LATEST NEWS

In a recent local incident, former Menard County Sheriff's Deputy Kelsey M. Wooldridge encountered trouble with the law following a DUI-related accident. On November 28th, Wooldridge, aged 30, lost control of her vehicle on Illinois Route 97 and was charged with several offenses, including DUI and aggravated battery to a peace officer. This event has cast a shadow over the community, particularly because of Wooldridge's former role as both a deputy and a school resource officer. Her prior connections necessitated a transfer to the Sangamon County Jail and a forthcoming status hearing set for December 12th raises questions about the broader implications of her actions.

• Body camera footage of an officer-involved shooting at the Sangamon County Juvenile Detention Facility has been released. • The incident occurred on September 30 when officers responded to an active shooter call at the facility, where a subject was reportedly armed and possibly holding a hostage.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Three people are under arrest in Springfield after police officials said officers found them in a home with multiple guns and drugs. The arrests happened as officers were serving a search warrant on Sunday in the area of 13th and South Streets. Officials said the officers found a loaded Hi-Point 9mm […]

Springfield, IL – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is urging the public to maintain vigilance during the holiday season amidst heightened global tensions, particularly due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly emphasized the importance of public awareness against terrorism and hate crimes, especially at events...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois State Police have filed updated rules to properly implement the state's assault weapon registry. This comes less than a week before state police will appear before a top committee of lawmakers to see if they approve the amended language. Assault weapon owners in Illinois...

A recent traffic accident in Springfield, Illinois, has cast a somber light on the dangers of reckless driving. On December 1st, a collision on the 3300 block of Sangamon Avenue claimed the life of 41-year-old Chad Dial from Mahomet and injured another. The incident, which occurred at approximately 8:19 p.m., involved two vehicles, with witnesses reporting one speeding in the wrong direction moments before the crash. Both individuals were rushed to HSHS St. John's Hospital, where Chad Dial was pronounced dead due to blunt force injuries at 9:17 p.m. The female survivor sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Considering pet adoption? Or perhaps you just enjoy all things cute and cuddly? Numerous charming pets are ready for a loving home at animal shelters situated in and near springfield.

Papi's Pizza Pub opens Friday with pies more likely to elicit cries of “Arriba! Arriba!” instead of “Mama mia!”. “We’ve got different flavors than offered in other places,” owner Ryan Bandy said of the new establishment at 1710 S. MacArthur Blvd., “things you wouldn’t traditionally see on a pizza, especially with a Latin flare.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital will host Santa’s Workshop, a free gift shop for young patients spending Christmas in the hospital. Free Christmas gifts can be picked out by the parents of the patients. Unopened toy donations for Santa’s Workshop can be dropped off in the hospital lobby, given through an Amazon […]

Brave souls ventured out in the cold for the first ever Culver Christmas light parade Friday, Dec. 1. The sights ran the gamut from a float for The Grinch to a nativity scene, with galloping 'camels' capering through the crowd. The celebration included a Christmas tree lighting, a choir singing...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — There is now less than one month away from the deadline to register all assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines and switches under the Protect Illinois Communities Act. The Illinois State Police opened registration in October under the new law and still less than one percent...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Springfield Office is warning Illinois residents to be careful with their money and personal information this holiday season. According to an FBI Springfield news release, while scammer’s techniques have changed, the types of scams remain the same.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – Gold Star Families gathered at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum on Monday for a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, adorning it with ornaments. The ornaments on the tree, representing 349 service members, hold sentimental value: they show the names of family members who died while serving this country. “It is […]

A 35-year-old Springfield, Ill., man was released on bond after Bettendorf Police allege he was involved in a shoplifting incident with another person at Home Depot, Bettendorf. Antonio Ross faces felony charges of conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony and second-degree theft, along with serious-misdemeanor charges of possession of a...

A Springfield woman has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison on federal cyberstalking charges for threats she made towards employees of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, juvenile court, and Gov. JB Pritzker. Lerin E. Hughes, 25, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. Central District of Illinois Judge Colleen R. Lawless on charges that she sent threats to kill a DCFS employee and a case worker investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect via...

Springfield, Ill (WICS) — At Tuesday’s Springfield City Council meeting, aldermen unanimously approved a measure that will annex Crow Mills Pub into the city limits. The bar was originally a part of Woodside Township. Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher says this measure helps the pub access Springfield utilities. “They...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - More details are being released about a Springfield crash that killed one person and injured another. Springfield Police Officers were called to the 3300 block of Sangamon Ave., for a report of a traffic crash with injuries involving two vehicles at 8:19 p.m. Witnesses reported a...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Springfield Police Department is working with Crime Stoppers of Sangamon and Menard Counties to find a suspect accused of starting a dumpster fire behind the city’s NAACP office building. The building is located in the area of South 11th Street and East Lawrence Avenue. On Nov. 28 between 12:30 a.m. […]

SPRINGFIELD – The Office of the State Fire Marshal stresses the importance of fire safety while decorating for the holiday season. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) more than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. More than two of every five home decoration fires occur due to decorations being placed too close to a heat source. The NFPA also reports U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 790 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. Between 2017-2021, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 150 home fires per year that started with Christmas trees.

The recent closure of the Five Guys Burgers and Fries outlet at White Oaks Mall has marked the end of an era for Springfield's local food scene. After a solid ten-year run since it opened back in 2013, the closure has left residents with the inconvenience of an hour-long drive to the nearest Five Guys location in Normal, Illinois. Prior to Five Guys, the mall's site was occupied by Kerasotes Theatres, which closed in 2008. The burger joint's presence in Illinois remains strong with 40 other locations, despite this local setback.