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Local trucking company abruptly ends operations, lays off hundreds of employees across four statesWTHI1 day ago
Chatsworth fire leaves two hurt, garage destroyedWCIA11 hours ago
Carl Hudson Jr.’s advice to students: ‘Never quit’ (even with one shoe)fordcountychronicle.com2 days ago
Paxton Park District, Carnegie Library dealing with theft issuesWCIA5 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Chatsworth fire leaves two hurt, garage destroyed
CHATSWORTH, Ill. (WCIA) — A garage in Chatsworth was destroyed on Monday when it caught fire. The fire happened around 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Chatsworth Fire Chief Zach Gerdes said the garage was two stories high and fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. A van parked next to the garage was also burning. Responding […]
Paxton Park District, Carnegie Library dealing with theft issues
PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Paxton Park District is pleading with its citizens to stop stealing items in a Facebook post Wednesday morning. Their ‘stay spooky’ flag was recently stolen from the PPD Civic Center, as well as a corner flag from the soccer field. Another new soccer corner flag was damaged, forcing them to […]
Urbana Satellite Jail close to opening
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The renovation of the Satellite Jail in Urbana is almost finished, after about two years of construction. The downtown jail was shut down in 2022, leaving the satellite space as the only one in the county. Sheriff Heuerman said the shutdown was for the safety of everyone. An officer was assaulted, […]
Rural King announces merger of Champaign, Rantoul stores
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Rural King may be expanding its footprint, but Central Illinois is losing one location in a planned merger. The company said it is embarking on a “significant growth phase” that will add five stores this year and another 10 in 2025. Rural King is also expanding to a 14th state. […]
Rantoul fields used by Illini football, military may soon be up for sale
RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — Park District secretary and attorney, Bill Scott, said the sale of the 33-acre plot, once part of Chanute Air Force Base, will be put up for a vote on November’s ballot. More recently, it was used as Illini football practice fields. Since the team moved back to campus there has been […]
Gibson City man reflects on Frank Fritz visiting his home in 2012
GIBSON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) — A popular host on the History Channel has died, and some may remember him from when he visited Central Illinois 12 years ago. Frank Fritz from “American Pickers” was known for traveling around the country and sifting through antiques. Then, he and his co-host would restore and sell the items. […]
‘My mom has always been an animal lover’: Daughter reflects on mother’s passing two months after car accident
HOOPESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Support is continuing to pour into Hoopeston after an active volunteer was killed in a tragic car accident in August. Sara Rhodes was transporting foster dogs on rural back roads near Milford when it happened. Now, multiple organizations are preparing to honor Rhodes and all the love she gave to animals […]
Gibson City woman escapes North Carolina flooding following Hurricane Helene
GIBSON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) — On Friday afternoon, everything changed in the blink of an eye for Kate Kristensen, a freshman at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. After working through flooding, power outages and destruction, she’s temporarily back home with family in Gibson City. “These people had no clue that they were going to […]
Ford County high schooler starts own pumpkin farm
KEMPTON, Ill. (WCIA) — 17-year-old Mason Riebe harvests pumpkins for the community, and year by year his farm has grown to include more than 70 varieties. Riebe’s parents are farmers, but they had always stuck to the regular corn and soybeans.That’s until he was going into freshman year in high school when his parents suggested […]
Central Illinois referendum to build new school. Here's what you need to know
Voters in the Prairie Central School District will soon have a say in whether the district should build a new grade school in Fairbury. The school district has decided to place a referendum question on the November ballot. Here's what you need to know. ...
Central IL Haunted Houses serve up a fright
CENTRAL ILLINOIS, Ill. (WCIA) — How far will you dare for a scare? Central Illinois is home to multiple different haunted attractions, from trails, to houses to abandoned hospitals. But where are they and when do they open? Read on for information on ticket pricing, dates and more information on some of the spookiest scares […]
Grant funding supports Gibson Area EMS
GIBSON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) – New equipment, trainings and classes are now possible for Gibson Area Hospital thanks to $550,000 in grant funding. The Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act is meant to help rural EMS and fire agencies provide timely care to their communities. Senator Dick Durbin introduced the bill back in […]
Promise Healthcare awarded grant to expand mental healthcare in Central IL
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Promise Healthcare received a grant from the federal government and officials are excited to put the money towards creating and expanding treatments for mental health in Central Illinois. In a news release, the health care company announced it is one of 16 health care centers across the state that was awarded […]
Trick-or-treating hours announced for Champaign Co.
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — With October officially here and Halloween quickly approaching, several local municipalities have announced this year’s trick-or-treating hours. Trick-or-treating will be from 6-8 p.m. in the City of Champaign, City of Urbana and Champaign County. The Champaign County Board has also approved several specific rules and guidelines for the holiday this […]
Central IL organizations help provide Halloween costumes for local kids
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Several community organizations have teamed up in Central Illinois to provide kids with free Halloween costumes this year. The Halloween Costume Drive will take place from now until Oct. 11. State Representative Brandun Schweizer, Boys and Girls Club of Danville, Rantoul Youth Center and the Rantoul Recreation Department will be accepting […]
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