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Arthur high school asking for $24.6 million in school upgrades
ARTHUR, Ill. (WCIA) — One Central Illinois high school is hoping to get some long overdue upgrades, but they’ll need help from taxpayers. In November, voters will say yes or no to a property tax increase to benefit Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond high school. Superintendent Shannon Cheek said in 2022, they asked for more than […]
Former assistant principal files suit against Champaign school district
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A former assistant principal in Champaign is suing the school district after she said her rights were violated and she was discriminated against. Rebecca Ramey, former Assistant Principal for Booker T. Washington STEM Academy, filed the lawsuit against the Unit 4 School District on Aug. 13 with the U.S. District Court […]
500+ in Tolono lose power Wednesday morning
TOLONO, Ill. (WCIA) — Hundreds of homes in Tolono were left without power Wednesday morning due to what Ameren described as an equipment malfunction. The outage started around 9:15 a.m. and it affected a total of 580 homes. As of 10:40 a.m., Ameren’s outage map indicates that the outage has largely been resolved, with only […]
Champaign-Urbana MTD announces new changes as 2024-25 service year begins
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District has started a new year of service, and with that new year comes several changes. Northeast Urbana One of the primary changes in MTD service for northeast Urbana is a new on-demand van service called Northeast Connect. Officials said it allows for flexible travel within a […]
Urbana U-Cycle set to resume after week-long interruption
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Urbana’s recycling program is resuming next week after a brief interruption in service. The city suspended its U-Cycle collection service on Monday due to an issue with their contractor ABC Sanitary. The issue has since been resolved and services will resume on Monday. “The City of Urbana appreciates […]
Community Spotlight: Old Settlers Reunion
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Jim Rogers and Brett Sinn joined WCIA’s Taylor Mitchell to talk about the upcoming Old Settlers Reunion in Cissna Park. The reunion is scheduled for Aug. 15 through 17. Attractions at the reunion include bingo games, carnival rides, and vendors selling fair food. More information about the event can be found […]
House with ties to UI, famous composer considered for landmark designation
Aug. 15—CHAMPAIGN — Stop us if you've heard this one before: Two families come together to form a blended household made up of six kids. As much as it might sound like "The Brady Bunch," that's also the story of local couple Matt Swanson and Morgan Barrick, with a twist — the family recently moved into a nearly 100-year-old home with a storied history. Swanson works for the U.S. Army Corps of ...
Champaign park honors Olympians with special tribute
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Park District is reminding residents of their monument to honor local Olympians. “The Olympic & Paralympic Tribute located at Dodds Park honors the extraordinary achievements of Champaign County residents who have participated in the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” officials wrote in a Facebook post. “Its granite platform is inscribed […]
WILL Call: What’s Happening in Champaign-Urbana Aug. 15 – Aug. 18
Listen to Kimberly Schofield talk about weekend events on IPM News AM 580 and FM 90.9 – Wednesdays at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m., and Thursdays at 5:44 p.m. Bats at the Bridge at the Museum of the Grand Prairie at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. Time: 6:30 p.m....
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary begins school
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Back-to-school for Urbana elementary kids started with a rainy day on Thursday. However, there were still plenty of smiling faces as they arrived. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School welcomed students and parents for the first day of class, and Principal Michelle Turner was certainly ready for the start of […]
Krannert Center ringing in 55th season with Opening Weekend Party
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is hosting an Opening Weekend Party this September to welcome in their 2024-2025 season. It will take place Sept. 6-7 and will feature live performances, food, workshops, interactive displays, and family-friendly activities. The events are free. “A lot of people think Krannert Center is […]
Urbana’s Main Street closing for tree removal Friday
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Westbound traffic on Urbana’s Main Street is going to be detoured on Friday as crews remove a tree from the side of the road. Officials from the City of Urbana said that weather permitting, the westbound lane of Main Street will close between Cottage Grove Avenue and Vine Street at 6 […]
Urbana looks for public input on strategic future plan
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The city of Urbana is planning for the future and they want the public’s feedback on their policy guide. The city released the draft of its Imagine Urbana Plan Thursday night. It includes list of ideas, moves, and potential land usage for the future of Urbana. Urbana’s mayor says the guide […]
Urbana City Council discusses environmental grant program and ordinances
The Urbana City Council held its weekly meeting on Monday, focusing on the Sustaining Urbana Neighborhoods grant program and two ordinances. The meeting began with council input and communications, followed by a staff report on the proposed environmental grant program. The goal behind establishing the SUN program is to create...
Champaign City Council discusses honorary street names, other resolutions
The Champaign City Council held its weekly meeting on August 13, focusing on the discussion of a number of resolutions. The meeting began with public input. The first resolution would designate a portion of Taylor Street as Honorary Mark Rubel Way and a portion of Bradley Avenue as Honorary Charles Nash Sr. Way. The families of both individuals spoke more on the honorary street names at a previous Champaign City Council meeting.
'Bookends': Urbana Free Library director to leave in September
Aug. 15—URBANA — Celeste Moutos began her tenure as The Urbana Free Library's executive director on April Fool's Day in 2014. Now, 10 years later, her last day is set for Sept. 13 — Friday the 13th, as it happens. "It's kind of fun bookends," she said. Moutos will be moving to Michigan to live with her husband. When asked if she will be working at a library there, she replied, "That is my ...
This 3-Story Bookstore In Illinois Offers Countless Literary Wonders You Can Browse For Hours
Walking into Jane Addams Book Shop in Champaign, Illinois feels like stepping into a literary wonderland where time slows down and the intoxicating scent of old books envelops you. This three-story treasure trove is a haven for book lovers and casual browsers, offering an eclectic mix of genres and rare...
Extension News: Green Infrastructure Flood Prevention Training is a Natural Solution for Natural Disasters
URBANA, IL - When floods happen, communities are forever changed. University of Illinois Extension is rising to meet the challenge by developing a program that trains municipalities how to maintain nature-based solutions that supplement their stormwater infrastructure. Floods are the most common and expensive natural disaster in the U.S., and...
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