Suicide and crisis prevention line 988 adds American Sign Language for Deaf people

Suicide and crisis prevention line 988 adds American Sign Language for Deaf people

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org To access American Sign Language services via 988, you can call 1-800-273-8255 on a phone with video capabilities, or press the ASL NOW button on 988lifeline.org. The 988 Lifeline is working to make videophone…

Immigration Welcome Awards honor those who serve local immigrants in the C-U area
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Immigration Welcome Awards honor those who serve local immigrants in the C-U area

The C-U Immigration Forum hosted its 10th annual Immigration Welcome Awards at the Urbana Free Library on Sept. 16.  The awards honor businesses, organizations and individuals that work to serve immigrants in Champaign County.  Ricardo Diaz, board chair of the New American Welcome Center at the University YMCA, said he is impressed to see how…

A state program helps farmers donate the food they raise to food banks.
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A state program helps farmers donate the food they raise to food banks.

Now, farmers in Illinois can contribute some of the food they produce to food banks though a centralized donation program. This month, Governor J-B Pritzker signed HB2879, which turns a two-year, USDA-funded Farm to Food Bank pilot program into a permanent, state-funded operation.

Champaign police are finding new ways to engage with community youth
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Champaign police are finding new ways to engage with community youth

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign Police Department began gathering in coffee shops about six years ago for their “Coffee with a Cop” program. This month, they launched a new youth-geared program – “Ice Pops with Cops.” Their most recent “Coffee With A Cop” event was June 6th at the Starbucks on S. Neil St. in Champaign. …

A long line of protestors holding signs saying "Hands off my pussy" and "Her body, her choice" walk down a street.
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One year after the fall of Roe v. Wade, CU activists focus on joy

As the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and the nationwide right to an abortion approaches, Champaign-Urbana abortion rights activists are celebrating.  The event on Sunday afternoon is called “Acts of Joyful Insurrection” and will focus on finding joy and moving forward as a community. “We’re really trying to…

After violence at a pop-up party on Sunday left 9 injured, Champaign considers how to prevent future violence
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After violence at a pop-up party on Sunday left 9 injured, Champaign considers how to prevent future violence

CHAMPAIGN — Neighbors and social workers gathered at the Douglass Annex Thursday to discuss violence at parties that pop up after bars close. Some wanted curfews and security cameras. Middle school teacher Rhonda Harris suggested the city host its own safe version with police and chaperones. “We can have a controlled area, like a parking…

Recent shootings in the C-U area are a prime topic at a Community Coalition meeting.
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Recent shootings in the C-U area are a prime topic at a Community Coalition meeting.

Meetings of the Champaign Community Coalition include regular reports from local police departments. And at Wednesday’s meeting, those reports were dominated by reports of shootings. “I think it’s fair to say that it’s been a sad and busy couple of weeks, leading up to today,” said Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman, addressing the gathering local…

Urbana’s Canaan Baptist Church is designated a local historic landmark.
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Urbana’s Canaan Baptist Church is designated a local historic landmark.

Canaan Baptist Church in downtown Urbana is now a local Historic Landmark. The city’s Historic Preservation Commission recently granted the designation at the church’s request. Local architect Joseph Royer designed the building, which was built in 1909-1910 as the home of Urbana’s First Christian Church. Canaan Baptist Church moved into the building in 1977. Rev….

Urbana City Council appoints new ‘progressive’ police chief
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Urbana City Council appoints new ‘progressive’ police chief

URBANA – More than a year since the retirement of Urbana’s police chief, the City Council unanimously appointed the only finalist, Larry Boone, as the new chief. The appointment came after months of various interviews and community meetings and the recommendation of Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin.  Marlin said the city conducted online and paper surveys…

A group of people gathers at a table labeled "PFLAG" under a tent with the LGBTQ Pride flag.
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Scared but ‘not surprised’: CU LGBTQ community on HRC declaration

CHAMPAIGN — The LGBTQ rights organization Human Rights Campaign has declared a national state of emergency for all queer people in the United States, citing the surge of anti-LGBTQ legislation in statehouses around the country. Members of the Champaign-Urbana queer community say they feel scared but not shocked by the announcement.  “I wish I could…