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URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The workers union representing service workers at the University of Illinois has filed a lawsuit against the university’s Board of Trustees, alleging members’ constitutional rights have been violated.
Representatives of Service Employees International Union Local 73 said that three U of I employees were denied requests to speak during a Board meeting by Board Secretary Greg Knott. In an email to these employees, Knott said their requests were denied because they were speaking to issues under negotiation as part of the university’s collective bargaining process.
The union views this as a violation of the employees’ rights afforded to them by the First and Fourteenth Amendment and a violation of the Open Meetings Act.
“When I requested to speak to the Board, I specifically stated I wanted to speak on the state of labor relations,” said Mike Lindley, service worker and Union Steward. “It’s clear the university is not interested in even hearing about the impact their decisions have on essential workers, let alone actually doing something about it.”
The filing of this lawsuit is the latest development in the union’s attempts to reach an agreement with the university regarding a new labor contract. The current contract expires in August and so far, negotiations have made little progress. The union is currently voting whether or not to authorize a strike. Union leaders said the vote will wrap up this weekend, with the results being announced early next week; they believe a strike will be authorized. | 2022-05-05T22:54:13Z | www.wcia.com | Service workers’ union sues U of I Board of Trustees | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/service-workers-union-sues-u-of-i-board-of-trustees/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/service-workers-union-sues-u-of-i-board-of-trustees/ |
Lane closing in Urbana for tree removal
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Urbana will be reducing two roads to one lane next week as crews remove a tree from the side of the road.
Weather permitting, the westbound lanes at the merge of Perkins and Brownfield Roads will close at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Flagmen will control traffic in both direction from that time until 1 p.m. when the tree removal is expected to be complete.
Drivers are encouraged to drive carefully through the area.
(Photo courtesy of the City of Urbana) | 2022-05-05T22:54:19Z | www.wcia.com | Lane closing in Urbana for tree removal | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/lane-closing-in-urbana-for-tree-removal/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/lane-closing-in-urbana-for-tree-removal/ |
ARCOLA (WCIA) — Beau Edwards is the WCIA 3 Athlete of the Week. Edwards is four sport athlete throughout his career at Arcola Jr. Sr. High School.
The senior football, basketball, baseball and track star recently broke the school record in the 3200 meter run. He now holds three Purple Riders track records in the 3200, 1600 and 800. He is also hitting .353 in baseball with a team low ERA on the mound.
“It sucks that it’s coming to an end, but it’s definitely cool that I am going out like this,” Edwards said. “Going out with, hopefully four maybe records in track and going from a losing season last year in baseball to a winning season in baseball is pretty cool.”
Edwards 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/#// | 2022-05-05T22:54:45Z | www.wcia.com | Edwards wins Athlete of the Week | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/edwards-wins-athlete-of-the-week/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/edwards-wins-athlete-of-the-week/ |
Central Illinois high school ranks 65 at the state level
MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s bragging rights for a central Illinois school.
Mahomet-Seymour High School has been named one by U.S. News as of the top 100 high schools in the state. It’s not the first time they’ve been on this list; they’ve been on it several times before. This year, Mahomet-Seymour is ranked 63rd out of 677 Illinois schools.
Superintendent Lindsey Hall said she is so proud of the achievement. She said they continue to place high because of the work everyone puts in.
“To be publicly honored in this way, it’s a nice thank you and honor to everybody,” Hall said. “It’s a team effort, no one does this alone and a lot of hard work and certainly, I want to thank our students because they are the ones that are working so hard and doing all the heavy lifting.”
The school was graded on six different topics like graduation rates and A.P. scores.
The next highest ranked school in central Illinois was Tri-Valley High School in Downs which was ranked 72.
Champaign Central was ranked 117. | 2022-05-06T01:16:27Z | www.wcia.com | Central Illinois high school ranks 65 at the state level | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/central-illinois-high-school-ranks-65-at-the-state-level/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/central-illinois-high-school-ranks-65-at-the-state-level/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office have announced that one person was killed in a crash on Lincoln Avenue Thursday morning.
The crash happened on North Lincoln Avenue near the intersection with Squire Farm Road at 9:53 a.m. Officials said their investigation indicated that 27-year-old Jonathan J. Davis of Rantoul lost control of his GMC Yukon, which crossed into the southbound lane and was hit by an Illini FS tanker truck on the passenger side. Both vehicles crashed into the roadside ditch.
Davis was extricated from the Yukon and was taken to the Emergency Department of Carle Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:50 a.m. Northrup said Davis died from the traumatic injuries he sustained in the crash. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
Davis’ children were also in the Yukon at the time of the crash and were taken to Carle with “only very minor” injuries. The driver and only occupant of the tanker, a 60-year-old man, was also taken to Carle with minor injuries.
The crash remains under investigation by Northrup’s office and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office. | 2022-05-06T01:16:33Z | www.wcia.com | Coroner: One dead in crash on Lincoln Avenue | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/coroner-one-dead-in-crash-on-lincoln-avenue/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/coroner-one-dead-in-crash-on-lincoln-avenue/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In honor of Mother’s Day, we are re-airing the stories of when I found my birth mother ten years ago. The year before that, in 2011, the law changed in Illinois that let thousands of people who are adopted see their original birth certificate. Thousands took advantage of it, including me.
My journey first started at an orphanage in Chicago. Five weeks after I was born, the Roscoes took me home. We were your typical suburban family. There were holidays, vacations, and birthdays, but we also celebrated adoption days.
I asked my mom how she came up with that idea.
“I don’t know. It was special,” she told me. “The birthday was fine but I wasn’t there for your birthday. We thought we would celebrate the day you came into our lives.”
I was happy and never felt like life was missing something. But in the back of my mind, I always wondered, ‘Where did I get my brown hair, blue eyes and type-A personality?'”
I had the chance to fill in the blanks with the new law. I got my birth certificate and saw my birth mother’s name for the first time. An internet search and one call led me to her phone number.
It was amazingly easy. The moment I had pictured for years was here. I went into the conference room at work not knowing what I was going to say. I took a breath, dialed and a woman answered.
I said, “Are you Leslie Parro?”
“I think I might be related to you.”
“Did you have a baby on April 3, 1971?”
“I’m pretty sure you’re my mom.”
There was silence.
“It’s like I lost my breath,” she said. “I mean it was like I just sucked in all the air in the whole house because I’ve always wanted that day to come and here it is and I was unprepared for it. I just didn’t know what else to say.”
I was stunned too. At that moment, we both just started sobbing. I think it was probably thirty seconds before either of us could say anything. I finally got out the words I had wanted to say for decades.
“I just wanted you to know you made the right decision and a good decision and I had a good life and that was the first thing that I wanted to say was thank you for making that decision and it couldn’t have been easy,” I told her.
“For 41 years, the most important thing on my mind about you was exactly that,” she responded. “When you said you had a good life, that was all my prayers. That’s what I wanted. That you would have that life.”
I asked her about having to make the decision to give your child over to someone else. Her answer was something I can imagine all birth mothers feel.
“It’s the hardest thing a mom would ever do, but if you love a child, which I did for nine months. I would talk to you,” she said. “I had no life to give you. So in a way, it was an easy decision. I didn’t have a future that I could provide for you. I could love you but you can’t get by on just that. It was important to do that for you. And to me that was my way of showing you I loved you.”
It was the greatest gift that she could have given me. | 2022-05-06T01:16:52Z | www.wcia.com | Jennifer’s journey to finding her birth mother | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/jennifers-journey-to-finding-her-birth-mother/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/jennifers-journey-to-finding-her-birth-mother/ |
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Illinois men’s basketball have been hitting the ground running this off season.
With only a small amount of returners left for the team, they are using this time to get one-on-one workouts.
For Baylor transfer, Dain Dainja, it’s a chance to get to continue to improve with his teammates. Dain had to sit last season. He was ineligible after playing three games at Baylor, but now the former top 100 recruit is preparing to take on a bigger role this upcoming season. The 6-foot 9 inch 270 pound forward says he’s excited to show Illini nation what he can do.
“I feel like I really can do everything for the team, you know,” Dain Dainja said. “Pass, score, rebound, give energy, be a leader. That’s one of the things I really want to improve on is just being a leader, being more vocal for the team.”
Kofi Cockburn is entering the NBA draft, so Dain does have the opportunity to step up as the big man down low. Dain said he learned a lot from guarding Kofi at practices. He said the little things, like footwork, he learned from Kofi has helped him improve his game. | 2022-05-06T03:27:10Z | www.wcia.com | Illinois basketball’s Dain Dainja wants to step up as leader this season | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illinois-basketballs-dain-dainja-wants-to-step-up-as-leader-this-season/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illinois-basketballs-dain-dainja-wants-to-step-up-as-leader-this-season/ |
Former school district administrator sentenced, drawn-out eavesdropping case closed
Defense questions school board’s unchecked, apparent violation of Illinois Open Meetings Act
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — After nearly four years, an attempted eavesdropping case involving a former Urbana school administrator came to a close with a bench trial and immediate sentencing, lasting less than an hour Thursday morning at the Champaign County Courthouse.
Former Urbana Assistant Superintendant Samuel Byndom was ordered to 90 days of court supervision for attempting to eavesdrop on an Urbana Board of Education meeting in October 2018. Byndom will also be required to complete 30 hours of community service and pay a $1,500 fine.
Judge Benjamin Dyer noted “his conduct has already cost him his job, has damaged his reputation” before handing down the ruling.
The case dates back to a school board meeting on October 28, 2018, when prosecutors say Byndom used a concealed voice-activated recorder pen to try to record at least a portion of a closed school board meeting without consent. Illinois law requires consent from every person who was in that room for a recording to be legal.
“Despite my intention of wanting to bring to light and expose elements that I thought were unjust within the school district, there were much better ways to go about that,” Byndom said addressing the judge.
“I deeply regret and feel as though this is something that would never happen again.”
At the time of the eavesdropping charge, then superintendent Don Owen was under fire in the community after rolling out a new disciplinary policy.
Tina Whobrey was a teacher in the Urbana school district back then. She said she also worked with the district as a consultant years prior and taught in Champaign before eventually returning to Urbana as a teacher in 2017. Whobrey is also the parent of an Urbana student and the lone spectator in Thursday’s courtroom, filled with emotion as she recalled her days with the district in 2018.
“There was clear data that our kids were not being served by our school district,” she said in support of Owen’s updated policy.
“The level of pushback against a system that would benefit all of our students was enraging.”
Owen and Byndom were placed on leave following the October board meeting, and eventually, became two of three top administrators replaced by the end of 2018.
Byndom’s attorney Steve Beckett said his client’s employment was being called into question during a closed session at a late September board meeting.
“And not only was it not recorded, they didn’t even create minutes of the meeting,” Beckett said, referring to an apparent violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.
Prosecuting attorney Troy Lozar said he “believes the school board was required” to record that meeting.
In an email response Thursday, Urbana Board of Education President Paul Poulosky said, “The closed session meeting on September 24, 2018 was inadvertently not recorded. We thought the device was turned on, and it wasn’t. No action was performed by the board at the conclusion of that meeting.”
Poulosky was not at the helm in 2018. The president at the time was John Dimit, who presided over the board for 33 years, according to his website.
Beckett claimed the board’s failure to record at least a portion of the September meeting is “what led to this.
The defense claimed Byndom “expected to be called to the October 28, 2018 closed session meeting, and was concerned this would make him complicit in a violation of the open meetings action…” The text can be found in a denied Motion in Limine filed on January 5, 2022, far exceeding the statute of limitations for any violation of the Open Meetings Act.
Beckett says Byndom never filed an official complaint with the Illinois Attorney General’s office.
Lozar declined to go on camera Thursday but told reporters that the defense’s claim “attempts to point the fingers at others.” In a January 6 response to the defendant’s Motion in Limine, Lozar said this case was a “relatively simpler question” of whether Byndom eavesdropped.
The defense has called this case “spy versus spy,” referring to the district IT employee who reported the original Email that exposed Byndom for allegedly purchasing the recorder pen. Going on three years into the case, two Motion to Suppress hearings were held at the defense’s request. The court denied the suppression of evidence found in a search of the defendant’s Email, but granted the suppression of anything found on Byndom’s Google Drive that was “never on the [school district’s] network.”
Judge Dyer wrote in the April 21, 2021 Order that any search of Byndom’s Google Drive was “the product of an unreasonable search by a government actor in an investigatory capacity.”
Lozar said this case has been “a long road,” requiring a “significant investment” of resources. After the conclusion Thursday, he said Byndom had to see some consequence for a “significant violation of privacy.”
The board did “not have a comment on the disposition of Dr. Byndom’s case,” Poulosky said in his email.
Owen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Beckett said he will try to get Byndom’s record expunged, but that could take a couple of years. | 2022-05-06T05:33:20Z | www.wcia.com | Former school district administrator sentenced, drawn-out eavesdropping case closed | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/former-school-district-administrator-sentenced-drawn-out-eavesdropping-case-closed/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/former-school-district-administrator-sentenced-drawn-out-eavesdropping-case-closed/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s an event for women, by women and supported by women. The 8th annual Power of the Purse event was held on Thursday in Champaign.
Nearly 350 women gathered to support other women and families in the community by auctioning off purses. It’s a partnership with United Way and it helped raise more than $500,000 for the community in the form of scholarships and housing.
“It just feels so good to gather as friends as people who care about others in the community and have a little fun,” said Sue Grey, president and CEO of United Way of Champaign County. “It’s a party with a purpose.”
Thursday’s event was the first time United Way held the event since 2019. | 2022-05-06T05:33:26Z | www.wcia.com | Power of the Purse | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/power-of-the-purse/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/power-of-the-purse/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — There are some in our local homeless population who feel hopelessness and spend their days hesitant to pursue a career. However, there’s a program that allows them to put their time and hands to good use. It’s called C-U at Work, a partnership with C-U at Home and the City of Champaign Township.
The program, which was formed in 2018, started as a trash abatement and neighborhood beautification project. But over time, the need to feed our communities also sprouted. That’s why today, it serves as a farm-to-table opportunity. Workers in the program cultivate the same produce that goes to mobile and farmers markets. In 2021, nine of them produced over 10,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce for the community.
“It’s a blessing for the city because a lot of our food is grown in our community, these guys grow it. Then it goes to our farmer’s market where our community’s eating the food. They have a hand in all that the guys that are growing it. I think it’s a huge blessing for them and for the community,” says Steven Harper, the Housing and Outreach Coordinator at C-U at Home.
Due to the success of the program, C-U at Work expanded to a second location this year. With 40 additional raised beds, the outreach to the homeless and the hungry will be fulfilled. That second “farm” is located on North Street in the Beardsley Park Neighborhood. The first site is located on 1st Street with 30 raised beds.
The workers in the program are not only learning urban farming, but they’re earning a minimum wage and putting their skills on display. It could come in handy for future careers. Something the nine month program hopes to see come into fruition by the end. Participants must show they’re working towards housing as well.
“A lot of it is just being idle around town. You’re out of the shelter for some part of the day and so a lot of that is wandering the streets. It’s wonderful that with this program we’ve been able to develop something that gives people a great purpose. At the same time, it also gives individuals the ability to use their skills,” says Nicole Musumeci with the City of Champaign Township and Coordinator for the Prosperity Gardens.
The Prosperity Gardens are what the urban farming sites are actually coined as. But the purpose behind them is all the same, to improve the lives of the workers in the program as they try to do the same for the city. As a member of that program, Eric Habing agrees that this benefits all who are involved in such positive ways.
Normally, the workers in the program are involved with C-U at Home’s Phoenix Day Center and Men’s Shelter. After being in the program only a year, Habing says that was plenty of time to see the impact.
“The beds sat empty here for a couple years and it beautifies the neighborhood. The guys get to work individually towards something positive and they get to earn a little money. I think as they’re kind of getting some of them back on their feet, it puts them in a positive frame of mind. So I think it’s a win for everybody.”
To learn more about the C-U at Work program, click here.
You can learn more about and support C-U at Home by clicking here. | 2022-05-06T17:41:03Z | www.wcia.com | Community Counts: “C-U at Work” Program | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/the-morning-show/community-counts-c-u-at-work-program/ | https://www.wcia.com/the-morning-show/community-counts-c-u-at-work-program/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Three people were hurt after a shooting happened on South Oakland Avenue early Friday morning.
Decatur Police were dispatched to the parking lot of Lock Stock & Barrel at around 1:35 a.m. in response to a report of numerous shots fired.
When police arrived at the scene, they found multiple shell casings throughout the parking lot. Officers later learned that at the same time that they were on scene, three Decatur residents arrived at local hospitals with gunshot wounds.
According to police, two victims were treated and are in stable condition but the third victim is in critical condition.
Decatur Police arrested two people, an 18-year-old male Decatur resident and a 35-year-old male Decatur resident. The 18-year-old is facing charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. The 35-year-old is facing charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm and possession of a weapon by a felon.
Both subjects were booked into the Macon County Jail.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Decatur Police at (217) 424-2734 or Macon County Crime Stoppers at (217) 423-8477
Sweets in the Streets: Come get your candy and more! | 2022-05-06T19:47:02Z | www.wcia.com | Decatur Police: 3 people hurt after shooting, 2 in custody | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-police-3-people-hurt-after-shooting-2-in-custody/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-police-3-people-hurt-after-shooting-2-in-custody/ |
PEORIA, Ill. (WCIA) — Edison middle school scholastic bowl coach Zach Cain is encouraging his team to “take the moment in,” and for good reason, as they prepare for the state championships at the Peoria Civic Center on Friday.
The seven-man team is like a “little family” and an “awesome bunch,” according to Cain. The team consists of five eighth-graders, one seventh-grader and one sixth-grader, which makes for a substantially smaller roster than they’ve had in past years.
Furthermore, this team is the first scholastic bowl team Edison has ever even had make it out of regionals in their past nine years of existence.
Out of 390 teams that have competed from across the state, just eight remain as Edison attempts to bring home the championship hardware.
According to Cain, this state appearance is also particularly special due to the team finally being able to compete in-person after attempting to go virtual the past two years due to the pandemic.
Cain said that in scholastic bowl, “any given day, anyone can win,” however, he is proud of his team’s historic performance thus far.
Pool play begins at 1 pm for Edison and there are two other matches scheduled later in the afternoon.
Photo Courtesy: Edison Middle School | 2022-05-06T19:47:08Z | www.wcia.com | Edison middle school scholastic bowl team competing at State | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/edison-middle-school-scholastic-bowl-team-competing-at-state/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/edison-middle-school-scholastic-bowl-team-competing-at-state/ |
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers is looking for an individual that embodies the crime-fighting spirit of former board member and WCIA anchor Dave Benton. That Champaign County resident would receive the “Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award.”
In a news release, Crime Stoppers officials said, “The intent is to recognize an individual who has made a difference in the fight against crime.” They went on to say the winner must have been involved in some ongoing program “that helped to stop a crime, solve a case, or made a big difference in resolving a dangerous situation that made a neighborhood, community or the whole of Champaign County safer.”
The award will be presented during the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors, according to officials. That will happen in July. You must have nominations in by June 1. You can fill out your nominations online.
In addition to being presented with the award, the winner will get $500, a framed certificate and their name on a plaque. | 2022-05-06T21:44:31Z | www.wcia.com | Crime Stoppers looking for ‘Dave Benton Crime Fighter Award’ winner | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/crime-stoppers-looking-for-dave-benton-crime-fighter-award-winner/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/crime-stoppers-looking-for-dave-benton-crime-fighter-award-winner/ |
I was so nervous walking up the door. I really thought I was going to throw up. Waiting for someone to answer felt like an eternity. But then my new sister, Erin, opened the door. It was incredible and the new family kept coming. I met my brother Eric, his wife Any, and their son Noah. My moms hugged and then finally it was THE moment. There she was, the woman who gave me my blue eyes, thick hair and a “I can do it” attitude. There were pictures, gifts and many “Thank you’s.” It was a life-changing day, made even better by the fact that the mom who raised me was there to witness it all.
And that’s what amazes everyone with this story, how my adoptive mom reacted to all of this.
As she put it, “It’s something you needed to find out. It’s your life. It’s your history. How can I not share in the joy that you have and the wonderful story of finding your birth mother and it being a happy ending?”
My happy ending are my two moms who are now best friends. Our celebrations are now spent with our Bonus Family and my moms also get together without me all the time. I wouldn’t be me without either of them. Maybe the new law will mean others can have their happy ending too.
My Bonus Mom said it best, “It really can just fill up all the spaces and give you an opportunity to have one more person in your life who will love you because I don’t think there are any birth parents out there who don’t love their children who were adopted. I hope that people who see this go ‘I’m going to take a risk.’ You can’t do things without risk but it can also be an incredibly beautiful story.”
If you are adopted and are interested in getting your birth certificate, you can start here. I hope your story turns out as well as mine did. | 2022-05-06T21:44:49Z | www.wcia.com | Jennifer’s Journey: The long-awaited meeting | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/jennifers-journey-the-long-awaited-meeting/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/jennifers-journey-the-long-awaited-meeting/ |
VERMILION COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after he forced his entry to his estranged wife’s house, hit her and her family with a bat.
Man found guilty of hurting estranged wife and family
On March 9, Donald Langston was found guilty of six counts of home invasion and two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. On this date, a Vermilion County Jury heard evidence that on February 7, 2020, Langston went to his estranged wife’s new house armed with a bat and a bb gun, forced his way in and attacked her and her family.
It was reported that Langston struck his estranged wife in the head with the bat. He also hit other people who were inside the house. These people suffered injuries to the head and body. Langston then chased his estranged wife out of her home and attacked her again. He fled when police arrived at the scene.
Langston was sentenced to 20 years in prison on the counts of home invasion. He must serve the sentence at 85 percent. He was also sentenced to five years in prison on the counts of aggravated battery. The five-year sentence must be served consecutive to the home-invasion sentence and is to be served at 50 percent. | 2022-05-06T21:44:55Z | www.wcia.com | Man sentenced to prison after hitting estranged wife and her family with a bat | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-to-prison-after-hitting-estranged-wife-and-her-family-with-a-bat/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-to-prison-after-hitting-estranged-wife-and-her-family-with-a-bat/ |
Vermilion County, Ill. (WCIA)
Vermilion Advantage provides strategic leadership on critical business issues — leading economic development, anticipating and responding to members’ needs, addressing quality of life issues and providing a network of information and business contacts — advocating the pursuit of opportunities to strengthen the local economy and business environment
May chamber events:
5/12/2022 – Business After Hours at Turtle Run Golf Club
5/18/2022 – Young Professionals Network at Sleep Inn & Suites with food from Jimmy Johns
5/25/2022 – Business and Networking Luncheon
Other dates to note:
We are working with Danville District 118 to provide signs for graduation promoting jobs that are available to the graduates. If you would like to be involved with that, please send us an email today. We have to have the final list on Monday.
The Downtown Danville First Friday event in June is the Summer Bash. Vermilion Advantage is setting up a jobs fair. If you are a Vermilion Advantage member, it is free for you to set up. If you are not a member, there is a $25 per space fee due to the City of Danville.
Vermilion Advantage
15 N Walnut St
http://www.vermilionadvantage.com
https://www.facebook.com/VermilionAdvantage | 2022-05-06T23:38:06Z | www.wcia.com | Summer Bash in downtown Danville with Vermilion Advantage | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/summer-bash-in-downtown-danville-with-vermilion-advantage/ | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/summer-bash-in-downtown-danville-with-vermilion-advantage/ |
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) – The Supreme Court Draft opinion on Roe v. Wade was leaked on Monday. Now, across the country, legal experts and health care providers are looking at implications the decision could have on things other than abortion access.
We’re hearing of students scrambling to get health care and birth control before heading home for the summer.
Many students who go to school here may not live here. They’re worried when they go home to places like Kentucky or Missouri, it could be difficult to get birth control if Roe is overturned.
Legal experts said the effects of the decision wouldn’t stop at just abortion access. Contraception could be next. That’s because the right to privacy isn’t explicitly outlined in the constitution.
Several cases like Roe v Wade have established different privacy laws. Especially when it comes to reproductive rights.
Griswold v. Connecticut first established the right to use birth control. If it’s overturned, other cases that established rights to privacy could be next, down the road, but Planned Parenthood of Illinois said they’re ready.
“There’s a lot of fear out there about what will happen. If I live in a state where abortion care is no longer legal, or down the line where birth control is no longer legal, can I come to Illinois even if I don’t live in the state? And the answer is absolutely yes,” Paula Thornton-Greear, Chief External Affairs Officer with Planned Parenthood of Illinois, said. “Rest assured that we’re going to be here for you. Our doors are open and they’re going to stay open.”
Planned parenthood of Illinois said they’ve increased capacity to make sure they can give everyone the care they need.
We’re talking about a lot of ifs, again, the leaked opinion is a draft. The decision could change, and it won’t be final until it’s published.
Plus, changes to laws like birth control access wouldn’t happen right away either. | 2022-05-06T23:38:24Z | www.wcia.com | Further implications if Roe v. Wade is overturned | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/further-implications-to-if-roe-v-wade-is-overturned/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/further-implications-to-if-roe-v-wade-is-overturned/ |
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Illinois State Police said Javier Aguirre is considered a danger to himself and others and under no circumstances should he be approached.
UPDATE: State Police no longer looking for central Illinois man escaped hospital transport
On Wednesday, at around 11:20 p.m., Javier Aguirre, a 47-year-old man from Hoopeston, escaped from a hospital transport van on I-39 near milepost 28 in Minonk (Woodford County).
A search of the area was completed by ISP Air Operations and ISP K9 units but they had no success in locating him. The Illinois State Police has partnered with local county officials to distribute “Missing Endangered” flyers. Addition uniformed police officers were in the area where Aguirre was last seen and in surrounding areas.
ISP said they will update the public as soon as Aguirre is located. In the meantime, they are asking the public to call ISP Zone 4 at (309) 693-5015 if there is any information about Aguirre’s whereabouts. | 2022-05-06T23:38:30Z | www.wcia.com | ISP releases public safety announcement on central Illinois man | https://www.wcia.com/news/isp-releases-public-safety-announcement-on-central-illinois-man-who-escaped-hospital-transport/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/isp-releases-public-safety-announcement-on-central-illinois-man-who-escaped-hospital-transport/ |
GIBSON CITY (WCIA) — Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley football is being honored by the Chicago Bears for the NFL team’s Community High School All-Star Award.
The Falcons are one of nine recipients around the state. The team rallied together in the Fall after Gibson City was hit by a devastating flood. The Bears are donating $250 to both the Gibson City American Legion and Gibson City Shriner’s Club in their honor. | 2022-05-06T23:38:42Z | www.wcia.com | Chicago Bears honor GCMS football team | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/high-school-sports/chicago-bears-honor-gcms-football-team/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/high-school-sports/chicago-bears-honor-gcms-football-team/ |
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Illini baseball is the oldest sport at the University of Illinois, with records going back to 1879. On Saturday afternoon, head coach Dan Hartleb has the chance to do something only seen once before in program history: 500 career wins.
Hartleb is in his 17th season at Illinois, and has been in charge of one of the best eras of Illinois baseball. The head coach has won 61 percent of his games over the last nine seasons. Hartleb says 499 wins has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with his players and staff.
“I’ve been really fortunate to be at one place for a long time,” Hartleb said. “I’ve had a lot of great players. I haven’t won any games, the players go out and they play hard and they find ways to win. I’ve had a great group of assistants over the years and we’ve had great support from the university and so by winning those number games, I think it means you have great support, great people around you.”
Illinois is getting over a rocky start to the 2022 season, and has recently clicked for third place in the Big Ten with a 12-6 conference record.
Here are the leaders for career wins as Illinois head coach:
1) Lee Eilbracht (518 wins)
2) Dan Hartleb (499 wins)
3) Itch Jones (474 wins) | 2022-05-07T01:22:45Z | www.wcia.com | LIVE: Hartleb on verge of win No. 500 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/live-hartleb-looks-for-win-no-500/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/live-hartleb-looks-for-win-no-500/ |
MT. ZION, Ill. (WCIA) – A Mt. Zion park has been vandalized and police are asking for your help to track down the vandals.
They say someone damaged an air-conditioning unit at Fletcher Park Recreation Center. It’ll cost about $10,000 to make repairs. One woman who walks through the park “all the time” said she was surprised about what happened.
“Honestly it’s heartbreaking because it’s a nice facility that’s been built for us to use. Whether it be little kids or teenagers [who] come through here and just tear it up,” Jaycie Higar said.
In the past few weeks, the men’s bathroom has also been vandalized at least twice. | 2022-05-07T04:47:19Z | www.wcia.com | Mt. Zion park vandalized, damages exceed $10,000 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/mt-zion-park-vandalized-damages-exceed-10000/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/mt-zion-park-vandalized-damages-exceed-10000/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) – A Decatur teacher and coach was hurt in a car accident last week. Her school and community are now coming together to help her heal.
“They realize there’s something serious happening but there is a hopefulness among the students for sure,” Fr. Michael Trummer, chaplain at St. Teresa High School said.
Amber Johnson’s friends, family and co-workers gathered to pray for her recovery Friday. Colleagues all say the same thing about Johnson – that teaching is more than a job to her. She’s loved by her students and community, and they just want to see her recover.
“I know that everyone’s praying, but it’s just a chance for us to come pray together as a community and we believe as Christians that there’s power when we come together in our prayers,” Fr. Trummer said.
Johnson is a theology teacher and track coach. She was leaving a track meet last Friday night when her car was struck. Since then, she’s been in the hospital with severe injuries.
“Monday was a somber atmosphere. The students definitely all came together. We in theology classes all said the prayer that Fr. Trummer had sent out to us,” campus minister and fellow theology teacher Mandy Hoffman said.
Assistant Principal Jennifer Brummer said one prayer that was posted to their school’s Facebook page reached over 45,000 people. That’s just one of the many ways people are supporting Johnson and her family through this difficult time.
“We all could only wish that we would have the outpouring of support that she has but she has earned that in the kind of person that she is,” Brummer said.
They say she’s strong, selfless, and someone they all look up to.
“She’s a role model for all of us. I’m 20 years older than she is but I learn from her every day just like her students learn from her every day,” Brummer said.
People have already raised over $70,000 for Johnson’s medical expenses. A Facebook page called “Amber’s Army” says she’s been showing signs of improvement.
“To me, that is a huge testament to not only Amber but to our community. She is receiving the love that she has given to everyone,” Bummer said.
She said she’s certain Johnson knows how much they all care about her, and it’s easy to see the love she has for them too.
“You can just really tell – she really pours her heart into it. It’s not just a job; it’s not just about making money. It’s about making an impact on people,” Fr. Trummer said.
Colleagues say they’re selling Amber’s Army t-shirts in orange and blue – the schools colors. They’ve already hit almost 900 orders.
According to the Amber’s Army Facebook page, a benefit account has been set up at Prairie State Bank and Trust. The post reads: “Amber’s family and friends cannot even begin to express their amount of gratitude to each and every one of you for the unceasing prayers, donations and the amount of support provided. This community of Amber’s Army is absolutely amazing.” | 2022-05-07T04:47:25Z | www.wcia.com | Parish steps up to support teacher after car crash | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/parish-steps-up-to-support-teacher-after-car-crash/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/parish-steps-up-to-support-teacher-after-car-crash/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Firefighters were dispatched to a location on South 16th Street at around 7:05 a.m. on Saturday in response to a report of smoke coming from the windows of a residence.
When fire crews arrived at the scene, they saw black smoke and found a fire in the kitchen area inside the residence.
Occupants talked to the firefighters and said everyone was out but there were cats and a dog still inside.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and rescued five cats and a dog.
Four people were displaced at this time. No one was hurt.
Photo courtesy: Facebook page of Springfield Fire Fighters Local 37. | 2022-05-07T18:43:07Z | www.wcia.com | Firefighters respond to morning fire, rescue cats and dog | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/firefighters-respond-to-morning-fire-rescue-cats-and-dog/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/firefighters-respond-to-morning-fire-rescue-cats-and-dog/ |
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A woman died in a traffic crash that happened on I-74 early Saturday morning.
Illinois State Police District 10 Troopers were dispatched to I-74 westbound at milepost 197, near Ogden in Champaign County, at around 5:35 a.m. in response to a report of a single-vehicle crash.
The car involved in the crash was determined as a 2011 Silver Dodge Sedan.
A preliminary investigation indicates that a Champaign woman was traveling westbound on I-74 at milepost 197, near Ogden in Champaign County. For unknown reasons, her car left the roadway to the right and struck a tree stump. The car then overturned multiple times before coming to rest in a field. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead on scene by the Champaign County coroner. | 2022-05-07T21:19:55Z | www.wcia.com | ISP: Woman killed in car crash on I-74 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/isp-woman-killed-in-car-crash-on-i-74/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/isp-woman-killed-in-car-crash-on-i-74/ |
URBANA (WCIA) — Avery Steiner’s two-run double in the bottom of the sixth propelled Illinois softball to 4-3 win over Penn State in Game One of a doubleheader Saturday, before falling to the Nittany Lions in Game Two.
Sydney Sickels was dominant in the circle, striking out 12 batters while going the distance. Delaney Rummell started the rally in the sixth with a lead-off single to the right side, before the bases were loaded for Steiner with two outs.
The Illini host the rubber match at Eichelberger Field on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. | 2022-05-07T23:39:37Z | www.wcia.com | Illini softball split doubleheader with Penn State | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illini-softball-split-doubleheader-with-penn-state/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illini-softball-split-doubleheader-with-penn-state/ |
SAVOY, Ill. (WCIA) – One Champaign County nonprofit wants to help people with autism feel welcome in the community. They celebrated Saturday with their eleventh annual walk and resource fair at the Savoy Recreation Center.
CU Autism Network says a core part of their mission is spreading awareness and acceptance of autism. But, they say it’s also important to provide people on the spectrum with resources, support, education and more. That’s what Saturday was all about.
“It’s an opportunity for people in our community to get to know others with autism, people in our autism community to see the resources we have available… and it just provides a safe and sensory-friendly space for our kiddos and adults on the spectrum,” Vice President Julie Duvall said.
More than 30 different organizations came out to the resource fair. They say they want to bring people together in a non-judgmental way, so they host several events throughout the year to do that. The next will be a tailgate fundraiser in the fall. | 2022-05-08T01:54:23Z | www.wcia.com | CU Autism Network gathers for 11th annual walk & resource fair | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/cu-autism-network-gathers-for-11th-annual-walk-resource-fair/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/cu-autism-network-gathers-for-11th-annual-walk-resource-fair/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A 20-year-old Decatur man has died following a shooting Saturday night.
Officers responded to the area of North Witt and East William Streets at 10 p.m. for a report of multiple shots being fired. When they arrived, they found the man in an alley off William with an apparent gunshot wound. They immediately rendered medical aid and sent the man to a local hospital, but the man died from his injury.
Decatur Police detectives are investigating and so far, no one has been arrested. Anyone with information about this shooting is encouraged to call the Decatur Police Department at 217-424-2734 or Crime Stoppers at 217-423-8477. | 2022-05-08T18:22:52Z | www.wcia.com | Decatur Police: Man killed in overnight shooting | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-police-man-killed-in-overnight-shooting/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-police-man-killed-in-overnight-shooting/ |
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The Vermilion County Health Department will be hosting a free electronic recycling collection event next Saturday for Vermilion County residents.
The event will take place in the north parking lot of Danville Area Community College on May 14 between 9 and 11 a.m. People are encouraged to bring broken, obsolete or unwanted TVs, computer monitors and other electronic items so they can be recycled. However, only a maximum of four TVs or monitors will be accepted per resident.
As a reminder, it is illegal in Illinois for electronic products such as TVs, computers, monitors, DVD players, fax machines and MP3 players to be disposed of in landfills.
“We are happy to work with residents to properly recycle these types of electronics in an environmentally safe and responsible manner,” said Public Health Administrator Douglas Toole. “By doing so, many materials will be reused in the manufacturing of new products and potentially harmful chemicals will be diverted from landfills.”
The event is open to Vermilion County residents only and proof of residency will be checked at the event.
The following items will also be accepted at the event:
Cable boxes
Computers and computer peripherals (keyboards and mice)
Printers and copiers
DVD players and VCRs
PDAs
Alternatively, these items can be taken to either Bryant or Mervis Industries in Danville during normal operating hours. | 2022-05-08T18:22:58Z | www.wcia.com | Health department hosting electronic recycling event | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/health-department-hosting-electronic-recycling-event/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/health-department-hosting-electronic-recycling-event/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Do you or someone you know have a child in Decatur? If so, there is a one-stop-shop coming up for those looking to register their children for summer programs.
On May 19, Decatur Public Schools is teaming up with members of the community to provide sign-up opportunities for summer programs. Some of the community organizations include the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, Millikin University, Decatur Park District and the University of Illinois Extension
The event is scheduled from 4-6 p.m. in the Hope Academy cafeteria.
Along with the opportunity to sign up their children for summer programs, parents will also be able to apply for scholarships that cover the cost of programs and other registration fees.
There will be snacks and prizes provided at the event as well. | 2022-05-09T20:04:58Z | www.wcia.com | Decatur Public Schools to host summer sign-up event | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-public-schools-to-host-summer-sign-up-event/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-public-schools-to-host-summer-sign-up-event/ |
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WCIA) — The man who escaped from an Illinois State Police hospital transport van last week was found in Tennessee over the weekend.
47-year-old Javier Aguirre of Hoopeston escaped from the van last Wednesday while it was traveling on Interstate 39 through Minonk. Reporting that Aguirre posed a danger to himself and others, Woodford County officials and Illinois State Troopers launched a search, but were unable to find him. The Woodford County State’s Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest the following day after investigating reports of criminal damage to property during his escape.
On Sunday evening, officers in Clarksville, Tenn. located Aguirre and took him into custody without incident.
State Troopers said they appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in locating Aguirre. | 2022-05-09T20:05:10Z | www.wcia.com | Hospital transport escapee found in Tennessee | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/hospital-transport-escapee-found-in-tennessee/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/hospital-transport-escapee-found-in-tennessee/ |
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — She is the longest serving female judge in Illinois and the longest serving judge in the state. Monday, Rita Garman said she is set to retire.
The Supreme Court justice has been serving as a judge in the state for nearly five decades at every level of the state’s court system. She grew up in Oswego, graduated as a lawyer in 1968 and was first appointed as associate judge in 1974.
A highlight of my career came on Christmas Eve in 1974. My husband Gill and I were driving with our two-year-old daughter to Joliet, Illinois when an alert went out on WGN Radio– a woman had been named judge in downstate Illinois. This was the moment when I learned I had been appointed as associate judge–the first woman judge in my circuit. It was a newsworthy event 48 years ago, and a life-changing event for all of us. I was one of eight women judges in the state of Illinois. In 2022, not only am I the longest serving woman judge in Illinois, but also the longest serving judge in the state.
Justice Rita B. Garman
Garman will be stepping down effective July 7. | 2022-05-09T20:05:16Z | www.wcia.com | Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman set to retire | https://www.wcia.com/news/justice-rita-garman-announces-retirement/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/justice-rita-garman-announces-retirement/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield firefighter Adam Riplinger was assigned to work on Mother’s Day on Sunday when he was sent out on a rescue. No, it was not a fire that he was specifically tending to, but rather a call to save six ducklings, who were found chirping under a manhole cover.
His team went out to Sixth Street, near County Market, to reunite the ducklings with their mother.
Riplinger said that although it is not uncommon for firefighters to receive such a call, it was his first time personally rescuing baby ducklings while on the job.
Photo Courtesy: Springfield Fire Department Facebook page | 2022-05-09T20:05:42Z | www.wcia.com | Springfield firefighter saves ducklings on Mother’s Day | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-firefighter-saves-ducklings-on-mothers-day/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-firefighter-saves-ducklings-on-mothers-day/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Graduates are getting ready to walk the stage this weekend at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This week is full of finals and other things those grads need to do to be ready for the big day.
The university-wide commencement ceremony is Saturday at Memorial Stadium. However, graduates donned their caps and gowns a little early to get pictures with the famous Alma Mater statue, which was also dressed for graduation. Alma is dressed in a cap and gown of her own. She will have that attire on through May 16.
To check the line before you head to Alma, click here. | 2022-05-09T23:47:49Z | www.wcia.com | Graduates line up for Alma Mater pictures | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/graduates-line-up-for-alma-mater-pictures/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/graduates-line-up-for-alma-mater-pictures/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The University of Illinois has announced its new Director of McKinley Health Center.
Pending approval from the University Board of Trustees, Awais Vaid will take over the position from Dr. Robert Parker, who served for four-and-a-half years.
Vaid holds a professional Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Mumbai in India and worked in India until 2001, when he came to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in Public Health from Northern Illinois University, focusing on Healthcare Administration and Epidemiology. Three years later, he began an 18-year career with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District.
Vaid served in several roles and lead several projects and initiatives with CUPHD. Most recently serving as Deputy Administrator and lead Epidemiologist, Vaid was selected as one of the 100 National Emerging Leaders in Public health by the Kresge Foundation and was awarded the University of Illinois Presidential Medallion for his collaboration with the University of Illinois and its SHIELD team during the pandemic.
“I am very confident that Awais Vaid will be highly successful as Director of McKinley Health Center. He will have the full support of Student Affairs and the University community,” said Dr. Danita Young, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Urbana-Champaign. “We feel very fortunate to have a talented and experienced healthcare administrator of this caliber to join us in this role. His background and experiences fit McKinley’s needs and should help make the transition fairly seamless.”
Pending approval of the Board of Trustees, Vaid will begin working at McKinley Health Center around July 1, 2022.
Photo courtesy: McKinley Health Center Facebook page | 2022-05-09T23:48:19Z | www.wcia.com | U of I names new director of McKinley Health Center | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-names-new-director-of-mckinley-health-center/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-names-new-director-of-mckinley-health-center/ |
DANVILLE (WCIA) — The day didn’t end the way the Danville Area Community College softball team wanted it to with a 17-2 loss to Illinois Central College in the Region 24 tournament title game, but all is not lost for the Jaguars. DACC’s dream of making it to the NJCAA Division II National Championships are still intact after beating Parkland 1-0 in the day’s first game.
The Jaguars will now play and host the Central B District Championship this weekend in a Best of 3 series for the chance to advance to Nationals for just the second time in program history. | 2022-05-09T23:48:52Z | www.wcia.com | DACC softball beats Parkland, falls to ICC in Region 24 tournament finals | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/local-sports/dacc-softball-beats-parkland-falls-to-icc-in-region-24-tournament/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/local-sports/dacc-softball-beats-parkland-falls-to-icc-in-region-24-tournament/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – A Champaign firefighter was honored Monday by the department and the Champaign Exchange Club.
“What I try to do is just to move one little portion of the department forward. If we all do that, I think the Champaign Fire Department gets better and better every day with all the people we have in this place,” Elliot Kraft said.
It’s not all about fires. When somebody gets stuck in a confined space or hundreds of feet in the air, they rely on firefighters to rescue them. That’s why Kraft was named the 2021 Firefighter of the Year; he trains other firefighters to handle dangerous situations that are outside normal calls. He has also helped update “technical rescue” equipment to improve their responses.
“Especially in the city of Champaign, we have a lot of building and construction going on with heavy equipment and crane operators. U of I’s steam tunnels – we do clean outs. So, in the off chance that someone gets hurt or stuck, or has an EMS incident in there, it might be very hard to access them versus walking in the front door of an apartment building,” Kraft said.
He calls them low-frequency, high-risk calls. Next month, they’re focusing on elevator rescues.
“We can’t train for every single specific call that we go on, so having a broad range of understanding of how I can utilize what we learned, and put it into play in this call, is what our main goal is,” Kraft said.
He said he doesn’t feel like he did anything special to deserve the award, and he’s just doing his job like everyone else. But Chief Ludwig said he wishes he had a hundred more firefighters like Kraft. | 2022-05-10T02:59:06Z | www.wcia.com | Elliot Kraft named Champaign Firefighter of the Year | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/elliot-kraft-named-champaign-firefighter-of-the-year/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/elliot-kraft-named-champaign-firefighter-of-the-year/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Jailan Taylor, 20, died at a Decatur hospital after he was shot near Jasper Park Saturday night in the second of two gun violence incidents resulting in hospitalizations in two days.
Taylor’s death marked the sixth homicide in Decatur for the year. Four of the victims died from gunshot wounds. By contrast, Decatur police reported one homicide by the end of May in 2021.
James Garner, 29, lives around the corner from the alley on E William St (near N Witt St) where police say they found Taylor. The lifelong Decatur resident was out of town over the weekend but he’s no stranger to the increasingly familiar sound of gunshots ringing out.
Garner said the trend appeared to take a turn “really the last couple of years,” lining up with nationwide statistics and a two-and-a-half-year pandemic.
“The police shootings, the guys on the streets shooting each other. It’s just, it’s crazy,” he said as he pushed his 2-year-old daughter back and forth on a swing set in the park Monday afternoon.
Decatur police said three people were hurt, one critically, in another shooting in the wee hours of Friday morning. That incident was about two miles away at bar and restaurant Lock Stock & Barrel off of S Oakland Ave.
“It’s crazy, it should stop, people losing their lives, mothers losing their babies over pointless stuff,” Garner said.
“Stuff that could be resolved with words, or if it comes to that, fisticuffs, boxing or something.”
Police arrested one of the victims, Deyondre Weaver, 18, for aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Zionteridy Manns, 35, was later taken into custody for the same incident, according to a press release from police on Saturday.
Just about a week and a half prior, police responded to a shooting reported on E Center St. Around the same time, a 49-year-old Decatur man arrived by private vehicle at a nearby hospital with life-threatening wounds from the gunfire.
Ernest Durham, 40, died from gunshot wounds he sustained during a shooting three days prior near the Roosevelt School Apartment complex off W Grand Ave.
Homicide data broken down my month was not readily available from the Decatur Police Dept. for years predating 2021
“I got two other boys, 14 and 12, so they’re coming to that age where they’re going to hear gunshots, they’re going to see people with guns and I just hope they have sense enough to take themselves home,” Garner said.
He said he’s been having open conversations about gun violence with his boys.
“You got to in today’s world.”
“I just tell them to pay attention, stay in school, always be vigilant. If you don’t feel comfortable somewhere, then leave. I mean it’s up to them to take that advice. I can’t make them take that advice, but I can give it to them,” Garner added.
Decatur police have reported arrests in two of the six homicide cases in 2022. | 2022-05-10T02:59:18Z | www.wcia.com | Homicides far surpass 2021 year-to-date statistics in Decatur | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/homicides-far-surpass-2021-year-to-date-statistics-in-decatur/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/homicides-far-surpass-2021-year-to-date-statistics-in-decatur/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A Springfield man was sentenced last Thursday to eight years in prison for attempting to entice a minor and attempting to transmit information about another minor.
At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors presented evidence that on August 27 and 28, 2021, 37-year-old Matthew Wetzel knowingly attempted to entice someone he believed was not yet 18 years of age to engage in sexual activity. On those same days, Wetzel also knowingly transmitted the name and address of another minor who was under 16. Prosecutors said he did so with the intent of enticing and encouraging that minor to engage in sexual activity.
Wetzel pleaded guilty to the charges against him in November of 2021. After the sentencing, Wetzel was taken into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Wetzel’s arrest and prosecution were part of a U.S. Department of Justice initiative called Project Safe Childhood. | 2022-05-10T02:59:30Z | www.wcia.com | Man sentenced for attempted enticement of minor | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-for-attempted-enticement-of-minor/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-for-attempted-enticement-of-minor/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Two lanes on Adams Street in Springfield are set to close on Tuesday to accommodate the annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Firefighter Medal of Honor Awards Ceremony at BOS Center.
Two fire trucks will be parked in front of the venue as part of the ceremony. This requires the closure of the northern parking lane and westbound traffic lane of Adams between 7th and 9th Streets.
The closure will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday and end at 2 p.m. the same day.
Photo courtesy of BOS center Facebook page | 2022-05-10T02:59:42Z | www.wcia.com | Medal ceremony closing lanes on Springfield street | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/medal-ceremony-closing-lanes-on-springfield-street/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/medal-ceremony-closing-lanes-on-springfield-street/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – It takes a village. That’s the theme of one community event held Monday night to try and help end gun violence.
“They say it takes a village, I was raised by that village. So, I know I have to give back to that same community that raised me,” Lamont Holden, a clinical assistant professor in the University of Illinois School of Music, said.
“We’re in a really interesting and challenging moment now, and we’re seeing some of the expression of that in gang violence, and not just gun violence, and certainly not just gang violence,” Samuel Smith, director of civic engagement and social practice at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, said.
These events are being put on by Illinois P)ublic Media and the Champaign Community Coalition. They want to create a space to bring leaders in the community, leaders with the university, organizations and individuals all together to start and continue a conversation, all about what can be done to reduce violence in Champaign-Urbana.
“It’s really very important that we continue to practice coming together, having conversations, having difficult conversations, creating spaces to have conversations,” Smith said.
For many of the people a part of these conversations, they identify problems and they know there are solutions out there, but they know it takes more than just a few voices to spark change.
That’s why they said events like this one are so important for the future of the community.
“There’s real solutions in the community, and we have awesome programs to give our students and our youth something productive to do in our community, and it’s not a lost cause. We have to solve our own issues,” Holden said.
They plan to have more of these discussions in the future, and you can still watch Monday’s discussion on Facebook. | 2022-05-10T05:57:12Z | www.wcia.com | Victory over Violence: Community conversations | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/victory-over-violence-community-conversations/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/victory-over-violence-community-conversations/ |
We focus on astronomy at the planetarium. For each show we offer, we present a tour of the night sky so people can reconnect with some of the bright stars and constellations we see less often in our light-polluted skies. We often share updates from recent space missions and raise awareness of upcoming events of astronomical significance, such as this month’s lunar eclipse!
We make an effort to highlight all science, especially through the James Kaler Science Lecture Series. The planetarium offers an aesthetically pleasing medium, so we also offer experiences in fine arts and music as well.
The planetarium is an important educational tool for schools and for the community. We provide an immersive environment to help students and the public understand various astronomical concepts and gain an appreciation of our place in the universe. People should know what causes the phases of the Moon and the difference between a plane, a satellite, and a meteor (“shooting star”). I also get a lot of questions about the terms, “supermoon”, “blue moon”, and “blood moon”.
The nearest planetarium is an hour away at Illinois State University. Parkland College has many students who are concurrently enrolled at the university, and the planetarium hosts university students who take introductory astronomy classes as well. Even if there weren’t a mutually beneficial relationship with these institutions, I would see them as colleagues who are also working together to help the community.
If I must brag, I would say that the planetarium is the second largest in the state, so you can’t find such a huge dome in Illinois outside of Chicago. We take pride in being able to host two busses full of schoolchildren on a field trip for a single show.
There is a total lunar eclipse happening on May 15! We are hosting a free viewing event outside the planetarium that night, and people will be able to observe the Moon with telescopes.
We have a new show playing on Friday and Saturday nights in May called Unveiling the Invisible Universe. We are hosting workshops for the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts this month. We have a new light show available that is set to Pink Floyd’s classic album, Dark Side of the Moon.
William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College
2400 W. Bradley Ave.
Mental Health Crisis Team expands services | 2022-05-10T23:13:48Z | www.wcia.com | Plan your visit to Staerkel Planetarium | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/ciliving-stories/ciliving/plan-your-visit-to-staerkel-planetarium/ | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/ciliving-stories/ciliving/plan-your-visit-to-staerkel-planetarium/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Do you ever see a fire truck and think “Wow, I’d like to see one up close”? Well, now you can!
Champaign Park District officials said families can experience “some really big trucks and other vehicles” during their Touch-A-Truck Day. Children can explore tow trucks, fire trucks, police cars and more at Centennial Park.
The event will go from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Park officials said to even pack a lunch to enjoy a picnic during the event. | 2022-05-10T23:14:19Z | www.wcia.com | Explore during ‘Touch-A-Truck Day’ | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/explore-during-touch-a-truck-day/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/explore-during-touch-a-truck-day/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – An Illinois lawmaker is being remembered for his hard-working spirit, lasting impact on the community, and his positive attitude. Former U.S. Congressman Tim Johnson died Monday.
Former Champaign County Recorder Mark Shelden served as Johnson’s chief of staff during his last two years in office. He said he feels blessed to have seen Johnson in action as a legislator and politician, but more importantly, as a great friend and even better dad.
“He’s the easiest guy in the world to run a campaign for because literally nobody in America worked harder on a campaign than Tim Johnson,” Shelden said.
Johnson never lost an election. He started his career on the Urbana City Council in 1971. Shelden said Johnson knocked on every door in his ward several times, and knowing the people he served was a priority. He went on to the Illinois House of Representatives, and eventually, to represent the 15th district in Congress.
Shelden said it was an honor to work closely with him, and some of his fondest memories are just from having lunch together over the years.
“We would come back and over the course of an hour and a half to two hours, he would have 20 or 30 constituents that would call him with issues. Time and again, I would find walking out there, people would say how Tim had helped them.”
Champaign Mayor Deborah Feinen said in a social media post she’ll remember how Johnson always called to check in on the district and asked how he could make a difference.
Shelden said politics was never a game to Johnson; it was about doing good things for his constituents. And he loved his family more than anything else. | 2022-05-10T23:14:25Z | www.wcia.com | Former US & Illinois Rep. Tim Johnson dies | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/former-us-illinois-rep-tim-johnson-dies/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/former-us-illinois-rep-tim-johnson-dies/ |
Governor Pritzker signs co-responder legislation into law
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Governor Pritzker recently signed HB4736, authorizing the creation and funding of the Co-Responders Pilot Program.
The pilot will support police in areas across the state in teaming up with social service agencies to address the root causes of disturbances or crime. Initial programs will launch in Peoria, Springfield, East St. Louis and Waukegan in the next six months.
According to officials, the Co-Responder Pilot Program authorizes police officers to bring social workers and mental health professionals on calls to assess if the person is experiencing a mental health crisis. Law enforcement and social workers can then decide if a mental health facility or other support could address their needs and behaviors. Governor Pritzker’s FY23 budget allocated $10 million dollars to fund this pilot.
In addition to the Co-Responders Pilot Program, officials said the bill addresses victim’s rights and public safety holistically by mandating trauma-informed training for homicide investigators, authorizing funding to the Violent Crime Witness Protection Act and creating a grant program to create tip hotlines or other victim and witness resources.
Gov. Pritzker also signed two other bills into law as part of his administration’s research informed and multi-pronged approach to public safety and victim’s rights:
“Everyone in every zip code should feel comfortable being able to walk down the street,” said State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago). “No matter where you are, who you are or where you live you should deserve to feel comfortable and safe. This measure does that by expanding witness protection and by incorporating the voices and needs of stakeholders and survivors.” | 2022-05-10T23:14:31Z | www.wcia.com | Governor Pritzker signs co-responder legislation into law | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/governor-pritzker-signs-co-responder-legislation-into-law/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/governor-pritzker-signs-co-responder-legislation-into-law/ |
ISP donating protective equipment to help Ukrainian citizens
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois State Police (ISP) is donating more than 3,000 pieces of protective equipment to help Ukrainian citizens enduring the Russian invasion.
By U.S. standards, this equipment can no longer be used by ISP or any other law enforcement agency within Illinois. Most body armor in the U.S. has a standard five-year life span. However, it will still offer some protection to civilians, humanitarian aid workers and others in Ukraine.
This surplus equipment must be disposed of if it is not donated to Ukraine.
ISP coordinated the donation with the Illinois National Guard, the United States Department of Homeland Security, the United States Department of Commerce and the United States Department of State to transport the equipment as well as ensure compliance with all Federal and State laws and regulations. | 2022-05-10T23:14:37Z | www.wcia.com | ISP donating protective equipment to help Ukrainian citizens | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/isp-donating-protective-equipment-to-help-ukrainian-citizens/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/isp-donating-protective-equipment-to-help-ukrainian-citizens/ |
City of Springfield opens cooling centers amidst hot temperatures
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — With the temperature rising into summer levels this week, the City of Springfield is opening cooling stations for anyone who needs relief from the heat.
The following locations and businesses have been designated as cooling stations and will serve as such during their regular business hours:
Municipal Center East
Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Municipal Center West
Lincoln Library
Monday through Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Office of Community Relations
1450 Groth Street
Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
St. John’s Breadline
Indoor dining seven days a week between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Salvation Army (Main Campus)
1600 Clear Lake Avenue
Entrance off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on south side of campus
Salvation Army overflow shelter
Overnight shelter available between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Day center available when temperature is 88 degrees or higher
Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Weekend hours subject to heat index and staff availability
Washington Street Mission
Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Walmart Supercenter (South)
1100 Lejune Drive
Available seven days a week between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Walmart Supercenter (North)
2760 North Dirksen Parkway
Walmart Supercenter (West)
2501 West Wabash Avenue
Monday through Thursday between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Anyone with questions can contact Juan Huerta at the City of Springfield’s Office of Community Relations at 217-789-2270. | 2022-05-10T23:14:43Z | www.wcia.com | City of Springfield opens cooling centers amidst hot temperatures | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/city-of-springfield-opens-cooling-centers-amidst-hot-temperatures/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/city-of-springfield-opens-cooling-centers-amidst-hot-temperatures/ |
Mental Health Crisis Team expands services in Sangamon, Menard
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Mental health experts with Memorial Behavioral Health will be accessible 24/7 via a hotline to assist schools, police and members of the public who encounter a person experiencing a mental health crisis.
According to officials, The Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) expanded services to include assistance for both adults and children in Sangamon and Menard counties. Prior to the expansion, the program provided services to children covered by Medicaid who were experiencing mental health crisis.
The MCR team can be activated by calling 217-788-7070.
Through the hotline, callers obtain prompt telehealth or in-person response for any person experiencing a mental health crisis.
Once the MCR team is activated, mental health workers help connect those in crisis with community-based support, which can include outpatient behavioral health services, follow-up aftercare and help to navigate social services.
To learn more about mental health services and programs available through Memorial Behavioral Health, click HERE or call 217-525-1064. | 2022-05-10T23:14:49Z | www.wcia.com | Mental Health Crisis Team expands services in Sangamon, Menard | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/mental-health-crisis-team-expands-services-in-sangamon-menard/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/mental-health-crisis-team-expands-services-in-sangamon-menard/ |
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — A 19-year-old was arrested after police investigated a burglary that happened on Monday.
Charleston Police were dispatched to a location on Lincoln Avenue in response to a report of a burglary to a business. It was reported that the entryway was destroyed and cash and tobacco/vape products were stolen.
Officers processed the scene and continued the investigation until they located the suspect in the 800 block of 10th Street selling vape merchandise. The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Leo B. Cline.
According to police, when Cline was located on 10th Street, he was wearing the same clothing shown in the business’ surveillance video.
Cline admitted to key components of the act, said officers.
Cline was placed in the Coles County Jail where he receives a 25,000 bond. | 2022-05-10T23:15:15Z | www.wcia.com | Police: 19-year-old arrested after burglary investigation | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/police-19-year-old-arrested-after-burglary-investigation/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/police-19-year-old-arrested-after-burglary-investigation/ |
Richland Community College students host Zombie themed seminar
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Honors students at Richland Community College hosted a leadership seminar for 7th and 8th grade students from Montessori Academy of Peace on Monday.
The students were from Professor Deborah Yaden’s “Humanities 112: Leadership” class, and the theme of the seminar was “Zombie Apocalypse.”
Students from Yaden’s class spent about a month preparing for the seminar as part of their final assignment for the class. The students chose to go with a zombie theme because it “stuck the most” among several other choices, and and it helped encompass what they hoped to convey to the middle school students.
“It was a lot of planning and coordinating,” Latasha Stillwel, who is studying to get her associate’s degree in science with a focus in surgical technology, said during a group Zoom interview. “It was an amazing seminar and we worked very hard. It was definitely one of my favorite classes for sure.”
Monday’s seminar was broken up into three separate sessions with a focus on team building, making decisions and guiding through conflict; some of the activities included undoing a human knot, navigating a paper maze, building a marshmallow structure and other scenario-based games.
“They were really paying attention the entire time, and they really exceeded our expectations,” Hope Moore, who is majoring in biology with a focus in cellular and molecular biology, said of the middle school students.
While they were preparing for the seminar, Richland student frequently met up and texted with one another to effectively communicate their goals. But, during this process, Stillwel found that she indeed improved her leadership skills.
“I learned that I’m a leader, and I didn’t even know it,” Stillwel said. “It was definitely a growing experience.”
Moore also reiterated that despite her introverted personality, she was able to step outside of her comfort zone and grow as a leader during the class this semester.
Photo Courtesy: Richland Community College | 2022-05-10T23:15:28Z | www.wcia.com | Richland Community College students host Zombie themed seminar | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/richland-community-college-students-host-zombie-themed-seminar/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/richland-community-college-students-host-zombie-themed-seminar/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) hosted the Fallen Firefighter and Medal of Honor Ceremony on Tuesday morning
State Fire Marshal Matt Perez honored four fallen Illinois firefighters for their heroic sacrifice. Their families were presented with the Duty Death Gold Badge. The fallen firefighters honored were Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Pickering of the Chicago Fire Department, Firefighter MaShawn Plummer of the Chicago Fire Department, Lieutenant Garrett Ramos of the Sterling Fire Department and Firefighter Mehdi Mourad of the Wabash Fire Protection District.
Moreover, one firefighter was honored with the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the highest award given by the State of Illinois to a firefighter for an act of outstanding bravery or heroism, by which the firefighter has demonstrated in great degree the characteristics of selflessness and personal courage above and beyond the call of duty, under adverse conditions, with the possibility of extreme personal risk.
In addition, seven firefighters were honored with the Medal of Valor award. It is given by the State of Illinois to a firefighter for an act of heroism or bravery that clearly demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of danger while in the performance of duty.
The Fallen Firefighter Memorial started at around 10 a.m. at the Firefighter Memorial on the State Capitol Grounds. Then, the Medal of Honor Ceremony was held at the Bank of Springfield Center. | 2022-05-10T23:15:46Z | www.wcia.com | State Fire Marshal honors fallen firefighters | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/state-fire-marshal-honors-fallen-firefighters/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/state-fire-marshal-honors-fallen-firefighters/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Part of a street on the University of Illinois campus will close next week as crews replace a water main and reconstruct the pavement.
Weather permitting, the southbound lane of Fourth Street between Daniel Street and Armory Avenue will close on Monday. Fourth Street will serve as a one-way, northbound traffic-only road for the duration of the closure, which is expected to last all summer. The project is expected to be complete by mid-September.
People driving in the area are encouraged to use alternate routes of travel when possible. If they must drive through the construction area, people are advised to proceed with caution, paying close attention to construction signs, traffic control devices and marked detours. Cars should not be parked on the street near the construction zone or in areas that are marked “No Parking.” | 2022-05-10T23:15:58Z | www.wcia.com | Water main replacement closing lane on U of I campus | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/water-main-replacement-closing-lane-on-u-of-i-campus/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/water-main-replacement-closing-lane-on-u-of-i-campus/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – A replacement has been named for Rita Garman, Illinois’ longest-serving Supreme Court justice. She announced she would be retiring on July 7. The day will mark 48 and a half years since she first became a judge.
Garman’s replacement, Fourth District Appellate Justice Lisa Holder White, will become the first black woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court.
“Lisa Holder White is an outstanding jurist and I know she will be a wonderful Supreme Court justice,” Garman said.
Holder White said the appointment feels like the honor of a lifetime, and Garman has been a role model her entire career.
When Garman was appointed in 2001, she was the second woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court.
“It was the first time in my judicial career there was another woman in the room. I am really pleased and thrilled that there are many more women now in positions of importance in the judiciary,” Garman said.
She’s said she’s also thrilled to be passing the torch to another trailblazing woman.
“I met Justice Garman on March 5, 2001, which is the day I was sworn in as an associate judge. At that time, she was running for the Illinois Supreme Court,” Holder White said.
Garman swore her in that day. And since then, Holder White said she’s been a role model.
“I’ve had a lot of people say to me, ‘you deserve this, you’ve earned this, we’re so proud of you.’ I certainly appreciate those comments but when I think about it, what it makes me think about is the fact that so many women like me never had an opportunity like this,” Holder White said.
She was born and raised in Macon County, and said it’s bittersweet to trade her Decatur office for a spot in Springfield. But she’s filled with gratitude, and would pass on her mother’s advice to any young girl hoping to follow in her footsteps.
“She says, ‘bloom where you’re planted.’ So, I’ve tried to do that throughout my career, just enjoying and pursuing opportunities and working my very hardest to do the very best I can,” Holder White said.
Garman’s advice? Set your goals high… You may end up in the highest court.
“Oftentimes, you can achieve a lot more than you ever imagined you possibly could,” she said.
Garman said retiring wasn’t an easy decision, but she feels like it’s the right time. Her career began in 1974. During her 21 years on the Illinois Supreme Court, she wrote 240 opinions for the court, not including dissents or special concurrences.
Now, Garman’s looking forward to travelling and spending time with her five grandchildren. She said she appreciates the public’s confidence in her over the years, and she’s happy to watch Holder White replace her.
“It’s been an awesome responsibility, but a real privilege and an honor to serve,” Garman said. | 2022-05-11T03:31:02Z | www.wcia.com | Lisa Holder White to become first Black woman on Illinois Supreme Court | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/lisa-holder-white-to-become-first-black-woman-on-illinois-supreme-court/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/lisa-holder-white-to-become-first-black-woman-on-illinois-supreme-court/ |
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — A 28-year-old man was arrested after refusing to cooperate, leaving two officers hurt when they tried to try to escort him.
Police were dispatched to a location on Sixth Street on May 7 in response to a report of a domestic battery and criminal damage to a window.
When police arrived at the scene, they made contact with an intoxicated uncooperative man who was later identified as Darius Caldwell. Police said Caldwell avoided speaking with them and had to be detained.
Officers then attempted to investigate the incident further, asking Caldwell questions about a situation between him and a woman, but Caldwell became argumentative and aggressive with officers. Due to his actions, police told Caldwell he was under arrest.
When police were trying to escort Caldwell, he began resisting and refusing to walk to the vehicle. During the struggle to gain compliance, an officer suffered a broken leg and another officer fell down a flight of stairs and sustained minor injuries. Caldwell continued to resist and refused to cooperate.
With the assistance of EIU Police and Deputies from the Coles County Sheriff’s Department, Charleston Officers were eventually able to secure Caldwell in a police car.
Caldwell was placed in the Coles County Jail. His bond was set at $20,000 (10%). | 2022-05-11T03:31:20Z | www.wcia.com | Police: Man arrested, 2 officers hurt while attempting to escort him | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/police-man-arrested-2-officers-hurt-while-attempting-to-escort-him/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/police-man-arrested-2-officers-hurt-while-attempting-to-escort-him/ |
Illini baseball raise over $8,000 for hospital that saved former player’s twins
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Dominic Altobelli always knew the University of Illinois was like a second home to him.
“I think when you play for the University of Illinois, you become part of the family forever,” Altobelli said.
When head coach Dan Hartleb called him about a fundraiser to benefit the hospital that saved his daughters’ lives, he knew it was a special place.
“[Hartleb] had reached out and he mentioned that we do the Honor and Serve game every year and he said that this year he would love to support the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,” Altobelli said. “It was all Coach Hartleb and just really grateful he reached out to us.”
The former Illinois baseball player had conjoined twins back in November 2020. The babies shared a diaphragm and liver, and it made breathing difficult for the girls. The family moved to Philadelphia for 13 months to prepare for a surgery to separate the twins. After a 10 hour surgery, Dominic and Maggie Altobelli’s daughters were taken apart for the first time.
“Best feeling in the world. It’s indescribable and very emotional,” Altobelli said.
“It was super emotional, very high risk surgery,” Maggie Altobelli said. “We never knew what was going to happen and we gave it to God and the surgeons. Still to this day we owe everything to them.”
After over a year of not knowing if their girls would make it, they get to finally enjoy being a family.
“It’s one day at a time. We’re still working a lot with the girls on trach care and different things that they need to learn to do, like crawl and walk and just be a normal kid,” Maggie Altobelli said. “We’ve seen the good in people throughout this whole process, whether we’re in a hospital or not. It’s super special to have my family all together, not in the hospital, and just enjoying the baseball game for the first time.”
“We had no clue what our outcome was going to be, just think now 6 months later from them being separated that we’re here crawling around an Illinois baseball stadium grass, getting on the field, smiling at everybody, it’s awesome,” Altobelli said.
The fundraiser raised over $8,000. The Altobelli’s say they’re grateful to help give back to the hospital, that gave them so much. | 2022-05-11T03:31:34Z | www.wcia.com | Illini baseball raise over $8,000 for hospital that saved former player’s twins | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illini-baseball-raise-over-8000-for-hospital-that-saved-former-players-twins/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illini-baseball-raise-over-8000-for-hospital-that-saved-former-players-twins/ |
HOOPESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Hoopeston Public Library is now offering people something they don’t have to return: plant seeds.
The library now has a seed library with everything from radishes to sunflowers. People with green thumbs can walk into the library and pick out some seeds. It is something that everyone of all ages can enjoy.
“It’s a great opportunity for young families or even senior citizens who cannot afford to plant a large garden but they can come in and get a few seeds from us,” said library marketing Director Joann Charbonneau. “They can take them home and scatter them in a little area and have a few vegetables or have some flowers. Just the idea to encourage gardening, encourage something that families can do together. Just something else to get people in the library.”
People with any excess seeds are encouraged to bring them to the library to help replenish the library’s supply.
Hoopeston is not the only library in central Illinois with a seed library. The Urbana Free Library has been offering their own seed library for several years, with more than 100 seed types to choose from. Anyone, including nonmembers, is welcome to take some seeds from Urbana. | 2022-05-11T07:12:46Z | www.wcia.com | Hoopeston Library starts seed library | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/hoopeston-library-starts-seed-library/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/hoopeston-library-starts-seed-library/ |
WCIA — Illinois basketball signee Ty Rodgers will get the chance to represent the Red, White, and Blue this Summer as the forward received an invite to Team USA’s U18 training camp.
27 total players were invited, but that number will be cut down to 12 who will compete at the FIBA America Championship in Mexico this Summer. | 2022-05-11T07:13:16Z | www.wcia.com | Rodgers invited to Team USA U18 training camp | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/rodgers-invited-to-team-usa-u18-training-camp/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/rodgers-invited-to-team-usa-u18-training-camp/ |
JOHNSON TOWNSHIP (WCIA) — A six-year-old girl was killed in an ATV crash on a private property in Johnson Township Sunday evening.
Authorities said that three individuals were thrown from the ATV, and that the driver of the vehicle, 44-year-old James Bradley Cox is in critical conditon.
Cox was transported from the scene by ambulance and then airlifted to a hospital.
A 10-year-old boy was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries, and he was later released.
The six-year-old girl, Ulicia M. Garner-Cox, was pronounced dead on the scene by Christian County Coroner Amy Calvert Winans. An autopsy revealed that her cause of death was multiple blunt injuries due to an all-terrain vehicle crash.
Christian County Sherriff Bruce Kettelkamp indicated that they do not believe that the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. | 2022-05-11T15:20:42Z | www.wcia.com | Six-year-old killed in ATV crash | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/six-year-old-killed-in-atv-crash/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/six-year-old-killed-in-atv-crash/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — An arrest warrant has been obtained for a 49-year-old man in relation to a home invasion with injuries that happened on May 5.
Corey M. Smith is facing charges of attempted first degree murder (two counts), home invasion, aggravated domestic battery and theft over $500.
On May 5, at around 8:15 p.m., Decatur Police were dispatched to a house on East Locust Street in response to a report of a home invasion. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a 51-year-old woman and a 43-year-old woman with puncture wounds to their bodies. Both of them were taken to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. Police said they are in stable condition.
Anyone with information on the location of Smith is encouraged to contact Decatur Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at (217) 424-2734. | 2022-05-11T17:49:44Z | www.wcia.com | Decatur Police: Arrest warrant obtained for suspect in home invasion incident | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-police-arrest-warrant-obtained-for-suspect-in-home-invasion-incident/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-police-arrest-warrant-obtained-for-suspect-in-home-invasion-incident/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Going to school on an empty stomach can already make for a difficult start to the day. But to experience that daily or even weekly can lead to detrimental outcomes for our area students. It’s a crisis for many families in Central Illinois, but those same families can find support in keeping their kids fed.
Thanks to Feeding Our Kids, a local organization started in 2013, thousands of students in Champaign schools can now look forward to a variety of breakfasts and snacks to alleviate their hunger. But it can’t be done without the nearly 200 volunteers who are tirelessly committed to putting a dent in the lack of food access. One of those volunteers, Mary Beth Bogner, has taken pride in being a member of that team.
“I’m a retired teacher, so I know what food insecurity is like for a lot of these kids and I know the kind of impact it makes on their learning and socializing. So being able to come do this to me is important. Knowing that kids in all schools are being helped and given the food they need so badly.”
For four years, Mary Beth has put in hours every week assisting with the sorting of food at the Champaign Church of Christ. That’s where she and her husband Bill place nine items in bags, 10 of which go inside a bin that’s delivered to schools. One of the delivery drivers, Katie, is also Mary Beth’s daughter. A big family effort.
Feeding Our Kids also expanded to a second location, allowing them to host another food sort at the Hope Center in Urbana. An opportunity for even more food to be received and then sent back to the families who need it most. The sorting happens three times a week, then deliveries are twice a month to area schools.
Some of those schools include Stratton, Dr. Howard and others, which is where the deliveries were sent on Tuesday. In 2021, Feeding Our Kids landed a Nutrition Director who ensures every bag is filled with a balanced and nutritious collection of foods. Something both kids and their families can benefit from.
“Our mission is simple. We provide nourishing food to food insecure kids on weekends and holidays throughout the school year. Our hope is that by doing that, we can break down one barrier that they face to help them learn and accomplish great things as they grow up. In order to do this, we have a lot of people and a lot of help,” says Alison Dupre, Executive Director of Feeding Our Kids.
To learn more about Feeding Our Kids click here.
You can find out how to become a volunteer by clicking here. | 2022-05-11T17:56:05Z | www.wcia.com | Community Counts: Feeding Our Kids | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/the-morning-show/community-counts-feeding-our-kids/ | https://www.wcia.com/the-morning-show/community-counts-feeding-our-kids/ |
Champaign Park District named finalist for national award
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, announced that the Champaign Park District is a finalist for the 2022 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.
Champaign Park District has been awarded the gold medal award three times in the past in 1979,1990 and 1998.
The award was first founded in 1965 and it “honors communities in the United States that demonstrate excellence in park and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development and agency recognition,” according to a news release.
There are three other finalists in the same class as the Champaign Park District, which recognizes communities with populations between 75,001-150,000 people.
“This distinction is a true honor,” Champaign Park District Executive Director Joe DeLuce said in a news release. “We strive to improve the quality of life of every member of our community, to be innovative and forward-thinking and to make recreation accessible to all. Our Staff has a passion and creativity that helps make us one of the best of the best!”
The grand plaque recipients will be announced at the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference in September.
Decatur Park District was a recipient of this award back in 2020. | 2022-05-11T19:33:24Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign Park District named finalist for national award | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-park-district-named-finalist-for-national-award/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-park-district-named-finalist-for-national-award/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Children had amazed eyes and squeals of delight during the “Touch-A-Truck Day” at Centennial Park.
Kids could climb into firetrucks, tow trucks, police cars and more. Many of the kids even got to honk the horns of the massive trucks.
“Normally, you’re not allowed to touch them. You’re not allowed to get inside and honk those horns and get some of that aggression out and today’s a perfect day for that,” said Zoe Southlynn-Savage, Champaign Park District special events manager. But getting the wiggles out is not the only benefit of this event.
“I think it’s great for them to meet the different people in their community and see the different types of professions available to them,” said Southlynn-Savage.
If you missed Wednesday’s event, there will be future “Touch-A-Truck Days” coming up throughout the year. | 2022-05-11T23:12:49Z | www.wcia.com | Kids explore emergency vehicles & more during ‘Touch-A-Truck Day’ | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/kids-explore-emergency-vehicles-more-during-touch-a-truck-day/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/kids-explore-emergency-vehicles-more-during-touch-a-truck-day/ |
DeWitt County’s ‘best-kept secret’: A century of aviators
CLINTON, Ill. (WCIA) — DeWitt County, home to less than 16,000 people, has a little-known secret: It’s full of aviators past and present.
It all traces back to “quintessential barnstormer and aviation pioneer” Red Irwin in the 1930s. Historian and author Denis Hambucken said lesser-known Irwin rubbed elbows with people like Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh.
Hambucken is designing the “Prairie Flyers” exhibit in a carriage barn just outside the C.H. Moore Homestead and DeWitt County Museum off a rural road in Clinton, Illinois. The barn, built in the 1860s, likens those that the first pilots would have flown out of in the early 1900s. That’s where the story starts.
Generations after Irwin followed suit, including commercial pilots, air traffic controllers and Air Force veterans.
Second Lieutenant David Henard grew up in Murphysboro, Illinois.
“I should say I was raised in Murphysboro. I grew up in Vietnam,” he corrected.
Lt. Henard started in ROTC, which was “very Mickey Mouse,” according to him. That and flight school were his launching pad to piloting helicopters for the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.
“It was the only air conditioning we had,” he laughed, referring to the wind from the propellor blades.
He was 24-years-old when he deployed, “an old man compared to my crew.” Henard said most of the men he worked with were 19, 20, maybe 21-years-old.
“It’s sad, but it is a young man’s game and that’s why it’s so important that we not send our boys over there when it’s not necessary,” he said.
2nd Lt. David Henard holds a photo of himself in uniform at 24-years-old.
He later authored a book, “Victory Stolen: The Perspectives of a Helicopter Pilot on the Tet Offensive and Its Aftermath,” detailing his account of what transpired in those years overseas. Among hundreds of memories, he recalled his first mission to reporters Wednesday.
Henard remembered hovering over a hospital landing pad in a helicopter “and they threw four bags on the helicopter,” he said.
“And I said, ‘What’s that?’ and McClendon said, ‘That’s four of our boys going home.'”
The next stop was Saigon — renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the fall of Southern Vietnam — where the bodies of soldiers were prepared to send back to the U.S.
Henard and his crew picked up the wounded “when it was too hot for the Red Cross ships to go in.” He said the troops were in need and he “could hear it in their voices on the radio.”
“Every time we did a mission, I knew I was saving American lives so I never had a better job than that,” he concluded.
The veteran pilot returned home from the war in July 1968. He lives in Clinton these days and has kids scattered throughout central Illinois.
Major Kenneth “Ken” Shaffer is a Desert Storm and Iraq War veteran from Waynesville, Illinois which is about ten miles from Clinton in DeWitt County. He loaned his desert uniform for the upcoming exhibit.
“They called us 90-day wonders,” Maj. Shaffer said. “Because you went to officer training for 90 days.”
That was it and you were off back in the 1980s because, as Shaffer explained, “they were building the military up and needed pilots.”
Shaffer flew tankers tasked with refueling larger aircrafts in flight.
“Nothing happens without air refueling in the airforce,” he laughed.
Although he said he “never really had any close calls,” he recalled a rather nerve-racking memory from the Gulf War involving a fax document he has as a keepsake at home.
“They gave us coordinates,” Shaffer said. “It says, ‘Get to this point right now. The F-15s are engaged with some Iraqi fighters and we don’t know how this is going to go.'”
The situation ended up under control by the time Shaffer and his crew arrived.
The pilot went on to fly cargo planes for UPS before retiring in the last couple of years.
Maj. Kenneth (Ken) Shaffer holds a picture of the aircraft he flew for Army General Norman Schwarzkopf, commander of the US Central Command during the Gulf War.
Envisioning the exhibit: “Prairie Flyers”
The entire collection of uniforms and artifacts — soon to be moved from an office downtown to the exhibit site — was donated by the people of DeWitt County, according to museum director Joey Long.
She said tagging everything has felt “like opening a time capsule.”
Some stories will be shared publicly for the first time, like that of Second Lieutenant Gordon Hall whose plane exploded during World War II. Long said Hall’s nephew and namesake loaned his billfold, including an ID card, for the exhibit.
“People will know his name too,” Long said.
An ID card found among 2nd Lt. Gordon Hall’s belongings after his death. It was in a leather billfold later returned to his family in central Illinois.
John Warner, a longtime neighbor of Hambucken’s, is behind the pitch to create the “Prairie Flyers” exhibit. Warner is a pilot himself and owns Hooterville Airport just outside Clinton.
Hambucken is handling the design.
“Prairie Flyers” will be staged at the carriage barn outside of the museum.
“I hope that people will be a bit surprised, frankly, when they see that there’s an exhibit about aviators in DeWitt County, but there really is a remarkably rich history here,” he said.
“Wherever you go in Illinois or throughout the country you’re going to find aviators that fought in Vietnam and other places. What makes Clinton different, I think, is that it goes back to the very beginning to the 1930s with Red Irwin, bigger than life character.”
The display will be open for about a month from May 28 through July 3. | 2022-05-11T23:12:56Z | www.wcia.com | DeWitt County’s ‘best-kept secret’: A century of aviators | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/dewitt-countys-best-kept-secret-a-century-of-aviators/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/dewitt-countys-best-kept-secret-a-century-of-aviators/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Whyatt Yarnell battled cancer three times during his seven years of life. His family and community came together to help him continue to be a kid all the way until the end.
Yarnell could put a smile on anyone’s face. His presence impacted people everywhere.
“He really knew no stranger,” said Yarnell’s grandmother Christine Blassi. “He touched so many lives, and it wasn’t just our family’s loss. It was everybody’s loss.”
When Yarnell’s family got the news that he was sick, his grandmother said the hospital stepped up.
“St. Louis Hospital kind of set the mood,” Blassi said. “Regardless of the fact it’s cancer, they still let him be a little boy.”
After that, Yarnell’s family made it their goal to allow him to experience as much as he could – a final bucket list. They were able to set everything from a truck convoy to going on the field at a St. Louis Cardinals game, all thanks to different organizations.
Even though he has passed away, Yarnell’s family said they are going to continue fighting for other kids.
“We’re going to make awareness of how little research is out their for pediatric cancer,” Blassi said. “It’s like only four percent and it’s the number-one killer of children.”
One way they plan to continue to bring awareness is through a softball tournament called Wyatt’s Warriors that they started when he first got sick. The family also started a petition asking for more federal funding to go to childhood cancer research. | 2022-05-11T23:13:02Z | www.wcia.com | Remembering Whyatt Yarnell | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/remembering-whyatt-yarnell/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/remembering-whyatt-yarnell/ |
The June 28th Illinois Republican gubernatorial primary is shaping up to be a two-man race between Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin and State Senator Darren Bailey of downstate Xenia. But with more than a third of voters still undecided, the contest is far from over.
With early voting set to begin across Illinois on May 19th, a large group of voters is still up for grabs. 36.9% of respondents say they are undecided about the top of the ticket.
On the campaign trail and in television ads, the candidates have been drawing contrasts on crime, taxes and corruption. But the economy is by far the number one concern for Republican voters who participated in this poll. Asked the most important issue facing Illinois, voters overwhelmingly choose the economy – jobs, inflation, and taxes. Crime comes in a distant second (15.2%), while immigration (6.5%), COVID (4.3%), education (3.6), health care (4.7%) and the war in Ukraine (2.0%) fall even further on the list.
Bailey and Irvin still lead the field when respondents were asked which candidate would best manage the state’s economy – both hovering around 21%. Jesse Sullivan and Gary Rabine split the second largest group of respondents, at around 9% each.
30% of likely voters in the GOP primary say Richard Irvin is best suited to tackle the issue of crime, followed by Darren Bailey at 20%. Again, many of those polled say they have not made up their mind yet – 33% of those polled were still undecided.
Another major story line in the race is the division of support among voters in urban and rural parts of Illinois. Richard Irvin holds a big lead over Darren Bailey in urban/city areas, 32% to 10%.
GOP race for Illinois gover… by WGN Web Desk
Former President Trump remains a wild card. He has made endorsements in GOP primaries across the United States but hasn’t yet weighed in on the Republican race for Illinois Governor. 57% percent of likely GOP primary voters say they are more likely to support a candidate, if they’re endorsed by Trump.
40% of Republican primary voters say abortion should be legal only in cases of rape, incest and when the woman’s life is endangered. 18% say it should be illegal in all cases, and 15% say it should be legal up to 20 weeks. Another 15% say legal in all cases and 13% say legal up to six weeks of pregnancy.
There is no frontrunner in the low-profile contest for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. The winner will face incumbent democrat, Senator Tammy Duckworth. Every Republican hopeful is under 10 percent and almost 3 in 4 Republicans (72.4%) say they are undecided.
Peggy Hubbard comes out on top with 7%, followed by Bobby Piton at 6%, Kathy Salvi at 5%, Anthony Williams has 1.2% support and Jimmy Lee Tillman II rounds out the field with less than 1 percent.
METHODOLOGY: The Emerson College Polling Illinois poll of Republican primary voters was conducted May 6-8, 2022. The Republican primary sample consisted of somewhat and very likely voters, n=1,000, with a Credibility Interval (CI) similar to a poll’s margin of error (MOE) of +/- 3 percentage points. The data sets were weighted by gender, age, education, race, and region based on 2022 turnout modeling. It is important to remember that subsets based on gender, age, ethnicity, and region carry with them higher margins of error, as the sample size is reduced. Data was collected using a cellphone sample of SMS-to-web, an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system of landlines, and an online panel provided by Amazon MTurk.
Voter information by county | 2022-05-11T23:13:32Z | www.wcia.com | POLL: Irvin, Bailey emerge as frontrunners in GOP primary | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/poll-irvin-bailey-emerge-as-frontrunners-in-gop-primary/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/poll-irvin-bailey-emerge-as-frontrunners-in-gop-primary/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign said he was recently scammed out of nearly $3,000.
The student reported to U of I Police that he was scammed out of $2,950.
According to officers, the student received a phone call from a number, which appeared to originate from a local police department. The caller said the student was wanted on warrants and needed to pay the caller to avoid arrest. The student complied with instructions to visit a local retail store, purchase gift cards and give the gift card information to the caller. | 2022-05-11T23:13:50Z | www.wcia.com | U of I student receives scam call, loses nearly $3,000 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-student-receives-scam-call-loses-nearly-3000/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-student-receives-scam-call-loses-nearly-3000/ |
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Danville is making it easier for people to vote this summer when the Illinois primaries take place.
The city purchased new touch-screen voting systems; after someone votes, the system will print out a slip of paper that then gets fed into the tabulator. Election officials say the new system is ADA compliant, ensures ballots are filled out completely and accurately and gets voters in and out of a polling station in no time.
“We’re excited,” said Sandy Delhaye, Executive Director of the Danville Election Commission. “It’s new technology and the machines we had before were outdated. So we feel very fortunate we were able to purchase these.”
The new equipment cost around $70,000. Voters who want to use a traditional ballot will still have that option. | 2022-05-12T02:31:27Z | www.wcia.com | City of Danville purchases new voting technology ahead of midterm elections | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/city-of-danville-purchases-new-voting-technology-ahead-of-midterm-elections/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/city-of-danville-purchases-new-voting-technology-ahead-of-midterm-elections/ |
NIANTIC, Ill. (WCIA) — Most farmers are taking advantage of good planting weather this week. One farmer though needs it more than most.
Ted Maddox said that he needs this weather for more than just a week to have his sweet corn last through the year. he has to plant his corn at different times so it can last through August.
But bad weather can affect how much corn he is able to sell.
“It’s been a wet, cold year and wet is one thing and cold is another, but when you mix cold and wet together it’s not a good mix,” Maddox said. “Especially when we’re trying to get our sweet corn out to hit the 4th of July market.”
Maddox said his farm usually has corn available for the 4th of July once every 10 years. Other farmers were so busy taking advantage of the weather they didn’t have time to stop and talk. | 2022-05-12T02:31:30Z | www.wcia.com | Farmers take advantage of warm weather to plant crops | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/farmers-take-advantage-of-warm-weather-to-plant-crops/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/farmers-take-advantage-of-warm-weather-to-plant-crops/ |
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WCIA) — Wednesday was the first day of National Police Week, an annual observance of the peace officers who have died in the line of duty. This year is the 34th Candle Light Vigil, where the names of officers who died are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall.
There were 472 officers who died in 2021. That is the most officer deaths our country has ever seen. Of those officers, 14 are from the state of Illinois, including Officer Chris Oberheim, whose name is being engraved to the Memorial Wall and he will be recognized this week.
This honor comes near the one year anniversary of his death. Officer Oberheim was shot on May 19 while responding to a domestic call in Champaign. His wife Amber Oberheim, their children and many family members have flown out to celebrate his life and legacy this week and to not forget about the sacrifice he made for his community.
The 34th annual Candle Light Vigil at the National Mall where Officer Oberheim’s name will be read aloud including the 618 other officers who died in 2020 and 2021. | 2022-05-12T02:31:36Z | www.wcia.com | Officer Chris Oberheim among those remembered at D.C. memorial | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/officer-chris-oberheim-among-those-remembered-at-d-c-memorial/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/officer-chris-oberheim-among-those-remembered-at-d-c-memorial/ |
WCIA — Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk verbally committed to play for South Carolina on Wednesday after spending the past three seasons at Illinois. The back-up big man played in 24 games last season, making two starts, but averaged just 1.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game with the Illini.
Bosmans-Verdonk will have two years of eligibility with the Gamecocks, who went 18-13 last season. Head coach Frank Martin was fired after 10 seasons with the program, replaced by Chattanooga coach Lamont Paris, who Illinois beat in the first round of the NCAA tournament in March. | 2022-05-12T02:31:59Z | www.wcia.com | Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk commits to South Carolina | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/benjamin-bosmans-verdonk-commits-to-south-carolina/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/benjamin-bosmans-verdonk-commits-to-south-carolina/ |
RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) – The Rantoul community is mourning the loss of one of their own. 27-year-old Jonathan Davis was killed in a car accident in Urbana last week. When police said he lost control of his car and was hit by an Illini FS tanker.
Now, his family is speaking for the first time since the tragedy.
His family said he was a family man, and would do anything for his children.
“We’ve known him for quite some time, so even since he was young riding his bicycle to and from McDonald’s, drinking Dr. Pepper in one swig,” Jennifer Arnett, his sister-in-law, said.
Two of his kids were actually in the car when the accident happened, and they said it’s a miracle they survived.
Davis has been a big part of the Rantoul community for the last 27 years.
“A big loss to the community for sure. Everywhere he went, everybody loved him and he also bent over backwards for everyone,” Bryson Russell, his step-son, said.
Now, the community and his family are in mourning after a car accident with a tanker truck took his life.
“I didn’t believe it at first and then I just started breaking down for a long time,” Russell said.
Davis had three kids, the youngest was only six days old when he died, and two stepchildren. His family said he was the provider and protector of the family.
“He was a real standup type of dude. He really did anything for them kids. He devoted all of his life to them. Anything he ever invested was either for their future or something they needed now and he took care of me, my mother, and my girlfriend,” Russell said. “A lot of people, he impacted a lot of peoples lives.”
As the family grieves the loss of their friend, father and partner, they also have a plea to the community.
They want to thank the first responders who saved Davis’s two kids who were in the car when the accident happened.
“They saved the kids’ lives, if they wouldn’t have been there where they were, they wouldn’t be here today. I spoke with the lady yesterday at the tow truck yard and she didn’t know how anyone survived and that there was even children in there because there was nothing left of the vehicle,” Arnett said.
Davis left behind his partner and five children. Family and friends have started a fundraising page to help with funeral and every day expenses. You can find that here. | 2022-05-12T05:25:40Z | www.wcia.com | “A big loss to the community…” family remembers father | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/a-big-loss-to-the-community-family-remembers-father/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/a-big-loss-to-the-community-family-remembers-father/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Decatur Police announced Wednesday evening that the suspect in a home invasion that left two people hurt has been arrested.
49-year-old Corey M. Smith is suspected of breaking into a home on May 5. When officers responded to that home, they found a 51-year-old woman and a 43-year-old woman with puncture wounds to their bodies. They were treated at a local hospital and are listed in stable condition.
Smith faces charges of attempted first degree murder (two counts), home invasion, aggravated domestic battery and theft over $500. A warrant for his arrest was issued on Wednesday and he was taken into custody later that day. He will be booked into the Macon County Jail. | 2022-05-12T05:25:41Z | www.wcia.com | Decatur Police: Home invasion suspect arrested | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-police-home-invasion-suspect-arrested/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-police-home-invasion-suspect-arrested/ |
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The car belonging to a missing woman was found in Lake Vermilion Wednesday night.
Abbie Brandenburg and her red Ford Edge haven’t been seen since May 5, when a traffic camera captured the car driving over the Denmark Road bridge over the lake. Brandenburg’s family confirmed that dive teams pulled the Edge from the water, but said that was all the information they had at this time.
WCIA reporters on the scene said they saw Vermilion County Sheriff’s deputies at the scene and had the entrance to the lake blocked off.
We are working to get more information on this developing story. | 2022-05-12T05:25:42Z | www.wcia.com | Missing woman’s car found in Lake Vermilion | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/missing-womans-car-found-in-lake-vermilion/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/missing-womans-car-found-in-lake-vermilion/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Undergraduate Library on the University of Illinois campus will extend its farewell by one additional day to give people one last chance to enter the facility.
The upper level of the UGL will be open on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. to allow people to visit on graduation weekend. No services will be provided during those hours and the facility will close for the final time at 4 p.m.
Staff at the UGL thank students, alumni, student assistants, graduate assistants, staff, faculty, community members and visitors for making the UGL the place that it is. They said they look forward to continuing to serve the community in their new spaces at the Main Library, Grainger Engineering Library, Funk ACES Library and the Music and Performing Arts Library. | 2022-05-12T05:25:45Z | www.wcia.com | U of I library adding one more day of operation before closure | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-library-adding-one-more-day-of-operation-before-closure/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-library-adding-one-more-day-of-operation-before-closure/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County is offering households impacted by COVID-19 assistance with paying water bills to avoid shutoffs and restore service.
The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission’s assistance program consists of a one-time payment to be used toward water/wastewater services. To be eligible for assistance, households must have an income that does not exceed 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Households that were already disconnected or are facing imminent disconnection must also have a balance of $250 or more on their water bills to be eligible.
Homeowners can qualify with a monthly income up to $2,147 for single-person households, $2,903 for two-person households, $3,660 for three-person households and $4,417 for families of four. Renters can qualify with a monthly income up to $4,033 for single-person households, $4,608 for two-person households, $5,216 for three-person households and $7,758 for families of four.
Benefits will be paid directly to water/wastewater vendors on behalf of eligible households.
The RPC needs the following documentation to process applications:
Proof of income for the 60-day period beginning with the date of application for all household members
A copy of lease or signed letter from landlord (for renters)
Proof of Social Security Numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers for all household members
The most recent water/wastewater bill issued within the last 30 days
A disconnection notice (if water has been disconnected already)
Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Appointments will be made through May 31 or until funding is exhausted. The application can be found online. | 2022-05-13T02:59:29Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign County offering water payment assistance | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-county-offering-water-payment-assistance/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-county-offering-water-payment-assistance/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A central Illinois police department is honoring one of their own who died in the line of duty.
The Champaign Police Department memorialized a very special squad car to honor fallen officer Chris Oberheim, who died almost one year ago this month. They designed the car with things that represented him, like a softball and his badge number. The car was a place Oberheim spent a lot of time on the job, so honoring him with this squad car was important for the department.
“It’s their office, it’s their break room, it’s their lunch room a lot of the times, so it’s very personal to the officer,” Deputy Chief Kevin Olmstead said. “The squad car we are memorializing is squad 57, which was Chris’s car at the time of the incident.”
Right now, the car is 700 miles away in Washington D.C. for a national police memorial. After it makes the trek back next week, it will be on display at several events and out on patrol for a year. | 2022-05-13T02:59:41Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign Police dedicate car to fallen officer | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/champaign-police-dedicate-car-to-fallen-officer/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/champaign-police-dedicate-car-to-fallen-officer/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Mayo says he couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
“It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life. It’s the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Deputy Mayo said.
Wednesday marks the beginning of National Police Week. That’s why we’re honoring the brave men and women in law enforcement who sacrifice so much to keep their communities safe.
“We’re out there, we’re here for you, and we’re working every day for you. We all care very deeply, and we’re all very honored to work for you,” Deputy Mayo said.
The Deputy has been with the office for nearly two years. He says every day is a challenge, but it’s also rewarding.
“I look forward to impacting somebody in a positive manner. That’s always my goal. If I get the opportunity to get call volumes down low, I like to get out in some of our communities, those smaller communities; and try to get out with the kids, and show that we’re approachable and things like that,” Deputy Mayo said.
The Kankakee County native served in Afghanistan and has law enforcement in his blood.
“My brother growing up was a Sheriff’s Deputy for a little while, and when I saw him doing it, I thought it was really cool,” Deputy Mayo said.
Despite his desire to living up to his family legacy, he admits is a tough time for law enforcement, even those looking to serve.
“You see a lot of the veteran officers and deputies getting out of it because of the climate. I would encourage people that if you have a passion for serving others, regardless of what that is, to maybe look into law enforcement. It doesn’t matter the call. I’m at a 10 when I go, and I think we all are, just because of the things that have happened here in the community. We’re all at a 10. It doesn’t matter anymore,” Deputy Mayo said.
At the end of the day, the deputy said those in law enforcement share one common goal.
“We come in every day, and we try to make a difference, whether that’s getting guns off the street, getting drugs off the street or anything of that nature. We want to better our community and make it a better place for our kids,” Deputy Mayo said.
Deputy Mayo said he’s proud to be a driving force behind creating the community resources team. That brings law enforcement and community members closer together. He says he’s also looking forward to bringing back the police explorers program to guide young people who are interested in law enforcement. | 2022-05-13T03:00:05Z | www.wcia.com | Recognizing law enforcement during National Police Week | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/recognizing-law-enforcement-during-national-police-week/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/recognizing-law-enforcement-during-national-police-week/ |
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) – The body of a missing woman has been found. After days of searching and a special dive team, the family of Abbie Brandenburg has some closure.
Brandenburg had been missing for several days. She was last seen driving over Lake Vermilion.
Brandenburgs’ car was pulled from the lake late Wednesday night. Police tell us a woman was found dead inside the car. The Vermilion County coroner has confirmed that is the body of Brandenburg.
Her family and friends have been searching for her since she went missing May 5th. Her fiance Christian Cunningham has been leading searches around Lake Vermilion. Even using drones to look for her or her car.
What actually led to her car being found was a special dive team that travels the country helping families find answers underwater, and police close cold cases.
The team, Chaos Divers and Depths of History, were in Indiana working a case when someone reached out to them about Brandenburg.
“A lot of these families go like 20 or 30 years without having any answers. So, the fact that her family was able to have answers in just 6 days. It’s amazing that we were able to come and provide those answers,” Britain Lockhart, with Depths of History, said.
The team said they were searching for just about 45 minutes when they found an area with a break in the tree line and several branches that were freshly broken.
That’s when they got in the water, found the license plate and confirmed it was her car.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like to have to walk down to a bank and stare at water and wonder if my loved one is in there. We can provide the answers on if they’re there or not. We can allow them, for the first time in however many years, that they can lay their head down at night and know where their loved one is,” Lindsay Bussick, with Chaos Divers, said.
This is something they do across the country for families and law enforcement officials for no charge. You can find more on their websites or on Facebook.
The Vermilion County Coroner said no foul play is suspected in this case, but they are still investigating. | 2022-05-13T03:00:11Z | www.wcia.com | Special dive team helped find missing Danville woman | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/special-dive-team-helped-find-missing-danville-woman/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/special-dive-team-helped-find-missing-danville-woman/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Champaign announced on Thursday that a planned road construction project on the University of Illinois campus will not start on its previously-announced starting date and will be delayed.
The city originally planned to close southbound Fourth Street between Daniel Street and Armory Avenue on Monday to replace a water main beneath the road. However, city officials said just days before the closure was set to begin that southbound Fourth will no longer be closing on Monday. They have yet to name a new date when the project will begin.
The project is expected to take four months to complete. | 2022-05-13T03:00:17Z | www.wcia.com | City of Champaign delays road closure on U of I campus | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/city-of-champaign-delays-road-closure-on-u-of-i-campus/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/city-of-champaign-delays-road-closure-on-u-of-i-campus/ |
COLES COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois State Troopers have a stretch of U.S. Route 45 in Coles County shut down Thursday evening.
The closure is happening at the intersection between Route 45 and County Road 250N. Southbound traffic is being diverted onto Interstate 57 with northbound traffic being diverted onto Etna Road for passage around the closure.
The closure is expected to last several hours and drivers are advised to use an alternate route of travel. | 2022-05-13T03:00:23Z | www.wcia.com | State Police: U.S. Route 45 shut down in Coles County | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/state-police-u-s-route-45-shut-down-in-coles-county/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/state-police-u-s-route-45-shut-down-in-coles-county/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — As graduations are ramping up for students around the nation, the Carle Illinois College of Medicine is celebrating a special milestone.
23 students will be the first to graduate from the college this weekend. The college is a first of its kind, not just for the university, but the industry as a whole. It combines engineering and medicine.
Stephen Boppart, Executive Associate Dean of Carle Illinois College of Medicine, said the college and the students that graduate will help revolutionize the medical industry.
“Our program is about training physician innovators and it’s really the next generation of physicians that will not only go out and practice medicine but also have the skill set to look at the problems their patients and the health care systems face,” Boppart said.
All 23 students are going into residencies at prestigious learning hospitals. Most of the students will walk at the university’s graduation ceremony and then participate in a separate convocation held by the college on Sunday. | 2022-05-13T03:00:29Z | www.wcia.com | U of I college celebrates milestone graduation | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-college-celebrates-milestone-graduation/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-college-celebrates-milestone-graduation/ |
DANVILLE (WCIA) — Danville Area Community College softball now has a new opportunity to keep their season going.
DACC lost in the Region 24 championship to Illinois Central College. The softball team is now facing St. Louis Community College the District P Championships. They have a double header Saturday in Danville. If they win, they have a good chance of making it on to the NJCAA National Championship.
“It means everything,” Freshman Danielle Shuey said. “We’ve worked so hard this season. I mean, I’m so proud of this team, we’ve really come a long way. Developed an insane culture that’s really cool to be a part of, so it means everything to be able to have the opportunity to nationals this weekend.”
“They’re all stoked. I think they genuinely love each other,” Head coach Matt Cervantes said. “They compete for one another and I think that’s what’s fun to watch them go out and do.
The Jaguars are 18-6 in conference and have won 19-4 games at home. | 2022-05-13T03:00:54Z | www.wcia.com | DACC softball working to towards spot in Nationals | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/dacc-softball-working-to-towards-spot-in-nationals/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/dacc-softball-working-to-towards-spot-in-nationals/ |
DANVILLE (WCIA) — Karena Mayfield is WCIA 3’s Athlete of the Week. The senior track and field standout won the Big 12 title in the discus throwing a new personal best of 32.19 meters, helping the Vikings to a third place finish in the meet.
The senior comes from a family of throwers, her two older brothers also competed for the Vikings in the shot and discus, and are big supporters. Karena is getting set to throw in the sectional this week, as she tries to compete for a chance to go to state.
“I’m really wanting just to make it to state,” Mayfield said. “I really probably don’t really care about the PR at this point. I really want to get that accomplishment to get to state.”
Mayfield 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/#// | 2022-05-13T03:01:06Z | www.wcia.com | Mayfield wins Athlete of the Week | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/local-sports/mayfield-wins-athlete-of-the-week/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/local-sports/mayfield-wins-athlete-of-the-week/ |
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Two former Illinois football players have officially signed contracts with teams in the NFL.
Former Illini Kerby Joseph has officially signed with the Detroit Lions. The safety agreed to a four year, $5 million dollar contract. He gets a $849,000 dollar signing bonus and will be getting 100% of his maximum compensation allowable.
Another former Illini, Vederian Lowe, has also agreed to a contract. The Vikings 6th round pick agreed to a four year, 3.86 million dollar contract. He received a $197,000 dollar signing bonus and will count over $750,000 on the 2022 cap. | 2022-05-13T03:01:13Z | www.wcia.com | Two Illini sign contracts with NFL teams | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/two-illini-sign-contracts-with-nfl-teams/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/two-illini-sign-contracts-with-nfl-teams/ |
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WCIA) — Amber Oberheim, wife of fallen officer Chris Oberheim, said that while the community has stepped up to support her and her family, the support she’s been given in Washington, D.C. is unlike anything she’s experienced before.
This week, the Oberheims are celebrating National Police Week in the nation’s capital, close to the one-year anniversary of Officer Oberheim’s death. On Thursday, they went to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall, where Officer Oberheim’s name has been engraved. They were surrounded by thousands of people who have been through the same thing.
For once, the Oberheims said they fit in.
“At home, it kind of feels like all eyes are on us,” said daughter Hannah Oberheim. “There is nobody locally in our community who has dealt with this before.”
While Hannah Oberheim said the community has been very supportive of them, the loss of an officer is something few can truly understand.
“Every name on the wall is someone we can relate to which has been amazing,” Hannah said. “It helps us heal in a kind of way.”
This isn’t the first wall that Officer Oberheim’s name was been engraved to.
“I don’t know particularly what it is about seeing his name on this wall in particular, it’s so emotionally difficult,” Amber said. “Maybe it’s just seeing all of the names.”
Amber said seeing it in our nation’s capital is significant.
“This experience, while I was somewhat apprehensive, I may have even said that I dreaded it, so far its been fantastic,” Amber said.
Not only were the Oberheims escorted when they landed at the airport, but they’ve seen Officer Oberheim’s squad car in D.C., toured the Capitol Building and have been able to connect with other families who truly get them.
There will be a silent candlelight vigil on Friday where 619 names will be read – the officers who died in 2020 and 2021. 472 of those officers died in 2021, the most officers deaths the country has ever seen in one year. | 2022-05-13T06:41:40Z | www.wcia.com | Oberheim family has emotional visit to national police memorial | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/oberheim-family-has-emotional-visit-to-national-police-memorial/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/oberheim-family-has-emotional-visit-to-national-police-memorial/ |
A treat for astronomy lovers on Sunday night as a total lunar eclipse will occur and it will be visible right here in central Illinois.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth and moon align, and the moon passes into Earth’s shadow.
Sometimes called a blood moon because of the red tint that the moon takes on, this interesting site will be seen for almost 90 minutes on Sunday night.
The partial eclipse will begin at 9:27pm local time with the total eclipse starting at 10:29pm and lasting until 11:53pm. It is during this time the moon will take on the reddish color.
The forecast is calling for a few clouds but we should be able to see this on Sunday night. | 2022-05-13T06:41:52Z | www.wcia.com | Total Lunar Eclipse Sunday Night | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/total-lunar-eclipse-sunday-night/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/total-lunar-eclipse-sunday-night/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A man tried to hurt himself when Decatur Police and Macon County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to take him into custody.
On Wednesday, at around 7 p.m., a detective with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office were notified that 49-year-old Corey M. Smith was possibly located at a residence on East Olive Street.
Smith was wanted by the Decatur Police Department on the preliminary charges of attempted murder.
Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office along with assistance from the Decatur Police Department gained entry into the residence and found Smith hiding in the basement. It was reported that Smith refused to follow commands to surrender and began to stab at his neck with a screw driver. Once deputies were able to gain control of Smith, he was taken into custody and to an area hospital for treatment of the wounds that he had inflicted on himself. The wounds were described as superficial by hospital staff.
Upon release from the hospital, Smith was transported to the Macon County Jail. | 2022-05-13T18:58:19Z | www.wcia.com | Decatur Police: Man stabs himself in neck before getting arrested | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-police-man-stabs-himself-in-neck-before-getting-arrested/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-police-man-stabs-himself-in-neck-before-getting-arrested/ |
SHELBY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A man was officially charged on Wednesday after he was accused of pretending to be a firefighter to approach another person.
Shelby County State’s Attorney Nichole Kroncke said 40-year-old Jerod Dean Day of Cowden, Illinois, was officially charged with one count of false personation. He was also officially charged with the offense of disorderly conduct.
Officials said since the named victim is sixty years of age or older, the sentencing range is extended to a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 6 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Day was accused of falsely representing himself to be a firefighter with the Cowden Fire Department, using profanity toward the victim and ordering her to exit her vehicle.
Day’s bond was set at $75,000.
Day will appear in court on May 25 for a preliminary hearing. | 2022-05-13T18:58:44Z | www.wcia.com | Man charged after being accused of pretending to be firefighter | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-charged-after-being-accused-of-pretending-to-be-a-firefighter/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-charged-after-being-accused-of-pretending-to-be-a-firefighter/ |
COLES COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A man died after a traffic crash happened on US Route 45 Thursday afternoon.
Illinois State Police District 10 troopers were dispatched to a location on US Route 45 at Coles County 250N at around 4:55 p.m. on Thursday in response to a report of a two-vehicle crash.
ISP said Unit 1 was a white 2015 Ford F650 Tow Truck and Unit 2 was a blue 1994 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle. The driver of Unit 1 was 51-year-old Wesley Doty from Mattoon and the driver of Unit 2 was 69-year-old Michael J. McKenna from Mattoon.
According to the preliminary investigation from ISP, Unit 1 was stopped, facing southbound on US Route 45, waiting to make a left turn onto Coles County 250N and Unit 2 was traveling north on US Route 45 at the same location. It was reported that Unit 1 turned left into the path of Unit 2 and Unit 2 hit the passenger side of Unit 1.
The driver of Unit 2 was airlifted to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of Unit 1 refused medical attention.
The driver of Unit 1 was cited for failure to yield and driving out of classification. | 2022-05-13T18:58:50Z | www.wcia.com | Mattoon man dies after crash on Route 45 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/mattoon-man-dies-after-crash-on-route-45/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/mattoon-man-dies-after-crash-on-route-45/ |
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman is set to receive a four-year contract extension and six-figure raise, pending Board of Trustees approval at its regularly scheduled meeting next week.
If approved, Whitman’s contract will go through June 2028, with an initial raise of $175,000. The new terms would begin next week. Per the contract details obtained by WCIA 3, Whitman will receive $50,000 annual raises through 2028, in addition to being eligible for incentive compensation up to $300,000 per year.
Year Base
Salary Maximum Incentive
Compensation.
5/20/2022–6/30/2023 $975,000 $300,000
7/01/2023–6/30/2024 $1,025,000 $300,000
Whitman’s deal also now includes additional retention incentives, with $200,000 payments on June 30, 2024, 2026 and 2028, respectively, if he remains continuously employed in his current position on those dates.
Funding for Whitman’s salary is is provided from non-appropriated institutional funds in the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics operating budget. | 2022-05-13T18:59:48Z | www.wcia.com | Josh Whitman set to receive contract extension, raise | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/josh-whitman-set-to-receive-contract-extension-raise/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/josh-whitman-set-to-receive-contract-extension-raise/ |
CUNNINGHAM TOWNSHIP, Ill. (WCIA) — Temperatures are warming up and some central Illinois leaders want to make sure their community is taken care of.
In a social media post, officials said they are requesting help in several ways. The first is through the Angel Donor Fund. They stated the fund “has been working overtime trying to keep folks in need from having their power shut off, but we don’t be able to keep up this pace without some serious help.” So, you can help by donating money. You can do that online.
They are also collecting toiletries. “Even hotel shampoos and conditioners would be much appreciated,” said officials. | 2022-05-13T22:40:54Z | www.wcia.com | Cunningham Township collecting donations to combat warm temperatures | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/cunningham-township-collecting-donations-to-combat-warm-temperatures/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/cunningham-township-collecting-donations-to-combat-warm-temperatures/ |
UPDATE FRIDAY 1:45 P.M. — The BioUrja plant in downtown Peoria is once again on fire.
Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger said his team left yesterday after OSHA asked them to leave, so they could begin the investigation. However, Sollberger said this was not a decision they were ready to make as they could still see light smoke.
Our own Mark Welp was there live. Check out his report below:
At about 1:45 p.m. Friday, crews were dispatched back to the area due to a smoke alarm going off. Heavy smoke was seen heading in the direction of Washington Street, and crews were looking for a water source. Within five minutes, conditions improved, he said.
Sollberger said he is concerned and that the firefighters are in a “risky position” because this fire is in an unstable area and has the potential to get worse.
There are three additional silos in the area that are at risk of collapsing. Fire crews will stay in the area for an undetermined amount of time, he said, but so far, conditions are slowly improving.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The process of cleaning up the damage at the BioUrja plant in Peoria is underway. | 2022-05-13T22:41:18Z | www.wcia.com | BioUrja on fire once more, chief worried about potential silo collapse | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/live-biourja-on-fire-once-more-friday-afternoon/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/live-biourja-on-fire-once-more-friday-afternoon/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Patrol Deputy Amanda Reifsteck has been with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office for about a year.
During that time, she says she’s realized it’s the path she wants to follow for the rest of her life.
Behind the Badge: Champaign County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Mayo
“I love it. Every day is new. I’m learning every day. I’m engaging with our community every day. It’s the best feeling ever,” Deputy Reifsteck said.
Behind that determined gaze, bulletproof vest, and Champaign County Sheriff’s Deputy badge sits a real person.
She is Amanda Reifsteck, and she’s determined to protect her community.
“I love the feeling of coming to work every day. The feeling of having a job where you love putting on the uniform every day. You’re excited to get out there and see what the day holds for you,” Deputy Reifsteck said.
She says she first became interested in law enforcement after a tragic death in her family when she was only two. The Champaign County native says her career is about so much more than what you typically see on the screen.
“It’s not what you see on COPS. Some days it’s boring. It’s not always running and gunning like everyone thinks. Yeah, it’s what I expected and more,” Deputy Reifsteck said.
She encourages anyone who might be skeptical of law enforcement or simply curious about their work to see it for themselves.
“Before I did my internship, I had not done a ride-along before, and when I did a ride-along, it kind of opened up your eyes as to why we do the things that we do here, but until you really jump out there and see firsthand,” Deputy Reifsteck said.
She says people in law enforcement share a common goal. That is being an inspiration to their community and families.
“I have a nephew who dresses up and tries to mock my gear that I’m wearing, and it’s just great that I’m a good role model to my nieces and nephews,” Deputy Reifsteck said.
She says she would eventually like to become a detective, because she’s so detail-oriented, but she plans staying with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office until she retires. | 2022-05-13T22:41:24Z | www.wcia.com | Honoring law enforcement during National Police Week | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/honoring-law-enforcement-during-national-police-week/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/honoring-law-enforcement-during-national-police-week/ |
MACON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Macon County Jail is going through the process of replacing the current inmate communication system, which includes phone calls and video visitation, with HomeWAV Communication.
Officials said the new system is anticipated to be a more reliable system that offers more opportunities for inmates to communicate with their loved ones. They also said it will even offer additional educational and entertainment opportunities for those incarcerated in the Macon County Jail. These include GED preparation, behavioral health assistance, eBooks & magazines, games, employment education and more.
The new system installation will be going live in certain areas of the jail during the week of May 16. For most housing units, the switch-over will be completed within a day. During this transition, officials will notify inmates in the affected areas 24 hours in advance of the switch-over as well as posting notices on the Facebook page. Friends and family members of the inmates should create their HomeWAV account only when they are notified that their housing unit will be switching over.
For more information on the HomeWAV communications system and how to set up your HomeWAV account, visit WEBSITE. | 2022-05-13T22:41:30Z | www.wcia.com | Macon Co. Jail to replace inmate communication system | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/macon-co-jail-to-replace-inmate-communication-system/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/macon-co-jail-to-replace-inmate-communication-system/ |
SHELBY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A man was sentenced to prison after helping another man hide the body of a 72-year-old woman in 2021.
Woman reported missing in Shelby County
Shelby County State’s Attorney Nichole Kroncke said Thomas M. Miller was sentenced to a maximum of 24 years in prison for the offenses of concealment of homicidal death and possession of a converted vehicle, in relation to the homicide of 72-year-old Sherry Hubbart of Shelbyville.
Second man pleads guilty in connection to woman’s death
Officials said Miller faced a maximum extended term sentence of 24 years because Hubbart was 60 years of age or older at the time of the commission of the offenses.
In addition, Miller was sentenced to three years in prison for the offense of aggravated battery. This charge was a result of Miller hitting a male inmate in the head on April 24.
All three sentences must be served one after the other.
Coroner says Shelby County woman was strangled; prosecutors file extra charges against suspects
Sherry Hubbartt’s family reported her missing on April 17, 2021 after personal items were discovered in her home while she and her 2009 Chevy Impala were missing. Family members said they suspected Clayton Anderson, Hubbartt’s grandson, of being involved in her disappearance.
Family of Sherry Hubbartt lays her to rest
After conducting an investigation, law enforcement discovered that Hubbartt’s debit card was used in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and Utah following her disappearance. On the evening of April 17, 2021, Nevada Highway Patrol located Hubbartt’s vehicle after receiving a complaint of occupants shooting at traveling vehicles. Nevada Highway Patrol and Las Vegas Metro Police pursued the vehicle in a lengthy and high-speed chase through the Las Vegas Strip, resulting in a crash on an interstate highway. Hubbartt’s grandson, Clayton Anderson, was identified as the driver and Miller as the passenger. BB guns were located in the vehicle.
Miller confessed the next day to Las Vegas Metro Police detectives, stating that he was present at Hubbartt’s home on April 16, 2021 with Anderson when an argument between Hubbartt and Anderson ensued. During the argument, Anderson pushed Hubbartt to the ground and strangled her to death. Miller confessed to assisting Anderson to conceal Hubbartt’s body by hiding her in a bedroom closet and covering her with pillows and blankets. Anderson and Miller then fled with Hubbartt’s debit card and her vehicle.
The Illinois State Police searched Hubbartt’s home following Miller’s confession and located her body in the closet that Miller described.
Anderson subsequently confessed and pled guilty to her murder. He is serving a life sentence and is currently housed at Menard Correctional Center.
A family member of Sherry Hubbartt read an emotional victim impact statement at Miller’s sentencing hearing and vividly described the never-ending pain and suffering endured by Hubbart’s family as a result of her death. Miller was granted permission to address the family and stated, “I am deeply sorry for the pain I have caused.”
This case was investigated by the Illinois State Police, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the Decatur Police Department, the Nevada Highway Patrol and the Las Vegas Metro Police. | 2022-05-13T22:41:36Z | www.wcia.com | Man sentenced to prison in relation to death of Shelbyville woman in 2021 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-to-prison-in-relation-to-death-of-shelbyville-lady-in-2021/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-to-prison-in-relation-to-death-of-shelbyville-lady-in-2021/ |
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Megan Cooney and Blake Hayes are the 2022 Illinois Big Ten Medal of Honor winners. The annual award is given annually to one male and female graduating athlete from each school in the conference, recognizing excellence both on and off the field throughout their college career.
Cooney helped lead the Illini volleyball team to four NCAA tournament appearances in her five-year career, including a run to the Final Four in 2018. The First Team All-Big Ten selection is the school’s all-time leader in sets played (554), ranking 10th on the career kills list with 1,507.
Hayes was a five-year starter and three-year captain for Illini football, breaking nearly every punting category during his time in Champaign. | 2022-05-14T01:52:37Z | www.wcia.com | Hayes, Cooney win Big Ten Medal of Honor | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/hayes-cooney-win-big-ten-medal-of-honor/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/hayes-cooney-win-big-ten-medal-of-honor/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Next Saturday marks a special day for the Champaign County History Museum.
On May 21, the museum will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, and they are inviting the public to join in on the celebration.
Starting Wednesday, over the course of the week, there will be museum open house events from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Thursday night there is a free history talk scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on the life of Able Harwood.
Then on Saturday, the museum open house last from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is also offering birthday cake all day, in addition their historic popcorn truck and lemonade shakeups.
Likewise, there are two separate tours scheduled with one being on the theaters of Champaign (10 a.m. & 2 p.m.) and another on downtown Champaign (12 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.)
Tickets are required to attend the event and cost $15 per person, with museum members receiving a $5 discount.
Photo Courtesy: Champaign County History Museum Facebook page | 2022-05-14T22:11:06Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign County History Museum celebrating 50th anniversary | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-county-history-museum-celebrating-50th-anniversary/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-county-history-museum-celebrating-50th-anniversary/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The James Millikin Homestead is hosting a special open house next Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in conjunction with History of the Heartland’s Historic Preservation Week.
The open house will begin with the opportunity to take photos with several vintage Model A and Model T cars.
There will also be a display about banking in Decatur from the James Millikin Collection. The public will be able to tour the Homestead while learning about Millikin’s life and the family’s contributions to the community.
The first 25 attendees will receive a limited-edition commemorative coin from the History of the Heartland. The coin is the first of an annual series of limited edition commemorative coins, and this year it features the Walrus Manufacturing building.
Photo Courtesy: James Millikin Homestead | 2022-05-14T22:11:12Z | www.wcia.com | James Millikin Homestead to host open house for public | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/james-millikin-homestead-to-host-open-house-for-public/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/james-millikin-homestead-to-host-open-house-for-public/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s a sign that things are getting back to normal.
One U of I class is starting again after the pandemic and they call it the Hall of Fame Tour.
It’s because they take several students to Hall of Fame museums and historic landmarks from Illinois to Pennsylvania.
The last time the class was offered was in the spring of 2019. Then Covid hit.
It’s a part of the Recreation Sport and Tourism Department.
They travel to places like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Princeton and Niagra Falls to learn how they can work together.
Clinical Associate Professor Michael Raycraft stated, “I’m really pleased that the University is allowing us to go out there and do that, it’s a great endorsement of our program and I know that the kids are ready. We’re going to be cautious, play by the rules and do what they tell us to do and I’m looking forward to a great adventure.”
The class got two big donors this year to help with expenses.
The trip starts in just a few weeks. | 2022-05-14T22:12:07Z | www.wcia.com | U of I class starting again after pandemic | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-class-starting-again-after-pandemic/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/u-of-i-class-starting-again-after-pandemic/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Sangamon County Coroner, Jim Allmon, has identified the man who died in a police pursuit on Friday night.
The driver was Randy DeGroot, who is a 65-year-old from Springfield.
Police say that DeGroot attempted to flee during a traffic stop for several traffic violations. After a short pursuit, he then crashed near the intersection of Yankeetown and Tomlin Road.
According to authorities, he was pronounced dead at the scene and no officers were injured in the pursuit. An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday morning as the death remains under investigation by the coroner’s office and the Illinois State Police. | 2022-05-15T02:28:04Z | www.wcia.com | County Coroner identifies man involved in deadly crash | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/county-coroner-identifies-man-involved-in-deadly-crash/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/county-coroner-identifies-man-involved-in-deadly-crash/ |
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Lincoln Fire Protection District had a busy day after being called into action on two separate fires Saturday.
Officials said that they were first dispatched at 1:30 p.m. to a report of a tractor fire near 1320 East and 700 North in Coles County.
Upon arrival, they found that the fire was beginning to spread to the surrounding grass area. They were able to quickly extinguish the fire, thanks to support from additional personnel on the scene.
While crews finished putting out this fire, they were then dispatched to a controlled burn that was reported to be threatening several farm structures. The first arriving unit was able to successfully put out the fire before determining that the controlled burn had run out of fuel on the ground and was no longer a threat to nearby structures.
None of the firefighters or landowners involved the incident were injured in the respective fires.
Photo Courtesy: LFPD | 2022-05-15T02:28:10Z | www.wcia.com | Lincoln Fire Protection District puts out two fires | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/lincoln-fire-protection-district-puts-out-two-fires/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/lincoln-fire-protection-district-puts-out-two-fires/ |
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