Jamie Mayes
WCIA News
Contact Jamie
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 Jamie:
Communities honor Officer Chris Oberheim
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — It was a somber day in central Illinois as hundreds paid their respects to a fallen officer. Champaign Officer Chris Oberheim died on the job Wednesday. On Thursday, his body was escorted through several cities, from Urbana to Decatur. Many people described Officer Oberheim as a family man who was always […] → Read More
Champaign firefighter dies after battling cancer for years
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Fire Department has lost one of their own. The department says on Facebook that Firefighter Trevor Herderhorst died from cancer early Sunday morning. “Trevor loved being a firefighter and was proud to be a Champaign firefighter,” says CFD. “Trevor faithfully served the City of Champaign and will be tremendously […] → Read More
Champaign County Clerk’s website, unofficial election results back online
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County Clerk’s office had to work around few issues that came up on election night. The website went down, but it was back up and running as of 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, after being down for around 12 hours. Clerk Aaron Ammons said it was odd that the site […] → Read More
One person hurt in evening shooting
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Officers said one person was hurt after a shooting Tuesday night. It happened near Scottswood and Oregon streets. Officers said the victim had non-life-threatening injuries. There is no word on their current condition. Police believe this was an isolated incident. → Read More
Voters call for elimination of Recorder of Deeds office
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Voters said the county should get rid of the Recorder of Deeds office. There were 2,679 votes in favor of eliminating the office. There were 2,513 votes against the decision. → Read More
Horn, Kuhle and Culp elected to Decatur City Council
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Six candidates were running for Decatur City Council, but there were only three seats to fill. There are a lot of issues the people filling the seats plan on addressing. Some of them include improving public safety, job creation, community revitalization and bring in more jobs. Two of the candidates who […] → Read More
National chicken wing shortage ahead of Super Bowl
UNITED STATES (WCIA) — We talked about it being the number one Super Bowl snack, but there is some bad news. The appetite for wings has grown amid a comfort food boom during the pandemic.So now, there’s a shortage. With the Super Bowl today, consumption is expected to increase to a record 1.4 billion wings. […] → Read More
Springfield Police search for wanted man
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield Police are searching for a wanted man. In a social media post, officers said 27-year-old Michael Lipscomb is wanted for manufacturing and delivering controlled substances. If you know where he is, call Springfield Police at (217) 788-8311. You can also call Crime Stoppers at (217) 788-8427. → Read More
Referendum on recreational marijuana sales will not appear on ballot
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — City leaders decided not to allow a non-binding referendum for the sale of recreational marijuana. A petition was filed to put the referendum on the April 6 election ballot. During the hearing, there were several arguments for and against it. But in the end, the board ruled the required number of […] → Read More
Health officials remind shoppers to be cautious while in stores
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Health officials are reminding people to be cautious if they are shopping this weekend. COVID-19 cases are still on the rise. To prevent the spread, health officials are reminding people to follow capacity limits in stores, social distance and wear masks. If possible, shop online. “Shopping online is probably the safest […] → Read More
Not all students equipped for e-learning
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Remote learning has been a challenge for many parents and teachers around the state. Now, Governor JB Pritzker wants schools to prepare for the possibility it could last longer. It has some parents concerned. Students around the state are learning from home during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The governor announced earlier […] → Read More
Changes coming to intersection
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)– Some people are concerned about the safety of an intersection in their neighborhood. It is at the intersection of Hazel and Fairchild Streets. A resolution to improve it was approved at a recent Public Works Committee meeting. The intersection is close to Danville High School. The city engineer said the changes were […] → Read More
Health district warns about buying food from at-home restaurants
RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA)—Some people in Champaign County are creating small businesses cooking out of their kitchens at home. The Champaign Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is warning people that it’s not safe, and buying food from someone’s house comes with risks. If the CUPHD finds out someone is illegally operating as a restaurant from their […] → Read More
New beer & music festival comes to Devon Amphitheater
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A new festival is coming to town this year. The first Devon on Tap Music & Beer Festival will be at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater this summer. It is a fundraiser for the Decatur Parks Foundation. There will be music, food, beer and games. It will be May 16 from 3-8 […] → Read More
School encourages students to be heart healthy
ARGENTA, Ill. (WCIA)–Some students at a school in Macon County can’t sit still, and their teachers are encouraging them to keep moving. Argenta-Oreana Middle School just got new heart rate monitors for its gym class, and teachers are noticing some positive improvements. Students who aren’t as athletic and usually get frustrated when they have to […] → Read More
Trial to begin for man accused of 2009 murder
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Trial is set to start for a man accused of killing a woman over a decade ago. Michael Henslick was arrested in August 2018 for allegedly stabbing his neighbor, Holly Cassano, then 22, to death. It happened at her home in Mahomet in 2009. DNA evidence from a cigarette led […] → Read More
Mentoring program helps students shape their future
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA)– Sherrod’s Independent Mentoring Program, Inc. started in 2002. They provide mentoring, academic advising, and mentorship for students in 5th grade to high school. They also have a college outreach program. Last year the program started in Decatur.Mentors meet with students monthly, go on empowerment trips, and provide help with career development. The […] → Read More
Allerton Park officials need help with trees
MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA)– Allerton Park has about 100 Norway Spruces and Evergreen Alee trees that need to be replanted. Many of them are old, some planted over 100 years ago. Others have been struck by lightning. Park officials are asking for the community’s support. People can buy a tree. They’re hoping to have enough help […] → Read More
Montessori principals asked to re-apply for positions
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Staff at two schools in town may soon be submitting job applications. Garfield Montessori and Enterprise Elementary Schools will be combining next school year. The principals are being asked to re-apply for their positions. The district’s chief of communications says it will form one of the largest public montessori schools in […] → Read More
School district uses new disinfectant systems
MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA)— Schools are using new technology to keep kids from getting sick. The district bought two new disinfectant systems. They are hoping it will help them improve attendance rates this school year by cutting down on illnesses. Staff at Lincoln Trail Elementary School say they started using the Clorox Total 360 System at […] → Read More