Cassandra Smith
WCIA News
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Past articles by Cassandra:
Decatur Police: Woman dies after domestic violence situation
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Decatur Police said a woman is dead after a domestic violence situation. In a news release, Sergeant Steven Carroll stated 43-year-old Monique N. McKissic was taken to a Decatur hospital on August 14. She had blunt force trauma to her head. McKissic was transported to a Springfield hospital for surgery. “The […] → Read More
Macon County Sheriff’s Office rolling out body cameras
MACON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Macon County sheriff said their officers will start wearing body cameras this week. In a news release, Sheriff Jim Root said they are rolling out body worn cameras for their patrol division deputies. They are starting this implementation to comply with HB 3653 (SAFE-T Act), which requires camera policies […] → Read More
Espresso Royale location coming back to campus
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Coffee & tea lovers, you will have another place to enjoy your sips! Officials with Espresso Royale said they are setting up shop at 604 E. Daniel Street in Champaign. That is near the shop’s old location, which closed in May 2019. “We are working hard to get this new location […] → Read More
Man arrested in connection to deadly shooting
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield Police released further details about a Sunday shooting that resulted in a man’s death. In a news release, officers said it happened around 9 p.m. near North 8th and East Division streets. When police got to the scene, they found a man who had been shot multiple times. Officers started […] → Read More
City of Decatur chooses ambulance service
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Decatur chose a new ambulance service. “The transition to a new EMS provider for Decatur and Macon County is underway,” said officials in a news release. They chose to issue a license to Abbott EMS/GMR. “This was a tough decision but we believe we made the right one […] → Read More
Man dead after shooting, says Sangamon Co. coroner
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Sangamon County coroner said a man died after being shot several times. In a news release, Coroner Jim Allmon stated a 42-year-old man was brought into the hospital from a Springfield house. He was pronounced dead around 12:30 a.m. Monday. His identity has not yet been released. An autopsy was […] → Read More
Dalton City under boil order
DALTON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) — Officials with Dalton City said the village is under a boil order. Officials issued the order Thursday because of a water main break from the supplier. The village is not sure when the water service will work back to normal. This is a developing story. → Read More
Sangamon Co. coroner: Teenager dead after shooting
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Authorities are investigating after they said a teenager was killed in a shooting Wednesday night. In a news release, the Sangamon County coroner said the 16-year-old was pronounced dead at a Springfield hospital. Preliminary autopsy results indicated he died after being shot in the head. Springfield Police said they were called […] → Read More
Man charged in connection to burglary
SHELBY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Shelby County state’s attorney said a Decatur man was arrested and charged in connection to a burglary. In a news release, State’s Attorney Nichole Kroncke said Jeffrey Pettyjohn was charged regarding a burglary at 32 Below. She said that Pettyjohn is accused of going into the building on April […] → Read More
A look at Thomas Paine Elementary
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Construction crews discovered some treasures while working at an Urbana school. In a Facebook post, Urbana School District officials said lunch cards, bathroom passes and a photograph were found in Thomas Paine Elementary. They were found behind a mirror. The lunch cards were from 1964. Now, the district is looking to […] → Read More
Stolen rooster statue returned
(UPDATE) Officials said “Mr. Cluckers” was found. “We want to thank all of the community that helped us and bring him home,” they said in a Facebook post. “We are so grateful to all of the amazing people out there. DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Krekels Dairy Maid is looking for a rooster stolen from […] → Read More
Outdoor warning siren maintenance this week
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Officials with the City of Champaign said the community should hear outdoor warning sirens later this week. In a news release, officials said contractors are doing maintenance work on the city’s 15 outdoor sirens. That work will happen August 11 and 12 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Part of this […] → Read More
Teenager killed in shooting identified by Macon County coroner
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Macon County coroner identified a teenager killed in a shooting Monday night. In a news release, Coroner Michael Day said 17-year-old Damarion W. Wright was pronounced dead at a Decatur hospital. He died from apparent gunshot trauma, according to Day. Wright was shot near Sedgwick and South Jasper streets. An […] → Read More
Free back-to-school clothes for Hoopeston families
HOOPESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Families in Hoopeston have the opportunity to get clothing for their children. Hoopeston Area School District officials said the Clothing Caravan from Fair Hope Children’s Ministry will be set up on August 24. They will be at the Girl Scout Building in McFerren Park from 3 – 7 p.m. There will be clothing for babies through teenagers. The clothes are free. → Read More
Champaign Co. coroner: Man dead after hit by vehicle
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County Coroner’s Office released the name of a man they said was hit by a vehicle over the weekend. In a news release, Coroner Duane Northrup said this happened Sunday night at Mattis Avenue and John Street in Champaign. He stated 28-year-old Bryson O. Walker was pronounced dead […] → Read More
Champaign Police arrest man in connection to early morning shooting
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign Police gave more details about a shooting that left a man hurt Friday. In a news release, police officials said the shooting happened near North Prairie and West Church streets. When officers got there, they found a 28-year-old Urbana man shot in the leg. He was taken to the hospital […] → Read More
Crews respond to semi-truck fire on I-72
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — State Police said I-72 eastbound is closed after a semi-truck fire. In a news release, troopers said traffic is being detoured at IL Route 47. They will reopen the road once the fire is out. → Read More
Springfield Police commends officer for saving man’s life
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield Police officials said an officer’s quick thinking helped save a man’s life. In a Facebook post, Springfield Police said that in early July Officer Slater responded to a man on a set of railroad tracks. When he got there, he found out the train was stopping, but the man was […] → Read More
Rantoul Police arrest woman in connection to deadly fight
RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — Rantoul Police officers said a woman was arrested in connection to a deadly fight. In a news release, Detective Sergeant James Schmidt said officers were called Monday afternoon regarding a battery victim at a hospital. That victim, Shelby Rix, was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Officers found 27-year-old […] → Read More
Champaign Co. coroner: Woman dies after fight
RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County coroner identified a woman he said died after a fight. In a news release, Coroner Duane Northrup stated that 27-year-old Shelby Rix was in a fight with another person on Monday. She was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead Monday afternoon. Northrup said an autopsy […] → Read More