LATEST NEWS
Neighbors Urbana, Champaign have 'remarkably different bird communities': Study
Research done at the University of Illinois has found wide differences in bird diversity between Urbana and Champaign — neighboring cities with different histories that were found to have impacted bird populations.
$44 million awarded in wrongful death suit of ISU graduate killed while driving for Lyft
The family of an Illinois State University graduate has been awarded more than $44 million related to the 2022 killing of a rideshare driver in Urbana. Tyjohn Williams, 18, of Champaign is accused of entering Kristian Philpotts' Lyft vehicle and shooting Philpotts in the back. Philpotts' family filed a wrongful...
USPS moving forward with changes to Mattis Avenue Processing and Distribution Center
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — The U.S. Postal Service announces it will be proceeding with changes to the Mattis Avenue Processing and Distribution Center. The changes being made would include transferring mail processing outgoing operations to the South Suburban Processing and Distribution Center in Bedford Park and the Chicago South Regional Processing and Distribution Center in Forest Park.
Champaign man sentenced to probation for beating up man
URBANA — A Champaign man was sentenced this month to two years of probation for beating up a man last year who owed him $20 for pizza. Champaign County Judge Matt Lee handed down the sentence last Wednesday to Travonte D. Hardimon, 22, after he pleaded guilty to aggravated battery in a public place.
Champaign man sentenced 7 years for setting apartment on fire in 2022
URBANA — A Champaign man was sentenced this month to seven years in prison for starting a fire in a Champaign apartment complex in 2022. Champaign County Judge Roger Webber handed down the sentence Friday to Khristian M. Williams, 32, after he pleaded guilty to one count of residential arson.
School resource officers return to Champaign schools as police refill ranks
CHAMPAIGN — It’s no coincidence that as the number of officers in the Champaign Police Department gradually returns to pre-shortage levels, school resource officers are gradually returning to Unit 4 schools. The school board voted unanimously earlier this month to renew the district’s contract with the city of...
State senator weighs in on Champaign School Board ‘chaos’
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Turmoil in the Champaign School Board is spilling over to Springfield. State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) is weighing in on the situation. He said conflicts between board members and the district are becoming a black eye for the area. Rose reached out to the state’s superintendent asking for help to bring […]
Two administrative appointments to Champaign schools approved
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign School Board voted to approve two administrative appointments at their meeting Monday night. Current Westview Elementary School Vice Principal Dan Nock was appointed to become Carrie Busey Elementary School principal. He said his experience at Westview for the past three years has shaped how he will serve as a […]
Champaign’s vacant properties can languish for years without correction; Fines increased in past two years
Building paint is peeling, junk litters the property and “no trespassing” signs sporadically adorn fences surrounding the approximately 330,000 square feet of property of the mostly vacant C.S. Johnson factory in Champaign. The factory, which used to manufacture equipment for the concrete industry before it closed nearly 20...
The brisket fusion food from La Gueras food truck was pretty dang good
This weekend, my husband and I had a casual date at Triptych in Savoy, and the food truck that night was La Gueras Kitchen. That truck opened last summer, and I’ve been wanting to try the red trailer’s fusion food. La Gueras’ menu offers egg rolls stuffed with brisket, crab rangoon nachos, crabby fries, and brisket walking tacos in addition to straight-up crab rangoons, brisket sandwiches, veggie egg rolls, and regular fries.
Champaign man arrested after allegedly threatening traffic with air rifle
CHAMPAIGN — The intersection of Neil Street and Bradley Avenue was temporarily closed Saturday while a Champaign man armed with an air rifle allegedly made threatening gestures at passing traffic. Champaign police were dispatched to the intersection at 4:18 p.m. for a report of an armed subject, Deputy Chief...
Celebrate and behold the World’s Largest Puzzle this weekend at Main Library
Back in January, Julie wrote about how the University Library was calling for help to construct a 60,000 piece puzzle of the world. Frankly, it is hard to wrap my mind around such a feat given how difficult even a 1,000 piece puzzle can be (maybe not for you, however!). I can come to terms with this.
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