Jennifer Jensen
WCIA News
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Past articles by Jennifer:
Council approves mask mandate
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Decatur will fine people who do not wear masks. The council approved a new ordinance requiring face coverings throughout the city. This ordinance requires everyone who lives in Decatur to wear a mask when around other people outside of their homes. Examples include when shopping at stores, picking […] → Read More
U. of I. Extension announces virtual 4-H program: ‘Discover your superpower’
MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — 4-H program organizers in Monticello are “calling all superheroes.” The University of Illinois Extension of DeWitt County is offering a new virtual 4-H program. Children in kindergarten through second grade can discover their superpowers with 4-H in a fun, hands-on virtual event. The six-session virtual Zoom event will start at 6:30 […] → Read More
One person arrested, two others wanted in connection to shooting
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Police said one person was arrested and two others are wanted in connection to a Labor Day shooting. In a news release, officers said 23-year-old Amari Buchanon was arrested for aggravated discharge of a firearm/occupied vehicle and other gun charges. Buchanon was arrested September 21 during a traffic stop on Fairway […] → Read More
Crews respond to 2-car crash
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Crews responded to a 2-car crash Tuesday afternoon It happened around 3:45 p.m. in front of a home in the 1800 block of South Mattis Avenue. One of the cars involved was seen in the home’s yard, but there was no damage to the house. No word on what caused the […] → Read More
UPD investigating several groping incidents
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — City law enforcement officials said they’ve received several reports from women saying a man inappropriately touched them in public, dating as far back as April 2019. Urbana Police Lt. Dave Smysor said there have been 19 cumulative incidents, the most recent occurring Aug. 23. The majority took place on campus — […] → Read More
Protesters demand answers regarding inmate’s death
IROQUOIS, Ill. (WCIA) — A group of protesters packed the outside of the Iroquois County Jail demanding answers for the death of inmate Andre Maiden. He and another inmate, Jason Fancher, died last week. However, their cause of death is still unknown. Dozens of people lined the parking lot outside the jail as officers stood […] → Read More
IDPH: 1,707 new COVID-19 cases; 24 additional deaths
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,707 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, including 24 additional deaths. In a news release, officials stated, “Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 44,510 specimens for a total of 3,875,922. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from […] → Read More
Parkland College will not lay off dozens of employees
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Parkland College will not be laying off dozens of positions like they had planned. When the pandemic started, the loss of revenue from declining enrollment along with other things, took a financial toll on the school totaling a shortfall of nearly $5 million. That equals about 65 full-time positions. They had […] → Read More
Canoe along the Sangamon River
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) —If you’re looking for a fun way to enjoy the outdoors, you might want to try this. The Macon County Conservation District is offering guided canoe tours along the Sangamon River.Trips will be Saturdays August 29th, September 19th and October 17th from 1-4 P.M.Canoes are $25.00 each. All equipment will be provided […] → Read More
Decatur firefighters battle house fire
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Firefighters responded to a house fire on Garfield Avenue. Flames were seen coming from all sides of the house in the 900 block. It appeared to be a total loss. Officials haven’t said how the fire started. → Read More
Man arrested for videotaping neighbor
SAVOY, Ill. (WCIA) — A man is accused of secretly videotaping his neighbor. 33-year-old Henry Williams was arrested Monday night. The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office said he admitted he taped a camera to a woman’s window at his apartment complex in the 1200 block of Wesley Avenue. The woman found it there. Deputies looked at […] → Read More
County reports 12 new COVID-19 cases
VERMILION COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Health officials in Vermilion County announced Wednesday they have reached a total of 125 positive COVID-19 cases. Public Health Administrator Doug Toole said in a emailed statement Wednesday they have confirmed 12 new cases of the virus. They include three people in their 40s, four in their 30s, four in […] → Read More
School board member resigns after making racist comments on social media
SHELBYVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A Shelbyville school board member has resigned after making racist comments on social media. Thursday night, Keith Boehm’s resignation was announced publicly at the school board meeting. Boehm made comments on a Facebook post that the school board said were unacceptable. The superintendent said they investigated and looked into Boehm’s online […] → Read More
City to look at police department policies & conduct
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Champaign is taking an in-depth look at the conduct and policies of the police department Tuesday night at a study session. This comes after the recent national uproar regarding police practices and deadly use of force across America. The study session will bring together city council and police […] → Read More
U of I extension: Decoding the diet webinar
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) – We hear about a lot of diets, either on the internet or from a friend that can sometimes leave us overwhelmed. But how do you know if those diets are for you? One webinar from the U of I extension is doing just that – Helping us understand those diets. […] → Read More
City hosts second Justice Walk
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The streets will again be filled Thursday night with people trying to raise their voices. It is the second Justice Walk in Decatur. It kicked off around 5:15 p.m. at the Decatur Civic Center and moved through the downtown area. Hundreds of people participated in last week’s Justice Walk to protest […] → Read More
Owners of Zorba’s close restaurant for good
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A long-time campustown restaurant is shutting down for good. Zorba’s on Green Street in Champaign has been serving up Mediterranean food since 1973. “Zorba’s was actually opened by a couple of Greek guys from Chicago,” said Matt Mortenson. It is a U of I campustown classic marked by the vibrant colors […] → Read More
Owners of Zorba’s close restaurant for good
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A long-time campustown restaurant is shutting down for good. Zorba’s on Green Street in Champaign has been serving up Mediterranean food since 1973. “Zorba’s was actually opened by a couple of Greek guys from Chicago,” said Matt Mortenson. It is a U of I campustown classic marked by the vibrant colors […] → Read More
Mother and two children die in fire
LEXINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — A mother and her two children died during a house fire in Westwind Estates in rural Lexington. It happened around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 2. Fire departments from the surrounding area including Lexington, Chenoa, Towanda, and Normal responded to 25083 North Main Street for a structure fire. The McLean County […] → Read More
Family finalizes adoption during COVID-19 pandemic
PIATT COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A post going viral on social media shows a little boy who’s just been officially adopted. It was a long process but one his family says was worth it. Krickett Kelley, of Monticello, started fostering children more than 15 years ago. She has two biological children and always wanted a […] → Read More