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Southbound I-57 exit closing on I-74 for month-long construction
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) said Interstate 74’s southbound exit to Interstate 57 will be closing for a month-long construction project. The ramp is in the I-74 construction area by Champaign. A message board has been placed in the zone alerting drivers to the closure, which is set to […]
Champaign Police warn community of phone scam
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Police Department is warning residents of a recent impersonation phone scam. On Tuesday, several community members received calls from someone claiming to be a Champaign Police Sergeant. The caller falsely told these recipients that they had previously unknown warrants that required immediate payment to avoid arrest. “Champaign Police will […]
Instant cooker left at Willard Airport leads to police response
SAVOY, Ill. (WCIA) — A passenger tried to bring an unusual object with them on a plane at Willard Airport: an instant cooker. It ended up causing the police to come. It’s not everyday someone tries to take a kitchen appliance with them on a flight — but the TSA wasn’t having it. The instant […]
Champaign County Fair shares Grandstand event lineup
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Officials announced a jam-packed event lineup for this year’s Champaign County Fair. The fair will take place July 19-27 at the Champaign County Fairgrounds in Urbana. 2024’s Grandstand events will feature monster trucks, a rodeo, country music artists, and more. Here is what you can expect: For more information about the […]
Five hospitalized following Champaign Co. crash
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A Sunday afternoon crash in Champaign County left five people hurt, State Police said. State Troopers responded to a two-car crash around 3:18 p.m. on Sunday. It happened on U.S. Route 136 near County Road 900 East. Four people were taken to a local area hospital, and one person was […]
Toxins in the air: Central Illinois factories and plants release millions of pounds of risky chemicals
The Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) facility in Decatur, which processes grain products into food ingredients and ethanol, released 2.7 million pounds of toxic chemicals in 2022, including one that can damage the central nervous system. In Champaign, just blocks away from a residential neighborhood, the Kraft Heinz factory, which makes...
Two administrative promotions approved by Champaign school board
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Two workers at Champaign public schools have been promoted after the district’s Board of Education approved their hirings. Amanda Lappin was appointed to become the Assistant Principal for Bottenfield Elementary School. Lappin started as an elementary school teacher at South View School in Danville and Thomas Paine Elementary School in Urbana. […]
Crime slightly up in Urbana in 1Q of 2024, police data shows
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — New data from the Urbana Police Department is showing how crime was distributed across the city in the first quarter of 2024 and how it compares to the first quarter of last year. The data shows that overall crime increased by about 5.5% from the first quarter of 2023 to the […]
Mahomet considering nearly $2 million bid for revitalizing Main Street
MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — Mahomet is considering approving an aesthetic project to revitalize the village’s Main Street. Mid Illinois Concrete and Excavation, Inc. of Urbana has filed a bid proposal for $1,939,589 to switch up the downtown area. Mahomet’s Board of Trustees is set to vote on it Tuesday night. Some of the proposed changes […]
Champaign Police, Crime Stoppers seeking tips in $6,000 smoke shop burglary
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Police Department is investigating a recent smoke shop burglary that resulted in over $6,000 worth of merchandise being stolen. They’re asking for help through Crime Stoppers in solving the crime. The burglary happened at Global Smoke & Vape, located at 1804 South Neil Street. Department officials said around 4 […]
Champaign County Humane Society | Meet Sheeba
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — If you’ve been on the fence about adding a furry friend to your family, now’s the time! Here with us are Daniella Misa, adoption supervisor at the Champaign County Humane Society, and Sheeba!. Website. Social Media Links.
I-57 closed part of Sunday night after accident
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A section of Interstate 57 was closed Sunday night due to to a property damage crash. Illinois State Police reported that a semi-trailer struck a guardrail in the construction zone near mile post 220 around 9:30 p.m. All lanes were shut down immediately after the crash. The northbound lanes were opened […]
Champaign County celebrates National Police Week
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Champaign County remembered their fallen officers and recognized their current employees in a series of events this week. Starting at West Side Park, local officials honored officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. "We do read off a roll-call of those who have fallen for the Champaign...
Champaign Co. Salvation Army celebrates volunteers
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Salvation Army has helped people in need for years. Now, they’re thanking the people who make it happen. Director of Community Engagement in Champaign County, Aaron Bird, said last year, those volunteers helped more than 74,000 people. Governor Pritzker issued a proclamation, and a former president declared it an official […]
Champaign Co. police honor the fallen with memorial ceremony
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Police officers from six departments participated in the annual Champaign County Police Memorial ceremony on Tuesday morning. Names of fallen officers were read, bagpipes played, and the 21-gun salute reigned. Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heurman was one of many who spoke. He said the memorial is a reminder of past and […]
Champaign Co. Drug Court celebrates sobriety with newest graduates
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — May is graduation season. But for graduates of the Champaign County Drug Court, it’s not about getting a diploma. It’s about getting a new chance at life. The Champaign County drug program has been changing lives since the 90s. “Drug Court gives you all the tools and all the opportunity to […]
Take a visual tour of the Urbana Straw Bale House
There are many pieces of interesting architecture in our community, some of which I was reminded of after reading Amy Penne’s preview of what is to come in the arts this month. Mid-Continent Modern is being celebrated at Krannert Art Museum this week, a project which took a look at the Erlanger House in Urbana, just one of many mid-century homes. You don’t have to look around too much to find other interesting home projects in Urbana, and while this one is a bit different than something like Erlanger, I was lead to the Urbana Straw Bale House. This house, located at 605 East Main Street in Urbana, was awarded Traditional Construction Heritage Award by PACA a few years back. This is just one of many that is new to me, so I thought it would be worth a share.
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