Latest news with #CentralIllinois
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'It's been a journey.' Central Catholic athlete thanks supporters after 3rd straight state title
CHARLESTON, Illinois (WMBD) – It was a historic Saturday at the 130th IHSA Boys State Track and Field meet at Eastern Illinois. A Central Illinois athlete broke an all-time record. Bloomington Central Catholic's Isaiah Whitaker set a new IHSA mark in the pole vault, leaping 17 feet, 6.5 inches. But it was also the Saint Junior's third consecutive state championship in the 1A pole vault. Whitaker is a young man who's thankful for those who have pushed him along the way. It means a lot. Just knowing that I can come here and consistently compete and get the job done, get points for my team and help my team out, it's just great. I'd like to thank my coaches and everyone out there supporting me. It's been a journey and I'd like to thank them all Isaiah Whitaker Whitaker's win helped push Central Catholic to a top ten team finish in the 1A boys standings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here's what two popular almanacs predict for summer 2025 weather in Peoria, Illinois
"The heat is on" for a "doozy" of a summer in Peoria. So say the rival farmer almanacs, both of which predict a searing season in central Illinois. Here's what to expect: Commencing June 20, when summer officially begins, "The heat is on!" says the Farmers' Almanac. The farmers foresee a "sultry, thunder-filled" season for Peoria and the entirety of Illinois, where severe storms may threaten the Fourth of July holiday, while fair weather is predicted for Labor Day, Sept. 1. The Farmers' Almanac, which dates to 1818, says its long-range forecast is based on a "mathematical and astronomical" formula that incorporates "sunspot activity, tidal action of the Moon, positions of the planets" and more. It denies the use of computer satellite tracking equipment, weather lore or, rather defensively, groundhogs. It adds, "Fans of the Almanac say our weather forecasts are accurate 80-85% of the time." Meanwhile, summer 2025 is "shaping up to be a doozy!" says the rival Old Farmer's Almanac. Its forecast for June, July and August calls for "a scorcher of a summer." The farmer places Peoria near the border of two weather regions. To the east, he foresees a "hot, rainy" summer, while to the west a "hot, dry" season is predicted. The Old Farmer's Almanac claims 80% accuracy in its long-range predictions. It says it employs solar science, climatology and meteorology in its seasonal forecasts. The almanac dates to 1792. More: Take a dip in these 15 public swimming pools around the Peoria area in summer 2025 Neither of the almanacs is considered especially accurate, but both remain popular. Scientific American casts doubt on both publications' predictions. And a University of Illinois study conducted in 2010, cited by Popular Mechanics in 2022, found the Old Farmer's Almanac only about 52% accurate — "essentially random chance." This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Farmers almanacs forecast summer 2025 weather in Peoria, Illinois
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Illinois State Police responded to multiple crashes during Friday's severe weather
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Severe weather swept across Central Illinois on Friday, with some areas seeing thunderstorms, high winds, and even a dust storm. Illinois State Police said that amidst the severe weather, they responded to a number of crashes. The following crashes were reported to the Illinois State Police between 3-7 p.m. on May 16. Severe weather blog — May 16, 2025 Illinois State Police Troop 5 responded to the following incidents: Motorist Assists: 3 Non-Injury Crashes: 7 Injury Crashes: 6 Troop 5 covers DeWitt, Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston and McLean counties. Troop 6 serves Christian, Logan, Mason, Menard, Morgan, and Sangamon counties, among others. On Friday, State Police responded to two motorist assists. Coles, Champaign, Douglas, Macon and Vermilion, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby and Edgar counties are covered by Illinois State Police Troop 7. During Friday's severe weather, Illinois State Police Troop 7 responded to Motorist Assists: 4 Non-Injury Crashes: 4 Injury Crashes: 3 Troop 9 serves Effingham, Cumberland, Fayette, Clark and more. On Friday, State Police responded to two motorist assists and two injury crashes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Decatur sets starting date for tree debris cleanup
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Amid the recent storms in Central Illinois, the City of Decatur has set a date for later this month to start the cleanup of tree debris. In a Facebook post, the city announced that starting May 27, they will help private property owners with tree debris cleanup after the severe weather that hit the area. This tree debris must be placed on the curb, and the city is asking its residents to call them to report or request debris pickup. Decatur organizations recovering from severe weather They also issued the reminder that right now, Decatur residents have unlimited weekly yard waste collection as a part of basic service. People who have small debris are urged to fit it in their yard waste containers if they are able to do so. If the debris is too large for this, residents can take advantage of the following yard waste service: Call 217-875-4820 to report or request pickup by May 23 Trees and limbs must be brought to the curb no later than May 26 Tree debris must be cut so it is no longer than eight feet in length As another reminder, the city is not collecting any other garbage or debris: this includes parts of a fence or shed and building materials. If any of these items are included in the tree debris pile, none of the debris will be collected. Chicken coop lamp sparks garage fire at Decatur home; residents displaced Residents are encouraged to use this weekend and next week to collect their debris at the curb and report their pickup to the city. Public Works crews will start pickups on May 27. People are also being urged to avoid parking in front of debris piles once the pickups begin, as this will prevent crews from reaching the debris with their equipment. Due to liability issues, city workers cannot come onto private property, so the debris must be on the curb. The crews will pick up every debris pile that is reported. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
High-speed rail survey could help bring trains through Central Illinois
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — People in Central Illinois have been pushing the idea of high-speed rail stops since a bill was passed creating a committee to explore it. Now, Champaign officials want people to take an online survey to drive favor towards a stop in the city when the trains come. High-speed rails have been talked about for decades across the country, and cities across Central Illinois want to get on board. Most ramps at I-57, I-74 interchange will be open by year's end, IDOT says Champaign's mayor said the idea to connect Chicago to St. Louis is gaining steam, and they want to be part of the line that could be placed alongside existing tracks near Interstate 57. 'They could put high-speed rail and, basically, along the same line from Chicago to Champaign that we've got our existing freight and passenger rail,' said Champaign Mayor Deborah Feinen. Feinen wants people to take an online survey, which could show why the line should cut through Champaign. She said it could bring commuters from Chicago in under an hour, which will boost prospects for employees and jobseekers. It would also improve the trip University of Illinois students, like Sydni Brantley, often take. 'We wish that the campus was a little closer to Chicago,' Brantley said. 'Because two hours is almost too out of the way to go for any reason.' Feinen said there seems to be two ideas of where the line should go: either through Rockford and Peoria, or from Champaign to Springfield. She said the latter would make more sense for not just Central Illinois, but the state as a whole. Student shocks staff member with stun gun in Champaign school fight 'The amount of income that's generated through University of Illinois grads and the tentacles of the University of Illinois, that it only makes sense that they come through this community,' Feinen said. The survey asks what people's experience is with high-speed rails, but more importantly, Feinen said it asks for the zip code where the respondent lives. 'The decision on where this line goes is really important because it's not going to be changed for, you know, 50 years,' she said. Sajiv Shah, who regularly goes through Chicago to visit his sister at the U of I, said a faster way of traveling can't come soon enough after taking a bus ride for hours to get into the city. 'We spent 35 minutes, like, filling up gas,' Shah said. 'This is a pretty well trafficked route. There's a lot of reasons you might come from Chicago. Anyone from the suburbs might go to Chicago to come here, so why not have a high-speed rail?' High-speed rails are still just an exploratory idea in the state of Illinois. Feinen said the hefty price tag would require help from the federal government and private investment. For a link to the survey, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
