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Superstars who Illinois will face in Big Ten Play
The offseason is nearing its conclusion and the Illinois Fighting Illini enter year four of the Bret Bielema era with hopes of a bounce-back 2024 campaign. We’ll have plenty of time for prognosticating later. For now, here’s a peek at some of the top Big Ten players that will be suiting up against the Illini this season.
Morning Power Bar: Illinois Jersey Raising; Schedule Updates
This is a recurring column for BTPowerhouse that will cover a variety of Big Ten topics that might not deserve a detailed breakdown, but deserve mention. It will be similar to a news roundup with more thoughts and analysis. So, let’s jump into our Morning Power Bar. 1. Nebraska...
No Denying Pierce In Sharon LM Tilt
HARTFORD, Ohio — Bobby Pierce has found his stride and nothing is slowing him down. After a hiccup that had Pierce work from a setback, the Oakwood, Ill., native won his seventh World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models feature of the season Friday at Sharon Speedway. Pierce...
Good Morning, Illini Nation: Five players to watch at Peach Jam
Jul. 13—Nike's annual summer-end event on the EYBL circuit tipped off Friday in North Augusta, S.C. Peach Jam is event on the AAU schedule where top basketball talent in the country converges on the South Carolina/Georgia state line and brings with it a bevy of interested coaches. So count on an Illinois presence with the Illini recruiting some of the best players nationally in the Class of ...
2023-24 News-Gazette Preps Program of the Year: Tuscola Warriors
Jul. 13—From a historic boys' cross-country state title in the fall to a couple solid basketball seasons in the winter to a pair of state track and field runner-up finishes in the spring and everything in between, the Tuscola Warriors earned The News-Gazette's title of high school Program of the Year. Preps coordinator Zach Piatt caught up with Tuscola athletic director Ryan Hornaday and four ...
2023-24 Preps Year in Review: 10 notable senior female athletes
Jul. 13—The seniors in our coverage area were fun to watch this year, and it'll be hard to see them go. Before they do, however, let's give them one last wave of recognition. These athletes, all extremely talented and deserving of all the fanfare, didn't always get the individual praise, but preps coordinator Zach Piatt revisits each of their final rides: Molly Buckles LeRoy A three-sport ...
Memorial service set for 14-year-old who was found dead in the Illinois River
Griffin was born in Peoria but lived in Bloomington and attended Bloomington Junior High School at the time of his death. According to his obituary, he was a member of the school's wrestling and football teams and enjoyed rapping and drawing. He is survived by his mother, grandmother, sister and three brothers.
It's Your Business | Opening day nears for Curtis Orchard's 2024 season
Jul. 13—It's almost time to ease on down the yellow brick road to Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch. The Champaign business, located at 3902 S. Duncan Road, will open for its 45th season on July 20, said president and co-owner Randy Graham. The orchard's hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. "Opening day is usually pretty busy with a lot of people ...
Luke Altmyer ready to reclaim starting role
CHAMPAIGN (WCIA) — Entering his second year in Champaign, Luke Altmyer is back with the same offensive coordinator for a second season for the first time ahead of his fourth year in college. Altmyer looks to reclaim his starting role after John Paddock largely held the starting job near the end of last season. The […]
Boys and Girls Club members learn to swim for free
PEORIA (25News Now) - Not everybody has access to a pool or the ability to pay for swimming lessons, but with a new Swim Safety Program, some members of Bloomington-Normal’s Boys and Girls Club are learning to swim for free. The Swim Safety Program is arranged through a combined...
New tax breaks considered for Rivian’s planned expansion
NORMAL (25News Now) - The Normal Town Council is set to become the first government body to consider extending the area’s enterprise zone to make Rivian Automotive eligible for more tax breaks. Rivian is already receiving $827 million over 30 years from the state to expand the plant and...
Renovations nearing completion at Tuscola candy shop
TUSCOLA, Ill. (WCIA) — Construction and renovations are nearing completion at a beloved chocolate and ice cream parlor in Tuscola. Flesor’s Candy Kitchen posted an update on its Facebook page Thursday, saying that its building is starting to look “somewhat normal.” The north wall of the building and its brick work was recently completed, and […]
Champaign Park District: Unplug from electronic devices, plug into parks and rec on Unplug Illinois Day
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Saturday, July 13 is Unplug Illinois Day, where everyone is encouraged to unplug from electronic devices and plug into local parks and recreation opportunities. The Champaign Park District is encouraging everyone to take part. This year marks the 10th annual Unplug Illinois Day, after the Illinois Park and Recreation Association set […]
Macon County State’s Attorney shares update on Karyn Hearn-Slover murder trial
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A judge held a status hearing Thursday in the murder trial of Karyn Hearn-Slover. In 2002, Michael Slover Jr. and his parents, Michael Slover Sr. and Jeanette Slover, were found guilty of murdering Slover Jr.’s ex-wife, Karyn Slover in 1996. The Illinois Innocence Project claimed in February the Slovers were innoncent […]
New pollinator garden blooms at Danville Public Library
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The Danville Public Library is home to a new pollinator garden that officials said is already thriving. Officials with the University of Illinois Office of Extension and Outreach said the garden is the result of extensive planning and work that started three years ago. Although the area was landscaped, it was […]
PET OF THE WEEK: Meet Raven, a staff favorite and long-timer at CCHS
CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Meet Raven, a terrier/pit bull mix and long-term resident at the Champaign County Humane Society (CCHS). Raven is a three-and-a-half-year-old bundle of love who has been available for adoption for over 90 days. This beautiful girl weighs in a 55 lbs. and is more ready than ever to find her fur-ever home. In fact, the shelter is waiving my adoption fee for any approved applicant.
Bodies of 2 men who jumped off boat found in Lake Michigan
Officials have recovered the bodies of two men who went missing in Lake Michigan after jumping off a boat. According to conservation officers from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Eduardo Rivera Jr., 45, and Salvador Lopez, 32, both of Elk Grove, Illinois were found approximately one and a half miles from Hammond on Friday.
Statehouse candidate Regan Deering emphasizes workforce preparedness during Bloomington stop
A Republican candidate for state representative says a four-year university is not required for career success. During a tour of G-3 Machining in Bloomington, Regan Deering said the social conversation on that point had already begun. "After high school, not what college are you going to, but what are your...
How Miller Park Zoo serves as stewards of endangered species
It takes a lot to preserve rare and endangered animals. The Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington is part of several Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) programs, what used to be called species survival efforts. “The snow leopards, the red pandas, some of our birds. I don't know the exact number...
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