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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Police Department is investigating after shots were fired at the intersection of Bradley and McKinley Avenues Sunday afternoon.
Officers were dispatched to the intersection at approximately 3:30 p.m. Upon arrival, officers determined that multiple people were firing at each other and left the area before they arrived. So far, no injuries or damage to property have been reported.
Champaign Police ask that anyone with additional information or video recordings of this incident contact them at 217-351-4545. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can submit tips to Crime Stoppers by calling 217-373-8477, by visiting Crime Stoppers’ website or by using the P3 Tips app. | 2022-05-15T22:09:02Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign Police investigating shots-fired incident | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-police-investigating-shots-fired-incident/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-police-investigating-shots-fired-incident/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur Police Department announced over the weekend that it will be stepping up its seat belt enforcement ahead of Memorial Day.
Decatur Police said that while Illinois has a 93.5% seat belt use compliance rate, unbelted drivers and passengers still account for more than half the fatalities of vehicle crashes. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of fatal injury by 45%.
“Seat belts have proven to be one of the best ways to save your life in a crash,” Sgt. Steve Hagemeyer said. “Unfortunately, many still don’t buckle up. Worse yet, not wearing a seat belt is a habit that can be passed on to younger generations who follow the example set by their elders.”
Decatur Police is using the increased enforcement to remind drivers and passengers to buckle up every time they get into a car. | 2022-05-15T22:09:08Z | www.wcia.com | Decatur Police stepping up seat belt enforcement ahead of Memorial Day | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-police-stepping-up-seat-belt-enforcement-ahead-of-memorial-day/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/decatur-police-stepping-up-seat-belt-enforcement-ahead-of-memorial-day/ |
WCIA — Illinois was selected Sunday to play in the Columbia, Mo. Regional, hosted by No. 15 Missouri, where they will play Arizona in the first game.
Illinois softball is headed to the No. 15 Missouri Regional in the NCAA Tournament. They'll play Arizona in their first game.
— Andy Olson (@WCIA3Andy) May 15, 2022
It is the fourth time under head coach Tyra Perry the Illini have been selected for the tournament. Illinois was not secured a spot, having lost in its first game to Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament.
The tournament gets started on Friday, May 20. | 2022-05-16T01:29:16Z | www.wcia.com | Illinois softball to play Arizona at NCAA Tournament | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illinois-softball-to-play-arizona-at-ncaa-tournament/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illinois-softball-to-play-arizona-at-ncaa-tournament/ |
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Parkland men’s golf is on its way to the NJCAA DII National Tournament for the fifth year in a row, with this year’s edition being held in Joplin, Mo.
Play starts on Tuesday and runs through Friday. But unlike the last four trips, the Cobras are there to defend their title. They won their first championship in program history last season. Three golfers from that team are back for this season. For this year’s squad, the do not feel the pressure going back as defending champs.
“This is an opportunity for a new team, new guys to go and leave their mark,” head coach Corbin Sebens said. “There’s no pressure. We’re going to approach it like every event.”
“We haven’t been starting as we’ve wanted to this semester,” sophomore Joel Petersson said. “I would say we struggled a little bit in the beginning. But we’re starting to get there I would say. I have a good feeling for Nationals this year as well.”
Parkland is ranked third in the nation going into the tournament. | 2022-05-16T04:23:12Z | www.wcia.com | Parkland golf looks to defend title | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/local-sports/parkland-golf-looks-to-defend-title/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/local-sports/parkland-golf-looks-to-defend-title/ |
WCIA — Illinois men’s golf is ready for a big week ahead, as Monday the Illini tee off in their 20th straight NCAA Regional.
This year they are the No. 4 seed in the New Haven, Conn. Regional hosted by Yale. They will play until Wednesday, 54 holes total. The top five team finishers are headed to the NCAA Championships. Illinois has made it out of this round 13 years in a row, and they are not treating this time around any different.
“This is what we do, this is what they came here to do,” head coach Mike Small said. “This is what Illinois golf does and we’re not going to stall it out, we’re not going to overthink it, we’re not going to underthink it, we’re going to do the same thing we do every day. That’s how we’re going to parlay it, not make it bigger than it is, not make it smaller than it is. It is what it is every year, it’s a standard that we have and we’re going to keep doing it.”
The Illini’s Nationals streak is the second-longest in the nation behind Texas. | 2022-05-16T04:23:18Z | www.wcia.com | Illini golf ready to tee off in NCAA Regional | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illini-golf-ready-to-tee-off-in-ncaa-regional/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illini-golf-ready-to-tee-off-in-ncaa-regional/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) – Each spring, thousands of students walk the stage at U of I. But it’s not every year that the world’s first engineering-based medical school gets to watch its very first class graduate.
“On that Illinois patch on that side of our white coats, says ‘future physician innovators.’ Today, we become physician innovators,” Dr. Kenny Leung, a 2022 graduate of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine said.
Physician innovators: that’s what the Carle Illinois aims to create with its unique, engineering-based curriculum. 23 of them became doctors Sunday.
“Let’s imagine how we would like healthcare to be like and strive to make it a reality,” Leung said.
The 2022 convocation ceremony was the first of many send-offs for a group that hopes to revolutionize healthcare. One of the ways they do that is through capstone projects. Students identify a problem in medicine, design a solution, and bring those ideas to life.
“We saw patients who are always in the hospital. They’re there for a week just to monitor whether they have a seizure or not,” Leung said.
Leung wanted to make it easier for epilepsy patients to diagnose seizures without disrupting their daily lives. So, his capstone project was a baseball cap monitoring device called “Epicap.”
“As an engineer, we’re often in a bubble, and I wanted to get out of that bubble. So, what is more challenging than the route to become a medical doctor?” he said.
Chancellor Robert Jones spoke at the ceremony about another challenge the class of 2022 faced: medical school during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The need for your service is especially urgent as you begin your medical careers in a world that has been so disrupted and damaged by this global pandemic,” he said.
Many of the graduates’ residency programs are scattered across the country, but two will stay here at Carle.
“I met my significant other here; she’s from Central Illinois. Just being at Memorial Stadium on Saturdays, and seeing people I know – it’s just so exciting,” Dr. Andrew Chang, a Carle Illinois graduate said.
Four years ago, Carle Illinois welcomed students for the first time. It was an extra special day for one graduate – she just finished her eighth year at the U of I.
“It was a different mood than my undergraduate graduation in 2018 from bioengineering, but still a day to celebrate,” Dr. Elizabeth Woodburn, a 2022 Carle Illinois graduate said.
The college also celebrated a new dean. Dr. Mark Cohen said he’s looking forward to continuing the work of combining technology and healthcare.
“I think this will be a college that’s going to be leading a lot of that change, and it’s exciting to be a part of that,” Cohen said.
He said it’s been great to watch the college grow over the years, and it’s an honor to send the graduates off into the next stage of their careers. | 2022-05-16T18:50:38Z | www.wcia.com | Carle Illinois College of Medicine sends off its first class of doctors | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/carle-illinois-college-of-medicine-sends-off-its-first-class-of-doctors/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/carle-illinois-college-of-medicine-sends-off-its-first-class-of-doctors/ |
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers needs your help solving a case.
In a news release, officials said officers were called in reference to a fight that happened around 2:15 a.m. April 30 at Green Street Café in Champaign. Two women were having an argument when it turned into a physical fight. A woman was stabbed. She was taken to the hospital where she was treated and then released. Additionally, a man did try to break up the fight and was hurt as well. Officers said his injuries were minor.
Officers are trying to find a woman they believe is a suspect in this case. She possibly left the area in a blue Ford F-150 pickup truck, according to officials.
If you know anything about this case, you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at (217) 373-TIPS. You can also submit a tip online. | 2022-05-16T18:50:50Z | www.wcia.com | Crime Stoppers looking for woman accused of battery | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/crime-stoppers-looking-for-woman-accused-of-battery/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/crime-stoppers-looking-for-woman-accused-of-battery/ |
OGDEN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County Forest Preserve District has announced that construction will begin on a 1.5 mile trail through the Village of Ogden this month, and that it will be completed by fall.
The trail will connect St. Joseph to Ogden, and once the entire trail is finished, it will span 24.5 miles in total, while connecting Champaign and Vermillion County. There are currently 6.7 miles of trail complete from Urbana to St. Joseph, and there’s an additional 3 miles of trail between Oakwood and Kickapoo State Park.
Similar to the trail section in St. Joseph, the surface of the Ogden trail will be asphalt through town and become crushed gravel as it heads out of town toward the county line. The trail will span between County Roads 2650E and 2800E.
“After this section is complete, we will work with our partners to build the remaining sections of the KRT,” Executive Director Lorrie Pearson said in a news release.
Funding for this trail comes from a $949,430 grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Illinois Transportation Program and a $118,678.75 State of Illinois grant match. Any remaining costs will be provided by the Champaign County Forest Preserve District and the Forest Preserve Friends Foundation.
Photo Courtesy: Champaign County Forest Preserve District | 2022-05-16T18:50:56Z | www.wcia.com | Expansion coming to Kickapoo Rail Trail this summer | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/expansion-coming-to-kickapoo-rail-trail-this-summer/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/expansion-coming-to-kickapoo-rail-trail-this-summer/ |
HARVEL, Ill. (WCIA) — Investigators are looking for someone they said destroyed equipment at a pipeline repair site.
In a news release, FBI Springfield investigators said that around midnight on April 21, someone got hold of an excavator owned by Vance & Associates, Inc. and used it to destroy a trailer and sandblaster. They then set fire to the excavator and a semi-truck trailer.
Vance & Associates is offering an up to $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for this crime. If you have any information, call the FBI Springfield office at (217) 522-9675. You can also call Crime Stoppers at (800) 352-0136. | 2022-05-16T18:51:02Z | www.wcia.com | FBI investigate arson at pipeline repair site | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/fbi-investigate-arson-at-pipeline-repair-site/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/fbi-investigate-arson-at-pipeline-repair-site/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Around 100 households are still without power in Springfield due to a problem caused by a squirrel.
City Water, Light and Power crews are responding to a power outage on the north end from Sangamon Avenue to Keys Avenue between North 9th and 24th street.
Officials say that a pole needs to be replaced, so the estimated time power will be fully restored is around 5 p.m.
An outage map can be found here. | 2022-05-16T21:28:06Z | www.wcia.com | Officials say power outage caused by squirrel | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/power-outage-reported-in-springfield-area/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/power-outage-reported-in-springfield-area/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Friends and family will have a chance to say goodbye to longtime congressman Tim Johnson.
That will be June 4 at the Lincoln Square Mall–a favorite place for the Urbana native. It will be at 1 p.m. on that Saturday.
The family is holding a private burial at another time. | 2022-05-16T21:28:12Z | www.wcia.com | Remembrance event held to honor Congressman Tim Johnson | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/remembrance-event-held-to-honor-congressman-tim-johnson/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/remembrance-event-held-to-honor-congressman-tim-johnson/ |
SHELBY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Shelby County officers are looking for two people they said are connected to a burglary in April.
Officers said they are looking for 28-year-old Nick Wilson. He is around 6’3″ and has been known to live in Decatur and Effingham.
Additionally, they are looking for another man that was possibly involved with the burglary.
If you know where either of these men are located, call the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at (217) 774-3941 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 528-8477. | 2022-05-16T21:28:18Z | www.wcia.com | Shelby Co. Sheriff’s Office looks for men connected to burglary | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/shelby-co-sheriffs-office-looks-for-men-connected-to-burglary/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/shelby-co-sheriffs-office-looks-for-men-connected-to-burglary/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Firefighters in Springfield were called to a garage fire early Monday morning.
The fire happened at 1821 Holmes Avenue. Police officers officers discovered the garage at that address was on fire around 3:40 a.m. and reported the fire to Dispatch. Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes and were able to contain the fire to the garage before extinguishing it.
No one was hurt and the cause of the fire is under investigation. | 2022-05-16T21:28:24Z | www.wcia.com | Springfield Fire extinguishes garage fire | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-fire-extinguishes-garage-fire/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-fire-extinguishes-garage-fire/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield Police said no one was seriously hurt after a car ran into a convenience store Monday afternoon.
Officers received the call around 1 p.m., according to police. A car ran into HomeTown Pantry. Additionally, the car ran over a woman’s foot.
Investigators are continuing to look into what caused the crash. The building was deemed safe. | 2022-05-16T21:28:30Z | www.wcia.com | Springfield Police: Car runs into HomeTown Pantry | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-police-car-runs-into-hometown-pantry/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-police-car-runs-into-hometown-pantry/ |
Miss Mahomet Teen USA encouraging women to “Take Up Space”
Arianna has formed a platfrom called Taking Up Space. It spreads a message that she feels extremely passionate about. She believes that young girls and women should never be afraid to Take Up Space in areas that they traditionally may not be accepted in. You can see all the wonderful things she has done on her instgram OfficialTakingUpSpace.
She has went to area classrooms and read a book to the students about how they can be strong in their beliefs while remaining kind. She has most recently developed a national scholarship with the help of bold.org to help encourage young women who are in programs or areas of study that are mostly male dominated. She also believes in community service. At Christmas she donated over 200 items to the Children’s Hospital in Peoria, and with the help of friends and family she was able to donate 30 Easter baskets at Easter to them as well.
Arianna is extremely excited.for the opportunity to compete at Illinois Teen USA May 28th-30th in Bloomington, IL at Braden Auditorium. This opportunity has given her the platform to be able to advocate, and be a mentor to young girls within central Illinois. She is hoping to continue her work across the state of Illinois and hopefully at a national level with the USA organization.
People can watch Arianna compete live May 28th at 730 pm for the preliminary competition or May 30th at 2 pm for finals. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com. if you are unable to catch her live it will be live streamed during those hours on pageantvision.com. | 2022-05-16T23:46:33Z | www.wcia.com | Miss Mahomet Teen USA encouraging women to “Take Up Space” | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/ciliving-stories/ciliving/miss-mahomet-teen-usa-encouraging-women-to-take-up-space/ | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/ciliving-stories/ciliving/miss-mahomet-teen-usa-encouraging-women-to-take-up-space/ |
MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) – It’s tick season. State research shows that cases of tick-borne diseases have been on the rise in Illinois.
A natural areas manager at Allerton Park said mid-May is when ticks become active. If you’re a nature lover, you may want to be careful. Ticks can transmit harmful illnesses like Lyme Disease.
He says if you get bit, use tweezers close to the skin and slowly apply pressure to remove the bug. They’re hard to kill, so he said you can flush a tick, or contain it in a secure bag and throw it away. He said some people try to remove them using soap or lighters, but it’s best to avoid doing so.
He said to be sure to check your body and clothes after returning from a hike. And, most bug repellents will help keep the ticks away.
“Ticks seem to be in taller grass, kind-of scrubby areas – not so much the mowed trails. Here at the park we don’t see too many ticks if you’re taking a hike through the park, but when you’re off the trails is when you get ticks,” Alex Lourash.
The Department of Public Health has an online interactive map where you can track tick populations by county. | 2022-05-16T23:47:48Z | www.wcia.com | Tips and tricks for tick season | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/tips-and-tricks-for-tick-season/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/tips-and-tricks-for-tick-season/ |
MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) – They volunteer to give other veterans a final salute. For the American Legion Honor Guard in Monticello, things have changed since losing one of their own. Their former commander died several months ago.
Many American Legion posts are already strained. Membership numbers have dwindled over the years, and funds are tight. But Monticello’s new commander, Nick Nichols, said everyone is pitching in to keep their traditions alive.
“Oh gosh, Ed. He was one of a kind. I don’t think he ever knew a stranger,” Vice Commander Mike Randall said.
Edward Hollis Sr. died unexpectedly in December. For the past six years, he was commander of the Monticello Honor Guard – a group known for honoring other veterans at their funerals.
“He would say something up there to the family, and they would all start laughing. We, to this day, don’t know what it was that he was telling them or saying,” Randall said.
He said Hollis had a special quality that made solemn times a little easier. Nichols said taking over the role has been…
“A little hectic because I was not trained to do it.”
Commanders handle difficult phone calls with grieving families, maintaining equipment and more. Nichols said the other members have been helping out, but they all miss Hollis and his devotion to the cause.
“I think I’ve got about eight funerals under my belt so far. It’s never easy to see a passing of a fellow veteran but we have to honor their passing and present the flag to the family, which is an honor for us,” Nichols said.
He said every veteran deserves that final salute – whether they were a member or not.
“Even if they just moved into the community, and we don’t know them, we’ll still honor them and be present at their funeral,” he said.
They try to get at least seven or eight members to attend each funeral they are called to. But sometimes, up to twelve may show up. For a small community, Nichols said he thinks they do pretty well.
“They either volunteered to be in the service or were drafted. But they did their part – in a big way or a small way. And we’d just like to honor that.”
They’ve lost several members over the years, and he said it’s difficult to recruit. If you’re interested in joining, you can contact Nick Nichols at 252-320-6138. | 2022-05-17T01:57:45Z | www.wcia.com | The Honor Guard’s final salute to one of their own | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/the-honor-guards-final-salute-to-one-of-their-own/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/the-honor-guards-final-salute-to-one-of-their-own/ |
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Charleston Police Department arrested a man on Friday after finding methamphetamine and heroin on his person during a traffic stop.
A Charleston officer pulled over Alexander French, 29, for not having any taillights illuminated and for driving erratically. The officer then discovered that French had a revoked driver’s license and during a search, discovered one gram of meth, half a gram of heroin, a scale and an uncapped syringe.
French was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine less than 5 grams (a Class 3 felony) and Possession of a Controlled Substance (a Class 4 felony). He was taken to the Coles County Sheriff’s Department and bond was set at $100,000. | 2022-05-17T03:59:18Z | www.wcia.com | Man arrested for meth, heroin possession | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-arrested-for-meth-heroin-possession/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-arrested-for-meth-heroin-possession/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Sangamon Mass Transit District is encouraging people to take public transit this week as part of the Curb Your Car Challenge.
The District said the promotion is meant to encourage people to take a more active approach to getting around town by using public transport. As part of the promotion, bus passengers with a bike get to ride for free all week and all passengers ride for free on Tuesday.
There will also be a community bike commute on Wednesday starting at 7:30 a.m. at Washington Park. | 2022-05-17T03:59:49Z | www.wcia.com | SMTD encourages public transport use through week-long promotion | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/smtd-encourages-public-transport-use-through-week-long-promotion/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/smtd-encourages-public-transport-use-through-week-long-promotion/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Champaign is putting together a pop-up park in the area of Hedge Park.
City leaders want the community to come together to have a park raising, which is expected to happen sometime in the next few weeks. The city is using extra funds and volunteers to help, hoping to bring the community together in a more productive way.
“I’d like to make our community more contiguous to share with the south side and the north side,” said Creel Belovéd of the Garden Hills Neighborhood Association. “So if we can have events in both, I’m hoping that will get a larger joined community.”
They need volunteers to help putting the park together and cleaning it up. There will be a clean up event on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Hedge Park. | 2022-05-17T05:56:48Z | www.wcia.com | Pop-up park appearing in Champaign | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/pop-up-park-appearing-in-champaign/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/pop-up-park-appearing-in-champaign/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Decatur Firefighters were dispatched to a location on West Center Street at around 6:45 a.m. on Monday in response to a report of a house on fire.
When fire crews arrived at the scene, fire and smoke were visible from the front of the house. All occupants were reported out of the structure. The crews quickly extinguished the fire. They also laddered the roof and cut two ventilation holes to remove the smoke and heat. The fire was under control within 20 minutes of arrival.
Decatur Firefighters treated two occupants on scene, they were later taken to Decatur Memorial Hospital by Decatur Ambulance personnel. Red Cross was contacted to assist the occupants. | 2022-05-17T15:23:26Z | www.wcia.com | Firefighters response to house fire in Decatur | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/firefighters-response-to-house-fire-in-decatur/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/firefighters-response-to-house-fire-in-decatur/ |
BETHANY, Ill. (WCIA) — Officials said the boil order for the Village of Bethany has been lifted.
Everyone is allowed to resume use as normal.
Residents of the Village of Bethany were advised to enter a boil order due to a water main breaking on May 10.
Officials said they believed the water main broke on its own due to the strain of draining water from the tower while it has been under repair.
The boil order remained in effect for nearly a week. | 2022-05-17T17:29:38Z | www.wcia.com | Boil order lifted for Village of Bethany | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/boil-order-lifted-for-village-of-bethany/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/boil-order-lifted-for-village-of-bethany/ |
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A 29-year-old man was arrested in connection with a recent shooting after he was seen at the Vermilion County Courthouse.
During the follow-up investigation into the shooting that occurred on May 13, Danville Police identified the suspect as Tyler W. Perkins of Danville.
An arrest warrant was issued for Perkins. On Tuesday, at around 9 a.m., Perkins was taken into custody by the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department at the Vermilion County Courthouse. Officials said Perkins was at the courthouse to attend an unrelated case.
Perkins was taken to the Danville Public Safety building where he is currently awaiting arraignment in court.
At this time, the victim in this case is still listed in stable condition. | 2022-05-17T17:29:56Z | www.wcia.com | Man arrested in connection with Danville shooting | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-arrested-in-connection-with-danville-shooting/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-arrested-in-connection-with-danville-shooting/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A Decatur restaurant is rebuilding after it was hit by a car last week.
The Wharf, located at 201 West 1st Drive, was hit by a car last Wednesday and had to close as a result. On Tuesday, the business provided an update on the repairs via its Facebook page.
The business said that there was more damage to the building than originally perceived; the gas line to the entire building was severed below the shut off valve. However, repairs are progressing at “a great pace.”
The restaurant does not have a definitive reopening date. | 2022-05-17T21:03:44Z | www.wcia.com | Repairs underway on Decatur restaurant hit by car | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/repairs-underway-on-decatur-restaurant-hit-by-car/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/repairs-underway-on-decatur-restaurant-hit-by-car/ |
Illini have lost season high three straight games, face Arizona in first round of NCAA Regional at Missouri
URBANA (WCIA) — As name after name ran across the screen on the NCAA Tournament selection show, Illinois softball coach Tyra Perry wasn’t feeling nervous about her team’s chances of being selected.
“We still were confident we were going to be in,” Perry said on Tuesday, the first time visiting with media since the selection show. “Especially seeing Minnesota go off the board early and Wisconsin. That being said the NCAA has pulled some trickery before.”
No tricks this time for the committee though, with the Illini finally hearing their name called to the Columbia, Missouri Regional hosted by No. 15 seed Mizzou, where they’ll play Arizona on Friday at 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+) in the opening round. Coming off a disappointing one and done loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament and three straight losses overall, tying a season high, Perry and the Illini (34-20) are choosing to focus on the positives of this season.
“We’ve played well enough to win 34 of them and almost win quite a few others,” Perry said. “There’s up and downs in the season and we’ve been mostly up. We’re just focusing on the up.”
“It’s really exciting to have a team that’s this good,” Illinois senior pitcher Sydney Sickels said. “This team is so close and we work so well together. I think this team is going to go really far if we just stick together.”
After two years of postseason cancellations, with the NCAA tournament called off in 2020 and the Big Ten tournament canceled last year due to COVID-19, tournament experience is limited for the Illini. After two seasons of postseason cancellations, tournament experience is limited on the squad. There are only a handful of players who were on the team back in 2019, the last time Illinois made the NCAA’s, who’re doing their best to prep many for their first taste of regional play.
“Avery Steiner and Sydney Sickels, those guys who have experiences postseason play the last time when we were at Kentucky,” said Perry. “Anything they say is going to have a lot more weight than what we can say because they were actually in their shoes.”
“We’re just looking at this as a new start,” added Sickels. “Whatever’s happened in the past doesn’t really matter right now. It’s about what’s ahead of us.”
And what’s ahead is a chance for Illinois to advance out of the NCAA Regional for the first time in program history. Missouri State is the fourth team in the Columbia Regional, joining host Missouri, Arizona and Illinois. | 2022-05-17T21:05:43Z | www.wcia.com | Illini softball confident heading into NCAA tournament: “We’re just looking at this as a new start” | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illini-softball-confident-heading-into-ncaa-tournament-were-just-looking-at-this-as-a-new-start/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/illini-softball-confident-heading-into-ncaa-tournament-were-just-looking-at-this-as-a-new-start/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Springfield is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a community blood drive later this week.
The blood drive will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday in the Carnegie Room of the Lincoln Library, located at 326 South 7th Street. People wanting to donate are recommended to register in advance on the Red Cross’ website by typing in one of Springfield’s zip codes and selecting “Springfield Lincoln Library” from the listed blood drives. People can also register or ask questions by calling 800-733-2767.
On-street and meter parking will be free during the day. | 2022-05-17T21:24:53Z | www.wcia.com | City of Springfield, Red Cross hosting blood drive | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/city-of-springfield-red-cross-hosting-blood-drive/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/city-of-springfield-red-cross-hosting-blood-drive/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield Firefighters responded to a house fire in the Country Place neighborhood Tuesday afternoon.
The fire department received a report at around 3:25 p.m. after an officer saw flames showing when he was in the area.
When fire crews first arrived at the scene, they saw a garage on fire. It was very close to a house, resulting in the house also caught on fire.
Firefighters said they saw heavy smoke and flames from the garage. They also saw smoke from the second floor of the house.
The fire was extinguished at around 3:50 p.m.
The crews are still on scene to work on smoke and heat damage.
No words on injuries at this time. | 2022-05-17T21:24:57Z | www.wcia.com | Springfield Firefighters responding to house & garage fire | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-firefighters-responding-to-house-garage-fire/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-firefighters-responding-to-house-garage-fire/ |
We are a leader in promoting philanthropy in an impartial, unbiased, ethical way, with commitment to inclusiveness. We bring together people and resources to identify and address present and emerging community needs.
We assist other not-for-profit organizations through advisory, consulting and collaborative efforts.
We help donors satisfy their philanthropic goals. We provide convenient and flexible giving vehicles to serve donors. We believe everyone should experience the joy of making a meaningful contribution to the community.
We use endowments as perpetual tools to provide steady support for charitable needs. We encourage unrestricted endowments because they meet the needs of future generations. We assist communities and organizations in building endowments to secure their continued success. We counsel donors and their advisors to choose a planned giving solution that makes a lasting difference.
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We make grants based on the greatest needs in the community. We reflect the diversity of our community through our choices of grants, staff, volunteers, programs and initiatives. We select board, staff and volunteers with the talent and expertise required to efficiently and effectively achieve our long-term objectives. We insist on maintaining the highest standards in donor relationships, fund stewardship and promotion of philanthropy.
The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois is a publicly-supported 501(c)(3) tax-exempt philanthropic organization created in 1972 to encourage and receive contributions establishing endowments for the long-term benefit of east central Illinois. It does not conduct programs of its own, nor is it a fund-raising organization. It supports and serves its donors by managing and administering endowed funds that have been donated for philanthropic purposes.
Endowed funds are established through donor contributions both large and small. Because the funds are endowed, they are permanently invested to produce income that is used to meet charitable needs of the community as designated by the donor or as determined by the Foundation. Donors may specify a particular organization, a field of interest such as education, youth programs or the arts, or the funds can be donated without restriction and the Foundation’s Board of Trustees can determine allocations for the most pressing community needs. Whatever the intent, the Community Foundation maintains the integrity of the original gift, investing for income and preserving principal, so that the community will benefit from it forever.
The Community Foundation accepts contributions from a wide range of donors, including individuals, businesses, corporations, families and other organizations, all of which share a vision of enhancing the quality of life in their community.
We offer a Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Founded in 2008, The Center for Nonprofit Excellence is committed to helping East Central Illinois nonprofits and their boards to be as effective as possible. We facilitate collaboration and sharing of best practices that result in a strong, vibrant nonprofit sector. We do this by:
-Strengthening nonprofits’ performance through trainings, workshops and Board Bootcamp sessions. We succeed when nonprofits do good work better.
-Promoting nonprofit collaboration through peer circles and information sharing.
We succeed when we help nonprofits clear obstacles to collaboration.
-Supporting emerging nonprofit ventures through the Community Solutions Incubator. We succeed when we equip the next generation of community leaders and organizations with mentoring, training, and networking opportunities.
Go-To Tips for Getting Grants
Thursday, August 4, 2022, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Champaign Public Library – 200 W. Green St., Robeson Pavilion Rooms A & B
Board Bootcamp: Secrets to Successful Fundraising
Tuesday, September 27, 2022, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Champaign Public Library – 200 W. Green St., Robeson Pavilion Room C
Plus, we’re celebrating our 50th anniversary all year! | 2022-05-17T23:13:59Z | www.wcia.com | Community Foundation of East Central Illinois | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/ciliving-stories/ciliving/community-foundation-of-east-central-illinois/ | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/ciliving-stories/ciliving/community-foundation-of-east-central-illinois/ |
ST. JOSEPH (WCIA) — St. Joseph-Ogden has long been the standard for success in central Illinois and once again, the Spartans are in position to make some more history. SJO wrapped up its regular season on Monday with a 32-2 record and an Illini Prairie Conference championship. The Spartans are a top seed in the Millikin sectional and are looking for their ninth-straight regional title. Playing a tough schedule has been a staple for head coach Josh Haley, who has made two trips to state, finishing runner-up in back-to-back seasons in 2016 and 2017.
“Anytime you’re in big games it helps you preparation wise,” Haley said. “You’ve been in those heart pumping moments and I think it helps the kids, it helps the coaching staff. We have a routine as far as how we scout, how we prepare, and then how we get into the game. I think all our past success helps us each season.”
St. Joseph-Ogden opens up postseason play on Wednesday facing Paxton-Buckley-Loda at the Hoopeston Area Regional. If they win, the Spartans will face either Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin or Clifton Central for the title on Saturday at 10 a.m. | 2022-05-17T23:14:48Z | www.wcia.com | St. Joseph-Ogden baseball once again sets standard for area programs | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/local-sports/st-joseph-ogden-baseball-once-again-sets-standard-for-area-programs/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/local-sports/st-joseph-ogden-baseball-once-again-sets-standard-for-area-programs/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Honor Guard is looking for help as their numbers dwindle.
The Honor Guard goes out to veterans’ funerals and perform military rites – playing Taps, performing 21-gun salutes and presenting folding flags to the family.
“These veterans deserve that, so it’s just an honor for me to be able to do it,” said Honor Guard Captain Edwin Cook.
But Cook has only nine reliable members to perform those duties, and they are going to every veteran funeral and memorial service in the area. The youngest member is in his 50s.
Cook said bringing in new members took a hit when the pandemic started. He doesn’t believe that people truly know or understand what they do, but Cook said it’s important.
“The look on people’s faces when you perform military rites at their loved one’s funeral, it just it tugs at your heart,” Cook said. “You know it means something to them, that you guys spent the time and effort to come out there.”
The Honor Guard performs those rites free of charge. | 2022-05-18T04:18:51Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign Honor Guard in need of new members | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/champaign-honor-guard-in-need-of-new-members/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/champaign-honor-guard-in-need-of-new-members/ |
Two men arrested in connection to Decatur woman’s disappearance
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur Police Department announced Tuesday night that two men have been arrested in the investigation into the disappearance and suspected murder of a Decatur woman.
Decatur Police responded to a missing person complaint on Nov. 20, 2020 and began an investigation. After nearly 18 months, detectives developed probable cause to arrest two men in connection to the case.
45-year-old Troy Slaw and 23-year-old Chase Freeman were arrested for Concealment of a Homicidal Death and Dismembering a Human Body. Slaw was further arrested for First Degree Murder. Both have been booked into the Macon County Jail.
The missing woman, whose name was not announced by Decatur Police, has yet to be found and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Decatur Police Department at 217-424-2734 or Crime Stoppers at 217-423-8477. | 2022-05-18T04:19:11Z | www.wcia.com | Two men arrested in connection to Decatur woman’s disappearance | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/two-men-arrested-in-connection-to-decatur-womans-disappearance/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/two-men-arrested-in-connection-to-decatur-womans-disappearance/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Sangamon/Menard County Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in locating a wanted fugitive.
Terry McConnell is a white, 56-year-old male approximately five feet, 10 inches in height and 165 pounds in weight. McConnel is wanted on warrants for Aggravated Battery and three counts of Violating an Order of Protection; he is said to have become increasingly threatening toward the victim in these incidents.
Anyone with information on McConnell’s whereabouts is asked to submit a tip to Crime Stoppers at 217-788-8427, online or on the P3 Tips app. All tips are anonymous and tips that result in an arrest could result in a cash reward of up to $2500. | 2022-05-18T20:47:44Z | www.wcia.com | Crime Stoppers asking for help in locating fugitive | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/crime-stoppers-asking-for-help-in-locating-fugitive/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/crime-stoppers-asking-for-help-in-locating-fugitive/ |
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — Mattoon Police said a 55-year-old man was accused of using an electronic device to communicate with a girl under the age of 17 in an attempt to solicit sexual encounters with her.
According to police, Keith Green was a substitute teacher for the Mattoon Community School District #2 during the time of the alleged act.
Officials with the school district received these allegations at around 3:35 p.m. on Tuesday. They immediately contacted Mattoon Police. After police officers received the report, they gathered evidence and statements from Green and the victim.
Green is currently being held at the Coles County jail. He is awaiting a bond hearing. | 2022-05-18T20:47:51Z | www.wcia.com | Man accused of grooming girl under age 17 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-accused-of-grooming-girl-under-age-17/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-accused-of-grooming-girl-under-age-17/ |
Two Rivers, name after Tom Grassman’s hometown in Wisconsin near Green Bay, joins us on the CI Stage.
Originally recorded in the early to mid 90’s, they just re-released both of their albums – “Sheboygan”, and “Mirror Mirror” now on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon, et al – https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Ou41hUYuTlN1SW0CBQBmX?si=9pHfKlOeQeWt2g3wJCc_fA
Facebook event – https://www.facebook.com/events/4737610193009873 | 2022-05-18T23:11:44Z | www.wcia.com | Two Rivers on CI Stage | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/two-rivers-on-ci-stage/ | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/two-rivers-on-ci-stage/ |
SHELBY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Shelby County State’s Attorney Nichole Kroncke announced that the Office of the Attorney General, State of Illinois, Public Integrity Bureau, said its review of allegations of fraud, theft and official misconduct against the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is complete.
The conclusion, according to the notification, is “that the allegations do not constitute a criminal offense and, accordingly, do not support any criminal charges.”
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office was appointed by the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court as a special prosecutor to review and, if warranted, prosecute allegations of fraud, theft and official misconduct levied by the Shelby County Treasurer in December of 2019.
An extensive investigation of alleged theft of funds through the Sheriff’s Office payroll system, as well as an alleged illegal sale of seized firearms, was conducted by the Illinois State Police, Division of Criminal Investigations, Zone 5.
20/20 Forensic Accounting was retained by Shelby County to conduct a payroll audit of the Sheriff’s Office from January 2015 through July 2020.
During the course of the audit, the firm reviewed payroll records, bank accounts, collective bargaining agreements (and any modifications) as well as bank statements for the county and the Sheriff’s Office.
Auditors also interviewed employees of the Sheriff’s Office, the County Clerk’s Office and the Treasurer’s Office. The audit revealed that $326,315 was overpaid to employees and $332,598 was underpaid to employees. The final result of the audit was a net underpayment to employees of $6,283. The audit findings were shared with and reviewed by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
All firearms related to the investigation are accounted for and secured within the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office according to Shelby County Sheriff Brian McReynolds. | 2022-05-18T23:12:08Z | www.wcia.com | Investigation of Shelby County Sheriff’s Office concludes | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/investigation-of-shelby-county-sheriffs-office-concludes/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/investigation-of-shelby-county-sheriffs-office-concludes/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield Police said that a juvenile suspect was arrested on Wednesday after they were accused of using a gun to rob two other juveniles.
Officers responded to the area of Ash Street and Pope Avenue at around 3:35 p.m. for a report of an armed robbery. It was reported that two students from Southeast High School were walking home from school when they were approached by the suspect. The suspect allegedly pointed a gun at one of the students and demanded his mask. The student complied and the suspect fled the scene.
The suspect was arrested a short time later. The stolen mask and the gun used in the robbery, also believed to be stolen, were recovered.
The Springfield Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is still investigating the incident.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Springfield Police Department at 217-788-8325 or Crime Stoppers at 217-788-8427. | 2022-05-18T23:12:45Z | www.wcia.com | Springfield Police: Juvenile arrested in armed robbery investigation | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-police-juvenile-arrested-in-armed-robbery-investigation/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/springfield-police-juvenile-arrested-in-armed-robbery-investigation/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Ross Booker of St. Joseph, Illinois was a month away from his 21st birthday when he was hit by a car and later died at an Urbana hospital in early March.
Booker was a volunteer firefighter for the St. Joseph-Stanton Fire Protection District and a sophomore studying diesel mechanics at Parkland College. He was also a tow truck driver for Tatman’s Towing in Urbana, which is the hat he was wearing when a teenage driver struck him.
On the night of March 5, Booker was using a broom and bucket to clean up the road at the intersection of S Neil Street and Windsor Road in Champaign following another car wreck. Dash camera footage from a Champaign Police squad car and a tow truck shows the 20-year-old sweeping in reflective clothing near the emergency vehicles with flashing lights on.
Booker walked out of camera view before the moment he was hit, according to Champaign Police detective Robert DeLong who traced the timeline at the Champaign County Courthouse Wednesday.
The 16-year-old driver, who DeLong described as “fully cooperative and distraught”, was originally charged with improper lane passing involving an emergency vehicle, a Scott’s Law violation. The law requires drivers to slow down and change lanes, if possible, when approaching stationary emergency vehicles with lights activated.
State’s Attorney Julia Rietz divulged in court Wednesday that the 16-year-old was driving in the proper lane that police left open to through traffic. DeLong said the teenager from Tolono told police on the scene that he was driving in the left lane, which they took to mean the lane that was blocked off to clear up debris. The dashcam footage later revealed he was in the right lane, the only southbound lane open to traffic, leaving no option for the driver to change lanes.
That charge was dropped in court Wednesday. Instead, the teenager was convicted of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, a petty offense. Rietz said even though police records show he wasn’t speeding, he should’ve slowed down at the “chaotic intersection.”
Associate Judge Adam Dill handed down a $500 fine and the 16-year-old’s driver’s license will be revoked. It’s unclear how long he will be without a license because state statute does not provide a time frame for how long he could be barred from re-applying through the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.
Booker’s mother, Marita Booker said after the hearing she’s “glad that there will not be court supervision,” something the teenager asked the judge for directly, citing his job in Champaign which is about 10 miles from his home in Tolono.
“That was a win for us. That was a win for Ross and he deserved a win,” Marita Booker said.
Court supervision wouldn’t have guaranteed the defendant could keep his license, but it would’ve kept the traffic conviction off of his record.
Some states have laws that could bring a traffic offense up to a criminal charge if it resulted in great bodily harm. It can only come with a fine and a revoked license as the law stands in Illinois.
“There’s nothing in the traffic law that elevates what we call a petty offense, a fine-only offense, up to a higher class of offense because of a fatality. It’s just not covered by Illinois law,” the State’s Attorney explained.
Rietz said state lawmakers have made it clear to her that they are not open to “criminalizing negligence.”
“That’s their position on that issue,” she said when reporters asked if elevated penalties are, or ever have been, a conversation she’s broached at the Statehouse.
Marita Booker said if given the chance, she’d like to “visit with legislators about having the law looked at” in hopes of protecting first responders and other tow truck drivers like her son in the future “no matter where they are.”
VIDEO: Marita Booker talks about who her son Ross Booker was, and who he was going to be
About a month and a half after her son’s death, Marita said she and her husband, Dave Booker, witnessed a car wreck.
“We watched people racing by, we watched people not slowing down and Tatman’s Towing came to the rescue of those drivers,” she said.
“And we watched people fly by those guys that we know and who have come to be family to us, so I don’t know what it’s going to take for people to slow down. Apparently losing our son wasn’t enough.”
The mother of two, including Ross and his older brother Anthony, called on every parent with teenage drivers on the road to sit down and share her son’s story.
“Let them watch this,” she said. “Let them see what happens when they take their eyes off of the road for a moment. You can’t. People die because of it. Our son died because of that.” | 2022-05-19T01:18:13Z | www.wcia.com | Crash that killed 20-year-old tow truck driver ‘not a Scott’s Law violation’ | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/crash-that-killed-20-year-old-tow-truck-driver-not-a-scotts-law-violation/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/crash-that-killed-20-year-old-tow-truck-driver-not-a-scotts-law-violation/ |
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Bloomington Police Department announced that its officers arrested a man on Monday who was armed with a ghost gun. This happened just days before Governor Pritzker signed legislation that outlaws the untraceable, do-it-yourself guns.
At approximately 2:26 a.m., officers attempted to stop Nicholas Mull, 23, near the intersection of Morris Avenue and Market Street. Mull, who was on foot, ran away while holding a fanny pack and was later caught, resisting officers as he was arrested.
During the arrest, officers discovered in Mull’s possession the gun and ammunition. He was arrested on the preliminary charges of unlawful use of a weapon, possessing a gun as a felon, possessing a concealed gun and resisting/obstructing a peace officer.
Mull was booked into the McLean County Jail on a $100,000 bond. | 2022-05-19T03:28:26Z | www.wcia.com | Bloomington Police arrest man armed with ghost gun | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/bloomington-police-arrest-man-armed-with-ghost-gun/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/bloomington-police-arrest-man-armed-with-ghost-gun/ |
Former Illini Kofi Cockburn takes the court at NBA Draft combine
CHICAGO (WCIA) — The stage is a whole lot bigger but one thing that’s stayed the same, his smile. Former Illini Kofi Cockburn was seemingly one of the happiest guys on the court Wednesday in his debut at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. He was also one of the loudest too, encouraging his fellow competitors throughout his two hours at Wintrust Arena. Cockburn was one of 76 players invited to the combine with 40+ testing and scrimmaging to try to improve their draft stock this week in front of dozens of NBA scouts.
Cockburn went through all the normal tests including several vertical jumps, shuttle drills and sprints. His best finish was 20th in the No Step Vert at 29.5 inches. There are some weaknesses his game, notably shooting from deep. He took one 3-pointer in college his freshman year and missed it, no surprise that’s not the strong point of his game. The 7-footer finished 36th in spot-up shooting, making 7 of 25. He did pop in the mid-range star drill, finishing tied for first out of five, going 14 of 25.
That’s what he’s trying to prove in the Windy City, that his game translates to the next level. Scrimmages run the next two days, we’ll get our first chance to chat with Kofi on Friday as he tries to make his dream of getting drafted a reality next month. | 2022-05-19T03:29:09Z | www.wcia.com | Former Illini Kofi Cockburn takes the court at NBA Draft combine | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/former-illini-kofi-cockburn-takes-the-court-at-nba-draft-combine/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/your-illini-nation/former-illini-kofi-cockburn-takes-the-court-at-nba-draft-combine/ |
MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — Monticello Community Unit School District 25 recently approved a new four-year collective bargaining agreement between itself and the Monticello Education Association.
The new contract raises base pay by an average of 2.5% per year, moving the starting pay for teachers from $38,800 to $43,000 over the life of the contract. Cooks, custodians, secretaries and aides will also see the same average increases as teachers. New wages will be $15.00 for cooks, $18.93 for custodians, $16.00 for secretaries and $18.00 for aides.
The Board and MEA also agreed to increases in health insurance contributions for the final two years, plus stipends for teachers who are also coaches, pay for coaches who drive vans for competitions. New stipends were also approved for the high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance, middle school’s garden club and symphonic band, AP teachers, PK-5 special education teachers, speech language pathologists and social workers. Payrates also increased for game day workers, dance chaperones, extended postseason days and unused sick days upon retirement.
This contract will run through the 2025-2026 school year. | 2022-05-19T05:26:01Z | www.wcia.com | Monticello School Board approves new CBA with Education Association | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/monticello-school-board-approves-new-cba-with-education-association/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/monticello-school-board-approves-new-cba-with-education-association/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Sangamon County narcotics officers arrested a man on several drug charges Tuesday morning.
Myron Hickman, 30, was arrested following an investigation by the Sangamon County Drug Interdiction and Response Team (DIRT). Hickman is said to have sold methamphetamine to undercover officers on multiple occasions, which led to an arrest warrant being issued by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The charges on the warrant are one count of Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (a class X felony) and one count of Possession of Methamphetamine (a class 1 felony).
Hickman has several prior arrests for robbery, burglary, larceny, narcotics and weapons offenses. He was booked into the Sangamon County Jail on a $350,000 bond. | 2022-05-19T05:26:08Z | www.wcia.com | Man arrested on drug charges | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-arrested-on-drug-charges-4/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-arrested-on-drug-charges-4/ |
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — With the season quickly approaching in June, the Danville Dans of the Prospect League are in need of host families for their coaches and collegiate baseball players.
Dans co-owner Jeanie Cooke said that they are looking for nine families to house the ballplayers, who come from all over the country and are typically unfamiliar with the area.
The season begins in just a couple weeks and runs through mid-August.
Cooke said that the only requirement is that families must provide meals, a spare bedroom and a bathroom for the players to use.
She emphasized that this is a special opportunity to become part of the team’s family environment and that she knows of host families who still maintain contact with players that stayed with them up to 30 years ago.
Host families are also rewarded with season tickets and an invite to special events for the Dans.
Anyone who is interested in being a host family can call 217-918-3401, or send an email to DansBaseball1@gmail.com | 2022-05-19T18:48:34Z | www.wcia.com | Danville Dans looking for host families | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/danville-dans-looking-for-host-families/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/danville-dans-looking-for-host-families/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A five-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were hurt in a shooting that happened Wednesday night in Champaign.
Champaign Police responded to the intersection of 4th and Church Streets at approximately 7:23 p.m. for a report of shots being fired. When they arrived, they discovered a house was hit by shots and a boy inside was shot in the hand. Soon after, officers learned that an 18-year-old man arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound to his arm. Both are expected to be ok; the boy was treated and released from the hospital.
Officers found multiple shell casings at 4th and Church. Their preliminary investigation determined that two people were walking in the area when they opened fire on a third person. The suspects fled the area before officers arrived. | 2022-05-19T21:02:59Z | www.wcia.com | Child hurt in Champaign shooting | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/child-shot-in-champaign-shooting/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/child-shot-in-champaign-shooting/ |
DECATUR (WCIA) — Millikin softball is set to do something no other team in program history has done, play in a Super Regional. The Big Blue won their first Division III Regional title last weekend and will get the rare opportunity to host the next round starting Friday. At 34-7, Millikin is in the midst of its best postseason run since 1994.
“We’re already breaking records here at Millikin so everything now is just like how much farther can we go and how much longer can we play with each other,” Millikin sophomore catcher Leah Foreman said.
“We believe strongly in what we do together and how we do things for each other, the impact that that has on what we do on the field,” Millikin head coach Katie Tenboer said.
Millikin hosts Wartburg College (IA) in a best of three series starting Friday at 2 p.m. with games two and three (if necessary) at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday. | 2022-05-19T21:03:51Z | www.wcia.com | Millikin softball set for program’s first NCAA Super Regional | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/local-sports/millikin-softball-set-for-programs-first-ncaa-super-regional/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/local-sports/millikin-softball-set-for-programs-first-ncaa-super-regional/ |
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — MaryAnn Oberheim said Chris was a good kid. “He was pretty much just the average son: He enjoyed sports. His younger days in school weren’t exactly his favorite. He was a good brother.”
Chris is MaryAnn’s first child. “He was one of the older boys in the neighborhood. He was always there to help the younger kids. He played ball in the back yard,” said MaryAnn.
She never thought he would go into a life of law enforcement, so when Chris came home and told his mom he was going to be a cop, she recalled the conversation. “I remember exactly what I told him, I told him I should be a dog catcher, he made me mad, he laughed he thought that was funny,” said MaryAnn.
But MaryAnn was being serious. She told Chris if he wanted to be in a uniform and work for the city, he should choose the least dangerous job possible. “Because in my mind I thought the worst thing that could happen is that he would be bit by a dog,” said MaryAnn.
That was not the route Chris took. “He was very dedicated to his job, he worked hard to pass the requirements for the police department,” said MaryAnn.
MaryAnn said she was happy that his first job as a cop was working in nearby Decatur. “He would stop by often on his dinner breaks and just kind of check in,” said MaryAnn.
And that was the way it was for seven years, until Chris took a job with the Champaign Police Department, a job he held for the next 13 years of his career. “He was safe. He always wore his vest.” said MaryAnn.
She learned to manage the fears any mother of a police officer has, until she got a call that changed her life. Her son Joe called around 4:30 in the morning on May 19th of 2021. “He just told me, ‘Chris has been shot, mom.’ And I heard him, I heard what he said, but I needed him to repeat that, and he did, and I hung up on him,” said MaryAnn.
Her other son Matt called her back and said he was coming to pick her up. “I asked Matt, ‘What’s the situation?’ and Matt said, ‘Mom, you just need to pray,” said MaryAnn.
MaryAnn’s first thought was, “Chris was wearing his vest. He’ll be okay.” But then, she heard he was not going to be okay. “I feel like someone reached so far down inside… I don’t know, I didn’t believe it,” said MaryAnn.
A year later, that ache is still a daily companion. She said seeing Chris’s name engraved on a wall in our nation’s capitol was hard. “When he was growing up, he received many trophies for many athletic things he had done, and that was a good feeling to see those things, that was good, but this not so much,” said MaryAnn.
Maryann says she was overwhelmed with the number of names she saw next to her son’s. “It’s just seeing his name and knowing it should not be there,” said MaryAnn.
And while the experience was hard, she said it brought a different kind of peace knowing that their family is not the only one going through the loss of an officer. “Since we’ve been here, we were met at the airport with honor guard and escorted here that was quite a deal, but now we watch the motorcycle we see the blue and red lights, and we know it’s another family, and we hear that all day long, so there is others out there we’re not the only one,” said MaryAnn. | 2022-05-19T23:53:48Z | www.wcia.com | A Parent’s Nightmare: Officer Chris Oberheim’s mother describes losing her son | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/a-parents-nightmare-officer-chris-oberheims-mother-describes-losing-her-son/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/a-parents-nightmare-officer-chris-oberheims-mother-describes-losing-her-son/ |
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Since Amber Oberheim’s husband died, she’s accomplished a lot. Fundraising for the Peacemaker Project 703, talking with law makers to advocate for police officers and stepping up for other families.
Tragedy leads Amber Oberheim to new mission
“In some moments it feels like yesterday, in some moments it feels like a decade ago,” said Amber Oberheim.
But that doesn’t mean Amber is immune to the harsh realities the month of May holds. It’s a yearly reminder that her husband, and father to her children, is gone. “It’s an up and down rollercoaster of emotions,” said Amber.
She says going to National Police week in Washington D.C. was tough. “One moment we can be having the time of our lives and laughing with the people that we love that are here, and the next moment we are smacked in the face with reality,” said Amber.
But she says it was an experience that showed her and her girls, they can be resilient. They can come together. And they could get through the hardest year of their lives. “I feel like getting through that first year like every day on the calendar and surviving through that is some way shape or form empowering just to know that okay we made it through every day on the calendar one time,” said Amber.
Amber says since they have gotten through the year once, they can do it again. It’s an accomplishment. But the Oberheim’s are not stopping there. “Our most exciting accomplishment recently has been adding Obie, our therapy dog and my daughters have been making visits with Obie around the community with an officer,” said Amber.
Peacemaker Project 703 has been visiting schools in the area. “The officer will read a book about Obie and then Obie gets all kinds of love from the kids,” said Amber.
Amber continues to advocate for police families and being present in terms of holding officials accountable when it comes to law enforcement.
While in Washington D.C., Amber had conversations about legislation with Congressmen Rodney Davis. “Defunding our police is the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard as a member of Congress,” said Davis.
Davis said his life-saving experience with law enforcement fuels his passion to advocate for the betterment of peace officers. “I owe my life to two brave police officers who ran toward gun fire on a baseball field just a few years ago, so that me and my teammates could run away from gunfire,” said Davis.
Both Davis and Amber said they believe the high number of officer deaths across the country is in part due to the change in rhetoric towards police. “When you have a society that tries to disrespect our institutions like our men and women who protect our communities every day then it leads to that lack of respect, which leads to confrontation and in the cases that we’ve seen it sometimes leads to death,” said Davis.
“I absolutely attribute the high number of officer deaths specifically related to gun violence, street violence, or murder really, the murdering of police officers to the shift in really paradigm shift if you will for how our nation is viewing law enforcement,” said Amber,
Amber recognizes that COVID did play a part in the number of officer deaths our nation saw in 2020 and 2021, but overall, she believes there is a disrespect for authority. And since she has been a part of the law enforcement community, she says she has seen the shift in the public attitude toward cops.
“It wasn’t like this 20 years ago when Chris started working as a police officer, it was completely different,” said Amber. She said around 2010-2012 is when she saw things take a turn… but she believes two years ago is when the behavior and rhetoric towards police officers changed.
“We don’t have a police problem. We don’t have a black problem, or a white problem, or a Hispanic problem or a religious problem, we have a human problem,” said Amber. Amber believes if people aren’t held responsible for their actions, then the high numbers of officer deaths and community violence will continue.
“We aren’t going to get anywhere except more and more names on the wall that we went and visited yesterday, we will not without some degree of respect for authority and law and order in our country we won’t make it,” said Amber.
Which is why amber has partnered with people like Davis to work toward better laws that protect officers so they can do their jobs. And it’s why she says she wants to hold law makers accountable, to prevent another officer death. So no other families have to go through the gruesome and emotional year they have been through. | 2022-05-19T23:53:54Z | www.wcia.com | Amber Oberheim turns tragedy into action for bettering community | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/amber-oberheim-turns-tragedy-into-action-for-bettering-community/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/amber-oberheim-turns-tragedy-into-action-for-bettering-community/ |
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Bloomington Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that happened at a business on Wednesday.
Officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of Ireland Grove Road for a hold up alarm and learned that an employee had been battered during the robbery. Officers also found evidence that shots were fired inside the business.
It is believed that two people were responsible for this crime. They both appeared to be Black or Hispanic males in their 20s and were wearing masks. One suspect was wearing a yellow traffic-style vest and the other was wearing a blue vest with white lines. They left the business in a black four-door sedan with silver rims and chrome trim around the windows.
The battered employee was taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.
The investigation is ongoing and no one has been arrested yet. Anyone with information should contact Detective Paul Jones at 309-434-2548. | 2022-05-19T23:54:00Z | www.wcia.com | Bloomington Police investigating armed robbery | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/bloomington-police-investigating-armed-robbery/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/bloomington-police-investigating-armed-robbery/ |
GIBSON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Gibson City Melvin Sibley school district is mourning the death of one its students after he was killed in a car crash Wednesday evening.
17-year-old Colin Bane, a junior at GCMS High School, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which happened at the intersection of Route 9 and County Road 2600 E in McLean County. State Troopers determined that Bane was driving his 2003 Audi on Route 9 when a semi-truck driving on CR 2600 E did not stop at the intersection’s stop sign, hitting Bane’s car in the process.
The driver of the semi-truck, 28-year-old Day-Quan of Killeen, Texas, was not hurt in the crash and was ticketed for failing to stop.
The GCMS School District paid tribute to Bane in a Facebook post on Thursday, calling his death “an unthinkable loss.”
“The entire GCMS community is mourning the loss of one of our kids,” the district said. “Please keep the Bane family, our students, staff, and community in your thoughts during these trying times.”
Bane is survived by his parents Brian and Melissa, his older brother Clayton and younger brother Cale.
(Photo courtesy of Gibson City Melvin Sibley Schools’ Facebook page) | 2022-05-19T23:54:06Z | www.wcia.com | Gibson City teenager killed in car crash | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/gibson-city-teenager-killed-in-car-crash/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/gibson-city-teenager-killed-in-car-crash/ |
MONTICELLO, Ill. WCIA- Officer Chris Oberheim’s daughters said the week before his death, everything was normal.
“I remember spending a lot of time with him and my mom outside. We were landscaping for Avery’s graduation party,” said Hannah Oberheim.
The oldest sister, Hannah, said she just came home from college. “Exactly a week before everything happened,” said Hannah.
Avery was about to graduate high school. After her final softball game, she distinctly remembers choosing to ride home with her dad, instead of piling into the team’s bus with her friends. “For some reason, I don’t know what made me, I was like, ‘No wait don’t go. I want to ride home with you,'” said Avery Oberheim.
And the twins, Addison and Aubree, were finishing up their year of eighth grade. “We were eating food and hanging out,” said Aubree Oberheim. “Our last moments were going on a car ride, that was our thing, going on rides and jamming to music,” said Addison Oberheim.
But that following Wednesday, everything changed.
Amber said she got a loud knock on her door; behind was an officer telling her husband had been shot.
“I sat up very confused in bed and she just looked at me and said, ‘Dad was shot, dad was shot, dad was shot ,’over and over, and she was like ‘I don’t know what to do.’ She was like, ‘I came down here first because you’re the oldest,'” said Hannah.
Avery was the next sister to be alerted to the situation. She’d been sound asleep when she heard her mom open the door. “She said, ‘Avery come downstairs, I need you to be strong for your sisters, dad’s been hurt,'” said Avery.
Aubree said she had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room, so she heard the first knocks on her family’s door and knew something was wrong. “My stomach dropped but the worst thought that came to my mind was he broke his arm or got in a car crash, he’s fine he’ll be fine,” said Aubree.
And Aubree’s twin sister, Addison, woke up to an app notification from their Ring doorbell. When she opened her phone, she saw a man at the door. She was worried, so she did what she would normally do. “My first instinct was to call my dad, because I would just go to my dad, like if something was happening in the middle of the night because I knew that he we would answer and if he wouldn’t, he would text me or call me right back, and he didn’t answer,” said Addison.
The sisters said they waited at home with grandparents while Amber was in the hospital waiting for news on Chris. “I just said, ‘Okay guys, what are we going to do? Let’s pray, I mean we can’t do anything, but we can sit here and pray,'” said Avery.
Amber came home a few hours later without their father. The girls said they knew immediately, it was not good. “It just kind of felt like a knife to the heart,” said Hannah.
They said hearing their father had been killed was their worst nightmare coming true. “I was like ‘How?’ Like ‘This can’t possibly be real. It just felt like nothing was real,” said Aubree. “The first thing I did was turn around and fall into my sister Hannah’s arms,” said Avery.
The girls said everything after that was a blur of pain, confusion and disbelief.
The week was supposed to be joyous, celebrating Avery’s high school graduation with a party with friends and family. “Dad was scrubbing the floors to get ready,” said Hannah.
But it couldn’t have been further from the graduation celebration the Oberheims planned.
Four days later, as a heartbroken Avery prepared to walk across a stage and receive her diploma, a scene she’ll never forget. “I walked outside and there was just a line of officers just lined up down the hall evenly spaced, perfect,” said Avery. Champaign Police officers, trying to fill the shoes left empty.
“I went down the line and told each and every one of them ‘Thank you,'” said Avery.
The overwhelming support did not stop there. People from all over brought flowers, food, gave the twins rides to school and everything in between to make sure they were taken care of. “You realize over time that gap that it leaves, it’s not just all at once,” said Hannah.
For Hannah, it’s a gap in planning the most important day in her life, her wedding. “I actually just asked my uncle Joe to walk me down the aisle for his birthday,” said Hannah.
A task that for years, Hannah assumed would be fulfilled by her father. “I know if there was anybody that my dad would want it would be Joe. Obviously, I wish more than anything he was here.”
A wish shared by Hannah’s three sisters, and the rest of their family.
In a year filled with tears… heartbreak and confusion… there have been moments of joy and thanksgiving… reflecting on small but profound moments they each shared with their dad.
It’s a lesson on treasuring every moment they’re sure their father wouldn’t want them to forget.
“I think he would say ‘You’re doing good, keep going. you’ll see me some day, don’t take this time for granted,” said Avery. | 2022-05-19T23:54:44Z | www.wcia.com | Officer Chris Oberheim’s daughters reflect on their lives together | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/officer-chris-oberheims-daughters-reflect-on-their-lives-together/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/officer-chris-oberheims-daughters-reflect-on-their-lives-together/ |
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — “He was a great brother. He took us places, did things with us. I remember as a little kid him reading books to me and stuff,” said Joe Oberheim. Joe said he always looked up to his brother Chris.
“I wanted to be like him. We played a lot of the same sports. Just following in his footsteps,” said Joe. Following those footsteps even influenced the direction of Joe’s career. He says Chris is the reason he decided to become a police officer.
“He would always tell me Hey be a police officer and I did ride along in champaign and saw what they did, it influenced me to be a police officer,” said Joe.
It’s a decision Joe’s wife Chelsea says she was happy to support. “We had a conversation and that was his dream and so I would never stop him from doing what he wanted to do,” said Chelsea.
Chelsea said she’s always known the risks involved with being an officer, but her fears grew after Chris died.
“When my husband leaves for work I make sure that I tell him to be careful and that I love him, but those words have so much more weight now than they did before May 19th,” said Chelsea.
She said she has always trusted her husband’s training and judgment, but now things are just different. “I’ve realized that that doesn’t matter because Chris had all of those things as well. He had so much more experience. He was a wonderful police officer. He had a wonderful way of speaking to people and deescalating situations as well and that did not change anything,” said Chelsea.
Joe says he and Chris never really talked about the dangers of being a police officer. He says it’s something all officers know is part of the job, it’s an unspoken requirement of wearing the badge. “We know going into it there’s a chance you might not make it home at the end of the day. We hope we do. We do everything we can to stay safe. We know the risk involved with it,” said Chelsea.
It’s a risk even adults struggle to fully comprehend. But through the lens of a 9-year-old, words can’t express fear and sadness. As demonstrated by Joe and Chelsea’s son Landen, Chris’ nephew.
“When he actually told me I just felt in shock,” said Landen.
Landen says his favorite memories with Chris were when he was showing him how to hit and throw a baseball. “He’s a hero and we always should remember him of not a cop but a hero, and somebody who is very good at baseball and softball and someone who is nice to others,” said Landen. | 2022-05-19T23:54:50Z | www.wcia.com | Officer Oberheim’s brother mourns loss of sibling & role model | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/officer-oberheims-brother-mourns-loss-of-sibling-role-model/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/officer-oberheims-brother-mourns-loss-of-sibling-role-model/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — May 19th, 2021. The day Champaign Police Officer Chris Oberheim responded to a domestic violence call at three in the morning. A day that would soon be the Oberheim’s family’s worst nightmare played out.
He went to an apartment complex at the 3200 block of North Neil Street. Oberheim and another officer approached the man who was causing the disturbance. That is when the suspect shot at both officers killing Oberheim.
It was a devastating time for the family, the entire force, and the community.
The entire community stepped up to support the family. They put up flags across Monticello, lined the streets for his processional, attended his funeral, and added his name to memorials honoring heroes, across Central Illinois.
Officer Oberheim was one of 472 officers who died in the line of duty across the country in 2021, and one of 14 in the state of Illinois. | 2022-05-19T23:54:57Z | www.wcia.com | One year anniversary of Officer Chris Oberheim’s death | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/one-year-anniversary-of-officer-chris-oberheims-death/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/one-year-anniversary-of-officer-chris-oberheims-death/ |
Special: Honoring 1-year anniversary of Officer Oberheim’s death
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Thursday marked the 1-year anniversary of Officer Chris Oberheim’s death.
Officer Oberheim was honored in Washington, D.C. for National Police Week. During a candlelight vigil, his name was engraved into the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Wall.
The Oberheim family was able to find some healing in our nation’s capitol, but nothing will fully remove the pain of him being gone.
To honor the anniversary of Officer Oberheim’s death, WCIA aired a special half-hour show dedicated to him and his impact on the community. | 2022-05-19T23:55:03Z | www.wcia.com | Special: Honoring 1-year anniversary of Officer Oberheim’s death | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/special-honoring-1-year-anniversary-of-officer-oberheims-death/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/special-honoring-1-year-anniversary-of-officer-oberheims-death/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A new report from the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that Illinois’ population was undercounted in the 2020 Census and the population in fact grew between 2010 and 2020.
A review of Census data determined that Illinois’ population was undercounted by 2%, meaning the population grew by 250,000 people. The state’s population is now above 13 million people, the highest in the state’s history.
Governor Pritzker responded to the new report with the following statement:
I ran for governor on a promise to be our state’s best chief marketing officer and reverse the trend of outmigration we’ve seen over the past few decades. These latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show that Illinois is now a state on the rise with a growing population. From boundless economic opportunities, to booming economic development and leading institutions of higher education, Illinois has so much to offer our new residents. While it is disappointing that these numbers were not reflected in the initial count, I have already spoken to members of our congressional delegation and will work tirelessly to ensure Illinois receives its fair share of federal funding. I look forward to celebrating this development with all Illinoisans, including those who routinely badmouth our state. | 2022-05-19T23:55:09Z | www.wcia.com | New report: Illinois’ population undercounted in 2020 census | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/state-news/new-report-illinois-population-undercounted-in-2020-census/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/state-news/new-report-illinois-population-undercounted-in-2020-census/ |
5-year-old shot by a stray bullet family says “put the guns down”
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – A 5-year-old is recovering after being shot by a stray bullet in his home.
Now, the family has a strong message for the community.
It happened Wednesday night around 7:23 near the intersection of East Church and North Fourth in Champaign.
Police said 2 people were walking in the area when they started shooting at a third person.
We talked to the 5-year-old’s grandmother, and she said they are extremely grateful he is alive and was only shot in the hand, but they said it should have never happened.
“It was very devastating. Very devastating,” Kristian Hilson, the grandmother, said.
The sun hadn’t even fully set yet when Hilson got the call.
“I got a phone call from my son-in-law and he said come quick, because my grandson was bleeding and looked like he had been shot. Someone had shot through the house.”
She said they immediately took off. Not really knowing what was fully going on.
“We kind of didn’t know what happened to his hand. At first we thought he got cut, but when we took him to the emergency room, they pulled a bullet out of his hand,” she said.
Right before he was caught in the cross fire, Hilson said he was playing super Mario brothers, sitting in his home, in his favorite spot, when right outside shots rang out.
Three bullets went into the home where Cameron, his father and another child were winding down for the night.
As the family jumped to get on the floor, he was hit in his right hand. Hilson said he is her hero.
“He is such an amazing little boy. He’s still running around, he’s still so happy. He loves Batman, but he’s going through it very well, but it’s still devastating for us because the gun violence needs to stop,” she said. “It is not that serious. Innocent people are being hurt. Stop. Please.”
They are happy it wasn’t worse, but they said they shouldn’t be here to begin with. Their message to the community is to stop the violence.
“My grandson is five-years-old and I just thank God, because his birthday is tomorrow and he’s here to enjoy that. He’s amazing. We have to ask if he’s in pain. He’s a strong little boy and we love him so much,” she said. “We just want people to know put the guns down, because there are innocent people, children, it ruins families, it hurts kids, it hurts a lot of people. It needs to stop.”
Cameron turns 6 on Friday. His birthday celebration had to be changed from a trampoline, because of his injury. His grandmother said he even has to be fed, because he’s right-handed.
An 18 year old was also shot in the arm and drove themselves to the hospital. | 2022-05-20T02:34:08Z | www.wcia.com | 5-year-old shot by a stray bullet family says “put the guns down” | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/5-year-old-shot-by-a-stray-bullet-family-says-put-the-guns-down/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/5-year-old-shot-by-a-stray-bullet-family-says-put-the-guns-down/ |
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — University of Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman’s salary will go from $800,000 to $975,000 overnight.
The university Board of Trustees approved the raise Thursday morning along with additional pay increases over the course of his four-year contract extension.
By July of 2027, Whitman’s annual salary will be up to $1,225,000, not including the $300,000 in incentive compensation he’s eligible for each year.
Illinois Chancellor Robert Jones said he’s confident resigning Whitman will “keep Illinois Athletics on its upward trajectory.”
In stark contrast, University of Illinois service workers at the Urbana-Champaign campus were frustrated by the announcement Thursday. The Service Workers International Union, SEIU Local 73, has been fighting for a few additional dollars an hour for months.
Union steward Mike Lindley accused the board of underpaying workers the university has deemed essential over the course of a two-year pandemic.
“It’s leading to short-staff, under-staffing issues and budgetary issues all over the place it seems,” Lindley said.
Food and building service workers start off at $15.90 an hour, or about $31,000 a year.
“They just offered us 25 cents an hour raise. That’s what they offered us, which is insulting,” Lindley divulged citing the latest in ongoing contract negotiations.
SEIU members are asking for a $5/hour raise for the 2022-2023 academic year and a $1/hour raise for each of the remaining two years in the proposed contract.
“It sounds like a lot,” Lindley admitted. “But what we’re trying to do is we’re trying to catch up to the cost of living.”
Lindley called the raises in the last several contracts with the university “minimal” and not enough to keep up with the rising cost of living.
“And then especially with the most recent explosion of inflation, we are way behind,” he said.
Union members have received a total of $1.20 in raises in the last three years, Lindley said.
SEIU Local 73 spokesman Adrian Rojas called Whitman’s raise “shameful.”
“We’re not asking for the moon. We’re asking the university to simply give these workers—whom UIUC deemed essential—what they’re due: wages that reflect their hard work during a continued pandemic and an ever-rising cost of living,” Rojas said in an email statement Thursday.
“We are essential employees that showed up to campus every day over the pandemic,” Lindley added. “You know, we helped this campus run while they worked from home.”
Careers like Whitman’s are particularly competitive and the salary bar has been set high.
Sports Illustrated reported the University of Nebraska, a fellow Big Ten school, recently started paying its new athletic director Trev Alberts a base salary of $800,000 with hundreds of thousands more in bonuses possible.
An ESPN report from nearly a decade ago in 2013 shows Wisconsin shelled out $1.2 million and Ohio state nearly $1.1 million at the time for their athletic directors.
Illini associate athletics director Kent Brown said “the athletics department is responsible for generating all our own funding. University funds are not used,” which includes Whitman’s salary.
“Yeah, okay. I understand that argument,” Lindley responded. “That could potentially be considered a fair argument. But however, consider right now that they’re also closing the libraries down to renovate the library system and that’s an over a million dollar renovation.”
$50 million toward the renovation project has been approved so far by the Board of Trustees.
“There’s money for everything until it comes to us,” Lindley concluded.
The union voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike this week in what leadership called the largest turnout in the local unit’s history. Bargaining between the union and the board is expected to continue and another vote would be needed before a walkout could happen. | 2022-05-20T02:34:20Z | www.wcia.com | University board approves million-dollar athletic director salary, offers service workers ’25 cents an hour’ raise | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/university-board-approves-million-dollar-athletic-director-salary-offers-service-workers-25-cents-an-hour-raise/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/university-board-approves-million-dollar-athletic-director-salary-offers-service-workers-25-cents-an-hour-raise/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A number of streets in Springfield will be closed this weekend due to several events happening in the downtown area.
The Old Capitol Art Fair will take place on Saturday and Sunday on the grounds of the Old State Capitol Building. The following road closures around the Old Capitol will begin on Friday:
Washington Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets at noon
Fifth Street between Jefferson and Adams Streets at 2 p.m.
The intersection of Washington and Fourth Streets at 2 p.m.
All of those closures will end at 7 a.m. on Sunday. Underground parking beneath the Old capitol will be open during the art fair.
Springfield Pridefest will also be happening on Saturday with a parade route starting at Fifth and Allen Streets, proceeding to Capitol Avenue and ending at a stage on Capitol. This route will require the following closures:
Capitol Avenue between Fourth and Sixth Streets
Fifth Avenue between Jackson and Monroe Streets
Those closures begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and end at 6 a.m. on Sunday. The parade itself will start at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The Old Capitol Farmer’s Market will start its 2022 season on Saturday, requiring the following roads to close at 5:30 a.m. the day of:
Adams Street between the Third Street railroad tracks to Fifth Street
Fourth Street between Monroe and Washington Streets
Those closures will end at 1:30 p.m. the same day. Adams Street will also close on Wednesday for the Famer’s market, but Fourth Street will not. The Old Capitol Farmer’s Market will take place every Wednesday and Saturday between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. | 2022-05-20T02:34:45Z | www.wcia.com | Downtown Springfield roads closing for weekend events | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/downtown-springfield-roads-closing-for-weekend-events/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/downtown-springfield-roads-closing-for-weekend-events/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — With the summer season approaching, the Illinois Department of Public Health is helping camps get ready by offering free rapid COVID tests for summer camp participants.
With COVID-19 lingering, camp counselors want to make sure they are prepared for potential outbreaks and stopping them before they happen. They will also be able to test kids daily if they have symptoms.
Brandon Meline, Child and Maternal health Director at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, said that being able to offer tests is important to keeping kids safe.
“Having boosters and testing available to help control outbreaks,” Meline said. “We’re not going to get to a zero COVID likely, but we do want to protect the kids who will probably be in close proximity at these camps.”
The tests will be available to all summer camps, no matter if they are a few days long or a month long. | 2022-05-20T04:57:57Z | www.wcia.com | Camps ready for summer season with COVID testing available | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/camps-ready-for-summer-season-with-covid-testing-available/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/camps-ready-for-summer-season-with-covid-testing-available/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill (WCIA) — As many as one in seven moms and one in 10 dads deal with depression and anxiety symptoms during and right after having a child. That’s what one nonprofit wanted people to know in Hessel park on Thursday.
It’s no coincidence that they chose a park, as it is a place where they were more likely to come across new parents who might not know they are feeling out of sorts.
“There’s so many risks of untreated depression and anxiety during pregnancy,” said University of Illinois associate social work professor Karen Tabb Dina. “There’s risk for the baby, such as being born too early or too light. There’s risk for moms, which is increased pain, increased C-sections. Risk for infants after they’re born with failure for cognitive development and then there’s risk of suicide and drug overdose for mom.”
Dina said fewer than six percent of parents with post-partum depression never get diagnosed. People who need help can check out the Perinatal Connect Facebook page. | 2022-05-20T04:58:09Z | www.wcia.com | Parents walk for anxiety, depression awareness | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/parents-walk-for-anxiety-depression-awareness/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/parents-walk-for-anxiety-depression-awareness/ |
VERMILION COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — All lanes of westbound Interstate 74 are currently closed in Vermilion County due to a crash.
The crash happened near Fithian at Milepost 201. State Troopers are redirecting traffic off the highway at Exit 206 and onto U.S. Route 150 for travel past the crash site. Drivers may get back onto I-74 at Exit 200. | 2022-05-20T04:58:22Z | www.wcia.com | Interstate 74 shut down by crash in Vermilion County | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/interstate-74-shut-down-by-crash-in-vermilion-county/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/traffic/interstate-74-shut-down-by-crash-in-vermilion-county/ |
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — A Mahomet man is dead and three more were hurt after a crash on I-74 in Vermilion County.
State Police said it happened around 9 p.m. Thursday on the interstate between Ogden and Oakwood near Fithian. Troopers stated 28-year-old Timothy Davis from Mahomet was driving his motorcycle in the right lane behind a Jeep Cherokee. He failed to slow down and crashed into the Jeep. He then lost control of the motorcycle and was thrown from it. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A woman and two children in the Jeep were taken to the hospital. Their injuries were considered non-life threatening, according to troopers. | 2022-05-20T16:00:20Z | www.wcia.com | Motorcyclist dies after crash along I-74 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/motorcyclist-dies-after-crash-along-i-74/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/motorcyclist-dies-after-crash-along-i-74/ |
EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A 37-year-old man was arrested at his residence along Illinois Route 37 early Friday morning after a 15-hour standoff with police.
According to Sheriff Paul F. Kuhns, the incident started early Thursday afternoon when the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office began receiving calls reporting that Matthew W. Reissen of Watson was lighting fires in his yard and on RT 37, which runs in front of his residence. Callers also reported that Reissen was throwing large rocks at passing cars and threatening motorists with a large knife that he was carrying.
When deputies arrived, they saw Reissen retreated to his residence and refused to cooperate.
Deputies believed Reissen had several firearms inside the residence and several unsuccessful attempts were made to establish communication with him.
Effingham County Sheriff’s Deputies and Effingham City Police Officers set a perimeter around the residence and the Illinois State Police SWAT was requested. When SWAT and the Illinois State Police Negotiators arrived, they worked to contact and resolve the issue with Reissen throughout the day and into the night.
Sheriff Kuhns stated, during the early morning hours on Friday, Reissen fired a weapon from inside the residence, striking the negotiators’ armored vehicle and one of the outbuildings on the property. Shortly after this incident, negotiators convinced Reissen to surrender to authorities, he walked out of the residence and was taken into custody at 4:10 a.m.
Sheriff Kuhns said Reissen cut his hand and was taken from the scene to Effingham St. Anthony hospital for treatment. He was treated and released and is currently being held at the Effingham County Jail. He is facing charges of arson and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
No officers were hurt during the operation. | 2022-05-20T18:24:54Z | www.wcia.com | Watson man arrested after 15-hour standoff with police | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/watson-man-arrested-after-15-hour-standoff-with-police/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/watson-man-arrested-after-15-hour-standoff-with-police/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s no secret that most kids look forward to the summertime when school finally flashes in the rearview mirror and the toil of homework is no more. But for those in need, it can mean a long, miserable stretch of time due to a lack of access to clothes, food and more. Both in Springfield and Illinois overall.
But there is a foundation in Springfield that uses volunteers and selfless community members to lend that helping hand when families need it during the summer. They’re called Share the Spirit Foundation, Inc. and it was formed in 2003. Two sisters-in-law decided there was a need in Illinois and Colorado that had to be met.
“We’ve always taught our younger generation, as in our own children and the younger generation in our communities, that the spirit is also of giving not just receiving. It goes both ways. We just enjoy it. We want everybody to have fun. The kids to have fun, our volunteers to have fun. Spirited is kind of the way it is,” says Tonya Voepel, co-founder of Share the Spirit.
It was in 2003 that Tonya and Karen Voepel wanted to do more for the youth in their communities, including their own children. After a hike for breast cancer under their belt, the Voepel duo wanted to begin outreach by working to eliminate a dire need families are facing. That includes worn out shoes, socks, and much more.
That’s why on Monday and in May of each year, Share the Spirit puts on a shoe and sock giveaway. Kids at the Early Learning Center in Springfield picked out a brand new pair of kicks. The giveaway was also possible thanks to Scheels in Springfield. They donated $2,700 in shopping credit to cover the majority of the shoes. Shoe Carnival also provided their support for this effort.
“Oh they’re so happy and they’re excited to pick out a pair that they like. They walk into the classroom and they can be proud of what they have, show it off to others. It’s just a real good feeling all the way around,” says Lori Harrison, Principal of the Early Learning Center.
To learn more about Share the Spirit Foundation, click here.
You can support the foundation and the kids they reach by clicking here. | 2022-05-20T18:25:00Z | www.wcia.com | Community Counts: Share the Spirit Foundation | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/the-morning-show/community-counts-share-the-spirit-foundation/ | https://www.wcia.com/the-morning-show/community-counts-share-the-spirit-foundation/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater will kick off their summer season on Friday, May 20.
Kicking off the season will be Here Come the Mummies. The show will start a 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the show are available by calling 217-422-5911 or visiting etix.com.
“As a team, we are very excited about the upcoming season and being able to offer a wider variety of entertainment than we have so far. We are very thankful for two successful years to get started, but are pretty optimistic that this will be our biggest season yet,” said General Manager of the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater Mike Wilcott.
Items permitted for this summer season will be purses no larger than 8 by 10 inches, clear totes no larger than 12 by 12 inches, blankets no larger than 5 by 6 feet, cameras without a bag, binoculars without a case and items related to a medical condition.
No outside food or drink is permitted, concessions can be purchased at the amphitheater. | 2022-05-20T20:39:20Z | www.wcia.com | Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater to kick off summer season Friday night | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/devon-lakeshore-amphitheater-to-kick-off-summer-season-friday-night/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/devon-lakeshore-amphitheater-to-kick-off-summer-season-friday-night/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Opening Day for the Martens Center at Human Kinetics Park has been pushed back.
Groundbreaking set Thursday for new Martens Center
According to the Director of Marketing and Communications of the Champaign Park District, Chelsea Norton, they are hoping to open the Martens Center in July. The original plan was to open the new center in June. However, due to materials not arriving on time, the opening has been delayed.
Officials said the center will have amenities for people of all ages. Features include a gym, a walking/running track, a kitchen and café, a fitness center, a stage, multipurpose rooms and a safe room for storms.
It will be located at 1501 North Market Street.
Photo courtesy: Champaign Park District. | 2022-05-20T20:39:24Z | www.wcia.com | Martens Center expected to be open in July | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/martens-center-expected-to-be-open-in-july/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/martens-center-expected-to-be-open-in-july/ |
Blain’s Farm & Fleet is back with tips on vegetables that would be great to add to your garden.
Easy to Grow Vegetables
Carrots are easy to plant and grow. You’ll want to plant the carrot seeds in cooler weather. Harvest them within 60-75 days or when their tops pop up over the soil line. You’ll also need sandy soil that’s deep enough for the root vegetable to grow.
Green beans are a great vegetable to add to your garden. You can eat them fresh out of the garden. You can even can them to enjoy all year round. Start out with these delicious and easy-to-grow vegetables. Once you’ve harvested the green beans, you can even start home canning them to enjoy later.
These in-ground vegetables are easy to grow. They’re hardy, and can be planted in the spring and fall. Radishes grow quickly and easy, giving you a plentiful crop. When you plant radishes, don’t leave them in the garden too long. If they aren’t picked early enough, they will lose their flavor.
Tomatoes are great for your vegetable garden. They come in a variety of sizes, from cherry tomatoes to the big Amish paste tomatoes. With tomatoes, you will have to be careful of pests and diseases. There are tomato starter plants available to make the growing process even easier. Tomatoes are also great for canning. Tomatoes can be canned just on their own or you can even make homemade salsa and spaghetti sauce.
Cucumbers are an easy vegetable to plant in your garden. Just make sure you plant them in the warm season. The Farmer’s Almanac suggests planting them at least two weeks after the last spring frost. You can preserve cucumbers by freezing or pickling them. | 2022-05-20T22:45:56Z | www.wcia.com | Blain’s Farm and Fleet share easy to grow vegetables | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/blains-farm-and-fleet-share-easy-to-grow-vegetables/ | https://www.wcia.com/ciliving-tv/blains-farm-and-fleet-share-easy-to-grow-vegetables/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – It was a morning to reflect and remember.
“Our fallen Champaign police officers will never be forgotten,” Tom Petrilli, the interim police chief, said kicking off the ceremony.
West Side Park in Champaign was filled with hundreds of people paying respect and tribute to officers who gave their life protecting the community.
“I think it really does bring a sense of realness to how the tragedy can be so pervasive throughout the department. And you don’t really recognize that when you’re speaking to someone from 50 years ago, and it really does bring more importance to it when you’re dealing with so many new names, faces, and relationships that have been affected by this,” he said.
Even as the sky opened and rain started falling. Not surprising to Petrilli that the many in attendance stood through it.
“It seems that when we’re memorializing and commemorating officers that paid the ultimate sacrifice to deal with a little inclement weather, it’s the least we could do,” he said.
Petrilli said the past year has been hard on everyone. He said one positive that has come out of it is the community’s support.
“The strength and support that we’ve received in the past year is unbelievable and I hope that’s a sign of the good things to come and the partnerships we’re yet to build,” he said.
Champaign Mayor Deb Feinen also made a proclamation at the memorial. She declared the week of May 15th through the 21st national police memorial week for the city. | 2022-05-20T22:46:14Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign Police memorial ceremony | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-police-memorial-ceremony/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-police-memorial-ceremony/ |
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — If you have been to the Illinois State Fair, you no doubt remember that giant slide in the center of the park. For years, people young and old have rocketed down the iconic attraction that offers a bird’s eye view of the park followed by a thrilling reminder of the power of gravity.
So imagine everyone’s surprise when it was announced the slide was being put up for sale. However, the slide is not going anywhere thanks to some leaders in Springfield who recognize the value it brings to their city.
After Erica Johnson got married in 2017, she did not go straight to her honeymoon, or even to the reception. She went to the giant slide on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. “One of the first things we did together–once we started dating–with his daughter, who is now my stepdaughter, was go to the fair.”
Erica Johnson goes down the slide with her bridal party in 2017.
Her entire bridal party went down the slide. It is one of her favorite memories from her wedding day. It is also why news that the slide could leave caught her so off guard.
“As soon as I saw this story, I immediately thought of our wedding. And so I mean, I’m sure we’re not alone. A lot of people have, you know, generated those kind of memories around the slide,” said Johnson.
She can rest easy now. Doug Knight, owner of Knights Action Park in Springfield, is buying the slide and keeping in on the fairgrounds. He–just like Johnson–has plenty of his own memories with the slide.
“I slipped down as a little kid when my mom and dad took me out there,” said Knight.
The slide is front and center on the fairgrounds. And soon, it could be open all summer. The City wants to keep it open for their Route 66 tourism campaign. And it is expected to chip in $120,000 over the next four years to make that happen.
“For myself personally growing up, that’s always been my favorite ride because it’s one that you know, I could tolerate,” said Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder.
The slide was built in 1968. The idea of it leaving the fairgrounds was never an option for Knight or for Langfelder.
“The good days and the good times and getting together and the giant slide, definitely one of those iconic fixtures in this state fairgrounds that impacted a lot of people that visit fairgrounds here locally,” said Langfelder. | 2022-05-20T22:46:32Z | www.wcia.com | Giant Slide to stay on State Fairgrounds | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/giant-slide-to-stay-on-state-fairgrounds/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/giant-slide-to-stay-on-state-fairgrounds/ |
VIRGINIA, Ill. (WCIA) — A 21-year-old woman from Virginia, Illinois, died after falling into Adam Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park, according to park officials.
They said her body was recovered Thursday evening.
Adam Falls is located on the East Inlet Trail on the west side of the park.
Grand County Sheriff’s Office, Grand County EMS, Grand County Search and Rescue and Grand Lake Fire assisted the park in the incident. The victim’s body was taken to the Grand County Coroner’s Office.
The victim’s name will be released after next of kin are notified.
Officials said park visitors are reminded to remain back from the banks of streams, rivers and waterfalls, especially during spring runoff. They stated that rocks at streamside are often slippery and water is very cold and can be deceivingly deep and swift. They advise visitors to always provide proper supervision for children, who by nature, tend to be attracted to water. | 2022-05-20T22:47:27Z | www.wcia.com | Illinois woman dies at Adam Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/woman-dies-at-adam-falls-in-rocky-mountain-national-park/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/woman-dies-at-adam-falls-in-rocky-mountain-national-park/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – It’s been a rough couple of days for Kamryn Riley and his family.
On Wednesday, he was sitting at home playing a game when bullets started flying outside of his house. Three of those bullets hit his home and came flying inside. Hitting him in his right hand.
Since then, his family and the community have made sure he is safe and okay.
Friday, Riley turned 6-years-old. The Champaign police and fire department wanted to make sure it was a special day for him.
That’s why they had a special parade for him. Several police cars, fire engines, and even the crime scene investigation van showed up to wish Riley a happy birthday.
They even brought him several presents, including a new bicycle.
The detective on the case said when she heard about the situation and found out it was his birthday she made sure he had a happy one.
His father said it’s a week they will never forget.
“I didn’t think so many people cared, but it seems like when it’s a child involved, it just takes on a whole different aspect of things. It takes on a whole different element of things,” Brandon Lowe, his father, said. “He’s 6 today. Instead of a birthday, we could’ve been making funeral arrangements.” | 2022-05-21T00:39:23Z | www.wcia.com | Birthday parade for 5-year-old gun shot victim | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/birthday-parade-for-5-year-old-gun-shot-victim/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/birthday-parade-for-5-year-old-gun-shot-victim/ |
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon recently confirmed the death of a 41-year-old Springfield man after he was hit by a train.
The coroner said his office responded to an incident that happened last night. According to him, a pedestrian was hit by a train in the area of North Ninth Street and East Converse Street. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene at around 9:30 p.m., Coroner Allmon stated.
The identity of the person is being withheld pending next of kin notification.
An autopsy is scheduled for later Saturday and the death remains under investigation by the Sangamon County Coroner and the Springfield Police Department. | 2022-05-21T16:02:50Z | www.wcia.com | Coroner: Man dies after hit by train in Springfield | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/coroner-man-dies-after-hit-by-train-in-springfield/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/coroner-man-dies-after-hit-by-train-in-springfield/ |
LINCOLN, Ill. (WCIA) — At around 4:50 p.m. on Friday, Lincoln Rural firefighters were dispatched to Oakwood Drive in response to a report of an attached garage on fire.
When fire crews arrived at the scene, they saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the garage and smoke coming from the second-floor windows. The on-scene firefighters reported that all occupants were confirmed to be out of the house and safe.
A transitional attack was used, meaning attacking from the outside first and then going inside. A deck gun (water cannon on top of the engine) was used to darken down the fire while hoses were being stretched out into position. Some fire extended into the house through a doorway from the garage but was contained to a hallway area. The rest of the house remained unburnt, but did sustain smoke and water damage.
The fire was declared under control in an hour.
No one was hurt during the operations.
Photo courtesy: Facebook page of Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District. | 2022-05-21T16:02:56Z | www.wcia.com | Firefighters respond to garage fire | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/firefighters-respond-to-garage-fire-2/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/firefighters-respond-to-garage-fire-2/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Starfire Industries, LLC recently announced an expansion to establish a new manufacturing facility in Champaign, Illinois.
The facility will be located at 3310 North Duncan Road.
According to officials, the $9.4 million project accommodates growth to a 194,000 square foot facility to increase manufacturing and research and development capabilities.
Officials believe the project will create at least 22 full time-jobs and retain 20 full-time jobs, as well as support 12 engineering co-op and part-time professional jobs.
“Technology investments over the past 12 years in compact particle accelerators and high-power plasma sources have resulted in game-changing innovations”, said Starfire President/CEO Brian Jurczyk. “Our team is making significant impacts across the semiconductor, nuclear, aerospace, medical, environmental, energy, mining, automotive and security industries. Starfire reached the point where it needed to scale; finding the right location for expansion was critical. The former Patterson building is a unique space with a combination of office, engineering, manufacturing and distribution that will support Starfire’s growth for years to come. We are excited to make this place our home and stay within the robust Champaign-Urbana deep technology ecosystem.”
Starfire Industries specializes in portable high-energy particle accelerators for diagnostic imaging, environmental sensing, active interrogation and oncology therapeutic treatments. This is accomplished using a process that combines physics, math, chemistry and biology to create a strategy for inspecting, examining, and testing materials for flaws, defects and more. Starfire’s patented Centurion® system is being used for the rapid detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in groundwater and soil samples and quantification at the ppt level to meet stringent EPA and EU standards.
Starfire is a multi-disciplinary deep technology company leveraging technical depth in many fields. The team consists of several PhDs in nuclear, plasma, radiological and electrical engineering, as well as engineers from electrical, mechanical, aerospace and material science.
“The new facility will give us the space for a pilot in-line production system to process the long and difficult to handle nuclear fuel cladding”, says Starfire VP/CTO Robert Stubbers. “The combination of engineering, processing, QA/QC testing and distribution space is advantageous.”
“Starfire Industries is truly a homegrown success story, and one we’re proud to celebrate,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, executive director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. “This story is a testament to what is possible in Champaign County and the state of Illinois. Under Brian’s leadership, the company has grown from a startup to a large-scale manufacturing facility. We are grateful for their continued investment in our community and we look forward to supporting their growth.”
Since graduating from the EnterpriseWorks startup incubator at the University of Illinois Research Park in 2009, Starfire Industries has grown from concept research and development to manufacturing plasma sources, neutron generators and high-voltage power supplies for a range of industries. They will soon move from their existing Champaign location, a 14,000 square foot facility in University of Illinois Research Park, to an impressive 194,000 square foot technology center.
The expansion will enable greater on-site collaborative partnerships, direct services to end-users under strategic supplier agreements, manufacturing and global distribution.
The expansion is scheduled for completion in 2023.
To know more about Starfire Industries, click HERE.
Photo courtesy: Website of Starfire Industries. | 2022-05-21T16:04:01Z | www.wcia.com | Starfire Industries announces expansion in Champaign | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/starfire-industries-announces-expansion-in-champaign/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/starfire-industries-announces-expansion-in-champaign/ |
Montgomery County, Ill. (WCIA) — A 57-year-old-man was arrested after he was accused of having methamphetamine in his car and his house.
During the early morning hours of May 20, a deputy of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Illinois Route 16 in Irving Township, just east of Hillsboro. The deputy made contact with the driver who was identified as David E. Henry of Hillsboro. During the traffic stop, deputies said they located and seized about three grams of methamphetamine.
Based on information obtained during the traffic stop, deputies sought and obtained a search warrant for David Henry’s residence.
Deputies said they seized about 90 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm during a search of the residence. Henry is facing charges with the offenses of armed habitual criminal and methamphetamine delivery.
Henry’s bond was set at $150,000.
Anyone who has information regarding a crime, please contact your local Law Enforcement Agency or Crime Stoppers at 1(800)-352-0136. Tips can also be reported to Crime Stoppers online or you can text a tip to CRIMES. | 2022-05-21T19:01:24Z | www.wcia.com | Man arrested after traffic stop on IL Rt 16 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-arrested-after-traffic-stop-on-il-rt-16/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-arrested-after-traffic-stop-on-il-rt-16/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – As mortgage rates and home prices increase nationally, the housing market has proved stressful for buyers, sellers and realtors. The Champaign County Association of Realtors just released its April sales report, and President Stefanie Pratt said May is a wildcard month for real estate.
In Champaign County, houses sold more quickly this April than during the same time last year. But the number of homes sold decreased by 10%.
Pratt has been in real estate for 19 years, and she said it’s a very unique time for everyone involved.
“You can look back on what our history is of recessions and food inflation, but this is the worst it’s ever been. So, will we come out of this and everything will be good? I wish there was a crystal ball and somebody could give a definite answer but you ask five different people and you’re getting a very different answer,” Pratt said.
Locally, she said the key difference lately is a change in buying power. In other words, the last couple of months have brought a constant rise in inflation. So, people today are less able to afford a home than even a few weeks ago. That’s slowing down the market, and it leads many to think they’re saving money by renting rather than buying a home.
“It’s not cheaper to rent. Actually, sometimes it’s equaled out or it’s cheaper to buy. You’re at least having your own buying power, but you want to make sure you actually do it right and you don’t overpay too much,” she said.
The cost of construction materials and gas have also been affecting home prices. Even though several factors remain rather unpredictable, Pratt said she doesn’t expect mortgage rates to keep spiking.
“We’re not expecting them to go above six percent interest rates, which are still good, they’re still not double digits,” she said.
She said realtors are used to a six-month market, but over the past two years, sales have sped up. And now, she said recent market changes may be a reminder to buyers of how things usually work.
“But the new buyers never experienced what we’re dealing with. Heck, we’ve not experienced what we’ve dealt with the last two years. Nobody has.”
Her biggest piece of advice for buyers? Pratt said going through a local lender can connect you with city and community programs to help you through the process. | 2022-05-22T04:28:08Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign homes increasing in price, selling quickly | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-homes-increasing-in-price-selling-quickly/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-homes-increasing-in-price-selling-quickly/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – After 25 years here, and 42 total in his career, the Champaign Park District’s executive director announced he will be retiring next spring.
Joe DeLuce said it’s felt “fantastic” to be a part of projects like restoring the Virginia Theatre and building the Martens Center. He’s hoping to end the year with a national Gold Medal Award, which would give Champaign the title of best park district. They’ve won three times over the years, and been a finalist numerous times.
He started his career in 1980 after graduating college and returning to his hometown of Toronto, Ohio. He became one of the first parks and recreations directors the city ever had.
“Here I was, a college graduate, going back to my hometown, getting my first job as a director. We opened a brand new swimming pool, built playgrounds, had a great time. And it really meant a lot to give back,” DeLuce said.
DeLuce said his career has been very rewarding, and he has some advice for whoever will fill his shoes.
“The key is to continue that reputation of being one of the best park districts in the country, and in the state of Illinois. Just [be] someone who really has a passion for parks and recreation because it’s a lot of work, it takes a lot of time and a lot of effort so you really need to be all in,” he said.
He said he’s looking forward to spending time with his family and continuing to enjoy the parks. The district hasn’t chosen a successor yet. They’ll find out whether they won a gold medal in September.
DeLuce is set to officially retire on April 30, 2023. | 2022-05-22T04:28:14Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign Park District executive director to retire | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-park-district-executive-director-to-retire/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-park-district-executive-director-to-retire/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Nearly a week-and-a-half after being hit by a car, a Decatur restaurant could be only a few weeks away from reopening.
The Wharf, located at 210 West First Drive, was hit by a car on May 11 and had to close as a result. On Sunday, the business provided an update on its Facebook page and named a tentative reopening period.
The business named early June as a possible reopening time period, but did not name an exact date. | 2022-05-22T22:59:27Z | www.wcia.com | Repairs continue on Decatur restaurant hit by car | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/repairs-continue-on-decatur-restaurant-hit-by-car/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/repairs-continue-on-decatur-restaurant-hit-by-car/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Basketball Club and IBC Foundation held a celebrity basketball game at Parkland College Sunday night.
They raised funds for seniors in high school who are going to college, but not playing college basketball. The founder of the group wants to continue to raise funds for years to come and give back to the community.
“We’re raising the Fund for our scholarship fund,” Delandis Beck said. “So we have, of course, everyone’s graduating right now. And we have plenty of graduates from around the area who played basketball in high school, but that are not going to be playing basketball in college. So we figured we’d have this event. And I’ll give away some scholarship money to some kids who are going on to the next level in something other than basketball.”
There were eight high school seniors or graduates that got scholarships Sunday evening. | 2022-05-23T13:38:58Z | www.wcia.com | C-U Celebrity Basketball game raises scholarship money | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/c-u-celebrity-basketball-game-raises-scholarship-money/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/c-u-celebrity-basketball-game-raises-scholarship-money/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign Public Library Board President, Katie Blakeman, announced the library’s new director on Monday.
Brittany Millington will start as Library Director effective June 1, and her starting salary will be $130,000.
Millington has served as the library’s deputy director since March 2017. She will succeed current library director Donna Pittman.
“Brittany’s combination of forward-thinking innovation and a commitment to the Library’s core values make her the best possible candidate to lead the Champaign Public Library,” Blakeman said in a news release. “Brittany has demonstrated leadership on some of our largest projects, including Launch at the Library, Mother Goose on the Loose, and the Studio (teen space). She also coordinated an outstanding COVID-19 response by quickly pivoting the library to provide virtual story times and curbside services. It is the Board’s pleasure to promote an
internal candidate that is so well-qualified to continue to lead our great library. We are confident that the Champaign community will continue to be well served by the Library under Brittany’s leadership.”
Millington received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State, a master’s in Library Science from Indiana University and a master’s in English Literature from Indiana State University. She is also a member of the American Library Association, the Public Library Association and the Illinois Library Association.
“I am honored to be appointed the next Director of the Champaign Public Library,” Millington said in the same news release. “Champaign is a great community, and I currently enjoy the privilege of working with the most amazing library staff. The Library has a legacy of innovation and excellence, and I’m looking forward to continuing that tradition.” | 2022-05-23T19:45:04Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign Public Library appoints next director | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-public-library-appoints-next-director/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-public-library-appoints-next-director/ |
RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and groups like the Youth and Family Peer Support Alliance wanted to make it count.
Every Sunday this month, they invited families to join them for fitness activities like yoga and dancing. They say exercise can help ease stress, depression and anxiety. Plus, it’s a good opportunity for families to connect and enjoy each other’s company.
Dayanna Crider, a youth advocate with the organization, said the month’s activities went really well. And she said it’s important to provide that space for people of all ages.
“I am high-functioning autistic, and I have different disorders. I wish I had someone that… when I was younger could relate to me, and could also understand what I was going through. That’s why it’s so important, because I want to help and want people to know you’re not alone,” she said.
She said even though sometimes only one family would show up, other times, they’d see several. If you’re interested in participating in the future, they post about upcoming events on social media. | 2022-05-23T19:45:48Z | www.wcia.com | Rantoul group invites families to exercise to promote mental health | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/rantoul-group-invites-families-to-exercise-to-promote-mental-health/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/rantoul-group-invites-families-to-exercise-to-promote-mental-health/ |
PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA) – When it gets hot outside, people flock to the pool. That’s why there’s a small group of passionate neighbors hoping to save their public pool.
The “Save the Paxton Pool” committee held a big fundraiser Sunday.
“…learning how to swim, then joining a swim team as soon as I could… I had my first job at the concession stand. I brought my two first babies there for swim lessons,” committee member Tessa Pilcher said.
It’s memories like these that inspired the Save the Paxton Pool committee.
“It’s just encouraging to keep that going for the next generation. So that’s our hope, and that’s why I’m passionate,” she said.
Several years ago, the 57-year-old pool closed for the season and never opened back up. That’s when a handful of community members stepped in.
“Unfortunately, 2020 hit and made some financial strains and some things that needed to be done with the pool when it didn’t open. So that committee had fizzled out as far as that effort went,” Paxton Park District Commissioner Craig Kief said.
But, he said things have changed. The committee has hosted several events to bring families out, kick off summer and raise money.
“The new rekindled Save the Paxton Pool committee, I would say has a lot more volunteers involved at this point. And there’s a lot of passion behind it,” Kief said.
The pool, equipment, and poolhouse all needed repairs.
“Painting, getting new stalls, hopefully doing something with the floor to make it a little bit more safe,” Pilcher said.
…And more. The park district just couldn’t cover those costs. But this group was dedicated to saving the pool, and they say it’s the perfect time.
“Especially after COVID, we just need some joy in in the world. And it brought us a lot of joy, back in the day,” she said.
And clearly, she’s not the only one who feels that way.
“I feel coming together as a community and building up the things that we lost during COVID is really going to help the community,” Miss Ford County Fair Queen 2021 Jolee Hastings said.
Luckily, the committee’s hard work has paid off. Pilcher said she’s excited the pool will be open this summer.
“That’s what I’m most looking forward to is opening the doors and seeing smiling faces just enjoying the pool like I used to when I was a kid,” she said.
Kief said local businesses have also stepped up to help with repairs, and everybody involved is grateful. But they’ll need to come up with a long-term plan to keep the pool running in the years ahead.
If you’re interested in purchasing a season pass to the pool, the park district is offering an early bird special through May 27. For more information, you can find the committee on social media. | 2022-05-23T19:45:54Z | www.wcia.com | ‘Save the Paxton pool’ effort a success; pool will open | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/save-the-paxton-pool-effort-a-success-pool-will-open/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/save-the-paxton-pool-effort-a-success-pool-will-open/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Amidst a nationwide recall of Jif peanut butter products due to Salmonella contamination, questions have emerged as to which peanut butter jars and containers are among those that contain contaminated peanut butter.
The CDC has confirmed 14 illnesses across 12 states in connection to this recall, one of which is in Illinois. Two people were hospitalized as a result of their illness. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District has confirmed that some of the contaminated peanut butter was sold locally.
The recall involves several products, which are listed below:
The UPC can be found next to or beneath the barcode.
To determine whether the peanut butter inside these products is contaminated, people should look at the lot code, which is listed alongside the best-if-used-by date. The FDA said the peanut butter inside the container is contaminated if the following two criteria are met:
The first four numbers of the lot code are between 1274 and 2140
AND the fifth, sixth and seventh numbers are 425
People who find contaminated peanut butter in their pantry is recommended to wash and sanitize surfaces and utensils that could have touched the peanut butter and dispose of the peanut butter without eating or serving any more of it. The peanut butter should be disposed off immediately without eating or serving any more of it. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District said people who purchased contaminated peanut butter should be able to return it for a refund.
People who ate Jif peanut butter and have symptoms of salmonellosis are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider. They may also report their symptoms to Jif online or by calling 800-828-9980. | 2022-05-24T00:37:45Z | www.wcia.com | Jif peanut butter recall explained | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/jif-peanut-butter-recall-explained/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/jif-peanut-butter-recall-explained/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A man from Melvin has been sentenced to 27 years in prison, followed by 15 years of parole, for distributing and possessing child pornography.
Richard Cruse, 37, was initially arrested by Ford County authorities and charged with two counts of Predatory Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecent Solicitation of a Child. However, upon being charged on a three-count indictment by a federal grand jury in March of 2021, he was transferred to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, where he has remained every since. He pleaded guilty to the federal indictment earlier this year.
Senior U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm found that Cruse had engaged in a pattern of sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor. In imposing the 27-year sentence, Mihm noted that Cruse’s actions left the victim with permanent harm. Mihm also ordered Cruse to pay $9,000 in restitution to three separate victims from the child pornography files Cruse trafficked. | 2022-05-24T00:37:51Z | www.wcia.com | Man sentenced for child pornography offenses | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-for-child-pornography-offenses-2/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-for-child-pornography-offenses-2/ |
Crime Stoppers looking for three suspects in Rantoul shooting
Witnesses reported seeing up to three people who were possibly involved in this incident. One is described as a Black male wearing a dark hoodie, dark pants and having dark hair. Another is described as a White male wearing a white shirt and dark pants. No description is available on the third suspect. They were last seen running north of the scene. | 2022-05-24T02:56:33Z | www.wcia.com | Crime Stoppers looking for three suspects in Rantoul shooting | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/crime-stoppers-looking-for-three-suspects-in-rantoul-shooting/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/crime-stoppers-looking-for-three-suspects-in-rantoul-shooting/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign School Board has approved a new Assistant Principal for Central High School.
Ryan Krows has been teaching in the Champaign School District for 19 years, serving as an English teacher at Central since 2003. In that time, he also served as Building Literacy Coordinator, Teacher Representative for District Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Team and as English Department Chair.
Krows holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in Secondary Education and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, both from the University of Illinois. He is currently working on a Masters of Education in Educational Administration and Principal Licensure.
In a statement, the District said Krows is passionate about student success, educational equity, and collegial growth. As Assistant Principal, he is looking forward to helping to make sure students feel seen both at school and in the curriculum. Krows also wants to make sure that students understand their voice matters and that learning should go in two directions: from adults to students and from students to adults.
The effective date of Krows’ appointment as Assistant Principal is August 1. | 2022-05-24T02:56:39Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign School Board names new Assistant Principal | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/education/champaign-school-board-names-new-assistant-principal/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/education/champaign-school-board-names-new-assistant-principal/ |
TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A Taylorville man will spend seven years behind bars after he bit two police officers who were arresting him.
Michael Emery, 33, was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to two counts of Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer. The charges stem from an April 19 altercation during which Emery was arrested in connection to a theft; as he was being arrested, Emery resisted and bit two officers, injuring them enough that they needed medical treatment.
Christian County State’s Attorney Wes Poggenpohl said that Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer is a class 2 felony that normally carries a sentencing range of three to seven years in prison. However, based on Emery’s record, the sentencing range was extended to as many as 14 years in prison.
Poggenpohl also commended the officers who arrested Emery for the sacrifices they make for public safety, saying their safety is a priority of his office. He promised that anyone who makes officers’ job more difficult by resisting, fighting or fleeing will be looking at additional charges and harsher penalties for their actions. | 2022-05-24T02:56:51Z | www.wcia.com | Man sentenced for biting officers during arrest | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-for-biting-officers-during-arrest/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/man-sentenced-for-biting-officers-during-arrest/ |
TOLONO (WCIA) — Monticello baseball is headed to Sectionals for the first time in nearly a decade, after their 11-1 win over Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley on Saturday in the Tolono Regional.
Jack Buckalew struck out nine batters and only allowed two hits. Their last Sectional Semifinal appearance was back in 2014, the year the Sages advanced all the way to the Supersectional. Before that, they had gone 21 years without a Regional title.
“Players have been focused,” says head coach Chris Jones. “We had a really good week of practice. I think if they continue that focus and we continue to practice the way we did we’ll be okay. Same approach at the plate that we’ve been doing for most of the year. I think that we’ve had some guys go hot early in the year kind of cool off and some other guys have picked up. Right now it seems like we’re all seeing the ball fairly well and putting a good swing on.”
Monticello will play Eureka on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Millikin University. | 2022-05-24T02:57:09Z | www.wcia.com | Monticello wins first baseball regional since 2014 | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/high-school-sports/monticello-wins-first-baseball-regional-since-2014/ | https://www.wcia.com/sports/high-school-sports/monticello-wins-first-baseball-regional-since-2014/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A search of a home in Decatur led to the arrest of a woman and the recovery of more than a kilogram of methamphetamine pills. The drugs have a street value of more than $100,000.
Members of the Macon County Sheriff’s Office and Decatur Police Department executed a search warrant near the intersection of North Woodford Street and East Garfield Avenue last Friday. Deputies said the search was the result of a lengthy investigation into illegal drug sales.
31-year-old Faith Bishop was arrested and charged with manufacture and delivery of more than 900 grams of meth. She was booked into the Macon County Jail and later posted bond.
The investigation into the matter and potential asset seizures are ongoing. | 2022-05-24T05:02:48Z | www.wcia.com | Drug bust recovers $100k worth of meth | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/drug-bust-recovers-100k-worth-of-meth/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/drug-bust-recovers-100k-worth-of-meth/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Moving to a new town can be difficult for some people.
However, if you are new to Champaign-Urbana, there’s a chance to meet new people.
Visit Champaign County and the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation are hosting the “New to C-U mixer.”
It will be at the Blind Pig Brewery beer garden with doors opening at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Attendants will be able to connect with each other as well as members of the Chambana welcome crew.
If you plan on attending the event, you can RSVP here.
Photo Courtesy: Visit Champaign County Facebook page | 2022-05-24T14:55:16Z | www.wcia.com | Blind Pig to host event for new residents to Champaign County | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/blind-pig-to-host-event-for-new-residents-to-champaign-county/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/blind-pig-to-host-event-for-new-residents-to-champaign-county/ |
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Beer enthusiasts at Riggs Brewery Saturday were oblivious to a bumper crop of small grains enthusiasts more focused on the wheat and barley test plots on the east side of Urbana. Owner Matt Riggs hosted Small grains researcher Jessica Rutkoski and her followers, but there is a great family story brewed from it as well.
“I am sure it’s hard for every family that is running a business, together,” Riggs said. “It takes a lot of communication. Some people are better at it than others, and you’re doing something when there’s a failure it hurts everybody.”
That’s Matt Riggs, one of the two sons of Sidney farmer Dennis Riggs, but did he raise farmers or brewers?
“I’ve raised intelligent young men, and they have turned into both,” Dennis Rigg said. “They turned into beer makers first, I might say, and now they are turning into farmers because we are trying to find a way to integrate our family farming operation into a new commercial venture, which of course is beer-making.”
And father Dennis says the family farm is responding.
For the last 4 or 5 years we have been scaling up and scaling up to match their production needs,” Dennis said. “And we’re up to, I don’t know the bushels, but we’re over 40 acres of our farm that used to be no grains at all, is the barley, some wheat, and also some white corn for the production.”
But it was not an easy start.
“I think he alluded to the fact that it was crazy,” Matt said. “And we eventually through persistence, convinced him to, essentially we started with 1 acre, and over the years we have ramped that up as we have demonstrated, hey, this works. It’s not perfect, it’s not easy. But he’s at the point now where I think he’s all on board. But that took years, but that’s not a bad trait for a farmer to have.”
And Dennis also found some additional benefits.
There’s a lot of environmental reasons to do this,” Dennis said. “The soil, the runoff, and I like all those things. As we try to integrate those things into our operation and make it more environmentally friendly, its working out great.”
And a lot of folks will drink to that. That’s our harvest heritage report. I’m Stu Ellis with WCIA-3, your local news leader. | 2022-05-24T14:55:24Z | www.wcia.com | Harvest Heritage: Riggs Brewery | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/harvest-heritage-riggs-brewery/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/harvest-heritage-riggs-brewery/ |
RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — A house in Rantoul caught fire just after 3 a.m. on Tuesday.
It happened at the corner of Gleason and Marcia Drive.
Officials said that there was no one in the house at the time of the fire.
No one was injured in the fire and the cause is still under investigation.
Photo Courtesy: Rantoul Fire | 2022-05-24T14:55:24Z | www.wcia.com | House catches fire overnight in Rantoul | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/house-catches-fire-overnight-in-rantoul/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/house-catches-fire-overnight-in-rantoul/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Reports of an Illinois exodus were exaggerated.
The U.S. Census Bureau announced it undercounted Illinois by about a quarter of a million people.
Governor Pritzker said in a statement, “I have already spoken to members of our congressional delegation and will work tirelessly to ensure Illinois receives its fair share of federal funding. I look forward to celebrating this development with all Illinoisans, including those who routinely badmouth our state.”
Cities also are cautiously celebrating following the news.
Many, including Springfield, are looking to secure that federal funding as well.
“I immediately thought of community development block grant funds, because that’s the greatest benefit you receive, per capita, you receive assistance from the federal government, based on your population,” Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder said.
To get that money, Springfield would have to hold its own census, which could be costly.
So now Langfelder has to figure out if the cost is worth the payout.
“We’d have to really analyze it to see if the cost-benefit analysis is worth it,” Langfelder said. “Because you don’t want to go through that bureaucratic exercise if it’s not really truly going to be worth it.
Figuring out the total bill will take some time.
But it’s a summer project worth taking on.
It could mean thousands of dollars for communities all across the city.
“It wouldn’t happen that fast,” Langfelder said. “We could see it in later June. But again, I have to get with the Illinois municipal league. I haven’t had a chance yet. And also with corporation council, because it’s a legal process. You know, there’ll be some bureaucratic exercise associated with it.” | 2022-05-24T14:55:25Z | www.wcia.com | Illinois undercounted in US Census | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/illinois-undercounted-in-us-census/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/illinois-undercounted-in-us-census/ |
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Early voting has begun in Champaign County for the 2022 primary elections.
In-person early voting started at 8 a.m. last Thursday and will take place at the following locations between the listed dates and hours:
Open now through June 17 and between June 20 and June 27
Brookens Admin Building gymnasium (1776 E Washington Street, Urbana)
Weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 25 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 26 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Open June 13 through June 27
Weekdays between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Sundays between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Bresnan Meeting Center, 706 Kenwood Road, Champaign
Crystal Lake Boat House, 206 West Park Street, Urbana
Illini Union, 1401 West Green Street, Urbana
Lake of the Woods Pavilion, 1702 East Prairie View Drive, Mahomet
Meadowbrook Community Church, 1902 South Duncan Road, Champaign
Parkland College, Student Life Center, 2400 West Bradley Avenue, Champaign
Plumbers’ & Pipefitters Local 149, 1005 North Dunlap Avenue, Savoy
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 802 East Douglas Street, St. Joseph
The Church of the Living God, 312 East Bradley Avenue, Champaign
The Gathering Place (1st United Methodist Church), 220 South Marshall Street, Rantoul
Tolono Public Library, 111 East Main Street, Tolono
Saturday, June 25 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 26 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Monday, June 27 between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Carpenters’ Local #243, 402 South Duncan Road, Champaign
Champaign Public Library, 200 Wwest Green Street, Champaign
Champaign-Ford Regional Office of Education, 3358 Big Pine Trail, Champaign
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2101 South Prospect Ave, Champaign
Holy Cross Parish Center, 405 West Clark Street, Champaign
Mahomet Public Library, 1702 East Oak Street, Mahomet
Mellon Administration Center, 703 South New Street, Champaign
Point of Change Church, 702 Turkey Farm Road, Mahomet
Rantoul Recreation Department – Arts & Crafts Center, 100 East Flessner Avenue, Rantoul
Savoy Recreation Center, 402 West Graham Drive, Savoy
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 2200 Philo Road, Urbana
Grace period registration and voting start at all of these locations on June 1, meaning any voter or person eligible to be a voter can update their registration and vote in the same trip. All of these sites will be open on June 28, Election Day proper, between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Ammons said that about 6,000 people have registered to vote by mail. Those who have already signed up for the permanent vote-by-mail list and voters who have made their request to vote by mail can expect to receive their ballots between May 23 and May 27. Voters can return their ballots through the mail or by depositing them in a county drop box free of charge.
Anyone who wants to request a ballot can do so on the Champaign County Clerk’s website. Anyone with questions can call Ammons’ office directly. | 2022-05-25T05:57:21Z | www.wcia.com | Early primary voting begins in Champaign County | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/early-primary-voting-begins-in-champaign-county/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/early-primary-voting-begins-in-champaign-county/ |
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A 25-year-old man is dead after a shooting in Springfield Tuesday night.
According to Sangamon County Coroner, the man was pronounced dead at the hospital at around 7:45 p.m. as a result of several gunshot wounds.
The identity of the man is being withheld at this time until next of kin is notified. Additionally, an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday and the death is still under investigation by the Sangamon County Coroner and the Springfield Police Department. | 2022-05-25T13:34:26Z | www.wcia.com | 25-year-old man killed in Springfield shooting | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/25-year-old-man-killed-in-springfield-shooting/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/25-year-old-man-killed-in-springfield-shooting/ |
RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — Mark Owen says he got a knock on his door at 3 a.m. and an officer told him he needed to evacuate because of a fire.
“It’s been three times in about three months it is a little concerning, the thought of when is it going to happen next,” said Owen, neighbor to the house.
As we were interviewing Owen the fire started again, and neighbors called the fire department.
“I can’t speak to the other couple of times, but There were so many air pockets in this, so many vast spaces for the fire to hide in, and that’s what it was doing,” Rantoul Fire Captain Richard Carr said.
Carr says when they showed up to the house for the fourth time, they took extra measures to prevent it from happening again.
“What has happened with this fire is that it has gotten back into the eves so it’s in-between the spaces in the roofline of the house, so what we’re doing is cut off that whole section of the top part of the roofing and bring it down, so it has nowhere else to go,” said Carr.
Neighbors like Owen say they are worried about their health, but Captain Carr says they are looking out for the community.
“Be vigilant, it should be safe, the air quality is safe, we do monitor that sort of stuff after a fire,” said Carr.
While the fires are unfortunate, Owen says there has been one good thing to come out of the ashes.
“We’ve gotten to know some of our neighbors that we didn’t know, that’s been kind of nice that there has been some coming together to watch for each other and really do want to take care of each other a little more,” said Owen. | 2022-05-25T13:35:05Z | www.wcia.com | Rantoul house catches fire for the fourth time | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/rantoul-house-catches-fire-for-the-fourth-time/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/rantoul-house-catches-fire-for-the-fourth-time/ |
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY (WCIA) — Early voting in Champaign County has started – and the County Clerk wants to make sure voters understand the mail-in process.
County Clerk Aaron Ammons says about 6,000 people have registered for mail-in voting.
Of those, about 200 selected non-partisan voting.
If that’s you – you might notice a smaller ballot – or no ballot at all.
That’s because if you selected non-partisan, you will only see referendum questions that are in your jurisdiction – and you won’t see candidates.
If you made a mistake – there’s still time to change it.
“We talked to quite a few people some had said, ‘hey no I want it that way,’ but a good number of them have said ‘no, I made a mistake I think I should have chose Democrat or Republican.’ So, we have put a plan together of how they can come in or email us to make sure they have chosen the correct Democrat or Republican or non-partisan referendum only it’s really important for people to choose one or the other if they want to vote for candidates,” Ammons said.
He says the best thing you can do is call or email the campaign county clerk to make sure you choose the right party to vote for your candidates.
Ammons says there are 30 locations for people to cast their ballots. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can call Ammons’ office directly. | 2022-05-25T16:46:10Z | www.wcia.com | County Clerk addresses voting concerns | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/county-clerk-addresses-voting-concerns/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/county-clerk-addresses-voting-concerns/ |
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — When the wet weather finally broke about May 8th farmers headed to the field with planters, a month later than desired. General Manager Curt Miller of United Prairie says he and other commercial applicators also had been prevented from applying herbicides before planters rolled.
“It’s very challenging, Stu,” Miller said. “I’m not going to lie, but you do what you got to do to stay in front of our growers so they can get the crop in the ground. Sometimes you got to change plans and go to a Plan B. Some of those challenges that add to that, you know, high speed planters make a big difference from the past and planting corn and beans at the same time make it more challenging. Several years ago we planted corn first and went to beans as soon as the corn was done. It was easy to stay in front of everybody, because everybody could concentrate on corn and switch everything over to beans and keep on trucking. But doing two crops at once it was even more challenging. But we have to improvise and adapt and do what we’ve got to to do get them taken care of.”
That included Curt himself climbing into a sprayer cab to cover acreage that needed herbicides applied, all while he was challenged with supply chain issues in getting farm chemicals.
“That is correct,” Miller said. “In all honesty, thank God we’ve made it through so far. Now did we have the exact packet size somebody wanted? Sometimes no, exact brand, sometimes no, but we’ve got what they needed to get through, if thy wanted a package of something, they had to have totes or bulk, Instead of having name brand Aatrex, they may have had to use generic atrazine, for example. But for the most part we’ve made it through just fine, up to this point, and seems like, knock on wood, we’re going to make it through the season just fine. Not saying there has not been some nervousness throughout the last few months, making sure we had enough, but in all honesty we’re getting by just fine. As an industry we are.” | 2022-05-25T16:46:16Z | www.wcia.com | From the Farm: Hard spring on the farm | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/from-the-farm-hard-spring-on-the-farm/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/from-the-farm-hard-spring-on-the-farm/ |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign Police have launched a new safety program, and they are looking for assistance from the public.
The Security Camera Registration Program will allow community members and business owners to inform the police of the presence of surveillance cameras that may be of assistance in criminal investigations.
“The Champaign Police Department is requesting the community’s assistance to reduce criminal activity in our community,” Interim Deputy Chief Kevin Olmstead said in a news release. “We realize that many of our residents and businesses have video security systems, and sharing video of criminal activity that property owners might have with police can often mean the difference between an arrest being made and a case going unsolved. This new program informs Champaign Police that your property has a security camera and that you may be willing to share the recordings with us to help solve a crime.”
Those who would like to register their surveillance system with the city can do so by following this link, or by contacting the police department directly.
If you register, police may contact you for permission to access your video if there is a serious crime in your area. This registration program is voluntary, and even participants in the program can later determine whether they would like to share their surveillance video with the police. Participation in this program does not guarantee police direct access or control of privately-owned security cameras. | 2022-05-25T19:36:06Z | www.wcia.com | Champaign Police launch new voluntary safety program | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-police-launch-new-voluntary-safety-program/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-police-launch-new-voluntary-safety-program/ |
EDGAR COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett recently released details on the death of an 18-year-old following a UTV accident on Tuesday night.
911 dispatchers were notified of the accident at around 10:25 p.m. on Tuesday. Vermilion Fire Department, Paris Fire Department, Paris Ambulance and the Edgar County Sheriffs Department all responded to the call.
Zachary E. W. Warrick of Indianapolis, Indiana, was transported to the emergency room of Paris Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:38 a.m. on Wednesday.
The coroner said Warrick was one of two passengers in a Polaris Ranger crew cab side by side that was driven by a third occupant on a private property on North 2025th Street, south of Vermilion, Illinois.
According to the coroner, during the accident, all three occupants were ejected from the vehicle which rolled over and came to rest on top of Warrick.
An autopsy was conducted Wednesday morning in Champaign, Illinois, by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Shiping Bao. It showed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the abdomen. | 2022-05-25T19:36:13Z | www.wcia.com | Coroner: 18-year-old killed in UTV accident | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/coroner-18-year-old-killed-in-utv-accident/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/coroner-18-year-old-killed-in-utv-accident/ |
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A postcard invitation from the County Executive to complete a countywide broadband survey will be mailed this week to specific households that have been randomly selected in each area of the county.
Officials said other households may also complete the confidential survey ONLINE.
The Champaign County board has committed to using a significant amount of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help expand broadband services in the county. To decide how to invest the county’s funds, the County Executive’s office is conducting a countywide broadband survey in cooperation with the University of Illinois and Champaign County Farm Bureau in the month of June.
According to officials, the information will give them critical information that will be used to support broadband service providers to expand services in the best ways to meet the local needs.
Anyone who has questions about the survey or would like to volunteer to help can call Maryalice Wu at 217-244-0937 or email malice@illinois.edu.
For more details about the plan to build out Champaign County, the recently completed Broadband Plan Report can be found on the county’s website as a handout at the Broadband Task Force meeting of April 5, 2022. | 2022-05-25T22:08:36Z | www.wcia.com | Broadband survey to be mailed to selected households in Champaign County | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/broadband-survey-to-be-mailed-to-selected-households-in-champaign-county/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/broadband-survey-to-be-mailed-to-selected-households-in-champaign-county/ |
According to Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz, the 14-year-old was accused of stealing a car that belonged to an Uber driver who left his car unlocked to run inside the Target store in Campustown for a quick errand. About 25 hours after the car was reported stolen, Champaign Police spotted the vehicle and saw a young male driver with several passengers inside. They arrested the driver, the 14-year-old, in the 1300 block of Mariner Drive. The teen was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, obstructing justice and failure to comply with his home detention. He is currently on parole. | 2022-05-25T22:09:46Z | www.wcia.com | Teen arrested after Uber driver’s car stolen in U of I Campustown | WCIA.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/teen-arrested-after-uber-drivers-car-stolen-in-u-of-i-campustown/ | https://www.wcia.com/news/teen-arrested-after-uber-drivers-car-stolen-in-u-of-i-campustown/ |
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