Betty Simpson
WCIA News
Des Moines, IA, United States
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Past articles by Betty:
Failure to yield turns fatal
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — One woman was killed in a two-vehicle accident. It happened about 1 am, Tuesday, on Illinois 133, east of 3rd Street. Authorities say 63-year old Cindy Simpson, of Hindsboro, was killed. 37-year old Joseph Graham, of Brockton, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. State police say Simpson pulled […] → Read More
2020 Special Olympics to be virtual
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — Consolidated Communications, Special Olympics Illinois and Lake Land College recently announced the 2020 Special Olympics Family Festival (SOFF) will be a virtual event this September. Created in 1984 by Consolidated Communications and hosted on the grounds of Lake Land College, SOFF is a unique event that traditionally brings together more than […] → Read More
National Guard soldiers return from deployment
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Six National Guard soldiers who deployed in November as par of the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team (BEST) A24 returned home earlier this month. The team deployed to the U.S. Central Command area in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, arriving just before Thanksgiving. The soldiers are from Springfield, Plainfield, Dunlap, North Aurora and […] → Read More
Bright Spot Gallery
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — There are Bright Spots out there in Central Illinois. Take a look at what others have found. Juanita’s family helped her celebrate her 93rd birthday with appropriate social distancing in a drive by at the Villas of Hollybrook in Rantoul. The Mitek family has a new member. They credit staff at […] → Read More
Man arrested for aggravated battery
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — An area man faces charges of aggravated battery. 33-year old Travis Howlett was arrested about 10 am, Friday, in the 500-block of 505 North Division. Officials were told Howlett battered a man using metal tubing from a bike. A scuffle ensued when the victim tried to take the metal from Howlett. […] → Read More
Non-profits eligible for state grant
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Non-profits struggling to support their communities can apply for help from a state grant program. $375,000 is available to be split among 30 organizations. Since 2017, the Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund has awarded more than $2.2 million to 100 non-profits. An 11-member board chooses which groups receive the award while instituting guidelines […] → Read More
Campus property damage/theft
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Authorities reported several incidents of property damage and theft on campus in Urbana. Two port-a-potties were set on fire sometime between 6 – 7:30 pm, Wednesday, June 17, in the 4500-block of South Race Street, at an agricultural research facility. Damage was estimated at $1,000. A construction contractor reported several […] → Read More
IDPH addresses water fun in Phase 4
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The state Department of Public Health (IDPH) issued rules under Phase 4 of Restore Illinois addressing how public swimming facilities can open during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Pools, water parks, splashpads and beaches will be allowed to open at 50% capacity. Facilities must have plans addressing physical distancing for people who have […] → Read More
DACC announces “return to normal”
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Campus operations for Danville Area Community College will resume as normal starting Monday. In a letter to employees, President Stephen Nacco stated, “all academic and administrative departments will be open for regular business and will resume staffing their offices with full-time employees as if this were the ‘old normal’ summer, albeit […] → Read More
Champaign County Crime Stoppers Wanted Subject: David Bacheller
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — This week’s Wanted Subject is David Bacheller. He’s wanted on $100,000 bond for failure to appear for aggravated domestic battery. Bacheller is a 64-year old man, white, 5’10”, 210 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. His last known address is 702 Fairway Drive, Champaign. Anyone with information is asked […] → Read More
Help ID suspects in burglary/criminal damage
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Authorities are seeking tips to identify several suspects involved in a burglary and criminal damage incident. It happened about 10:20 pm, Sunday, May 31, at FYXIT, in the 200-block of East Green Street, Champaign. Two windows were broken and electronics were stolen from the business including laptops, a gaming console […] → Read More
Early morning shooting likely suicide
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Authorities say they’re investigating an early morning shooting as a possible suicide. They responded to the Microtel, in the 1600-block of Rion Drive, about 5:15 am, Monday. The coroner was eventually called to the scene. Investigators say it appears the injury was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The victim’s name has not […] → Read More
Woman accused of arson
MACON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A woman faces charges for setting a fire. 33-year old Taferia Collins was arrested Sunday. Authorities say she set fire to a home in the 1100-block of West Cottage Hill Avenue, Decatur. A 48-year old man lived in the home. It’s unclear if anyone was inside at the time or […] → Read More
National Guard heads to Africa for a year
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Approximately 170 Army National Guard Soldiers are headed to the Horn of Africa for a one-year deployment. The troops are assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment, based in northern Illinois including units in Kewanee, Pontiac, Dixon and Aurora. They’ll train at Fort Bliss, Texas, for about six weeks before joining […] → Read More
Bright Spot Gallery
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — There are Bright Spots out there in Central Illinois. Take a look at what others have found. Maxel and Loki gave their dad an early wake up call and fur in his coffee for Father’s Day. A double rainbow was a sight to be seen in Route 47 near Foosland Road. […] → Read More
Champaign County’s Wanted Subject: Louie Ward
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — This week’s Wanted Subject is Louie Ward. He’s wanted on $200,000 bond for two thefts. Ward is a 54-year old man, black, 5’9″, 165 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His last known address is 401 Edgebrook Drive, #203, Champaign. Anyone with information is asked to contact police who […] → Read More
Tips needed in shoot-out
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Police hope the public can provide tips in a recent case of aggravated discharge of a firearm. It happened about 1:10 am, Sunday, May 24, in the area of Northwood and McKinley. Authorities say there was an exchange of gunfire between two vehicles in the 1000-block of Northwood Street and […] → Read More
2 killed after rear-ending semi
LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Two people were killed in an accident with a semi-truck this weekend. It happened about 5 am, Saturday, on I-55 north near Odell. The driver and a passenger in a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities have not yet been released. The driver of […] → Read More
1 hurt in early morning shooting
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Police are on scene for a reported shooting. They were called to the Microtel, in the 1600-block of Rion Drive, about 5:15 am, Monday. One person was hurt. No other information is currently available. We’ll update this story as it develops. → Read More
Man’s death due to drowning
MACON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A Decatur man died after swimming out in the lake this weekend. Authorities say witnesses reported seeing Randy Wilkins, 41, remove clothing and intentionally swim out into the lake about 7:15 am Saturday. Police were called and tried to get Wilkins to return to shore. He reportedly swam further out […] → Read More