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New digital forensic tool approved for Decatur Police Department
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur City Council has approved a new digital software to help their criminal investigations. On Monday night, the Decatur City Council approved of a subscription to Cellebrite Premium. The software helps law enforcement agencies analyze smartphones and other devices for any information related to investigations. “Cellebrite is solving investigative challenges […]
When and why Central IL counties sound outdoor warning sirens
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — As severe weather moved through Central Illinois Monday night, people may have heard their local outdoor warning sirens going off, even though there wasn’t a tornado warning in their area. This is because the sirens, commonly referred to as “tornado sirens,” now signal more than just tornadoes on the ground. The […]
Driver hurt after I-74 semi rollover near St. Joseph
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A semi truck driver was sent to the hospital on Monday night after a rollover on westbound Interstate 74. It happened before 9:25 p.m. near St. Joseph. At mile marker 194, a semi drove off the right side of the road, hit a guardrail, then overturned. Illinois State Police responded […]
Urbana storm damage: what should I do with downed tree limbs in my yard?
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Urbana Public Works is still cleaning up the damage from severe overnight storms, and has shared more details on their tree limb and debris removal. Crews worked through the night to clear trees and large limbs from blocking traffic. They are continuing to do so through the morning, and also addressing […]
Ford County committee holding public meeting on severe weather plans
PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Ford County planning committee members are meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss severe weather in the area and to start building a Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. They are inviting members of the public to provide input. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Roberts Gym at 118 West Weldon […]
UPDATE: Ameren close to complete power restoration across Illinois
7/17/2024 update: CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Ameren’s work to restore power after Monday night’s storms is nearing completion. An Ameren spokesperson said Wednesday afternoon that only 14 customers are without power. The company’s outage map indicates that most of these customers are in Champaign or Urbana, and the spokesperson said those customers should expect […]
UPDATE: Search continues for missing 12-year-old in Vermilion River
UPDATE on July 17, 2024 DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Authorities in Danville are still searching for a 12-year-old boy who went missing on Monday while swimming in the Vermilion River. Danville Police, the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Dive Team and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources have been searching for the boy since that night. After […]
PHOTOS: Storms sweep Central Illinois overnight
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — After severe weather and storm warnings swept across the state overnight, Central Illinois is cleaning up the aftermath. Across several counties, trees and power lines went down with the strong winds and left much to clean up Tuesday morning. We asked our viewers to share what they saw: Champaign County On […]
Kendall Gill raises $45k in 35th-annual golf scramble
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois great Kendall Gill returned home to raise money for Cunningham House for the 35th straight year through his annual golf scramble. The event, which raises money for youth homes in the area, raised $45,000, adding to its more than $800,000 total since beginning in 1989. “It means a lot for […]
Landscapers, families work through the hottest day of the year in two different ways
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Monday was the hottest day of the year in Central Illinois. For some, it included going to splash pads and enjoying cool water. For others, it meant going to work under the sunny and hot sky. “Today’s the day when you walk outside and you’re just immediately wet and sticky,” Nicole […]
Sen. Rose leads measure against proposed stricter OSHA firefighting requirements
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Could volunteer fire departments across the state face the risk of losing those who keep you safe? One Central Illinois lawmaker wants to make sure that doesn’t happen. A proposal from OSHA looks to expand protections for first responders including firefighters, but it focuses on increasing training requirements, medical screenings for […]
Some Danville roads closing for flavorful First Fridays event
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Danville is closing some streets on August 2 while the community celebrates a food and fashion-centered First Fridays event. “First Fridays: Taste and Style” will be from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Temple Plaza. As a result, roads will be blocked starting at 3 p.m. that day […]
Illinois State Amateur returns to Atkins Golf Club
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Atkins Golf Club is hosting the Illinois State Amateur for the first time in 20 years. The course will host the annual tournament for the first time since major renovations by the University of Illinois. In addition to the upgraded site, this year is the first year the winner of the […]
Jack Crowder chosen in MLB Draft
(WCIA) — Illinois’s go-to Friday pitcher has been picked by the big leagues. Jack Crowder was selected 279th overall by Baltimore in this year’s MLB Draft. He went 7-2 in 16 starts for Illinois during the 2024 season, playing four years for the Illini. In Illinois’s NCAA Regional appearance against Indiana State, he pitched eight […]
Urbana City Committee to discuss housing grants Monday night
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Urbana City Committee of the Whole is set to discuss a series of grants to help people pay for housing on Monday night. According to the agenda packet, the council would move to recommend the grants to the next council meeting’s consent agenda. The money would come from U.S. Department […]
Rantoul aquatic center closed until Tuesday
RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — A pool and aquatic center in Rantoul is closed until Tuesday. The Rantoul Recreation Department said that because of “unforeseen circumstances,” Hap Parker Family Aquatic Center is closed until 1 p.m. on Tuesday. All aquatic activities are cancelled until then. Those activities include Monday’s water aerobics session and swim classes and […]
Vermilion Co. Sheriff’s Dept. searching Rankin for missing man
RANKIN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office is actively looking for a man who has been missing since last week. Captain Michael Hartshorn of the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department said Frank Lucas was last seen by his family on Monday, July 8, and they reported him missing three days later. The search so […]
Litchfield restaurant closed after truck hits building
LITCHFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A restaurant and bakery in Litchfield is closed after a truck crashed into it Sunday night. Staff for Jubelt’s Restaurant and Bakery and officials with the Litchfield Fire Department both detailed the incident on their Facebook pages. A truck driving south on Old Route 66 crossed into the opposite lane, plowed […]
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WCIA News in Champaign brings you the latest breaking updates, severe weather and coverage of the Fighting Illini and the Illinois Capitol on wcia.com.
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