Lauren Laws
WCIA News
Contact Lauren
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Lauren:
Champaign Schools welcomes back middle & high school students
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign Schools welcomed back middle and high school students to the classroom Tuesday for the first time since March of last year. Sixth graders and freshman trickled in Tuesday morning. More will come back over the next few weeks. About 40 percent of both middle and high school students are coming back for in-person learning. → Read More
St. Thomas More to go fully remote starting Monday
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Officials with The High School of St. Thomas More said they received word that 42 of the elementary and secondary schools in the Catholic Diocese of Peoria will be going fully remote starting Monday. In a letter for families, officials said the decision comes after reviewing data on the increase in […] → Read More
Coroner identifies teenager killed in shooting
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County coroner identified a teenager killed in a shooting on Thursday night. Coroner Duane Northrup said 16-year-old Gerryontae J. Brown was pronounced dead shortly after 6 p.m. in the Carle Foundation Hospital Emergency Department. He died from a gunshot wound in the chest. This comes after police were called […] → Read More
Fourth of July fireworks, events canceled
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The night sky will be dark this July 4th. The Champaign County Freedom Celebration announced Tuesday night the event would be canceled. That includes not only the fireworks, but also the parade and 5k race. Organizers said the board waited to make the decision, but finally canceled the event after the […] → Read More
Funeral homes develop new service in wake of pandemic
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA ) — Some funeral homes have started streaming services. Sunset Funeral Homes has started putting services online. They ask permission from families and post the links after the funeral. They say they’re one business which can’t close. Rich Darby, with Sunset Funeral Homes, says families can also have a private family visitation […] → Read More
MTD offering free rides on Election Day
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) will offer free rides to all passengers on Election Day, March 17, 2020. MTD wants to encourage civic participation, by offering free rides on this day every year. This year, they will be extending the program, which will begin on Tuesday at the start of […] → Read More
Road next to tower has one lane open
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The road next to Collins Tower now has one lane open. Main Street going west had been fully closed for months because of pieces of the tower falling to the ground. The City has also put up concrete barriers in the lane nearest the building–as well as fencing. → Read More
Man dies after being pinned under trencher
OAKLAND, Ill. (WCIA) — The Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers said one man died Tuesday morning after being pinned under a trencher. Schniers said 59-year-old Robert E. Lee Jr. worked for the Oakland Street Department. He said preliminary investigations showed Lee may have accidentally knocked the machine into gear and fell forward. The machine then […] → Read More
Restaurant Week 2020
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — It’s officially Restaurant Week. It runs until Saturday. 32 restaurants are taking part, each with its own lunch and dinner specials. You can also win a $100 gift card to a restaurant of your choice by taking part online. → Read More
A Magical Cirque Christmas dazzles audience
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — People got a chance to experience a holiday show unlike any other Wednesday night. A Magical Cirque Christmas took the stage at the Virginia Theatre. It started touring last year. The show combines live circus acts with live holiday music. The theater said having the Cirque perform was a special event. […] → Read More
Piano stolen from cultural house
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A university-owned piano has been stolen from a culture house, according to a University of Illinois employee. The piano was located in the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, 1212 W. Nevada St., Urbana. Police say it has an estimated value of $1,539. Anyone with information is asked to contact […] → Read More
First look at new aquatic center attractions
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The brisk, fall air is a reminder pool season is officially over, but some got a chance to see a preview Tuesday of a water park that’s expected to open in May 2020. Construction is still going on at the Nelson Park Aquatic Center in Decatur. Attractions are being tested at […] → Read More
District considers reselling bonds
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Unit #4 School District might consider reselling some of its bonds to fund more projects. The Referendum Oversight Committee looked at bonds from 2010 which total just over $83 million. The money was originally for renovations and land. Reselling could help fund projects for the Capital Improvement Plan or debt […] → Read More
Medical fees for inmates dropped
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Inmates will no longer have co-payment fees for routine medical services. The governor signed the bill this month. Bill sponsor Carol Ammons called the fees burdensome. Inmates were originally required to pay them to get non-emergency medical and dental services. → Read More
Hari trial delayed until September
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Michael Hari’s trial will start September 17. He’s accused of trying to bomb the Women’s Health Clinic, in Champaign, and he’s charged with unlawful possession of a machine gun and attempted arson. Hari’s trial was supposed to start Monday, but the government wanted it delayed until after his trial in […] → Read More
Fair queens already busy representing
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The County Fair starts Friday, but it already has its fair queens. Carson Robinson was crowned the 2019 Champaign County Fair Queen Sunday. She was one of seven contestants. Spencer McFarland was crowned Little Miss. They’ve both already been busy under their titles going on the radio and helping with the fairgrounds. → Read More
Pastor sentenced for sexually abusing child; faces more charges
MACON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A Decatur pastor was sentenced to 40-years this week. Jose Aboytes pleaded guilty in April to sexually assaulting a child under 13. He also is charged in another sexual assault case which will go to trial later this month. He’s accused of assaulting a child between 13 – 18. The […] → Read More
Buckled roads repaired & reopened
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Part of I-72 is back open after the road buckled Wednesday night. The westbound left lane, near South McArthur Boulevard, by Springfield, was closed for three hours. It reopened about 11:30. Stretches of road on two different highways were also repaired after buckling. Both Route 51, near Autumn Road in DeWitt […] → Read More
Neighborhood group honored w/crime-fighting award
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers announced its winner of the 5th annual Dave Benton Crime Fighter of the Year Award. It went to the West Urbana Neighborhood Association. The award is given to those in the county who show a crime-fighting spirit. The group has created a sense of community and […] → Read More
Transgender prisoner gets early release
LINCOLN, Ill. (WCIA) — A transgender woman who said she was sexually assaulted and beaten while in prison was released early. Deon Strawberry Hampton was released from Logan Correctional Center Monday. She was serving a 10-year sentence for burglary and wasn’t supposed to be released until 2021. She was originally incarcerated at men’s facilities before […] → Read More