Tag: Champaign

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2 Dead, 3 Injured After Weekend Gun Violence in Champaign and Danville

URBANA – Multiple reports of gun violence kept Central Illinois police busy over the weekend. Friday 11:00 p.m. It started late Friday night in the 2000 block of Cynthia Drive. Champaign police say a 23-year-old man was taken to the hospital after being shot in the arm during a large fight. The victim was transported to

Latest shooting incident along Green Street in Champaign kills Urbana man

CHAMPAIGN -An argument between two men from Urbana turned deadly in Champaign’s Campustown over the weekend. Police responded to shots fired in the 200-block of East Green Street after 9:00 p.m. on Friday. The incident resulted in the University of Illinois issuing an Illini-Alert, asking people to avoid the area or shelter in place. Officers

Champaign County police turn to financial incentives to fill vacancies

CHAMPAIGN – Police departments across the U.S., including in Champaign County, are facing staffing shortages.  The Champaign police department is using financial incentives to try to fill 20 officer openings.  Within the last few months, it filled several vacancies after offering a $20,000 signing bonus. “Recruiting is getting harder,” Joe Lamberson, the Champaign police department’s

Increasing gun violence raises issue of community-wide trauma among residents

Yvonne Miller likes driving her white Volvo because it reminds her of driving with her son.  On her license plate is the word “STUFF.” The bold, black letters stand out against the light blue color of her “Prevent Violence” license plate.  “Stuff” is a tribute to Miller’s 23-year-old son, Christopher Kelly. It was a nickname

In-person Ebertfest returns to Champaign’s Virginia Theatre

CHAMPAIGN – Wednesday kicks off the first day of the return of Ebertfest, Champaign’s annual film festival named in honor of late University of Illinois alumnus and film critic Roger Ebert.  The festival will feature films from Wednesday to Saturday including “The Phantom of the Open,” “Ghost World,” and “Nightmare Alley.”  Movies shown at Ebertfest

Champaign Refugee Center welcomes Afghan families and individuals

CHAMPAIGN – ​​The Refugee Center helped more than 50 people from Kabul settle in the Champaign-Urbana area after the Taliban took over that area in August of 2021.  They continue to help their clients settle in their new homes in different ways. One of which includes obtaining a job at Guardian West manufacturing. Lisa Wilson

Champaign residents call for city council member resignation amid controversy

Some Champaign residents called this week for two city council members to resign following comments they made at a meeting earlier this month. The demands for council members Alicia Beck and Michael Foellmer to step down stemmed from an exchange Beck had with two local residents at the council’s Feb. 15 meeting. The Champaign residents,

Educators talk candidly about students and violence at next News, Brews & Beatz forum

CHAMPAIGN – Illinois Public Media is committed to discussions about decreasing gun violence in Champaign-Urbana. Last year, we launched our News, Brews, and Beatz series of conversations. Our next event is Monday, February 21 at 6:00 p.m. Illinois Public Media News Director Reginald Hardwick, who co-moderates these discussions, previewed Monday’s conversation with Morning Edition host

Photo Gallery: Champaign 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

CHAMPAIGN – Hundreds of people joined Champaign Fire Chief Gary Ludwig and many other leaders from Champaign-Urbana in honoring the September 11, 2001 attack victims. The ceremony took part 20 years to the day after the attacks. Hijackers crashed jetliners into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. As

Update: 20-Year-Old Man Wounded In Green St. Shooting

Post updated August 22 at 4:45 p.m. CHAMPAIGN – Police in Champaign are looking for the person who shot a 20-year-old man along busy Green Street late Saturday night. In a press release, Champaign police say they responded to shots fired in the 100 block of East Green Street just before 11:30 p.m. Officers arrived

Vehicle Catalytic Converter Thefts Increase In CU

URBANA – Auto shop owners and law enforcement in Champaign-Urbana are seeing an increase in vehicle catalytic converter thefts. Catalytic converters make toxic exhaust fumes less harmful for the environment and are located on the underside of vehicles. They also contain precious metals like rhodium, platinum and palladium that can sell for upwards of $19,000

Only One Elder Care Facility In Champaign-Urbana Is Requiring Staff Vaccinations

URBANA – More than 10,000 residents of long-term care facilities in Illinois have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to state data. But in Champaign County, only one long-term care facility is currently mandating that its staff receive the COVID-19 vaccine.  Clark-Lindsey, a long-term care facility and nursing home in Urbana,