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Big Lots Suddenly Closing 50 More Stores Including 2 in Illinois
It's been a challenging year for Big Lots after they've closed hundreds of stores and it doesn't appear they're done yet. Today, it was revealed that they are shuttering 50 more stores permanently and that includes at least 2 more in Illinois. You can add 50 more stores to the...
West Kirby to close for asphalt work near bridge
Oct. 1—CHAMPAIGN — County Road 1500 North/West Kirby Avenue will be closed between 600 East/Barker Road and 700 East/Rising Road on Thursday and Friday. According to Champaign Township Highway Commissioner Keith Padgett, the closure is so that workers can lay down asphalt on the east and west side of the bridge that was replaced last year. He added that they will be doing similar work near the ...
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
SEIU 73 and U of I reach tentative agreement, return to work
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — SEIU and the U of I have reached a tentative agreement. After 8 days of striking, they are back on the job. The walkout left campus with extra trash and students without many options for on campus dining. The contract includes pay raises for the next three years, a 500-dollar signing […]
Where to watch Nebraska vs. Illinois volleyball today: Channel, time, schedule, live stream for NCAA college match
Big Ten volleyball continues with a showdown between No. 2 Nebraska and Illinois. The Illini host the Huskers in what will be a matchup of two of the best outside hitters in the conference between Illinois' Raina Terry and Nebraska's Harper Murray. Terry, a two-time All-Big Ten and AVCA All-Region...
Richey | Bonkers Big Ten basketball season coming
Oct. 2—CHAMPAIGN — I'm closing in on a decade of covering Illinois men's basketball. This season, in fact, is my 10th. Never has there been this much hype surrounding the program heading into a season. And never have I had as little feel for both this Illini team and the Big Ten at large. That made filling out my ballot for this year's preseason Big Ten poll an exercise in frustration, ...
100 years of volunteerism: Looking back at Jimmy Carter’s dedication to Habitat for Humanity
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — As Jimmy Carter celebrates his 100th birthday, Habitat for Humanity volunteers in Champaign are looking back on his dedication to the organization. He and his wife Rosalynn started the Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity in 1984. Kim Gollings, the community outreach director, was at one of those events in 2018 while […]
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 […]
Work on satellite jail expansions nearing completion
Oct. 1—URBANA — In 2011, a report from the National Institute of Corrections described conditions in Champaign County's downtown Urbana jail as "." A 2013 report from the Institute of Law and Policy Planning recommended it "should be abandoned as ." Mounting mechanical issues, water leaks and even a cockroach problem led authorities to finally close the jail in . Within days, the Champaign ...
Join the ‘Great Pumpkin Hunt’ with Champaign, Urbana Parks
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Looking for a unique fall activity? Do you enjoy amateur sleuthing? If you said yes to both questions, then Champaign and Urbana Park Districts may have something for you! The C-U Park Districts have hidden Halloween-themed painted rocks throughout local parks and are challenging residents to see how many they can […]
Top of the Morning, Oct. 2, 2024
Oct. 2—On Wednesdays, we'll introduce the talented students who make up Year 9 of High School Confidential, powered by Danville Area Community College. Today: Arcola's Stephanie Garza The senior decided to pursue a career in nursing in 2020, not long after her father returned home after a 2/12 hospital stay while battling COVID-19. "I remember him vividly talking about a specific nurse who ...
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