Dewey
Politics
Champaign County treasurer plans early departure from office
Oct. 3—Champaign County Treasurer Cassandra Johnson said Wednesday that she intends to leave her elective office soon. Describing herself as "burned out" by long hours and a short staff, Johnson said the only question is when she'll leave. "I do not intend to stay much longer," she said. Johnson, who is 44 and goes by the initials "C.J.," suggested it would be at the "beginning of next year," ...
‘It’s a toxic work environment;’ METCAD employees call for action on staffing shortage
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County METCAD Policy Board met on Thursday to discuss a recent shortage of operators and what to do next to remedy the issue. Staffing has been on the minds of the dispatch center’s administrators for the last three years. They need 33 fulltime dispatchers to fill their roster and […]
These Urbana roads will be closed for the Run to Remember 5k this weekend
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The roads around the Champaign County Fairgrounds are going to be closed to traffic this weekend for a 5K race. Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend is hosting its annual Run to Remember 5K and 5-mile race on Saturday. Starting at 7:30 a.m., portions of the following streets will close to accommodate […]
Savoy trustees approve Colbert Park design contract
SAVOY, Ill. (WCIA) — The village of Savoy has passed a design contract planning improvements to Colbert Park. MSA Professional Services, Inc. is receiving $364,902 to study and create a design for Colbert Park. According to the contract, some of the proposed ideas include a grand entrance, a skate park, a multiuse trail and the […]
Urbana council OKs phased fuel-tax increase
Oct. 3—URBANA — The city is moving forward with a fuel tax increase that local officials say will generate an additional $982,000 in revenue per year over the next decade and help fund roadwork. The Urbana City Council voted unanimously this week to approve an increase to the local motor fuel tax. The tax, currently set at 5 cents per gallon, will be increased in three steps of 2.5 cents each, ...
Top of the Morning, Oct. 3, 2024
Oct. 3—The folks at Lowe's in Champaign were excited to accept American Legion Post 24's monthly award for proper display of the American flag. The plaque promptly was added to the store's impactful military recognition wall. "Lowe's stores are encouraged to recognize military veterans in their own way. We feel that our store has the only display of this type," manager Trevor Boes said. Lowe's ...
Park district and First String to celebrate new Douglass field, other upgrades
Oct. 4—CHAMPAIGN — It's no star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but Earline McFarland has received a special marker of her claim to local fame: a plaque on the new concessions building at Douglass Park that honors her many years serving up Douglass Dogs and other refreshments for First String Little League. Earline is the mother of Peter McFarland, who founded the league in 1993. "I wanted to ...
Urbana ag expert rallies support for North Carolina farmers hit by Hurricane Helene
URBANA Ill. (WCIA) – An agriculture expert in Urbana is asking the farming community to help out victims of Hurricane Helene. Andrew Pritchard is a meteorologist with Nutrien Ag Solutions. He shared resources on social media to help North Carolina farmers get back on their feet. “These farms had everything washed away,” Pritchard said. “We […]
Marine Band performance brings principal horn player back to her alma mater
Oct. 4—URBANA — Master Gunnery Sgt. Hilary Harding has played the horn for multiple U.S. presidents, world leaders and celebrities. She has had to explain to her kids that not everyone's parents go to work at the White House all the time. But she's still excited to play at the University of Illinois with the U.S. Marine Band at 3 p.m. Sunday at Foellinger Great Hall at Krannert Center for the ...
Illinois Grocery Initiative awards $8M to stores in food deserts
PEORIA, Ill. (WCIA) — 11 grocery stores across the state are getting grant money to help alleviate the problems in food deserts in Illinois. Governor J.B. Pritzker announced the awards at a news conference in Peoria on Thursday. Four new grocery stores are getting parts of $6.9 million to support their new stores while seven […]
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