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LATEST NEWS
The Gilman Star’s last edition to be published July 31
GILMAN — The Gilman Star, a weekly newspaper covering western Iroquois County since 1869, is publishing its final edition on Wednesday, July 31. The Star’s closure represents the third of 2024 for a weekly newspaper in Illinois, which saw six weeklies close in 2023 and 15 in 2022, according to the Illinois Press Association’s Cindy Bedolli, citing data for only its member papers, with mergers not included. With this latest closure, there are now 374 Illinois Press Association member publications statewide — 330 weeklies to go with 44 dailies, defined as newspapers that produce a print or electronic edition more than three days a week.
Charleston Fire Department holds event to celebrate 150 year anniversary
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) – Saturday is a big day for the Charleston Fire Department as it celebrates a huge milestone: its 150th anniversary. For more than a century, the fire department has proudly served the community of Charleston with a full-time fire department and emergency medical services. An anniversary celebration will be held on Saturday […]
Cannabis industry enjoys rapid growth
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Sales of cannabis for personal use and medical purposes continue to grow at a rapid pace across the country. Sales for 2024 surpassed the $1 billion mark by July. Sales in 2023 totaled nearly $2 billion for the year. CDC numbers show growth of medical...
Former Decatur City Council candidate sues mayor, city
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A former Decatur City Council candidate is taking the city to court, alleging that his civil rights were violated when the city removed his campaign signs during the last municipal election cycle. Marty Watkins filed the lawsuit against the city in federal court on Monday, naming former City Manager Scot Wrighton, […]
Teenager arrested in connection to Champaign armed robbery
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A teenager is under arrest after Champaign Police said he is believed to have robbed a man at gunpoint late Friday morning. The robbery happened at a gas station at Mattis Avenue and John Street. Lieutenant Aaron Lack said the victim was outside at 11:47 a.m. when two people, described as […]
‘It’s my heart’: Take a tour of the fiber arts store drawing people to Forsyth from across the country
FORSYTH, Ill. (WCIA) — It can be fun to get your creative juices flowing, starting a one-of-a-kind art project. In Our Town Forsyth, The Fabric Cobbler is filled with all the fabrics and other supplies you need to make anything your heart desires. Scarlett Wells, the owner, started her business 12 years ago with only […]
Felines and frappes: Cat cafe coming to downtown Champaign
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — In Champaign, a redevelopment and incentive program is bringing a new business to downtown. It’ll include felines and frappes. The Scratching Post is a future cat cafe that will open on University Avenue. It’ll fill a building that has sat vacant since 2019 and used to be home to the Record […]
Irish Fest returns to Allerton next week
Allerton Park’s Irish Fest is back on Friday, August 2nd, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Gatehouse Lawn. The event features traditional Irish music by Turas at 6 p.m. and On the Lash at 7:30 p.m., offering new takes on classic songs. Food trucks Daro Coffee Co.,...
Miller Park Zoo set to open historic animal building for first time since 2020
BLOOMINGTON (25News Now) - For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bloomington’s Miller Park Zoo is reopening the historic Katthoefer Animal Building to the public. The building was closed to visitors in March 2020 because the big cats, primates, and members of the weasel family...
Historic Lexington 'castle' hits the auction block
A historic home in Lexington will be sold by auction after sitting on the market for nearly a year. The 1898 Victorian mansion at 10 N. Spencer St., known as "The Castle," was originally built for David Hyatt Van Dolah, an aristocrat best known as a broker of French horses.
Morris Police Officer Markusic Named Finalist For Illinois Officer of the Year
A Morris Police Officer was recently honored as a state finalist. Morris Police Officer Derek Zumbahlen was in our studios on Friday talking about Officer Sarah Markusic receiving nominations for Illinois Officer of the Year. Your browser does not support the audio element. Morris Police Chief Alices Steffes said Officer...
Is There an Alligator in Lincoln Park’s North Pond? Witnesses Say Creature They’ve Dubbed ‘Muddy Waters’ Is Lurking But Confirmation Scarce
Tom Hildum knows people aren’t going to believe him. But the Auburn resident swears he’s seen an alligator in Lincoln Park’s North Pond. Not once, but twice. “I was skeptical too,” said Sheba Heard, Hildum’s wife of 16 years. Then she got a look at the creature herself, “tip to tail, skimming across the top of the water.”
GROSS! Illinois Will Experience A “Bug Boom” This Summer
With warmer-than-average weather sweeping across Illinois, residents are noticing a surge in bug and insect activity. The unseasonable temperatures have created an ideal environment for these critters to thrive, leading to an unexpected influx in homes and gardens. In Illinois, in addition, to the warmer temperatures, we've also experienced more...
Important News for Illinois Low Income Families Receiving TANF Payments
Illinois has set a precedent now that all child support payments collected for families receiving or having received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) will now be directly passed on to them without state deductions. Child Support Changes in Illinois Now in Effect. This landmark policy was effective as of...
Festival To Celebrate Famous Illinois Movie Is Back
Illinois cinema fans are excited to celebrate one of the most famous movies ever filmed in our state. One of my favorite movies of all time was filmed right here in Illinois. It's the "Blues Brothers." My dad introduced it to me when I was younger and we watched it all the time. So much so, that my mom recorded over a copy we had on a VHS tape.
Climate bill rebates for electric appliances and upgrades coming to Illinois in 2025
They are some of the juiciest consumer incentives in President Joe Biden’s 2022 climate bill: rebates of up to $8,000 for a heat-pump air conditioner and heater, up to $4,000 for an electrical panel, up to $2,500 for electrical wiring, and up to $1,750 for an electric heat pump water heater. And they’re coming to Illinois. The state plans to roll out its home energy rebates in the first ...
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