raised her four children as his own. Family members emotionally described Manning’s close relationships with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and testified to Manning’s selfless care of his wife who required daily assistance due to illness.
The State recommended a maximum sentence because of the defendant’s excessive speed, which resulted in a fatality, the devastating impact upon the Manning family and True’s prior criminal history. True was previously convicted of, and/or adjudicated for, possession of methamphetamine, DUI, reckless driving, criminal damage to property, possession of drug paraphernalia, four ordinance violations and eleven traffic violations.
True was remanded to the Shelby County Jail following the sentencing hearing | 2022-04-28T17:50:54Z | www.wcia.com | Man sentenced in connection to deadly crash | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-in-connection-to-deadly-crash/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-in-connection-to-deadly-crash/ |
IROQUOIS COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Iroquois County Public Health Department is asking for the public’s assistance in the collection of dead birds found in Iroquois County.
“Since West Nile virus arrived in Illinois at the end of the summer of 2001, dead birds have been important sentinels for early West Nile virus activity,” said Director of Environmental Health Ryan Wheeler.
“We are looking for “perching birds” such as crows, blue jays, starlings, robins, cardinals, mockingbirds, catbirds and grackles. Also, many species of sparrows, owls, hawks, finches, flycatchers, swallows, warblers and wrens will be accepted for testing,” he added.
Dead birds will be collected from May 1 to October 15.
According to Wheeler, submitted birds should be dead in less than 24 hours. He also said birds should only be submitted if they have not been damaged by scavenging animals and are not decomposed. Birds that have an obvious cause of death such as a gunshot wound or that have been hit by motor vehicles are not eligible for testing.
Residents who find dead birds should double bag them in plastic bags and then take them to the Iroquois County Public Health Department at 1001 East Grant Street in Watseka.
For more information regarding the collection of dead birds, contact the Iroquois County Public Health Department at (815) 432-2483 or visit the ICPHD WEBSITE. | 2022-04-28T20:49:24Z | www.wcia.com | Health department asking public to help collect dead birds | https://www.wcia.com/news/icphd-asking-public-to-help-collect-dead-birds-for-virus-testing/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/icphd-asking-public-to-help-collect-dead-birds-for-virus-testing/ |
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Saturday there will be a momentous event at Bloomington High School that has been in the works for several years for the Illinois High School Association.
The event is the first-ever esport Illinois state final, and it will feature 30 schools and about 130 competitors from across the state.
The games students will compete in are “NBA 2K” on the PlayStation 4, “Rocket League” on the computer and “Super Smash Bros.” (singles and doubles) on the Nintendo Switch.
IHSA Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson said it has been a “five-year journey” to get to this point, dating back to when officials attended a gaming conference, in which participants played “League of Legends.”
“While our staff that was there had no idea what was going on within that video game, we could see that the inner-workings of the team were similar to what goes on in all kinds of high school sporting events and activities,” Gibson said. “We saw it as an opportunity to bring something that has been traditionally done outside of school into a school setting, where students can work with a coach or teacher.”
Gibson said that organizers originally envisioned the state tournament being held in the spring of 2020. However, it was delayed because of the pandemic as schools were faced with much greater challenges, in terms of how to even approach daily instruction.
Gibson also said that IHSA intends to change the games offered on a year-to-year basis, based on what is popular and easily-accessible for schools.
“We’re always trying to keep our eyes and ears open to things that are happening in our member schools, and when the amount of participation gets to the level that’s called for in our by-laws, then our board of directors can institute that new sport or activity,” Gibson said.
Last week, there were eight sectional events in which 130 high schools competed face-to-face, as opposed to virtually, as video games are traditionally played.
Danville Area Community College was one of the host sites in the area, with Mahomet-Seymour, Armstrong and Milford competing.
“We see nothing but growth (happening) for this activity,” Gibson said. “It will not surprise me if in the very, very near future over half of our (school) members enter our state series, especially, when they see how successful it has been this year.”
Gibson noted that colleges across the country are beginning to invest in esports and offer scholarships for participants. Likewise, he sees opportunities for students to practice their broadcasting skills during streams of the events, or even compete at the professional level.
Similarly, another benefit Gibson views of instituting esports, is that it has given students an opportunity to showcase their talents and feel more involved in their school.
“Gaming has really been able to bring a number of students into the fold who may have not been as necessarily connected with their school,” Gibson said. | 2022-04-28T20:49:24Z | www.wcia.com | IHSA official speaks about upcoming esports state finals | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/ihsa-official-speaks-about-upcoming-esports-state-finals/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/ihsa-official-speaks-about-upcoming-esports-state-finals/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Taylor Street in downtown Champaign will be transformed into a “Toast to Taylor Street” block party and festival every first Saturday of the month, May through October, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Officials said festivities include live performances from local musicians and an open-air market.
“Downtown businesses came together to reconnect the wider community to vibrant, local talent,” said Kayla Brown, owner of Fire Doll Studio and event co-organizer. “This event will showcase food and drinks, music, art and a variety of local businesses all summer long.”
On May 7, entertainment starts at 2:00 p.m. with performances from
– Sad Hair Day (2:00 p.m.)
– Los Guapos (2:30 p.m.)
– Caleb Cook Band (3:40 p.m.)
– Big Daddy Pride & The East Side 5 (5:10 p.m.)
– Merry Travelers (6:30 p.m.)
– Trouble Chasin’ (7:50 p.m.)
– DJ Belly (9:00 p.m.)
The open-air market features several local vendors including The Wright Soapery, The Quirky Quiltress, Carly Morrison Clay, Rachel Tilson Artwork, Katrina Catizone, Aligned Serenity, OHOK things, Piper Indigo Adornments, True North Counseling Center, Ralph Roether Art and Fire Doll Studio.
“We wanted to create a space for entertainment and performances in the heart of downtown Champaign,” said Carolyn Farren, owner of Farren’s Pub and event co-organizer. “Every month event attendees can experience new music and vendors on Taylor Street.”
The event is free. More information can be found HERE.
Photo courtesy: Facebook page of City of Champaign – Municipal Government. | 2022-04-28T20:50:06Z | www.wcia.com | 'Toast to Taylor Street' block party | https://www.wcia.com/news/toast-to-taylor-street-block-party-to-start-in-may/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/toast-to-taylor-street-block-party-to-start-in-may/ |
2023 state budget includes historic investments in higher education
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — When the Governor Pritzker signed the 2023 state budget into law on April 19, some of the things in the budget he signed were the largest investments in higher education in decades.
The budget included $2.24 billion for higher education, almost $250 million more than last year and the largest increase in 20 years. This includes a $122 million increase in the Monetary Award Program for need-based student grants, a $54.8 million increase in funding for public universities and a $13.2 million increase in funding for community colleges.
“We know access to education can change the trajectory of a student’s life, families’ lives, and their communities,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “Our administration is committed to opening doors for learners and ensuring they and our institutions of education are supported, and this budget reflects that. We are building the vision for affordable, equitable education.”
John Atkinson, Board Chair of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, also weighed in on the impact these increases will have.
“These historic investments in our state’s public universities, community colleges and recruitment and retention priorities will help ensure access to college is more equitable and that money is not a barrier for populations that have historically been denied the resources for obtaining the education needed for economic mobility,” Atkinson said. “A stronger, more skilled workforce will provide employers the diverse talent needed to foster a thriving Illinois.”
Something else that was included in the budget is a one-time $230 million payment that will eliminate the estimated unfunded liability for the state’s pre-paid tuition program, College Illinois. This will bring immediate relief to the nearly 25,000 contract holders who face uncertainty about the state’s ability to meet its fiscal obligations to participating students and families. The payment will also save the state $75 million over the long term. | 2022-04-28T22:08:37Z | www.wcia.com | 2023 state budget includes historic investments in higher education | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/2023-state-budget-includes-historic-investments-in-higher-education/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/2023-state-budget-includes-historic-investments-in-higher-education/ |
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — Firefighters with the Mattoon Fire Department were dispatched to a location on South 15th Street at around 10:55 a.m. on Thursday in response to a report of a fire.
When fire crews arrived at the scene at around 11 a.m., they found a detached garage behind a house with heavy fire and smoke showing. They pulled two attack lines to extinguish the fire.
While working on the fire, firefighters saw the house was showing signs of extreme heat exposure so a crew went to check and make sure the fire did not extend into the house.
Crews had the bulk of the fire knocked down within the first 10 minutes of arrival.
All fire units cleared the scene at 1:48 p.m.
According to Fire Chief Jeff Hilligoss, two neighboring garages received slight exterior damage due to the radiant heat. He said no one was hurt. | 2022-04-28T22:08:49Z | www.wcia.com | Firefighters respond to garage fire | https://www.wcia.com/news/firefighters-respond-to-garage-fire/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/firefighters-respond-to-garage-fire/ |
EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Transportation will be closing a lane of U.S. Route 45 in Effingham starting Monday in order to repair pavement.
The closure will span from Technology Drive to Rickleman Avenue, with working taking overnight between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. At least one lane of traffic will be open at all times with flaggers controlling traffic. The project will also require intermittent closures of the ramps for Interstate 57 and 70; detours to an alternate interchange will be posted.
The project is expected to be complete by June 1.
Drivers are advised to use an alternate route of travel to avoid the work area. If that is not feasible, drivers passing through the area should expect delays and allow for extra time to travel. Drivers are further advised to obey flaggers and the posted speed limit, pay close attention to the changed conditions and signs of the work area, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. | 2022-04-28T22:13:17Z | www.wcia.com | Pavement repairs beginning on Route 45 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/pavement-repairs-beginning-on-route-45/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/pavement-repairs-beginning-on-route-45/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Midwest Music Expo is set to return to Millikin University on May 7.
The fifth annual edition of the expo will feature 43 speakers and panelists, including keynote speaker Wendy Day. Day founded the nonprofit Rap Coalition to pull artists out of bad contracts and help them become more successful. She has worked with artists like Eminem, Lil Wayne and more.
The expo will also feature performances from 25 artists across three stages, a printing workshop where guests can print their own posters, a songwriting workshop and more.
“It is a music industry creative conference,” said Martin Atkins, coordinator of music business at Millikin. “We are shining the light on the creative community in Decatur. It’s a lesson in community involvement. There is so much potential in Decatur and everybody can help each other.”
More information, as well as tickets to the expo, can be found online. Tickets are $20 but parking is free. The expo will take place in Millikin’s University Commons from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Photo courtesy of Millikin University) | 2022-04-28T23:30:54Z | www.wcia.com | Millikin University set to host Midwest Music Expo | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/millikin-university-set-to-host-midwest-music-expo/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/millikin-university-set-to-host-midwest-music-expo/ |
RANTOUL (WCIA) — Brianna Dixon is the WCIA 3 Athlete of the Week. The Rantoul junior is the defending champion in the Class 2A 100 meter high hurdles. She also finished third in the high jump at last year’s state meet. Dixon already holds school records in both events and has her sights set even higher next month with a return trip to Charleston and the state meet in her future.
“I’ve been trying to get more hurdle work in and I’ve been trying to focus on high jump as well because I placed last year,” Dixon said. “So I’m hoping to get higher up or maybe even be the champion of that too this year.”
Dixon is now eligible for a $500 scholarship we’ll give to one boy and one girl this summer. If you know a deserving high school student who should be our next weekly winner, fill out the nomination form here: https://www.wcia.com/athlete-of-the-week/#// | 2022-04-28T23:31:06Z | www.wcia.com | Dixon wins Athlete of the Week | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/high-school-sports/dixon-wins-athlete-of-the-week/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/high-school-sports/dixon-wins-athlete-of-the-week/ |
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — The Illinois men’s golf team has been the standard in the Big Ten for the past decade-plus winning six straight conference championships and 11 out of the last 12 titles. The only time the Illini didn’t win the league tournament in that stretch was 2014 at the Pete Dye Course in French Lick. Ironically enough this year’s tournament is back at the championship course in southern Indiana, but the Illini say they don’t feel pressure to perform.
“I think embracing it is a big part of it,” Illinois senior Tommy Kuhl said. “We realize this is a very important part of the year, coach always says, ‘This is the time of year people remember.'”
“That’s what you come here for,” Illinois head coach Mike Small said about competing for championships. “You develop, you grow, you build your body of work for individual accomplishments and rankings and honors but this time of year is about the team and about leaving a legacy for your current team at the university.”
Illinois is once again the favorite going into the three-day, 54-hole event, ranked No. 17 in the latest GolfWeek team ratings. There are five Big Ten teams ranked in the Top 50 including Purdue (25), Ohio State (27), Northwestern (44), and Michigan State (46).
FIGHTING ILLINI LINEUP
No. 1: Adrien Dumont de Chassart
No. 2: Tommy Kuhl
No. 3: Piercen Hunt
No. 4: Jackson Buchanan
No. 5: Jerry Ji
Alt: Nico Lang | 2022-04-28T23:31:18Z | www.wcia.com | Illini men’s golf heads to Big Ten Championships looking for seventh straight title | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illini-mens-golf-heads-to-big-ten-championships-looking-for-seventh-straight-title/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illini-mens-golf-heads-to-big-ten-championships-looking-for-seventh-straight-title/ |
COLORADO (WCIA) — The CDC announced on Thursday that it has detected the first human case of bird flu in the United States.
The person who tested positive lives in Colorado and had direct exposure with a flock of poultry presumed to have H5N1 bird flu. They reported fatigue as their only symptom for a few days and have since recovered.
The H5N1 virus has been found in U.S. commercial and backyard birds in 29 states and in wild birds in 34 states. The CDC said it has tracked the health of more than 2500 people exposed to H5N1, but this is the only case that has been found to date.
This case does not change the CDC’s human risk assessment for the general public, which the CDC considers to be low. The CDC will continue to monitor the situation closely for signs that the risk to human health has changed.
People who have job-related or recreational exposures to infected birds are at higher risk of infection and should take precautions outlined by the CDC. | 2022-04-29T01:54:12Z | www.wcia.com | CDC confirms human bird flu case in U.S. | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/health-news/cdc-confirms-human-bird-flu-case-in-u-s/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/health-news/cdc-confirms-human-bird-flu-case-in-u-s/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The early 70s may be a late age range for some people to start running competitively, but Hans Henseler wasn’t one of those people.
“My very first organized and timed run was a Christie Clinic half marathon in 2010,” Henseler said.
He was 71 at the time, and now 83, he will run the half marathon again in the 2022 edition of the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Race Weekend.
For Henseler, age is just a number.
“I’m just very lucky,” he said. “I’ve participated in a total of 96 runs over my running career.”
Henseler said that he ran that first half-marathon with four of his coworkers.
“In 2009, we started training outside,” he recalled. “It was awful. Cold, windy and snowy. However, we made it.”
Henseler said all he needed was that first race to fall in love with running.
“I was very lucky,” Henseler recalled. “I got first in my age group, 70-plus, and I got hooked.”
Henseler has competed in well-known races like the Boston, Chicago and New York Marathons. And if that wasn’t enough, he has run in Budapest, Hungary and Switzerland.
“Six marathons, over 20 half, over 30 10k and over 25 5k,” Henseler said.
He originally signed up to run the marathon this year, but changed his mind.
“I decided that this was going to be my last one,” Henseler said. “Well, that thought lasted for a day and a half.”
He’s already signed up for another 10k in Monticello and another 10k in Chicago.
“I’m not going to stop running,” Henseler said.
Henseler averages about 120 miles a month and said he is grateful to be in great health so he can keep doing what he loves. | 2022-04-29T01:54:14Z | www.wcia.com | Face of the Race: Hans Henseler | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/face-of-the-race-hans-henseler-2/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/face-of-the-race-hans-henseler-2/ |
Devastating 2020 Cornbelt Derecho
Both derechos and tornadoes are weather terms derived from Spanish given to storms that create damaging winds. The destruction left behind from a derecho can often look like that of a tornado, but the two are very different animals. Whereas tornado is Spanish for “to turn”, derecho is Spanish for “straight”, both referencing their winds.
A derecho is a long lived, typically bow-shaped complex of thunderstorms that produce damaging straight-line winds. Derechos can produce weak tornadoes, but they are mainly known for producing strong straight-line winds due to their structure.
Courtesy of SPC https://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/derechofacts.htm#development
Most times, a derecho starts out just as a cluster of thunderstorms in a relatively low directional shear environment. Tornadoes like the turning of the winds with height in the atmosphere; derechos like the winds to be in the same direction. This helps to push it along.
As thunderstorms in this cluster start to rain, the cooler air that comes down from the cloud with the rain pushes out into the usually warmer air, creating newer storms. These newer storms again have the rain cooled air that pushes out, known commonly as the gust front, and as you can imagine, the process reinforces itself. This is why derechos can travel for so long, they essentially become self-sustaining. This constant building up of newer storms along the edges give them their usual bow shape, and can lead to even faster movement and stronger winds.
Like a blizzard, a wind storm has to meet certain criteria to be considered a derecho. Those criteria are:
Wind damage swath extends more than 240 miles (400 km)
Wind gusts of 58 mph or greater along most of its length
The criteria to reach derecho-level classification is pretty hard to do as you can see. As a result, derechos are fairly rare, usually occurring only once a year somewhere in the US. Specifically for Illinois, we usually see one derecho come through the state every other year.
The last time we saw one in the state was August 10th of 2020, so based on the averages, one may pass through the state this severe weather season.
The August 10th derecho is notable for many reasons, mainly for being the costliest thunderstorm in US history. It started out as a cluster of storms in southeastern South Dakota and northeastern and quickly gained strength as it crossed Iowa. It is in Iowa that it had the strongest wind gusts of 140 mph near Cedar Rapids.
NOAA estimates that this was a 11 billion dollar event, not only due to the structural and infrastructure damage, but also destroying mature crops.
Courtesy of NWS Lincoln https://www.weather.gov/ilx/10aug-2020
Here in Central Illinois, we were spared from most of the damage since the strongest part of the derecho was in northern Illinois. There were many tornado reports in the Chicagoland area. That being said, we did have a 75 mph gust reported near Danville by the Vermilion County Emergency Manager and some minor tree damage across our counties. | 2022-04-29T01:54:16Z | www.wcia.com | Devastating 2020 Cornbelt Derecho | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/weather/winter-weather-outlook/devastating-2020-cornbelt-derecho/ | https://www.wcia.com/weather/winter-weather-outlook/devastating-2020-cornbelt-derecho/ |
GIBSON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) – Almost one year ago, people in Gibson City were picking up the pieces of their life after a historic flood ruined everything. Especially for the people living at Meadow Village Apartments. The complex is subsidized housing, and more than half of the people living there were on disability.
“I got to know some of these folks pretty well and I went through some tragedy with a lot of these people even before the flood,” Donna Cathey, the caretaker of the property, said.
In August, as tenants were being forced to go through their lives, and throw most of it out because of the damage, most never thought it would be their last time in this place they loved to live.
“It was really a little community, and everybody would get together, and they would sit outside and talk or whatever, but it was a pretty good group of people,”
Now, those people are learning they’ll never get their home back. After the company, DAK property management, decided they’re putting the lot up for sale.
They said the damage from the flood was just too much and too expensive to fix.
Donna Cathey helps out at the property. She said knowing those same people won’t live there again is heartbreaking.
“It’s like a whole little block of a community just went silent, went dead,” she said. “Yeah, it’s pretty hard.”
She said seeing it empty now, is strange.
“It used to always be such a hustling and bustling place. Even if you had a dispute with somebody, there was always something that needed to be repaired. And you know, after 9 years, a lot of these people have been here with me that long. They became family and friends,” she said.
Unfortunately, these apartments are the only affordable housing in Gibson City. Cathey also works for the Ford County housing authority. She said they have a list of more than 30 people who are looking for affordable housing, but there isn’t any to offer right now. | 2022-04-29T04:09:17Z | www.wcia.com | Flood damaged apartments up for sale | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/flood-damaged-apartments-up-for-sale/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/flood-damaged-apartments-up-for-sale/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) – Middle school athletes with Decatur Public School District helped out those in their community by hosting a track meet to donate items to people in need.
They wanted to give back to the people who lost everything when their apartment building caught fire in Warrensburg.
The students said they’ve competed against Warrensburg and they felt they needed to help and make an impact.
“We really just wanted to help out, because they’re a great team. They helped us, we helped them. And all around, they’re a great team,” Wyatt Hawkins, a 6th grade runner, said.
All donations are going to families in need. Some of the items they collected were gift cards, kitchenware, diapers, and wipes. | 2022-04-29T04:09:23Z | www.wcia.com | Helping the victims of an apartment fire | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/helping-the-victims-of-an-apartment-fire/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/helping-the-victims-of-an-apartment-fire/ |
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) – Each spring, on April 28, Worker Memorial Day events are held around the country to remember individuals who lost their lives on the job.
The AFL-CIO of Champaign County and the East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council established the Champaign County Worker Memorial Site in 2002 in Dodds Park.
This year, the AFL-CIO said “they have an impressive group of individuals to honor with induction to the memorial” along with those who have previously been recognized for their service.
“It’s to remind people that although we made significant progress as a state and as a country in making workplaces and job sites safer, we still have a lot more work to do. We lose over a hundred workers at the workplace in preventable deaths every year in Illinois,” Pat Devaney, with the AFL-CIO, said.
This year, new honorees were Arthur Revell, Jeffrey Croix, Chris Oberheim, Paula Dowling, and Ross Booker. | 2022-04-29T04:09:29Z | www.wcia.com | Honoring those who died on the job | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/honoring-those-who-died-on-the-job/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/honoring-those-who-died-on-the-job/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Logan Freed, 25, was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections Wednesday on a drunk driving charge. Freed was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing the crash that killed University of Illinois Police Lieutenant Aaron Landers while he was off-duty in August.
Champaign County Associate Judge Adam Dill called it a “deterrable crime” and said he intends for his ruling to send a message to anyone who would get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
“When we put our families in vehicles and we drive down the road of our community, we have a trust with everyone else on the road that they are not impaired,” he said just before handing down the sentence.
People, namely law enforcement officials, packed the courtroom Wednesday morning during the four-hour hearing that provided a clearer picture of the scene that unfolded on August 22, 2021.
Prosecutors presented body camera footage that showed a responding Champaign Police officer telling Freed that more than one witness saw her run a red light and hit another car, sending that vehicle — referred to as ‘the Acura’ — “out of control”, ultimately impacting Lt. Landers who was on a motorcycle.
Freed repeated, “this accident is not my fault” to Champaign Sgt. Katherine Thompson. The 25-year-old could be heard yelling at Sgt. Thompson and a man identified as her boyfriend throughout the approximately 15-minute video clip.
Freed’s blood alcohol content level was at .113 when it was tested at Carle Foundation Hospital about two hours after the Sunday evening crash, according to prosecutors who said it was estimated to be more than twice the legal limit at the time of the crash.
Lt. Landers died the following morning. His wife, Dee Landers, said she feels like she died alongside her husband that day. The couple was married for nearly 30 years. In her victim impact statement, she said they met in 1992 and “were inseparable” since the first date.
“The night of August 21, 2021, was the last night I went to sleep and woke up beside the man I love more than anything. This was the last night I dreamed,” she read to the court.
Statements from Landers’ children were also read aloud to the judge for the packed courtroom to hear. A letter from his son listed several life events — like college graduation, marriage, and having his own kids — that his father will miss. The letter, read by someone else, said he has an “unquenchable anger in his heart that won’t go away.”
Testimony ended hours later with an apology letter Freed read aloud. She apologized for “being another statistic” and for “the loss of a high-ranking officer in our community.”
“It’s my fault your family lost someone,” she said. “I made the biggest mistake of my life and I take full accountability for that. But I assure you it’s not a mistake I would make again, so I’m sorry.”
Freed doesn’t have any previous criminal convictions.
The prosecution cited a substance abuse trend, including being under the influence when she was arrested for a misdemeanor battery charge three months before the crash. That was dismissed when she pleaded guilty in this case.
The prosecutor said Freed had another run-in with police in 2021 where she was also under the influence.
A Champaign police detective testified Freed was a victim in that case.
Police confirmed officers never investigated the driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash. During cross-examination by the defense, it was revealed that data recorders police obtained from the Acura recorded it traveling at a speed of 15 to 20 MPH over the speed limit. A detective on the stand said it’s unclear if that was recorded “before or after the impact.”
Lt. Aaron Landers left behind a legacy, apparent in the emotion-filled courtroom. He served 24 years as an officer with the University of Illinois Police Department.
Chief Alice Cary said she was struck when the defense revealed Freed suffers from mental illness because helping people in similar circumstances “was Landers’s passion.” He was instrumental in bringing social workers on board at the department, according to Chief Cary.
“It really weighed heavy on my heart to think that his life was taken by someone he was trying to help, you know, during his career. It doesn’t matter how many years, you know, someone is sentenced, that’ll never bring Aaron back. But what he’s doing in death is still humanizing our badge because of the heartfelt emotion that you didn’t have to witness, you could feel it,” she said in reaction to Wednesday’s sentence and the closing of the case. | 2022-04-29T04:09:36Z | www.wcia.com | Woman convicted of DUI, causing crash resulting in officer’s death receives 10-year prison sentence | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/woman-convicted-of-dui-causing-crash-resulting-in-officers-death-receives-10-year-prison-sentence/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/woman-convicted-of-dui-causing-crash-resulting-in-officers-death-receives-10-year-prison-sentence/ |
WCIA — From a position change to an NFL Draft pick, Kerby Joseph is making the most of his opportunity as an NFL Draft hopeful after a breakout season with the Illini, he’s ready to hear his name called this weekend. The Orlando native is back home in Florida watching the draft. The safety is projected anywhere from a third to fifth round selection.
“I’m just going to watch it with just family, like my brothers, my sisters and my mom, my dad,” Joseph said on a Zoom call Thursday night. “Just watching it at home, we’re hoping for first round, but if we don’t go for first round, then tomorrow’s a day for sure and then tomorrow just going to be again in like friends and families or inviting the friends over, my friends over and the closest people to me and then watching it all together.”
Joseph only played for Bret Bielema one season but the Illini coach has produced dozens of NFL Draft picks. Watching the 6-foot-1 defensive back blossom was rewarding for Bielema in the short time they’ve known each other.
“You know Kerby’s been such an interesting story,” Bielema said. “The first time I met him he didn’t know what position he wanted to play or where he wanted to play and he has been extremely guided by Coach Walters and our entire defensive staff, so very excited for him and his opportunity that he has but also a lot of other guys who gave us their extra year, their bonus year to come back and do what they did. A lot of those guys have been climbing the boards here as of late and it’s an exciting weekend ahead of them.”
The second and third rounds are on Friday, with rounds four through seven on Saturday. Illinois hasn’t had a first round draft pick since 2012. | 2022-04-29T04:10:00Z | www.wcia.com | Kerby Joseph playing waiting game to hear name called in NFL Draft | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/kerby-joseph-playing-waiting-game-to-hear-name-called-in-nfl-draft/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/kerby-joseph-playing-waiting-game-to-hear-name-called-in-nfl-draft/ |
Illinois will start paying its student-athletes for good grades
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Illinois athletics will start paying its student-athletes for getting good grades. The Alston awards program will begin this fall with the 2022-23 school year, each athlete in all 21 varsity Illini sports is eligible to receive a maximum of $5,980 annually.
This is all following the landmark U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Alston v. NCAA last year.
According to a release from the school, the benefits can take many forms including cash-based academic incentives. The Court determined that institutions can distribute up to $5,980 per student-athlete, per year for academic achievement. The Court deferred to the institutions themselves, or their respective conferences, to determine if and how to administer these newly available benefits.
“This is a great opportunity to continue to help support our team and all of the student-athletes here at Illinois,” Illinois volleyball coach Chris Tamas said in a release. “Our athletic department leadership in this space has been incredible. Our players will benefit from this academic-based rewards program and it will continue to enhance our program and the concept of excellence both on the court and in the classroom. We are truly thankful for all of the people that have made this happen.” | 2022-04-29T06:15:27Z | www.wcia.com | Illinois will start paying its student-athletes for good grades | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illinois-will-start-paying-its-student-athletes-for-good-grades/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illinois-will-start-paying-its-student-athletes-for-good-grades/ |
MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — The Allerton Park and Retreat Center will host its Annual Plant Sale Fundraiser from April 29 to May 1.
The event will be held in the Main Parking Lot, 515 Old Timber Road.
Officials said all profits will go directly toward maintaining the park and its public programs. Annuals, herbs, vegetables, perennials, natives, arranged hanging baskets and a limited number of Allerton Bluebells will be for sale.
Sale hours will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Questions on plant selection and care will also be fielded by Piatt County Master Gardeners at the sale, as well as by Allerton staff and volunteers who will be on hand throughout the weekend. Those wishing to have questions answered before the Plant Sale weekend can fill out a form HERE and a Master Gardener will do the research and send back a reply.
The Mama D’s Smokehouse and BBQ food truck will be at the event on Friday night to provide food. Music by the Hood Family Band will also be provided that evening. A cash bar will also be available that night. | 2022-04-29T19:15:01Z | www.wcia.com | Allerton Park to host Plant Sale Fundraiser | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/allerton-park-to-host-plant-sale-fundraiser/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/allerton-park-to-host-plant-sale-fundraiser/ |
CHICAGO, Ill. (WCIA) — Governor JB Pritzker announced on Friday that the state is committing a significant amount of money to repair facilities at four universities.
Pritzker shared that the state is investing $33.5 million for maintenance projects at UIC, Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The total investment in deferred maintenance projects across the state is now at $434 million, and the projects are all made possible by “Rebuild Illinois,” which is the governor’s bipartisan capital plan.
“These are the kind of upgrades that ensure students have a modern learning experience and can feel proud of the schools they attend,” Pritzker said in a news release.
94 of the state’s 149 deferred maintenance projects are taking place at community colleges, with the remaining 55 being done at four-year universities.
“Deferred maintenance projects are an important part of keeping our state facilities up-to-date, sustainable, and accessible, ensuring they meet the growing needs of the populations they serve,” Director of the Capital Development Board Jim Underwood said. | 2022-04-29T19:15:20Z | www.wcia.com | Governor announces investment in higher education | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/governor-announces-investment-in-higher-education/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/governor-announces-investment-in-higher-education/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur Housing Authority canceled its first Section 8 waiting list this year to “discuss any issues that might be a concern.”
Executive Director Terri Goodman told the Target 3 investigative team of the move to cancel Tuesday’s opening less than a day after reporters pressed the agency about its apparently obstacle-laden application process.
A notice posted to Facebook last week said applicants in need of the low-income housing vouchers would have to pick up the application in person at the Housing Authority, and that opportunity was available for one business day. Then, the completed applications would have to be mailed back in, and only those received by the next day would be entered into the lottery.
Goodman said this process is “common practice,” both for the Decatur agency and for “many housing authorities,” adding “HUD totally supports it.”
Non-profit attorneys at Land of Lincoln Legal Aid said the one-day turnaround is “essentially impossible.”
Screenshot of post’s edit history on the Decatur Housing Authority Facebook page.
“Asking them to take a workday, a May 3rd Tuesday out of their life, find the transportation to get to the Housing Authority…and hope whenever they stick something in the mail that day, it’s going to get delivered the next day. That’s asking a lot for the people who really need access to these housing vouchers,” said Susan Zielke, managing attorney for the Land of Lincoln Legal Aid Eastern Regional Office in Champaign.
The Housing Authority has special arrangements set up with the Memorial Station Post Office, according to a notice Goodman said is attached to applications.
The notice instructs applicants not to use any other post office and to “Advise the postal clerk that mail is to be returned to DHA by May 4, 2022 for the HCV/Section 8 Lottery.”
Zielke said this is the first time the practice was brought to Land of Lincoln Legal Aid’s attention. She described the expectations laid out in the process as “fantastical.”
When the waiting list was last opened, which was about six months ago, according to Goodman, she said: “We had 15 that didn’t make the next day return.”
“We were taking 300 applications and we received back around 400. Without looking some of the 100 probably were from outside Macon County,” she added.
The Housing Authority director wouldn’t answer questions about why the application period is limited to a day, through the mail, in a world of online submissions, just claiming “We have done this process this way for over 14 years and NEVER had any kind of issues.”
Nevertheless, Goodman said, “We will be meeting with our board and other agency to discuss any issues that might be a concern,” and the waiting list opening will be rescheduled “at a later date.”
A Land of Lincoln caseworker said most of their clients “have limited resources and Section 8 vouchers are incredibly valuable. Some people wait years to even apply for the waitlist.” | 2022-04-29T19:16:08Z | www.wcia.com | Decatur Housing Authority cancels Section 8 waiting list, discussing ‘possible concerns’ | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/target3/decatur-housing-authority-cancels-section-8-waiting-list-discussing-possible-concerns/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/target3/decatur-housing-authority-cancels-section-8-waiting-list-discussing-possible-concerns/ |
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Even though the 1800’s are years behind us, the knowledge from that time period can still benefit our futures. Including for the youth, something kids in Coles County experienced. Two groups of Jefferson Elementary School students took a field trip back in time, seeing how life used to be.
On Wednesday, the Five Mile House Foundation invited students like Keeley Hussion and Parker Cobb to the now restored vintage home. Residing just outside Charleston, the fourth graders witnessed a variety of old-time traditions. Including how to cook on an open hearth and forging a knife from scratch as a blacksmith.
The visit on Wednesday, which also aligned with the day the house was built from the federal government in 1837 by Levin Cartwright, is part of the annual spring school program. But the Five Mile House also hosts a fall festival, annual BBQ and auction and summertime open houses that feature a Living History program.
During the trip, students like Keeley and Parker also participated in period dances inside of a barn restored from 1880. Overwhelmed by the simplicity of tasks from the time period, the students attentively listened and soaked in the history. For Keeley, it gave her a newfound appreciation on life as it is now, even as a kid.
“Always be grateful for what you have and never take anything or anyone for granted. Or never take anything for advantage cause people when they were our age they didn’t have anything like this. They didn’t have phones, electricity, nothing,” says Keeley.
That’s one of the many important lessons Tom Vance, President of the Five Mile House Foundation, hopes each student takes home with them to their families. Vance, who also participates in the Living History program, has been around since the Foundation was formed in 1999. But his love for history and kids never faded away.
Vance isn’t the only invested member of the Five Mile House Foundation. His volunteers make each experience possible as they portray individuals from the 19th century, including himself, during the Living History program. From spinning and weaving yarn to baking Johnny Cake, a sweet corn bread treat. No matter the activity, kids walk away with unforgettable memories.
“I think the most exciting part about today was that we got to see how people actually cooked in a kitchen, and we got to see what they used to eat and stuff,” says Parker.
The Five Mile House is still developing their programming, says Vance. He’s also hoping they can expand their outreach to other nearby schools. Right now, due to a shortage of volunteers, the only groups of students visiting are from Jefferson Elementary School. But he says they will work to cater to more kids.
To learn more about the Five Mile House Foundation, click here.
You can support the organization and its programs by clicking here.
To volunteer for the Five Mile House and their Living History programs, click here. | 2022-04-29T19:16:14Z | www.wcia.com | Community Counts: The Historic Five Mile House Foundation | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/the-morning-show/community-counts-the-historic-five-mile-house-foundation/ | https://www.wcia.com/the-morning-show/community-counts-the-historic-five-mile-house-foundation/ |
ST. LOUIS, Ill. (WCIA) — After nearly three years, the case of the death of Allissa Martin is picking back up.
Martin died after falling from the seventh floor of a parking garage on June 2, 2019.
Man charged after wife records fight ending with deadly fall
Martin’s husband, Bradley Jenkins, was arrested and charged during the investigation of her death, but those charges were dropped.
Prosecutors refiled charges against Jenkins, a 30-year-old man from Taylorville, on April 19.
The U.S. Marshalls arrested Jenkins in Taylorville after the charges were refiled. He was taken to the Christian County Jail on Tuesday, April 26, he was moved to St. Louis on Thursday, April 28.
Charges dropped in woman’s fatal fall from parking garage
Jenkins appeared in court in St. Louis Friday, April 29, where he was granted a $5,000 bond. He posted bail and was released from the jail in St. Louis.
Jenkins is facing the same charge from 2019 – Third Degree Felony Domestic Assault.
Jenkins and Martin were at a St. Louis Cardinals game the day of Martin’s death. Police said they had cell phone video of an argument between Martin and Jenkins from before her death.
The initial charges against Jenkins were dropped in September of 2019. New prosecutors have since taken over the case, and they are the ones that refiled the charge.
Jenkins and Martin both worked at the Logan County Correctional Center. After Martin’s death and Jenkins was charged, the Illinois Department of Corrections fired Jenkins in July of 2019, two months before the charge was dropped.
Jenkins’ next court appearance is scheduled for May 6.
Bradley Jenkins. | 2022-04-29T22:35:27Z | www.wcia.com | Charges against Bradley Jenkins refiled 3 years after wife's deadly fall | https://www.wcia.com/news/charges-against-taylorville-man-refiled-3-years-after-wifes-deadly-fall-from-parking-garage/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/charges-against-taylorville-man-refiled-3-years-after-wifes-deadly-fall-from-parking-garage/ |
CHICAGO, Ill. (WCIA) — Governor JB Pritzker recently signed Senate Bill 3197, a piece of legislation that would expand access to health insurance benefits with no premium costs for the families of state employees who lose their life during employment.
“In response to the fatal stabbing of Deidre Silas, we must ensure the families of those who serve our most vulnerable populations are cared for,” said State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield). “Ms. Silas died as a dedicated public servant, and this is the least we can do to honor her commitment to our state.”
“In January we mourned the loss of yet another DCFS worker in Illinois,” said State Representative Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). “Pamela Knight and Deidra Silas gave their lives trying to protect small children, and while we cannot get their lives back, we can make sure their family has the means to take care of themselves. That is why I was proud to lead the effort to pass SB3197 through the House. This legislation will ensure that survivors of State employees killed in the line of duty will be eligible for group health insurance regardless of their vested status.”
Officials said Senate Bill 3197 provides health insurance coverage to survivors and dependents of state employees who are killed in the line of duty, regardless of how long they had been employed. | 2022-04-29T22:35:39Z | www.wcia.com | Gov. Pritzker signs legislation expanding access to health insurance for families of fallen state workers | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/gov-pritzker-signs-legislation-expanding-access-to-health-insurance-for-families-of-fallen-state-workers/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/gov-pritzker-signs-legislation-expanding-access-to-health-insurance-for-families-of-fallen-state-workers/ |
WCIA — Forward Terrence Shannon Jr., one of the top players in the transfer portal, announced he is signing with Illinois basketball on Friday,
The former Texas Tech starter averaged 10.4 points per game last season with the Red Raiders, making 20 starts and 26 games. He scored almost 1,000 point in three seasons in Lubbock and was named Big 12 All-Tournament team in 2022.
The Chicago native comes back to his home state, and teams up with Brad Underwood who originally offered Shannon while he was still in high school.
The Illini still have three open scholarship spots for the 22-23 season. | 2022-04-29T22:36:04Z | www.wcia.com | COMMIT: Terrence Shannon Jr. signs with Illinois | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/commit-terrence-shannon-jr-signs-with-illinois/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/commit-terrence-shannon-jr-signs-with-illinois/ |
Christie Clinic is proud to sponsor the Christie Clinic Illinois Race weekend and make one of Champaign-Urbana’s largest annual events dedicated to the health & wellness of our community.
We are so excited to be back together after a break during COVID.
It’s Race Weekend’s 13th year. We thank and applaud those who were able to compete in the virtual runs we had over the past year but it is even better to be back together in person this week.
Yesterday and today we had the Health & Fitness Expo
-Activities and Recreation Center (ARC), 201 E. Peabody Drive, University of Illinois
It was great to see the community come and support and the event and meet & greet with all our vendors.
THIS WEEKEND’S LINEUP:
• 5K starts at 7:30 pm tonight
• Wheelchair half marathon, 10K, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon start at 7:30 am tomorrow.
We encourage everyone to come out and cheer on the runners as they come down streets near you. The map for the races is on Illinoismarathon.com. Runners really need all the fans, the posters and the cheers. It’s been a while since we had the tradition of the Race Weekend hitting our streets. Let’s get out there and be together and cheer everyone on. | 2022-04-30T01:34:01Z | www.wcia.com | Christie Clinic Illinois Race weekend is upon us | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/christie-clinic-illinois-race-weekend-is-upon-us/ | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/christie-clinic-illinois-race-weekend-is-upon-us/ |
CHICAGO, Ill. (WCIA) — One couple’s passion for home and furniture renovation has led them to their own HGTV show that will air Saturday night.
They are Joe and Meg Piercy. These two own a furniture shop in Chicago called MegMade.
Joe said he was born and raised in Champaign, Illinois. He went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Meg was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas.
Their HGTV show is called “Renovation Goldmine.”
“We started this shop (MegMade) when we tried to paint our son’s changing table, we loved it and we wanted to do it again and sell it,” Meg said.
“We sold the table and that was kinda how we started what we have today,” she added. “We take old furniture and bring them back to life through stains and paint and we also do that with homes.”
Meg said they focus on finding things and places that they can accentuate and bring them back to life and help people save money while doing that.
“It’s very common that when people buy a house, they don’t take into account how much they have to put INTO the house,” Meg explained. “So, when we come in, we can provide furniture from our store and also teach people around the country about what they can do with all the pieces that they have already had.”
Joe and Meg agreed that they are a perfect team, both in life and in their career path.
“One thing people don’t fully understand,” said Joe. “Megan and I, we work together, we film together and we raise our kids together. We are actually with each other probably 22 to 23 hours a day and it has been like that for 8 to 10 years.”
“We really lucked out,” Meg smiled. “We bring out the best of each other and we are better together.”
When the couple just opened their shop, they kept their heads down and tried to work hard. They did not have a lot of money then.
“We definitely made lemonade out of lemons. At that time, we were just trying to survive,” said Meg.
Once the couple started documenting what they were doing at work, it quickly gained a lot of attention on social media.
That brought them the opportunity to be on HGTV
Meg stated, “they actually contacted us. We were not searching for the show. We are so glad because it has been a really fun process. It has been 5 years since they contacted us”
“Yes, it has been a journey,” Joe nodded.
Renovation Goldmine will be on HGTV Saturday at 7 p.m.
Photo courtesy: Facebook page of MegMade. | 2022-04-30T01:34:26Z | www.wcia.com | Couple to star in HGTV show | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/couple-to-star-in-hgtv-show/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/couple-to-star-in-hgtv-show/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) – “Affordable housing, infrastructure, public health and safety, economic recovery and support for businesses and individuals, as well as social services,” Diane Marlin, Urbana Mayor, said.
Those are the 5 priority areas Urbana City Council is going to consider when it comes to using its American Rescue Plan Money.
That comes after months of meeting, discussing plans, and listening to input from the community.
“We’ve always had a plan for a process. We wanted to make sure we were hearing from the community first. We wanted to make sure we were getting the information we needed. We’re going to be developing a concept plan,” she said.
The City of Urbana is set to get nearly 13 million dollars from ARPA funds. Each quarter, cities have to report what that money is being used on to the federal government. That first quarter is up April 30th.
The Urbana City Council approved to allocate 2.5 million dollars in a standard allowance for revenue replacement due to the pandemic.
“The next few months, the council will be deciding specific allocations or areas they want to focus on soliciting proposals and then identifying individual expenditures,” Marlin said.
She said that’s going to be a pretty intense process, but worth it.
“We’ve put together a thoughtful process and I think we’re going to be happy with the results,” she said.
The total amount of funds must be allocated by December 2024, and spent by December of 2026. That’s for all cities across the country. | 2022-04-30T01:34:38Z | www.wcia.com | Urbana ARPA funds | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/urbana-arpa-funds/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/urbana-arpa-funds/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) – If you’re driving down the road and see an unmarked car with flashing blue lights, it’s a reminder to pull over.
That car might not look like an emergency vehicle, but it technically is. In Illinois, a flashing blue light means it’s a volunteer firefighter headed to a call. Tatman’s towing made a Facebook post, letting people know about the importance of moving over for these cars.
“Just give them some courtesy. We’re out there on the road trying to save lives and help people. Move over, slow down, and give us the right of way so we can help you,” Jim Hampton, the owner, said.
They said if you see it, they’re asking for the right of way, and you’re asked to treat it like any other emergency vehicle. | 2022-04-30T01:34:44Z | www.wcia.com | Move over for volunteer firefighters | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/move-over-for-volunteer-firefighters/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/move-over-for-volunteer-firefighters/ |
County Clerk helps those without homes register to vote
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons wants to help people without a home register to vote. So, he went to C-U At Home Friday.
He said now that the pandemic is slowing down, he’s able to go out into the community and help people face-to-face. He said registering to vote is important because everyone’s voices matter, and he wants people without a home to know they’re important too.
“The homeless community, people with felony convictions, they’re marginalized people within our community who think they don’t have the right to vote, or in particular for our homeless population, a lot of people think that they don’t have an actual address… that they can’t vote. But that’s not true for our homeless population,” Ammons said.
He said they can use shelter addresses, like C-U At Home, to register. And once they have an established address – they can change it. He plans to help again at more locations, like Cunningham Township. | 2022-04-30T04:15:07Z | www.wcia.com | County Clerk helps those without homes register to vote | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/county-clerk-helps-those-without-homes-register-to-vote/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/county-clerk-helps-those-without-homes-register-to-vote/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Months of planning and training are about to pay off as runners gear up for the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend. Races are already underway, and the fun picks up again Saturday morning.
“I’m very excited. It’s been several years since we’ve been back obviously with nothing going on. It’s just kind-of nice; it feels like we’re returning home again,” runner Melissa Rinchiuso said.
Groups like Rinchiuso’s Decatur Running Club say they’ve been eager to return to the races. Friday, roughly 4,000 people crossed the finish line after running the 5k.
“People have no idea the underbelly of a big event like this but we’re feeling ready. We’re hoping the weather continues to be on our side,” Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend Director Jan Seeley said.
The Race Weekend is back for the first time since the pandemic began, but it’s going to look a little different.
“We have six events instead of seven. We don’t have the marathon which is the heaviest lift of all because of its distance and the geographic footprint,” she said.
Even though it’s on a smaller scale than in previous years, Seeley said it’s still a lot to organize.
“Getting the hydration stations set, delivering supplies, having the mile markers in the same place, medical…”
She said it’s been a grind to set everything up, but the team has been great.
“It feels like a brand new race, frankly. The course is brand new, we have a lot of new staff, new volunteers… so that’s added to the complexity of getting it done but – [they’re] super talented, couldn’t be more proud of my committee, my staff and everybody here in the city,” Seeley said.
Many runners have been waiting two years for this.
“We’re just happy to be back and everyone’s so nice and it just makes for a great weekend,” Rinchiuso said.
Race organizers say they lost about a thousand runners after they announced they wouldn’t be holding the full marathon. But, that hasn’t stopped about 11,000 who will still be participating this weekend.
One of those runners is 13-year-old Will Gravlin. He finished the Green Street Mile in 6 minutes and 25 seconds, and he’s got more goals ahead.
“I want to get 22 minutes in the 5k and this’ll be my first 10k,” Gravlin said. He ended up beating his personal record in the 5k.
Every runner showed up Friday for a different reason.
“A lot of friend support, I would almost sometimes say peer pressure,” Deacon Letner said.
Now that the race weekend is back, many runners are already planning for next year.
“If I do well and I like it, you never know. I might be back,” Letner said.
Organizers said they also lost around 700 runners who either have COVID-19 or did not abide by the testing and vaccination policies. | 2022-04-30T04:15:14Z | www.wcia.com | Illinois Race Weekend runners ‘excited to be back’ | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/illinois-race-weekend-runners-excited-to-be-back/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/illinois-race-weekend-runners-excited-to-be-back/ |
Kerby Joseph taken by Detroit Lions 97th overall in NFL Draft
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (WCIA) — Illinois safety Kerby Joseph was selected 97th overall in the NFL Draft Friday night by the Detroit Lions.
#Illini safety Kerby Joseph has been selected by the Detroit Lions No. 97 overall.
The four-year Illini broke out in 2021, grabbing five interceptions and two fumble recoveries in his first season as a starter and earning First Team All-Big Ten honors. The Florida native came to Champaign as a defensive back before converting to wide receiver in 2020. He made the switch back to defense in his only season under Bret Bielema.
Joseph’s pick makes it two drafts in a row that has featured an Illini, after Kendrick Green and Nate Hobbs were selected in the 2021 Draft. | 2022-04-30T04:15:20Z | www.wcia.com | Kerby Joseph taken by Detroit Lions 97th overall in NFL Draft | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/kerby-joseph-taken-by-detroit-lions-97th-overall-in-nfl-draft/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/kerby-joseph-taken-by-detroit-lions-97th-overall-in-nfl-draft/ |
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — ISP District 10 troopers were dispatched to Illinois Route 130 at Champaign 700 North at around 4:05 p.m. on Friday in response to a report of a traffic crash.
According to ISP, the Illinois Route 130 between County Road 700 North and County Road 800 North was closed for about six hours.
It was reported that one person died after the crash happened. | 2022-04-30T15:17:00Z | www.wcia.com | ISP confirms 1 dead after crash on Route 130 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/isp-confirms-1-dead-after-crash-on-route-130/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/isp-confirms-1-dead-after-crash-on-route-130/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Two people were hurt after a traffic crash happened Friday night.
Decatur Police were dispatched to an area on North Water Street at around 10 p.m. in response to a report of a personal injury accident.
Initial investigation revealed that a gray 2006 Chrysler 300 was traveling north on Water Street when a blue 2020 Ford Escape turned northbound onto Water Street, out of one of the driveways to St. Teresa High School. The Chrysler struck the driver’s side of the Ford.
The driver of the Ford was a 24-year-old woman and she was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Chrysler was a 27-year-old man and he did not get hurt. The passenger of the Chrysler was a 40-year-old woman and she was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officers said there is no evidence that alcohol or drugs were contributing factors in this accident. | 2022-04-30T15:17:06Z | www.wcia.com | Police investigating crash with injuries | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/police-investigating-crash-with-injuries/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/police-investigating-crash-with-injuries/ |
December 10th, 2021 Tornadoes Will Be Remembered for a Lifetime
It’s supposed to be snow, clouds, and hail, mixes, but this one wasn’t really like that since it was severe weather.
Jessen Horst
December 10th of 2021 will be etched into memory as the date of another late-season tornado outbreak. Central Illinois was on the northern edge of an incredibly dangerous and deadly severe weather setup across the Ohio River Valley that produced 71 confirmed tornadoes. Two of those were EF-4 across portions of Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky. In total, 89 people died, a December record. 74 of them alone came from Kentucky. In Illinois, 6 people perished inside the Edwardsville Amazon warehouse when an EF-3 tornado struck that building.
Closer to home in Central Illinois, we thankfully didn’t have any fatalities, but we did see six confirmed tornadoes that evening. One tornado was an EF-1, but the other five were rated EF-2 by the National Weather Service.
And it was quite chaotic at that time and a little scary. I remember they were just praying, let’s just get through this. We did, and we did not know the damage that was all around us.
Jill Horst
One of the stronger EF-2s of the night was caught by our own Meteorologist Jacob Dickey as he was piloting the Stormtracker. This particular tornado had maximum winds up to 125 mph as it tore up buildings along an almost 16 mile stretch of Shelby, Moultrie, and Coles counties.
The Stormtracker was able to pick up the power flashes as the tornado struck an ag services plant and numerous buildings near the town of Gays. Even the Mayor of Gays found out about the tornado damage by watching our coverage. This tornado was on a collision course for Mattoon.
The Horst family lives on the edge of Mattoon and was within half a mile of the Windsor/Gays/Mattoon. Jill and her son Jessen stopped by to talk to us about their experience. It was a close call, they could actually feel the tornado, but thankfully, they didn’t sustain damage like nearby neighbors.
And we lost power and internet, so we were really just going off of the WCIA Weather App after that. I remember seeing him [Jacob] driving down the road and we’re like it’s coming, it’s coming
They were, however, without power for 25 hours
As soon as we heard the tornado shaking the ground, then… it was really scary though
This experience really has inspired Jessen, so much so that we may have a future meteorologist on our hands! His mother Jill noticed that he would ask their Amazon Alexa what the winds were going to be like every day. Soon after that, it turned into an interest in weather. Jessen now will hop onto the radar app on his phone at recess to check if it will rain! He even came in and was a KidCaster after an event that was initially scary to him, and he was fantastic! | 2022-04-30T15:17:12Z | www.wcia.com | December 10th, 2021 Tornadoes Will Be Remembered for a Lifetime | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/weather/winter-weather-outlook/december-10th-2021-tornadoes-will-be-remembered-for-a-lifetime/ | https://www.wcia.com/weather/winter-weather-outlook/december-10th-2021-tornadoes-will-be-remembered-for-a-lifetime/ |
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — One person died in a traffic crash that happened on Illinois Route 130 on Friday.
State Police were dispatched to an area on Illinois Route 130 at Champaign 700 North at around 4:05 p.m. in response to a report of a traffic crash.
They said there were two vehicles involved. Unit 1 was a 2004 Black Chevrolet Truck and Unit 2 was a 2002 White International Truck. A preliminary investigation shows that Unit 1 was traveling north on Illinois Route 130 just north of 700N in Champaign County and Unit 2 was traveling south at the same location. The driver of Unit 1, 39-year-old Justin Hottman, attempted to pass another northbound vehicle and struck Unit 2 head-on in the southbound lane. Unit 1 then left the roadway to the left and struck a ditch. Unit 2 overturned in the southbound lane.
Drivers of Unit 1 and Unit 2 were both taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Unit 1 passenger, a 50-year-old man from Penfield, Illinois, was pronounced dead on scene by the Champaign County coroner.
The roadway was closed for around six hours during the crash investigation.
ISP said the driver of Unit 1 was cited for Improper Lane Usage.
The crash is still under investigation and no further information is available at this time. | 2022-04-30T17:58:32Z | www.wcia.com | ISP: 1 dead in traffic crash on IL-130 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/isp-1-dead-in-traffic-crash-on-il-130/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/isp-1-dead-in-traffic-crash-on-il-130/ |
SHELBY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Shelby County State’s Attorney Nichole Kroncke announced 41-year-old Teejay T. Foltz was charged on Friday with one count of burglary and one count of criminal damage to property.
The charges allege that on April 20, Foltz entered a building, 32 Below, located at 101 North Walnut Street in Strasburg, Illinois with the intent to commit a theft. Foltz was accused of damaging gaming machines belonging to 32 Below. The damage was more than $500.
Foltz’s bond was set at $150,000.
Foltz is expected to be in court on May 23 for a preliminary hearing. | 2022-04-30T18:25:16Z | www.wcia.com | Man charged after damage done to gaming machines | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-charged-after-damage-done-to-gaming-machines/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-charged-after-damage-done-to-gaming-machines/ |
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The National Weather Service has issued tornado watch 163 in effect until 8 p.m. this evening for several areas in Illinois, with 31 counties in central Illinois
These include Champaign County, Coles County, Douglas County, Effingham County, Macon County, Sangamon County, Shelby County, Vermilion county and more.
To view the full list of the affected areas. click HERE.
The tornado watch will go on from now until 8 p.m. | 2022-04-30T20:26:07Z | www.wcia.com | Central Illinois: Tornado watch until 8PM | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/central-illinois-tornado-watch-until-8pm/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/central-illinois-tornado-watch-until-8pm/ |
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (WCIA) — Illinois center Doug Kramer was drafted by the Chicago Bears Saturday at the NFL Draft at 207th overall.
The Hinsdale native is staying close to home after a Second Team All-Big Ten season in 2021 for the Illini. The six-year player made 48 starts in his career in Champaign, being inserted into the starting line-up all the way back in 2017.
Kramer makes it three draftees for Illinois Football this season, joining Kerby Joseph and Vederian Lowe. All three were drafted into the NFC North. It is the first time Illinois has had three players picked in the same draft since 2013. | 2022-04-30T22:41:10Z | www.wcia.com | Doug Kramer drafted by Bears in 7th Round | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/doug-kramer-drafted-by-bears-in-7th-round/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/doug-kramer-drafted-by-bears-in-7th-round/ |
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (WCIA) — Illinois offensive tackle Vederian Lowe is headed to the Minnesota Vikings as the Illini’s career start leader was picked in the sixth round.
The Rockford native made 52 starts over five seasons in Champaign, including 46 straight. He was named an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2021 and 2020.
Lowe joins safety Kerby Joseph as Illini to go in the 2022 NFL Draft. It is the first time since 2013 the Illini have had multiple players drafted in back-to-back seasons. | 2022-04-30T22:41:16Z | www.wcia.com | Vikings draft Vederian Lowe in 6th Round | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/vikings-draft-vederian-lowe-in-6th-round/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/vikings-draft-vederian-lowe-in-6th-round/ |
Three Illini drafted for the first time since 2013
Doug Kramer drafted by Bears
WCIA — Three Illinois football players heard their names called in the 2022 NFL Draft, the most for the Illini program since 2013.
Safety Kerby Joseph, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, and center Doug Kramer all received the call they have been dreaming of. All three are headed to the NFC North. Joseph to the Lions in the third round, Lowe to the Vikings, and Kramer back to his hometown Chicago Bears.
“You see I got the hat on. I’m just so happy,” Joseph said. “I’m so blessed for this opportunity. I’m so thankful that the Detroit Lions just gave me the opportunity. They believed in me. I feel like belief in me goes a long way. If you believed in me, I can’t let you believe in me more than I believe in myself. So I’m going to give them my all.”
It is also the first time since 2013 that multiple Illini have been taken in back-to-back drafts, after Kendrick Green and Nate Hobbs were selected last year.
Saturday Team Coverage on Severe Storms with Meteorologists … | 2022-05-01T00:47:20Z | www.wcia.com | Three Illini drafted for the first time since 2013 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/three-illini-drafted-for-the-first-time-since-2013/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/three-illini-drafted-for-the-first-time-since-2013/ |
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup has identified the man who was killed in a crash on Illinois Route 130 Friday afternoon.
Northrup said the man is 50-year-old Shawn Cole of Penfield. Cole was the passenger of a pickup truck that, while attempting to pass another vehicle, struck a semi head-on around 4 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene two hours later.
The crash and Cole’s death remain under investigation by Northrup’s office and the Illinois State Police. | 2022-05-01T18:12:37Z | www.wcia.com | Coroner identifies man killed in Route 130 crash | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/coroner-identifies-man-killed-in-route-130-crash/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/coroner-identifies-man-killed-in-route-130-crash/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Springfield will start its next branch collection period this week.
This is the second branch collection period of the city’s program, which provides four curbside collections per year. Each household in the city will receive one pickup in May, with each quadrant of the city having it’s own collection date. Branches must be placed on the curb by 7 a.m. on an assigned collection date to be picked up.
Starting the May collection period on May 2 is the northwest quadrant. This is the area north of South Grand Avenue and Old Jacksonville Road and west of Walnut Street/J. David Jones Parkway.
The southwest quadrant – located south of South Grand and Old Jacksonville and west of Walnut – will have its collection date on May 9.
The southeast quadrant will have its collection date on May 16. This includes houses south of South Grand and east of Walnut and around Lake Springfield.
Wrapping up the May collection period on May 23 is the northeast quadrant, which is the area north of South Grand and east of Walnut/J. David Jones.
Branch piles cannot be larger than three feet in height, four feet in depth and 10 feet in length. The piles cannot include firewood, precut logs or branches trimmed by a commercial contractor. Any piles that exceed those limits or include forbidden materials will not be accepted. Branches also cannot be obstructing the street or sidewalk or be on center boulevards.
The city is reminding people that this collection program is different from its yard waste collection program, which is a bi-weekly year-round program. Small branches can be broken up and included with yard waste.
Branches can also be dropped off with proof of residency (like a CWLP bill) at Evans Recycling, located at 2100 J. David Jones Parkway, between 7 a.m. and 5 pm. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. | 2022-05-01T18:12:49Z | www.wcia.com | Springfield branch collection restarts in May | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-branch-collection-restarts-in-may/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-branch-collection-restarts-in-may/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Service workers at the University of Illinois are set to vote over the next week-and-a-half on whether to authorize a strike.
Hundreds of union members signed a petition calling for the vote as negotiations between the UI Board of Trustees and Facilities & Service Department bear little progress. The contract between the department union and Board of Trustees is set to expire in August.
If a strike is authorized, it will not happen right away, but it would move the union one step closer to a walkout when the contract expires. It would be the first strike by university service employees since 2013, and that strike prompted the university to declare its first-ever civil service emergency.
If a strike were to occur, campus trash cans would not be emptied, bathrooms in university buildings would not be cleaned and food in dining halls would not be made. | 2022-05-01T23:56:49Z | www.wcia.com | U of I service employees set to vote on strike authorization | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-service-employees-set-to-vote-on-strike-authorization/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-service-employees-set-to-vote-on-strike-authorization/ |
RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) – Kathleen Williams was a wedding dress seamstress.
“Someone said, ‘you need to learn how to quilt,’ and I thought that was rather silly – cutting up fabric and putting it back together,” Williams said.
But, she said after she started quilting for veterans, her interest was quickly piqued.
“It overflowed and because I am a veteran, it was important [to help] other veterans who have PTSD, or have struggles or who just don’t feel loved – especially a lot of the Korean War and WWII veterans – they just got left behind.”
She works with the Quilts of Valor Foundation – a group that aims to provide comfort to veterans and service members who’ve been touched by war. She said she can’t let those people’s sacrifices be forgotten, no matter how long it’s been since they were in the military.
“Nobody’s even paying attention to them… Except now they’re 92 and they’re dying,” she said.
She travels here from South Carolina several times each year to present the intricate, handmade quilts. Recipients are nominated, and the Quilts of Valor Foundation focuses on those who need “healing” most.
“A lot of women don’t feel that they should receive and that’s wrong. You sign the dotted line stating you would give everything – up to your life – for your country, and you don’t get to go home until you’re done.”
For Williams, it’s personal.
“It was important to me that they feel the same love as far as that goes.”
It’s the first time they held this ceremony at the Lincoln Challenge Academy in Rantoul. One of the 15 veterans honored on Sunday was Michael Haerr, director of the academy.
“There’s no better way to receive a quilt with my wife at my side and the cadets that we’re working with, [they] see this and get a feeling of what it was to serve,” Haerr said.
He said as an Afghanistan veteran, he feels lucky. He felt the love when he was welcomed home years ago.
“I know that this effort for our Vietnam and Korean vets is special for them because they didn’t receive that. They got off a boat, got off a plane and got dumped back into society without much gratitude or thanks,” he said.
They both said it was also special to share the day with the cadets at the academy.
“With the younger adults that they have here, they understand that patriotism comes from the heart,” Williams said.
The veterans who received quilts Sunday include: U.S. Army Colonel Michael Haerr, U.S. Army Colonel Maurice Rochelle, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Robert Martin, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Alan Fitzpatrick, U.S. Army Sergeant Derek Fitzpatrick, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Eric Strigotte, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Michael Camacho, U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Jeffrey Arnold, U.S. Army Sergeant La’Derra Williams, U.S. Army Sergeant Carol Fitzpatrick, U.S. Marines Corporal Jared Spencer, U.S. Army Sergeant Elliot Jones, U.S. Marines Sergeant Jeremy Lowe, U.S. Marines Corporal Willonte Campbell-Williams, and U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Peter T. Thomas.
If you know a veteran you’d like to nominate, you can reach out to the Quilts of Valor Foundation and nominate them online.
If you’re interested in programs offered by the Lincoln Challenge Academy, Haerr said they’re currently accepting applications for the next class. There are 250 spots and he said they will fill quickly. You can find the pre-application form and more information on their website.
While 12-18% of cadets enlist within a year of their graduation, Haerr said that’s not what the academy is all about.
“We don’t force it on them. Really, our goal is to help them be successful in the years following, whether that’s going back to high school, going to a trade school, going to a junior college or 4-year college,” he said. “It’s not so much about trying to get them in the military as it is to get them back home, get them working get them back in school and getting them past those minimum wage jobs.” | 2022-05-02T04:39:31Z | www.wcia.com | 15 veterans awarded Quilts of Valor | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/15-veterans-awarded-quilts-of-valor/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/15-veterans-awarded-quilts-of-valor/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Rain or shine, thousands of runners were determined to finish the 2022 Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend strong Saturday. Volunteers and athletes alike said things went smoothly.
“We’re returning to real racing again; we kind-of slowly rolled into it. And this feels… I mean, look around – the energy is real,” Joseph Cowlin said. He finished third in the half marathon.
David O’Gara was the first to finish the half marathon Saturday morning – the longest race of the weekend.
“It was a cool moment. This is the first road race that I’ve won, so I just tried to soak it up coming down the home stretch. It was really cool,” O’Gara said. “I really wanted to come back so I was really excited that the race was on this year, the storms held off. So, really fun to be here.”
Like many other runners, he said even though the pandemic halted the event for two years, it didn’t stop him from running.
“I know it wasn’t possible for everyone, so I was grateful for that. For my own sanity and mental health,” he said.
The top female runner – Julie Wiemerslage – said she worked hard during the build up, and it paid off.
“You know, life right? Just busy with work, and all kinds of travel… So, it feels really good to still be able to come out here and run really well today,” she said.
She has some advice for other girls who hope to run in her footsteps.
“Don’t let anything get in your way. When I started out, I was not the fastest girl on the team in high school or college but I just kept showing up,” she said.
The winners of the wheelchair half marathon were also excited to compete again.
“Brand new year, new racecourse, so it’s great to be out there and celebrate the running community,” Jenna Fesemyer said.
“It’s always nice to be able to do a half marathon here in town. We train on these roads every day, so getting to actually race on them was pretty exciting,” Brian Siemann said.
One family crossed the 10K finish line together.
“He’s super fast, he smoked me at the finish line, and I finished,” Peter Byler said alongside his sons, Ephram and Asher.
Not everyone competed for the prize money. Some just competed for bragging rights.
“Feels really good, especially when I beat him,” Asher Byler said.
“I can’t believe they’re getting so big. At some point your kids just get bigger and faster than you and that’s okay,” Peter Byler said. | 2022-05-02T04:39:44Z | www.wcia.com | Top athletes of Illinois Race Weekend discuss the races | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/top-athletes-of-illinois-race-weekend-discuss-the-races/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/top-athletes-of-illinois-race-weekend-discuss-the-races/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – It’s not your usual support rally. 28 teams played basketball Sunday to help Ukraine.
Hundreds of people showed up to an event called “UIUC Hoops for Ukraine” hosted by Illini Chabad and the Ukrainian Student Association.
They said there was food, fun and three versus three tournaments, even members of the Fighting Illini men’s basketball team. Illini Chabad Executive Director Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel said Sunday was all about celebrating unity.
“The best response to hate is positivity. And we want to give a message that we are united in supporting the people that are feeling oppressed and being destroyed,” he said. “In addition to the people of Ukraine, in Ukraine, but also the students here on campus, the Ukrainian Student Association, we have to support them and all their members and let them know we stand with them.”
He said the funds they raise will be sent to Ukrainian orphans in Berlin, Germany. He said there are 550 children and mothers there, and the money will help support them. | 2022-05-02T04:39:50Z | www.wcia.com | U of I student organizations ‘hoop’ to support Ukraine | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-student-organizations-hoop-to-support-ukraine/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-student-organizations-hoop-to-support-ukraine/ |
Volunteer says Race Weekend ‘better’ than previous years
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Even if you aren’t a runner, there are still ways to get involved in Illinois Race Weekend festivities every year.
One volunteer, Sarah Rochnowski, said this was her third year at the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend. She works on crowd control, traffic and parking enforcement
She said she loves doing it, but she wishes more people understood the job. She said it can be hard to control traffic and keep people safe if they aren’t paying attention. But, there’s a special reason that keeps her coming out to the races every year.
“My dad ran his first 5k in 2014 I believe. He was just so happy. All he talked about was how great the volunteers were and I’m like, ‘I want to do that.’ Then I did it and I’m like, ‘I feel good. This is great. I love it.’ I just have to keep doing it,” she said.
She said this weekend has been chaotic, but not as chaotic as previous years. She wants to remind guests to listen to volunteers and police who are there to protect them.
She is also asking anyone who would like to share photos from over the weekend to post them to social media and tag the event’s pages. | 2022-05-02T04:39:56Z | www.wcia.com | Volunteer says Race Weekend ‘better’ than previous years | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/volunteer-says-race-weekend-better-than-previous-years/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/volunteer-says-race-weekend-better-than-previous-years/ |
WCIA — The NFL Draft is wrapped up and ten former Illinois football players are headed to the pros to live out their dreams.
Kerby Joseph opened things up, going in the third round to the Detroit Lions, offensive linemen Vederian Lowe and Doug Kramer followed on Saturday going in the sixth, and seven Illini signed with teams as undrafted free agents:
QB Brandon Peters, K James McCourt sign with the Los Angeles Chargers
LB Jake Hansen signs with the Houston Texans
DB Tony Adams signs with the New York Jets
EDGE Owen Carney signs with the Miami Dolphins
LB Khalan Tolson signs with the Carolina Panthers
DT Rod Perry signs with the Cleveland Browns
The three draftees are staying close, going to the NFL North. But none will be closer to home than Kramer, who’s headed to his favorite team the Chicago Bears.
“Dream come true for sure,” Kramer said. “I don’t think I’ve fully wrapped my head around the fact that the Bears just took me. It’s crazy to think just growing up a diehard Bears fan, this means the world to me and my family.”
Three is the most Illini drafted in a single year since 2013. All of the players this season were recruited under Lovie Smith and his staffs, but it is still a time to take a victory lap if you are Bret Bielema. He had a message for his former players as they got ready to experience the draft process.
“Enjoy your moment, I’ve seen so many people who have been misled or given information that’s not real,” Bielema said. “They have an agent that’s telling them something that they want to hear and not what they need to hear. What I’ve told all of them is, ‘When that opportunity comes, it doesn’t really matter how you got there it’s a matter of what you’re there for,’ and they’re there to make a great impression and hopefully make a lasting impression that lands them on a roster. It’s kind of like in recruiting, you don’t get mad about the journey or the process, just enjoy the result. So if they are fortunate enough to get drafted or earn a free agent contract, to just really enjoy the moment and make the best of it.” | 2022-05-02T04:40:02Z | www.wcia.com | Ten Illini picked up by NFL teams | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/ten-illini-picked-up-by-nfl-teams/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/ten-illini-picked-up-by-nfl-teams/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — This week, Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding an attempted robbery that happened on April 20.
At around 11:35 p.m., police officers were dispatched to the B-Spirits Gas Station on West Main Street in response to a report of an attempted robbery. When officers arrived at the scene, they learned that a man had gone behind the counter and demanded the clerk open the cash register. The offender left the store when the clerk refused to do so.
Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the subject captured on video. The suspect appeared to be a man wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt, black pants, red bandana and camo backpack.
Anyone who has information about this or any other crimes in Champaign County is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at (217) 373-TIPS, 373tips.com or via the P3 Tips mobile app. | 2022-05-02T14:36:07Z | www.wcia.com | Crime Stoppers seeking information on attempted robbery | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/crime-stoppers-seeking-information-on-attempted-robbery/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/crime-stoppers-seeking-information-on-attempted-robbery/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Mayor Diane Marlin announced on Monday that the City of Urbana intends to promote internally to replace Fire Chief Charles Lauss, who retires Thursday.
Lauss’s successor will be Kent “Demond” Dade, who currently serves as deputy fire chief.
This promotion is part of the succession planning that started when the city first created a deputy position for the fire department about a year ago, according to the mayor.
“Ideally, you want to be able to help people progress in their careers and in professional development,” Marlin said. “So, I’m thrilled we’re able to promote people from within.”
She further explained that she is satisfied with the promotion because “it’s very expensive and time consuming to do national searches for every position.”
Furthermore, she believes that one advantage to hiring from within is the ability to “hit the ground running.” due to a familiarity with the department.
Dade previously worked with the City of Quincy Fire Department for more than 20 years, and for the past four years, he has been an instructor at the Illinois Fire Service Institute.
Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Hensch
Battalion Chief Kyle Hensch will be appointed to the vacant deputy fire chief position.
Hensch has worked for city of Urbana since 1998, first starting as a firefighter before moving up the ranks to Company Officer/Lieutenant (2006-2013), Captain (2013-2014) and Division Chief (2014-present).
Both Dade and Hensch have already been involved in the planning and design of two new fire stations on South Philo Road and North Lincoln Avenue as well, according to Marlin.
Marlin will bring up the appointments to a Special City Council Monday night for final approval.
Fire Chief Appointee Kent “Demond” Dade
Photo Courtesy: City of Urbana
Fire Chief Appointee Kent “Demond” Dade Photo Courtesy: City of Urbana | 2022-05-02T18:36:41Z | www.wcia.com | Urbana mayor announces Fire Chief & Deputy Chief appointees | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/urbana-mayor-announces-fire-chief-deputy-chief-appointees/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/urbana-mayor-announces-fire-chief-deputy-chief-appointees/ |
Champaign Police installing license plate-reading cameras
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Crews in Champaign have begun installation of Automated License Plate Reader cameras for use by the Champaign Police Department.
The City Council approved the use of the cameras in December. 46 units will be installed throughout the community starting Monday to begin a two-year trial period. Champaign Police said the cameras will primarily focus on areas of the city that have experience increased gun violence in recent years.
Community members can learn more about APLR technology and its use in the community on a new website launched by the Champaign Police Department. | 2022-05-02T21:35:42Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign Police installing license plate-reading cameras | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-police-installing-license-plate-reading-cameras/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-police-installing-license-plate-reading-cameras/ |
Pritzker announces additional funding for anti-violence groups
CHICAGO (WCIA) — Governor Pritzker announced on Monday that $113 million in funding is now available to community organizations working on violence prevention and interruption throughout the state.
This funding builds on $73 million that has already been distributed to organizations by the Illinois Department of Human Services. These grant applications are part of a series of funding opportunities to reduce gun violence by implementing evidence-based solutions.
“This is an unprecedented effort to stop the cycle of violence in our communities and invest resources in the communities where they are needed the most,” Pritzker said. “From expanding summer jobs, to investing in behavioral health programs and youth development, we are bringing historic levels of funding to proven programs that prevent violence and keep people safe.”
Community-based organizations in 42 communities in the state – 26 in Chicago and 16 in the suburbs and south of the city – are eligible to receive these funds. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.
“These investments are designed to build on past work and create enduring change,” said IDHS Secretary Grace Hou. “Illinois is carrying out an historic commitment – in resources and programs to combat violence. In addition to the anti-violence work of Reimagine Public Safety, IDHS is also strengthening and deepening existing youth development programs.”
Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at a press conference in Chicago on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021. | 2022-05-02T22:13:32Z | www.wcia.com | Pritzker announces additional funding for anti-violence groups | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/state-news/pritzker-announces-additional-funding-for-anti-violence-groups/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/state-news/pritzker-announces-additional-funding-for-anti-violence-groups/ |
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Illinois is no longer looking to add men’s ice hockey. After more than five years of exploring the idea of adding the varsity sport, Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman announced on Monday the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics is no longer exploring the costly addition.
“After more than five years of extensive evaluation and intense effort to generate interest and support, we have determined that it is not viable to bring Division I men’s ice hockey to the University of Illinois at this time,” Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman said in a statement. | 2022-05-02T22:13:38Z | www.wcia.com | Illinois no longer exploring adding men’s ice hockey | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illinois-no-longer-exploring-adding-mens-ice-hockey/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illinois-no-longer-exploring-adding-mens-ice-hockey/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – After three long years, runners flocked to Champaign-Urbana for the Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend, and the race staff said they’re ‘relieved’ with its success.
Director Jan Seeley said it went smoothly for the most part, but a few things caught runners and staff off-guard.
“We had race weekend, full stop. Right there, we had it,” she said.
She said it was unusually humid this year, and not all runners have trained in similar weather conditions. The medical staff was busy, but it was nothing they couldn’t handle – and everyone was okay.
After cancelling the full marathon, they knew the number of runners would be lower. But, Seeley said an unexpected number had to drop out because they caught COVID-19 just before the weekend.
“On top of the 500-plus people who couldn’t participate because they did or wouldn’t meet our COVID requirements and we deferred them all to next year… we had just a flood of people that became ill last week… I think we would’ve been about 15,000 runners… so we’re just happy that we got the over 10,000 that we did,” Seeley said.
She said there was also a noticably high no-show rate, but overall, the turnout was good.
She’s not sure if the full marathon will be back next year. But if it returns, it may be a double-loop of the half marathon route.
They’ve already chosen the dates for the 2023 Illinois Race Weekend: April 27-29. | 2022-05-03T01:21:57Z | www.wcia.com | Race Weekend director ‘relieved’ by event’s success | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/race-weekend-director-relieved-by-events-success/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/race-weekend-director-relieved-by-events-success/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield Fire said damage is limited after a clothes dryer caught fire at a laundromat on Sunday.
The fire broke out around 5:15 p.m. at Craven’s Laundromat in the 500 block of North Grand Avenue. An employee tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher, but was unable to and called the Fire Department. Responding firefighters shut off gas and electricity to the dryer and were able to extinguish the fire.
The dryer that caught fire was destroyed and the dryers adjacent to it suffered minor damage. The wall above the dryer that burned was also damaged. The laundromat was able to reopen shortly after firefighters ventilated smoke from the building. No one was hurt.
Photo courtesy: Facebook page of Springfield Fire Fighters Local 37 | 2022-05-03T01:22:03Z | www.wcia.com | Springfield Fire battles laundromat fire | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-fire-battles-laundromat-fire/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-fire-battles-laundromat-fire/ |
Back on the Field: Colin Kinkelaar returns to diamond after losing leg in car accident two years ago
STRASBURG (WCIA) — Colin Kinkelaar’s first steps back to the plate were something his family wasn’t sure they would ever seen again.
“These last two years, he’s been through hell and back and it’s been an incredible journey,” Colin’s father Jeremy Kinkelaar said.
In February 2020, Colin was driving to school when he was involved in a single car accident. He was in a coma for seven days fighting for his life and eventually had his leg amputated below the knee. Two years later, his family is grateful to have him here today.
“That’s the ultimate statement that he’s still with us, it’s a miracle he is,” Jeremy added. “Every day, every moment, with him is a blessing.”
Jeremy is an assistant coach for the Hatchets. A few weeks ago, Colin started to make big strides in his recovery, so he decided to work to get back on the baseball field. He got walked in his first at bat back, an experience he’ll never forget.
“Just an exciting moment for me,” Colin said. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for the past year and to get back out there is just a dream come true.”
“It was an incredible moment, not only for me as a dad or the assistant coach, but to get to hug him on first base,” said Jeremy. “Any way to make it on first base was just an incredible moment.”
“I’ve always had a love for baseball, it’s my favorite sport,” Colin added. “I have that drive and passion to come out here and play every single day, but my family and my friends are probably something that motivated me the most to come back out here.”
And Colin is hoping his lone at bat in his first game won’t be his last. The senior wants to end his high school career with several more and go out with a hit.
“It’s been a tough path, but we got here with the help of my community and my friends and without them I don’t know if I would’ve,” Colin said.
“The perseverance in that kid is unbelievable, his outlook on life and that’s the main topic that we want to get across is any negative that can happen in your life, there’s always a positive outlook,” said Jeremy. “Whatever it may be. You can get through it.”
And for Colin, a trip to the plate is just the start of what’s to come. | 2022-05-03T01:22:15Z | www.wcia.com | Back on the Field: Colin Kinkelaar returns to diamond after losing leg in car accident two years ago | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/high-school-sports/back-on-the-field-colin-kinkelaar-returns-to-diamond-after-losing-leg-in-car-accident-two-years-ago/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/high-school-sports/back-on-the-field-colin-kinkelaar-returns-to-diamond-after-losing-leg-in-car-accident-two-years-ago/ |
CASEY, Ill. (WCIA) — When it comes to big things in a small town, Casey is the place.
The town is known for several world records, including the World’s Largest Rocking Chair. This past weekend, several thousand people watched professional motorcyclist Brett Cue drive a motorcycle off of it.
It was a 25-foot drop onto a dirt ramp and down Main Street. Cue said he originally wanted to jump out of the World’s Largest Mailbox, but settled on the chair. | 2022-05-03T04:06:30Z | www.wcia.com | Motorcyclist jumps off World’s Largest Rocking Chair | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/motorcyclist-jumps-off-worlds-largest-rocking-chair/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/motorcyclist-jumps-off-worlds-largest-rocking-chair/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The University of Illinois Laboratory High School is continuing an annual tradition this week by setting up an escape room in the school library.
The tradition began in 2016. This year’s escape room was created in honor of John Garvey, a longtime French and Computer Science teacher at the school who passed away suddenly nearly a year ago. School librarian DoMonique Arnold said Garvey was the first person to test the escape room when the tradition started.
“John Garvey was just like one in a million,” Arnold said. “He had such unique interests. He really had a gift for sharing that with the students.
The 2022 escape room sends students on a rescue mission for Pickles the Library Dragon. The escape room opened on Monday and will be available during lunch and after school through Friday. | 2022-05-03T04:06:48Z | www.wcia.com | Uni High opens annual escape room | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/uni-high-opens-annual-escape-room/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/uni-high-opens-annual-escape-room/ |
Most expensive tractor: 1913 Case 30-60 sold for $1.47M
NOKOMIS, Ill. (WCIA) — Aumann Auctions recently sold a 1913 Case 30-60 for $1,470,000.
Officials said this makes it not only the most expensive antique tractor ever sold, but the most expensive tractor ever sold. The 1913 Case 30-60 was sold to an undisclosed bidder on April 21 during Aumann Auctions’ annual Pre-30 online auction.
“The 1913 Case 30-60 is one of only five knowns of the original 500 built to still exist, and the first model of gasoline tractor built by the J. I. Case Company,” said auctioneer Kurt Aumann. “The other four are tied up in private and museum collections, and this one will be carefully delivered to a private collection in the Northeast.”
“Scarcity and demand drive prices for these antique tractors,” said Aumann. “Then there is the historical significance of the tractor being the first model of gasoline tractor Case built.”
Now known as CASE IH, the J. I. Case Company founded in 1842 originally started by building threshing machines before becoming a leader in steam power. In 1910, Case released their first gas tractor, The Case 60. In 1913, this tractor would have cost around $2,500 and today it would cost nearly $72,000 when adjusted for inflation.
The Pre-’30 Auction was started in 2017 by Aumann Vintage Power. According to officials, Kurt Aumann, auctioneer and owner of Aumann Auctions Inc., saw the need for a stand-alone event for collectors to showcase, buy and sell early pieces from the agricultural past.
Since 1962, Aumann Auctions has provided auction services for sellers across the country and internationally. They conduct over 200 live and online auctions a year, including antique tractors & memorabilia, farm toys, farmland, real estate, business liquidation and personal property and estates.
Watch a video of the tractor HERE. | 2022-05-03T17:44:52Z | www.wcia.com | Most expensive tractor: 1913 Case 30-60 sold for $1.47M | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/most-expensive-tractor-1913-case-30-60-sold-for-1-47m/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/most-expensive-tractor-1913-case-30-60-sold-for-1-47m/ |
by: Cassandra Smith, Vanessa Le
KANSAS, Ill. (WCIA) — The quality of water in Kansas was concerning to some who lived in town. So, WCIA looked into what was being done to address those concerns.
Kansas Village President Ross Carrell said the village is seeing infrastructure issues, which is affecting water quality. “It’s nothing new,” said Carrell, who stated he–and others– have been buying water to make things like tea and coffee. He continued to say water discoloration started last summer and there were issues before then but not as pronounced. Now it is evident they are going to have to replace lots of pipes. However, that requires a lot of money.
Carrell said they have applied for grants to fix this issue. Now, they are waiting for the government to give them the necessary money.
Until they get the funding, Carrell stated the water is safe and they are continuing to work with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure its continued safety. They are following recommendations of flushing filters more frequently as well as testing the water more often. Right now, the test results are coming back as fine, according to Carrell. | 2022-05-03T17:45:29Z | www.wcia.com | Officials say water deemed safe despite discoloration | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/officials-say-water-deemed-safe-despite-discoloration/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/officials-say-water-deemed-safe-despite-discoloration/ |
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Some farms are operated by fathers and their kids, but some are operated by brothers.
The Zelhart brothers – John, Dave and James – trace their heritage in the Maroa area to a 240-acre Depression-era farm.
“Dad’s parents, my paternal grandparents, moved to this area in 1936,” John said. “We’re not quite as diverse as they were then; we don’t have all the livestock and we don’t quite have all the crops that they had in rotation then.”
But Dave said they love what they do.
“It’s nice to wake up every morning and love what you do,” Dave said.
And they learned how to deal with challenges from their dad.
“Dad had a strong work ethic, passed down from his dad, and he passed that down to us, and we’re trying to pass that on down to the next generation,” James said.
Over in Edgar and Vermilion Counties, Darrell and Brian Morgan lead a premier conservation operation which has spread their style of agriculture in two states.
“We farm in two counties in Indiana, Fountain and Vermillion County,” Darrell said. “And in Illinois, we farm in Vermilion and Edgar Counties.”
It’s all no-till with cover crops, and they said weed control is the biggest benefit.
“The first thing we did was put in waterways and buffer strips to stop that erosion because we want that topsoil to be left on top of the ground, not going down the stream somewhere,” Brian said.
Southeast of Mowequa, Brad, Bret, Chad and Chris Burgener were raised as equals in farming and pork production, and today they work together closely and trust each other’s judgement in an exemplary way.
“Unfortunately, Dad died at a young age. He died unexpectedly at 55 years old,” Brad said. “So us four had to step up and take over the farm after he passed.”
Brad and his three brothers farm 2500 acres and market 24,000 hogs per year.
“Dad was pretty good about making us in charge of a certain aspect of the farm. Whatever we liked to do, we would be in charge of that area and be responsible for it,” Bret said. “We weren’t trying to do someone else’s job, we had our own specific job. We haul all of our own feed, Chad does all of the semi driving, hauls all of the hogs.”
And that is how bands of brothers are feeding everyone else. | 2022-05-03T22:15:11Z | www.wcia.com | Harvest Heritage: Bands of brothers | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/agriculture/harvest-heritage-bands-of-brothers/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/agriculture/harvest-heritage-bands-of-brothers/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — On May 4, Pacifica Champaign and the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce will host a celebratory groundbreaking for the new apartment complex at 28 East Green Street.
The new apartment complex is called “28 East Green Street.”
The ceremony will start at 11 a.m. After the groundbreaking ceremony, refreshments and lunch will be served.
According to officials, the apartment complex will be a ‘chic’ and ‘contemporary’ student apartment housing, just a short walk from the Main Quad of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
“Residents will enjoy fabulous amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, beautifully appointed outdoor lounge and recreation spaces, modern indoor lounge and leisure spaces and numerous study lounges,” officials stated.
Phase I will offer apartments ranging from one to four bedrooms, with a total of 402 beds, and will be completed by August 2023. Leasing will commence in November 2022.
Photo courtesy: Facebook page of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. | 2022-05-03T22:15:17Z | www.wcia.com | Apartment complex on Green Street to break ground | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/apartment-complex-on-green-street-to-break-ground/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/apartment-complex-on-green-street-to-break-ground/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur City Council approved a special permit for a towing company to operate an automobile salvage yard, but with some rules they need to follow.
At their regular meeting, council members discussed granting a conditional use permit to petitioner, Shaner’s Towing & Tire’s, Inc, located at 3696 Greenswitch Road in Decatur. In City documents, officials said the petition allows Shaner’s “to shore and salvage automobiles and automotive parts.” They continued to say, “The petitioner’s business of towing inoperable vehicles has increased triggering the need to expand the business on site for automobile salvage operations.
There are a few conditions Shaner’s will need to follow. Those include:
Constructing a 9-foot site break fence to go along with the existing 6-foot fence around the perimeter.
Not allowing any stored and/or salvaged vehicles/parts to be seen from adjoining properties or the road. They must also not be stacked any higher than nine feet.
The vehicle crusher must not be used between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
No operations on the site, including the vehicle crusher, will be able to create a sound level exceeding 80 dBA.
Shaner’s must provide an annual report to the City before December 31 of each year recording that they are complying with all conditions in their permit. The City will also do an annual site inspection.
Officials said these condition “will not only provide an aesthetic and physical barrier of the proposed salvage yard use on the site, but it will also improve the site as currently developed and used.”
The permit was approved 4-3. | 2022-05-03T22:15:29Z | www.wcia.com | Decatur City Council approves auto salvage yard permit | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-city-council-approves-auto-salvage-yard-permit/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-city-council-approves-auto-salvage-yard-permit/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — 100 days away from the start of the 2022 Illinois State Fair, the Fair announced on Tuesday that Willie Nelson and the Family will be headlining the Illinois Lottery Grandstand on August 16.
In a career that has spanned seven decades, Nelson has earned every possible award a musician could receive, including 10 Grammy Awards, and gained a reputation as an actor, author and activist. In 1985, he co-founded Farm-Aid to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and help raise money to keep family farms on the land.
1985: Farm Aid
Grammy nominee Elle King, known for her hits “Ex’s and Oh’s,” “Different for Girls” with Dierks Bentley and “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” with Miranda Lambert, will open for Nelson.
Tickets will be available for sale on Ticketmaster starting Saturday at 10 a.m. | 2022-05-03T22:16:39Z | www.wcia.com | Willie Nelson, Family coming to Illinois State Fair | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/willie-nelson-family-coming-to-illinois-state-fair/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/willie-nelson-family-coming-to-illinois-state-fair/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – An iconic Champaign sculpture just got a new home. The T. rex from the Dallas & Co. costume store, which shut its doors in 2020, now belongs to a motorcycle club. The dinosaur remained attached to the store’s building until now.
“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to get something so cool that is a local icon that we can repurpose,” Dinosores Motorcycle Club President Shane Truitt said.
It’s even in their name – Truitt said there was no better home for the T. rex than with the Dinosores Motorcycle Club. He said when they heard it would be auctioned off, they knew they had to have it.
Families stopped by to watch as they removed the sculpture and put it back up on their clubhouse at 606 S. Country Fair Drive. Truitt said children have been concerned about the dinosaur’s fate, and he’s happy to reassure families that it’ll be staying local. Plus, its former owner is relieved too.
“When I went in to pay for it, I spoke with Andy Dallas. He asked what I was going to do with it. I explained to him who we were and where it was going to be, and the Dallas family just thought that would be fantastic,” Truitt said.
He said he got caught in a bidding war, but was up for the fight. Ultimately, the dinosaur cost the club around $1,300. They’re considering naming him “Dallas” to keep the Dallas & Co. memory alive.
Truitt said they’ll even be adding a mural like the one outside Dallas & Co., so the dinosaur will look like it’s breaking through the walls of its new home. | 2022-05-04T02:06:04Z | www.wcia.com | Dallas & Co. dinosaur sculpture finds new home | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/dallas-co-dinosaur-sculpture-finds-new-home/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/dallas-co-dinosaur-sculpture-finds-new-home/ |
RIDGE FARM, Ill. (WCIA) – The cry of a baby could mean many things. They need a diaper change, a nap, or just need to be fed, but what if the one thing you need to make that bottle is no where to be found?
“I just I can’t find it. It’s crazy,” Michaila Baldwin, a new mother, said.
Families across the country, state, and Central Illinois are facing shortages of baby formula.
“I have gone into Walmart, CVS and Walgreens. I even went onto Amazon and I could not find anything. My son had like one or two, maybe two cans left, and I was freaking out because how am I supposed to feed my kid,” she said.
From one store to the next, and then from one city to the next, and even into Indiana. She struggled to find the specific formula her son needs, or she says any formula at all.
“Like it was just gone, and I was just like what in the world? How does that happen?” she said.
It happened after a major recall of three giant formula brands. Similac, Alimentum and EleCare. On top of supply chain issues. That left families switching to other brands like Enfamil, and leaving those who were already relying on that brand empty handed.
“My son has a milk intolerance, and that’s the only formula his stomach can digest and not have a belly ache and spit up a lot. Unfortunately, that’s the only thing he can take without having issues,” Baldwin said.
And wondering when this could end.
“We need to feed our babies. We need these things. Some babies can’t be breastfed. My son’s one of them,” Baldwin said. “Everything I have you know it’s just kind of like when it’s gone and if there’s nothing back on the shelves, my babies got nothing. I just don’t know what else to do.”
Enfamil has a message on its website that said they’ve increased production and are working closely with distribution channels to get products out quickly.
The biggest piece of advice people like Baldwin and other families are getting is to contact their pediatricians. She said right now, they’re just working with what they have the best way they can. | 2022-05-04T02:06:16Z | www.wcia.com | Formula shortage leaves families scrambling | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/formula-shortage-leaves-mothers-scrambling/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/formula-shortage-leaves-mothers-scrambling/ |
Installation complete on new cancer-fighting technology at OSF
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A new cancer-fighting machine is ready for use at OSF Bobette Steely Hegeler Cancer Care Center in Danville.
OSF gets new cancer technology
OSF acquired the machine in December and it took several months to install it. The machine, a TrueBeam radiotherapy linear accelerator, targets tumors quicker and more precisely than the center’s previous linear accelerator. This reduces the chances of tumor motion, which helps to protect nearby healthy tissue and critical organs, and also reduces the time it takes for treatment.
OSF: Radiation oncology unavailable as new technology is installed
“We’re thrilled to have it,” said radiation oncologist Dr. Crystal Reed. “This is the top of the line linear accelerator from Varian, which is the premier radiation linear accelerator manufacturer. So the fact that [patients] can have it here in a smaller town makes it such that they don’t have to drive to Champaign-Urbana or Chicago or Louisville or wherever it might be.”
The linear accelerator was made possible by a $3 million donation from the estate of Julius Hegeler, a well-known Danville philanthropist and the husband of the cancer center’s namesake.
“It’s critical for the community that we have the latest and greatest technology for cancer. Cancer affects way too many people. And to have the latest technology here locally is important,” said Phil Muehl, chairperson of the Hegeler Foundation and of the OSF Healthcare Sacred Heart Medical center Community Council. “And I’m certain Julius is extremely happy knowing that this money is going to make these improvements to the cancer center.”
(Photo courtesy of OSF HealthCare) | 2022-05-04T02:06:22Z | www.wcia.com | Installation complete on new cancer-fighting technology at OSF | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/health-news/installation-complete-on-new-cancer-fighting-technology-at-osf/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/health-news/installation-complete-on-new-cancer-fighting-technology-at-osf/ |
EFFINGHAM (WCIA) — St. Anthony softball is taking the word ‘family’ seriously. The Bulldogs have four sets of sisters on the team this season, meaning they could nearly field an entire starting lineup with just siblings. Ava and Anna Faber, Kallie and Kenzie Kabbes, Maddie and Sydney Kibler, Cameran and Adysen Rios make the Bulldogs a family affair.
“I feel like we’re always on the same wavelength and we’re always together with everything,” Maddie Kibler said.
“Whenever I’m not doing so well, she’s the first one I always come to like what am I doing wrong, can you help me through this,” Sydney Kibler said.
“It’s so fun coming out here and even though they’re sisters at home, out here they’re teammates,” St. Anthony head coach Makayla Walsh said.
To make it even more fun, the Kibler twins bat one-two in the lineup and also make up the battery, with Sydney pitching and Maddie catching.
“When I’m catching her it’s something special,” Maddie Kibler said. “It’s different because I see her all the time. I always see what she’s doing wrong and when she doesn’t know what she’s doing wrong she always comes up to me.”
“Whenever she does something good, I always push myself to be 10 times better than her and vice versa and I think that goes with each set of siblings,” Sydney Kibler added.
For the Rios’, it’s not always about competition. Junior Cameran and her little sister Adysen like to have a lot of fun on the field as well.
“When I mess up I always try to go to her for advice and she always helps me,” Adysen Rios said.
“I actually love having Adysen play with me because it’s another person I can joke around with especially since we’ve always been together we’ve always practiced together,” Cameran Rios said. “So it’s nothing different being on the field except now it’s like competing for a spot, which is even more fun.”
Adysen likes to play middle infield like her sister but moved to the outfield in order to get into the lineup this season. All of the sisters feel a connection to not only their siblings but the team as well.
“We all have a special sister bond with each other,” Maddie Kibler added. “We all know how to interact with each other and it’s just something special.”
After making it to state last year in Class 1A, they’re hoping the sisterhood can help them get back to Peoria this season, but the road will be harder to get there with the Bulldogs playing up in Class 2A. | 2022-05-04T02:07:04Z | www.wcia.com | Four sets of sisters fueling St. Anthony softball | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/high-school-sports/four-sets-of-sisters-fueling-st-anthony-softball/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/high-school-sports/four-sets-of-sisters-fueling-st-anthony-softball/ |
Texas Tech transfer brings versatility, experience to Illinois roster
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Sometimes things in life come full circle. That’s the case for Illinois basketball’s newest player. Terrence Shannon Jr. was officially added to the roster for next season on Monday, after announcing his commitment last week.
The Texas Tech transfer was recruited by Illini head coach Brad Underwood out of high school, officially visiting campus in 2018 before picking the Red Raiders. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound wing averaged 11.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in three seasons in Lubbock.
Now the Chicago native is returning to his home state, where he will bring versatility, experience and scoring to the team, three things that are needed with a new look lineup after losing all five starters from last year’s 23-10 team.
“Terrence is a guy that we know very well. It’s been fun to watch him develop and go through his career. He visited here out of high school. He’s a very, very versatile player. He fits everything that we do. I’m excited about his athleticism. We’re talking about one of the elite athletes in America.”
Shannon Jr. has up to two years of eligibility with the Illini, who still have multiple scholarships open for next season. | 2022-05-04T02:07:10Z | www.wcia.com | Terrence Shannon Jr. officially added to Illini roster | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/terrence-shannon-jr-officially-added-to-illini-roster/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/terrence-shannon-jr-officially-added-to-illini-roster/ |
Families of Amazon workers killed in collapse call for accountability
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The families of Amazon workers killed in a deadly warehouse collapse last December recently gathered to tell the company that things were not ok with the warehouse when it collapsed.
The warehouse partially collapsed when tornadoes touched down in December, killing six contractors; one of them was DeAndre Morrow. His mother, Deon January, spoke publicly for the first time about her son’s loss.
Last month, OSHA issued a hazard alert letter to Amazon detailing potentially life-saving improvements to be made at the site. Since the collapse, attorneys for some of the victims’ families have said the building had structural problems.
“This is very difficult. It’s not okay. It’s not okay. Amazon, it’s not okay,” January said. “And Amazon had plenty, plenty of time to alert everyone for safety and they failed to do that. And they need to be held responsible.”
The attorneys have also said the company had an inadequate way of dealing with extreme weather events. Several employees told reporters they were threatened with losing their jobs if they left the workplace to seek shelter after tornadoes were seen in the area. | 2022-05-04T04:00:15Z | www.wcia.com | Families of Amazon workers killed in collapse call for accountability | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/families-of-amazon-workers-killed-in-collapse-call-for-accountability/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/families-of-amazon-workers-killed-in-collapse-call-for-accountability/ |
RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — The Rantoul Board of Trustees was unable to come to an agreement Tuesday night about whether to allow a public referendum on lifting a ban on marijuana dispensaries.
The village placed a ban on dispensary licenses three years ago. The Board of Trustees is now considering removing the ban, but was unable to reach a decision of how the ban should be removed.
Three trustees voted in favor of a public referendum, but the other three trustees voted against a referendum. Mayor Charles Smith did not cast a vote.
The trustees agreed to add the matter to next week’s meeting agenda in order to further discussion. | 2022-05-04T04:05:52Z | www.wcia.com | Rantoul Board of Trustees deadlocked on dispensary referendum | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/rantoul-board-of-trustees-deadlocked-on-dispensary-referendum/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/rantoul-board-of-trustees-deadlocked-on-dispensary-referendum/ |
Pro-life mother shares abortion story amid SCOTUS leak
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — People across Central Illinois are speaking out after learning the Supreme Court could be overturning Roe v. Wade, a reproductive rights case that gives women the option to have an abortion if they choose.
Many pro-choice protests took place across the country and in Central Illinois, including one at the Champaign County Courthouse.
Rev. Leah Roberts-Mosser, pastor of Community United Church of Christ, said she is pro-choice and wants to support people’s rights to healthcare.
“Abortion rights are human rights,” she said. “I think that it’s important we come together as neighbors and a community to help care for one another.”
But not everyone is upset with the Supreme Court’s opinion. Jessica McMahon said she was always pro-life, but fear drove her to get the procedure.
“I got pregnant my senior year of college, my boyfriend was in the military,” McMahon recollected. “I was scared, I didn’t know what to do, nobody told me about insurance, or other options.”
McMahon said her decision caused her grief for years afterward.
“It was a very traumatic experience for me,” McMahon said.
She wants others to know that there are lasting impacts beyond the procedure.
“It doesn’t take away the baby,” McMahon said. “The baby is there, you were a mother from conception. it just adds to the pain.”
Since then, she has found healing though faith.
“God uses everything for good,” McMahon said.
Rev. Roberts-Mosser said that while she recognizes children are a gift from God, she believes anyone with a uterus should have a say in what happens with their body.
“I am a part of a Christian tradition fought for and worked for reproductive rights including abortion rights, they’ve done that for over 60 years.”
McMahon said her beliefs in pro-life have been cemented further since going through an abortion. She said she contacted her former boyfriend and after all this time, he too is still dealing with the emotional trauma of it. | 2022-05-04T05:26:09Z | www.wcia.com | Pro-life mother shares abortion story amid SCOTUS leak | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/pro-life-mother-shares-abortion-story-amid-scotus-leak/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/pro-life-mother-shares-abortion-story-amid-scotus-leak/ |
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — A 35-year-old man was arrested after he admitted to police that he stole money from a place that he worked at.
Charleston Police were dispatched to the Lucky Strike Bowling Alley on East Street on April 18 to investigate a report of theft.
Officers said the investigation led to the arrest of a Lucky Strike employee, Shawn Daniels, who admitted to stealing about $5,200 in cash from the business.
Daniels was placed in the Coles County Jail. His bond was later set at $0. | 2022-05-04T18:52:14Z | www.wcia.com | Charleston Police: Man arrested after admitted stealing money from where he works | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/charleston-police-man-arrested-after-admitted-stealing-money-from-where-he-works/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/charleston-police-man-arrested-after-admitted-stealing-money-from-where-he-works/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Ameren and Champaign firefighters got a call at around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday in response to a report of a possible gas leak.
Ameren employees went to the reported location and discovered gas in the Ice Arena (406 E Armory Avenue). They said it seemed to be from an underground gas leak from the south of the building.
The cause of the gas leak is unknown.
Ameren is looking into it and they are working to fix the problem.
The Ice Arena was evacuated. As a precaution, people in the Irwin Building, which is next door to the Ice Arena, were also asked to evacuate.
At the moment, Ameren employees have finished up ventilation so there is no more gas in the building. | 2022-05-04T18:52:39Z | www.wcia.com | Gas leak in Ice Arena Wednesday morning | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/gas-leak-in-ice-arena-wednesday-morning/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/gas-leak-in-ice-arena-wednesday-morning/ |
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Sixth through eighth-grade students will help an artist paint parts of a large public mural in Springfield.
Officials said students from more than a dozen of Sangamon County schools will come to Lincoln Magnet School (300 South 11th Street, Springfield) on Thursday to paint a mural with artist Jared Bader.
The students will be working with the artist and Springfield Art Association volunteers to paint large panels that will be in a paint-by-number format.
The sessions will go from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m.
The mural will be installed at the new Springfield Sangamon County Transportation Hub later this year, according to officials. | 2022-05-04T18:54:36Z | www.wcia.com | Kids to paint mural with artist | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/kids-to-paint-mural-with-artist/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/kids-to-paint-mural-with-artist/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The two northbound lanes of Prospect Avenue between Charles Street and Daniel Street will be closed for pavement repairs.
Traffic will be shifted in the area.
One northbound lane and one southbound lane will be maintained at all times.
Officials said the closure will begin on May 9 and will reopen on May 12. | 2022-05-04T18:54:42Z | www.wcia.com | Lane closure for pavement repairs | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/lane-closure-for-pavement-repairs-2/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/lane-closure-for-pavement-repairs-2/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign Police said that one person was hurt in a shooting that happened Wednesday morning.
Officers were dispatched to the area of McKinley and Beardsley avenues at 11:30 a.m. for a report of shots being fired. They found multiple shell casings at the scene and found a car had also been hit. Shortly after, a man arrived at an area hospital with a gunshot wound to the torso. He is expected to survive.
The preliminary investigation indicated that two people were walking on McKinley when they were shot at by someone in a car driving down Beardsley. The driver of that car got out and was picked up by another car, which left the scene.
Home or business owners in the area that have exterior surveillance cameras are encouraged to notify the Champaign Police Department, which believes video footage may assist in the investigation. No one has been arrested in connection to this shooting and the investigation is ongoing.
People who has information or video of the shooting is asked to contact the CPD at 217-351-4545. Arrangements can be made for information to be shared privately. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at 217-373-8477, online or through the P3 Tips app.
Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,500 for tips leading to an arrest in felony crimes involving guns. | 2022-05-05T01:28:31Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign Police: One hurt in shooting | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-police-one-hurt-in-shooting/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-police-one-hurt-in-shooting/ |
City of Springfield hosting open house on new fire station
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Springfield will host an open house next Monday to discuss with the community the addition of a new fire station in the city.
The council is in the process of discussing the construction of three new stations. Two would replace existing stations while the third – Station 13 – would become a new addition to the Springfield Fire Department. A spot near Woodside Road is the proposed location of this new fire station.
The open house will take place on Monday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Cherry Hills Church. A presentation is planned for 5 p.m. and will last for 30 minutes. At all other times, attendees may view different exhibits, talk with staff and provide comments. | 2022-05-05T01:28:37Z | www.wcia.com | City of Springfield hosting open house on new fire station | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/city-of-springfield-hosting-open-house-on-new-fire-station/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/city-of-springfield-hosting-open-house-on-new-fire-station/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — To perform routine storm sewer maintenance activities, National Power Rodding Corp. will have single-lane closures affecting traffic in the intersection of Duncan Road and Winsor Road.
Traffic will only be affected in one single area at a time, with traffic control to reroute travelers.
Officials said work is planned during the hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May 5 to May 13.
They also said the work is weather dependent and may be delayed in the event of inclement weather. | 2022-05-05T01:28:55Z | www.wcia.com | Lane closures to start Thursday | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/lane-closures-to-start-thursday/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/lane-closures-to-start-thursday/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A 35-year-old man from Springfield was recently sentenced to nine years in prison for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of mixtures or substances containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Robert E. Collins was found in possession of approximately 504 ecstasy pills containing methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Decatur, Illinois, on August 3, 2017. Police also found around $8,500 on Collins at that time.
At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough found that a sentencing enhancement for obstructing justice applied in relation to Collins’s flight from a later traffic stop in Sangamon County during which the United States Marshals Service attempted to take Collins into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant. Collins sped away from the traffic stop in a vehicle, dragging two United States Marshals with him. One of the Marshals remained on the running board for several hundred yards before Collins slowed down, allowing the Marshal to jump off safely.
Officials said Collins was indicted in March 2018 and pleaded guilty in November 2021. | 2022-05-05T01:29:07Z | www.wcia.com | Man sentenced to prison for drug trafficking | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-to-prison-for-drug-trafficking/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-to-prison-for-drug-trafficking/ |
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) – As violence and crime climbs across Central Illinois, leaders are working to find ways to help. The mayor of Danville said sometimes the best things to do are out of our hands.
“I feel a little bit hungry, but I’m very thankful,” Rickey Williams Jr., the Danville Mayor, said.
You might ask, why not just eat? But it’s an important day for him to do the opposite.
“So, I’m asking for, and asking people to ask with me, for God’s help. And for those who don’t share faith, I’m asking them to take actions to help improve the community today instead,” he said.
Williams declared Wednesday a day of fasting and prayer.
“For me, it’s just a way to focus on things we need as a community. Every time I feel my stomach growl, I pray for something different. I pray for the safety of our people, I pray for the safety of our officers, I pray for wisdom for myself and the city council, because we have to make good decisions if our community is going to thrive and that’s what we’re working towards,” he said.
It’s something he’s done every year since he was elected. He said even though he gets some pushback, he still believes there are things that only a higher power can accomplish.
“We’ve worked really hard to fight crime. We’ve implemented neighborhood cameras, license plate readers, we’ve gone from 54 to 67 police with the authority to hire 3 more. We’ve created special units, we made lots of effort to make Danville safer and more prosperous, and we are trekking in the right direction, but there are some things we cannot do on our own,” he said.
Williams said non-believers and any religion can and should take part too.
“For those who say separation of church and state, I try to do it in such a way that’s respectful of that. You’ll see the proclamation doesn’t mention a specific god or ask people to pray in anyone’s particular name. I expect people to do that in whatever faith you have,” he said.
He said non-believers should take the time they normally eat, and instead give back. He said volunteer, plant flowers, help a neighbor, anything that will make a difference. | 2022-05-05T01:29:13Z | www.wcia.com | Mayor asks for fasting and prayer | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/mayor-asks-for-fasting-and-prayer/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/mayor-asks-for-fasting-and-prayer/ |
Springfield Police: 2 arrested after shots fired heard, 2 guns recovered
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Police went to an area on East South Grand Avenue at around 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday in response to a report of multiple shots heard.
When they arrived at the scene, officers saw two subjects firing guns to the North and quickly fleeing into a residence. More police officers were called to the scene. The subjects eventually walked outside of the residence and were both arrested right then. These two were 35-year-old Otis Tyson and 32-year-old Dearius Brewer.
A search warrant was obtained for the residence which led to the recovery of two firearms, a .357 revolver and a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic. The Ruger was reported stolen during a burglary in Missouri.
Tyson is facing a charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm. Brewer is facing charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm, possession of a weapon by a felon, armed habitual criminal and possession of a stolen firearm.
They are both at the Sangamon County Jail and bond amount was set at $750,000.
No one was hurt when the incident happened.
Anyone with information on this incident or other crimes is encouraged to call Springfield Police at (217) 788-8311 or the Sangamon/Menard County Crime Stoppers at (217) 788-8427. | 2022-05-05T01:29:39Z | www.wcia.com | Springfield Police: 2 arrested after shots fired heard, 2 guns recovered | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-police-2-arrested-after-shots-fired-heard-2-guns-recovered/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-police-2-arrested-after-shots-fired-heard-2-guns-recovered/ |
Illinois' Mike Small named Big Ten Coach of the Year
WCIA — Illinois men’s golf is heading to the New Haven Regional as the No. 4 seed. The Illini will play the Yale Golf Course May 16-18 with the low five teams and top individual not on a qualifying team advancing to the NCAA Championships later this month in Arizona. North Carolina is the No. 1 seed at the New Haven Regional, followed by No. 2 Texas Tech and Wake Forest third. This is the 14th-straight season the Illini have qualified for the NCAA tournament.
For the second straight year, Adrien Dumont de Chassart is the Big Ten Player of the Year. The conference announced its postseason awards on Wednesday with the Illini senior winning the league’s top honor with a unanimous vote. The senior finished with a 70.15 stroke average to take the Les Bolstad Award for the lowest stroke average in the Big Ten. Dumont de Chassart finished Top 5 in seven out of the 11 tournaments he played in this season, on his way to earning First Team All-Big Ten honors.
Joining Dumont de Chassart on the first team is Morton native Tommy Kuhl, who was second on the team with a 71.85 stroke average, nearly a full stroke better than his previous season best mark.
Mike Small is the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the 12th time in his career and 11th in the last 13 years after leading the Illini to 10 Top 10 finishes in their 11 tournaments this season.
ADRIEN DUMONT DE CHASSART, ILLINOIS
HERMAN SEKNE, PURDUE
GRIFFIN BARELA, WISCONSIN | 2022-05-05T01:29:59Z | www.wcia.com | Illini men’s golf heading to New Haven Regional, Dumont de Chassart named B1G Player of the Year | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/illini-mens-golf-heading-to-new-haven-regional-dumont-de-chassart-named-b1g-player-of-the-year/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/illini-mens-golf-heading-to-new-haven-regional-dumont-de-chassart-named-b1g-player-of-the-year/ |
EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes is investigating after a man passed away in the HSHS St. Anthony Hospital emergency room.
Rhodes said the man was 46-year-old Patrick Lawless of Sparta, Ill. Initial reports indicated that Lawless was involved in a car crash in Farina, but the crash was minor and Lawless did not suffer any injuries that would’ve resulted in his death.
After the crash, Lawless walked to a short distance to friend’s house where he later collapsed. Lawless’ friend called 911 and Farina EMS transported Lawless to HSHS St. Anthony, where he ultimately died.
The Lawless family provided medical and background information to assist in the investigation and his medical records were requested from his primary doctor. Toxicology samples and x-rays were obtained by Rhodes’ office, with the toxicology results expected in two to three weeks.
Lawless’ death remains under investigation by the Effingham and Fayette County Coroners’ Offices and the Farina Police Department
(Photo courtesy of HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital’s Facebook page) | 2022-05-05T06:19:35Z | www.wcia.com | Coroner investigating after death in emergency room | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/coroner-investigating-after-death-in-emergency-room/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/coroner-investigating-after-death-in-emergency-room/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Urbana’s Market at the Square is set to return this Saturday.
The market’s organizers were forced to shorten the season and make accommodations when the pandemic hit in 2020. This year, the plan to come back in full swing for the entire season.
Market coordinator Bryan Heaton said this year’s market will look like it did in 2019.
“We’re kind of reverting back to our 2019 format,” Heaton said. “We’ll have food trucks back inside the market and a whole array of vendors and community groups and produce and baked goods all kinds of stuff.”
Heaton said that a little more than 100 vendors are scheduled to be there, slightly less than the usual 125. The season starts on Saturday and will go through October. | 2022-05-05T06:19:54Z | www.wcia.com | Farmers market returning to Urbana | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/farmers-market-returning-to-urbana/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/farmers-market-returning-to-urbana/ |
Police department holds charity drive for Chez veteran center
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A central Illinois police department held an event that allowed the community to get face time with officers when they might otherwise not be able to.
U of I Police Department Director of community development and engagement Dementro Powell said, “One of the things we’ve been trying to do is do a lot of outreach and build community with our community members.”
The U of I police department held a Cherries and Berries event to improve their goal of outreach. Other community organizations were at the event.
“We’re partnering with the different people who that are kind of around here that’s including the YMCA. The University of Illinois police department is working with different ROTCs, We have inflatables,” said Powell.
People also enjoyed food trucks, but that wasn’t the main attraction.
Powell said, “One of the biggest events or draws for the day is working with the chez center wounded veterans.”
The Chez center had a dunk tank that cost a dollar per throw. All the money raised will go to help veterans who are going to school at the U of I. They said it’s important for veterans to get the help they need – who might be disabled or simply need a little extra assistance.
Chez Center Director of Higher Education and Recruitment Garrett Anderson said, “We’re giving these services to our student veterans who have sacrificed for our country. Some to limb loss or even the unseen injuries so we’re able to offer these one-of-a-kind services to through higher ed. So they can go on and get those great careers after they leave.” He said, “These guys have given up so much of their lives. Some of them give up to the ultimate sacrifice. Sometimes we help those dependents who lost their loved one.” | 2022-05-05T06:20:00Z | www.wcia.com | Police department holds charity drive for Chez veteran center | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/police-department-holds-charity-drive-for-chez-veteran-center/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/police-department-holds-charity-drive-for-chez-veteran-center/ |
Pritzker announces $250 million in grants for small businesses
CHICAGO (WCIA) — As part of National Small Business Week, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IDCEO) announced on Wednesday that it is awarding $250 million in grants through the Back to Business (B2B) program.
More than 6500 small businesses in 475 cities were named as recipients, with 96% of the awards being given to businesses in communities that were disproportionately affected by the pandemic and to businesses in the hardest-hit industries. The full list of recipients can be viewed below.
B2BAwards by Neil Street on Scribd
“Illinois responded to the pandemic by providing $1.5 billion in economic relief for childcare providers, local government services, and so many hard-hit small businesses that shape our communities,” Pritzker said. “These are investments that preserve jobs and Main Streets and dreams. When we put our state’s fiscal house in order, we can invest taxpayer dollars in building a stronger Illinois for all who call her home.”
The grant program utilizes funding from the the American Rescue Plan Act to help small businesses recover from the economic hardships brought on by the pandemic. Grants were awarded based on a percentage of losses each business experienced and were prioritized for businesses most in need of support.
More than $250 million in funds have been released as of May 4. The list of businesses that receive grants could change if a business does not claim the grant or is an appeal is granted. Any funds from appeals or unclaimed will be awarded to other applicants. The IDCEO will maintain an up-to-date list of recipients on its website. | 2022-05-05T06:20:06Z | www.wcia.com | Pritzker announces $250 million in grants for small businesses | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/state-news/pritzker-announces-250-million-in-grants-for-small-businesses/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/state-news/pritzker-announces-250-million-in-grants-for-small-businesses/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Firefighters, police officers, and sheriff’s deputies went to an area near North Lincoln Avenue and Squire Farm Road at around 9:55 a.m. on Thursday in response to a report of a traffic crash.
Our reporter went to the reported location. When she was at the scene, she saw two ambulances left with no lights or sirens on.
The Lincoln Avenue was closed both ways.
There are no words on injuries at this time. | 2022-05-05T17:21:45Z | www.wcia.com | First responders respond to traffic crash | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/first-responders-respond-to-traffic-crash/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/first-responders-respond-to-traffic-crash/ |
We have a lot of opportunities to take in those blooms this spring. Mabery Botanical Gardens at Lake of the Woods underwent renovations these past few years resulting in just a stunning view. If you have a graduate, this would be a great spot to take those pictures. Near the end of the month, expect the blooming of the peonies at Allerton Park & Retreat Center. They don’t stay open long, so make sure to catch them in their full glory. The gardens at the Arboretum and the Japan House are always peaceful and serene, with the IDEA Garden giving inspiration on what works well in our climate.
We’re also excited to welcome back outdoor farmers markets. This weekend, Urbana’s Market at the Square returns on Saturday from 7am–noon. This is one of the largest markets in the state, filled with opportunities to get local produce, proteins, flowers, honey, cheese and plenty of other locally-made products. It’s also one of the best stops for catching up with friends and neighbors. Two weeks later, Champaign’s Market opens in downtown Champaign, happening on Tuesdays from 3-6 pm at One Main. What I love about our area markets is that we have one in the greater Champaign County area 5 days a week, so no matter when you’re doing your shopping, you’ll always have access to fresh local foods.
Live music outdoors is one of the best ways to experience our local bands and there is so much of it coming up. This Saturday, a monthly event will start in downtown Champaign—Toast to Taylor St. Block Party. This happened one time last year and was such a big success that it will now happen the first Saturday of the month through October. There will be live music and vendors on this small street, right outside Farren’s and the Blind Pig Beer Garden. Music also returns to our parks with the Champaign Park District kicking off their summer season this Saturday at Hessel Park. Stay tuned to their website for their schedule in local parks. And before I’m back in June, Friday Night Live in downtown Champaign will be back. This kicks off the first Friday in June and will be on four corners from 6-8pm every Friday night, with all local bands and a kids activity each week.
And festivals are back all over the place! The Mahomet Soda Fest is back for its second year in downtown Mahomet on June 4. This is a great family-friendly event with dozens of flavors of soda to try throughout the day alongside games, local food, and some live music. That same weekend, Arthur’s Strawberry Jam festival will be back with strawberry-themed everything including a pie eating contest.
Things only heat up from here so get ready for all of the spring and summer fun happening around our community. | 2022-05-05T22:52:59Z | www.wcia.com | Spring fun with Visit Champaign County | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/ciliving-stories/ciliving/spring-fun-with-visit-champaign-county/ | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/ciliving-stories/ciliving/spring-fun-with-visit-champaign-county/ |
Dr. Bailey Brame, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, wants pet owners to know that the signs of environmental allergies in their pet do not generally include sneezing and a runny nose like in people.
In pets, allergies may show up as skin inflammation, skin infections, and ear infections. In cats, the signs can show up as excessive grooming resulting in hair loss.
It is estimated that between 10 and 20 percent of dogs have allergies to environmental stimuli such as grasses, pollens, and dust. An environmental allergy is diagnosed after ruling out the possibility of allergies to food or fleas.
Because it’s impossible to remove grass, trees, dust, mold spores, and so on from the pet’s environment, veterinary dermatologists have treatment strategies for mediating the pet’s allergic reaction. | 2022-05-05T22:53:05Z | www.wcia.com | How allergy season can affect our pets | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/how-allergy-season-can-affect-our-pets/ | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/how-allergy-season-can-affect-our-pets/ |
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is offering a $500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior from Champaign County who is planning a career in Criminal Justice.
Applications must be completed and received by May 20, 2022 by Champaign County Crime Stoppers, P.O. Box 814, Champaign IL 61824, or scanned and emailed to 373tips@gmail.com. Applicants must include the completed application and two letters of recommendation, along with your most recent transcripts or GPA.
The Champaign County Crime Stoppers Youth Scholarship Committee will select the scholarship recipient from those applications that are fully completed and received by May 20, 2022. Once the decision is made, the Chair of the Youth Scholarship will notify the successful candidate and their high school by June 1, 2022.
The successful applicant must then notify Crime Stoppers of which college or university they intend to attend, plus the name and address of the comptroller for that college or university. Champaign County Crime Stoppers will then issue a check for $500 to the applicant’s choice of college or university, to be applied toward the recipient’s account.
The recipient and family or friends, along with a school representative will be invited and will receive a printed award at the annual luncheon for Crime Stoppers to be held in July 2022.
If you’d like to download that application, you can visit the Crime Stoppers’ webpage here. | 2022-05-05T22:53:37Z | www.wcia.com | Crime Stoppers offering $500 scholarship | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/crime-stoppers-offering-500-scholarship/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/crime-stoppers-offering-500-scholarship/ |
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) – We all continue to watch gas prices pretty closely. And in Champaign they’ve fallen by almost a nickel over the past week, but the real story is diesel prices.
They have skyrocketed to the highest level ever seen, at an average of $5.18 a gallon. That’s at least a dollar higher per gallon compared to gasoline.
That’s going to impact a lot of people, like tow trucks and semi drivers, and farmers.
“Obviously going to be a much larger expense than years past, but the current crop prices are going to help offset that by quite a bit,” Gordon Allen, a manager with East Lynn Fertilizer, said. “So, it’s an added expense, but there’s added income, it appears.”
We reached out to cities like Champaign and Urbana about this. Champaign public works said it won’t impact them in the short term because they’re already locked in on prices and bids for the year.
The city of Urbana said it is impacting them right now. They’ve already spent $35,000 more in gasoline this year compared to last. | 2022-05-05T22:53:43Z | www.wcia.com | Diesel prices are on the rise | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/diesel-prices-on-the-rise/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/diesel-prices-on-the-rise/ |
Illinois American Water ranks highest in customer satisfaction among large water utilities in Midwest
BELLEVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — May 4, 2022 – For the third year in a row, Illinois American Water has received the J.D. Power award for ranking highest in customer satisfaction among large water utilities in the Midwest, according to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study.
Illinois American Water also ranked #1 in 2021, 2020 and in the first year of the J.D. Power Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study in 2016.
Illinois American Water President Justin Ladner stated, “Our employees have a service-focused mindset and place our customers at the center of everything they do. Every day, our team strives to deliver excellent service at a good value, not for recognition, but because it is the right thing to do. To be recognized three years in a row is an incredible feeling for all of us. I am very proud of our team.”
The J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction StudySM measures satisfaction among residential customers of 90 water utilities that deliver water to at least 400,000 customers and is reported in four geographic regions and two size categories: Midwest Large, Midwest Midsize; Northeast Large, Northeast Midsize; South Large, South Midsize; West Large and West Midsize. Overall satisfaction is measured by examining 32 attributes in six factors including quality and reliability, price, conservation, billing and payment, communications and customer service.
“Delivering safe drinking water to our customers is very personal for our entire team,” said Ladner. Parents are serving our product to their children and counting on us to provide a safe, reliable product. Customers are also looking to us to deliver timely information about their service, tips on how to reduce water waste and more. We are proud of our track record and thank our customers for the confidence they place in us.”
For more information about the J.D. Power 2022 Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction StudySM, click HERE. | 2022-05-05T22:53:49Z | www.wcia.com | Illinois American Water ranks highest in customer satisfaction among large water utilities in Midwest | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/illinois-american-water-ranks-highest-in-customer-satisfaction-among-large-water-utilities-in-midwest/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/illinois-american-water-ranks-highest-in-customer-satisfaction-among-large-water-utilities-in-midwest/ |
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A 51-year-old man was recently sentenced to life in prison because of charges stemmed from a 2018 shooting and charges that he has had before the shooting.
On November 17, 2021, Dwayne K. Taylor of Springfield was found guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm, armed habitual criminal and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.
The charges arose from a shooting that happened on Bradley Court in May, 2018, in Springfield. Taylor was on parole at the time of the offense. Prior to the trial, State’s Attorney Dan Wright filed a notice of his intent to seek a mandatory natural life sentence pursuant to the Illinois Habitual Criminal Law.
Taylor’s adult criminal history includes the following (prior to the 2018 shooting):
– Robbery (1990, Cook County)
– Armed robbery (1992, Cook County)
– Various drug convictions between 1996 and 2004 in Cook County
– Possession of a controlled substance (2016, Sangamon County)
Officials said Taylor has served various sentences in the Department of Corrections prior to the 2018 shooting.
During the trial, the State’s Attorney’s office presented a series of telephone calls made by Taylor from prison, requesting various third parties to take steps on the outside to influence witnesses.
The victim did not testify at the trial.
As a result of Taylor’s criminal history, he was sentenced to life in prison.
State’s Attorney Dan Wright stated, “The Defendant’s life of crime will end in prison. He is a perfect example of the critical need to preserve the ability of law enforcement to remove violent criminals from our communities and detain them behind bars where they cannot harm law-abiding citizens.” | 2022-05-05T22:53:55Z | www.wcia.com | Man sentenced to life in prison | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-to-prison/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-to-prison/ |
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