Latest news with #Urbana
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
U of I researchers looking back at COVID protocols to see what they can learn
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The COVID-19 pandemic came into focus around five years ago — causing shutdowns across the country. Now, public health researchers at the University of Illinois are trying to figure out what lessons they can learn — and how they can be used in the future. Becky Smith is a professor of epidemiology. She said the shutdowns were successful in keeping hospitals from being flooded with patients. But — she thinks the federal government could have used that time to build a better test for the virus– and understand its transmission quicker. Urbana man charged with hate crime on U of I campus following erratic behavior Smith's biggest takeaway was the erosion of trust between public health officials — and the general public. 'There were a lot of miscommunications that were made early on, especially with masks that early on people said, 'no, you don't need masks.'' Smith said. 'And then we when we came out and said, 'yes, you do need masks. Okay, you need better masks,' people were a little bit uncertain because, 'were you lying to me before that?'' Smith said there's always a chance for another pandemic. She hopes trust can be built back with the community before then so credible information can be passed along. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Urbana Fire Department responds to house fire
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Roughly 20 Urbana Fire Department personnel responded to a house fire Friday evening. At approximately 6:27 p.m., the Urbana Fire Department responded to the report of a working structure fire in the 1700 block of E Mumford Drive. Engine 252 was the first unit to arrive on scene. Urbana man charged with hate crime on U of I campus following erratic behavior Upon arrival, firefighters came across active flames on the outside of the residence. The occupant of the house was trying to put out the fire with a garden hose. Fire crews immediately began extinguishing efforts on the exterior of the home. All of the residents safely left the building before the department arrived on scene. According to Deputy Chief Steve Doggett, approximately 20 department personnel members responded to this incident. The firefighters worked quickly to put out the fire, perform a thorough search of the house, check for fire extension into the interior and attic, and secure all utilities. The fire was brought under control within 10 minutes of firefighter arrival. No injuries were reported in this incident. Additionally, an investigation done by the Urbana Fire Department's Fire Investigation Team determined the cause of the fire to be accidental. Damage estimates are still pending at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Urbana High graduates 'slay the dragon' to finish high school
In a speech to her Urbana High School graduating classmates on Friday, Kaela Zamora compared completing high school to slaying the final boss of the video game 'Minecraft.' 'It was time to defeat our Ender Dragon, also known as our senior year,' Zamora told Urbana's graduates, all dressed in blue robes with white stoles. The Ender Dragon is an enemy that players can battle in 'Minecraft.' Urbana's graduates, she said, faced many challenges along the way. 'We unveiled our not-so-literal enchanted swords and plunged at this dragon,' she said. 'Slash after slash, we charged, attempting to avoid our worst tendencies: procrastination, cramming until 2 a.m. and scrolling on our phones.' Students in her class came into high school after the COVID-19 pandemic, while being further behind academically and needing to work past social awkwardness, she said. 'Then, somehow, we slayed the dragon, won the battle and successfully — or even just barely — finished high school,' Zamora said. Zamora plans to attend the University of Maryland to study economics. The graduation, held at Knott Arena at Mount St. Mary's University, was the school's 27th annual commencement ceremony, graduate William Knepper said in a speech to the class. Knepper was the class president. There were 475 graduates in the Class of 2025. Luc Lugez and Doyoon Seol played the national anthem on violins. The graduation also featured performances from the school's choir and band. 'Today is more than just a celebration,' graduate Daniel Solomon said in a speech. 'It's a moment that asks us to pause, take a breath and to really look at how far we've come.' High school was about 'stepping into our identity,' said Solomon, who plans to study aerospace engineering at the University of Maryland. 'Be yourself,' Solomon told his fellow graduates. Urbana Principal Donna Clabaugh encouraged her former students to seek the life they desire. 'Up until now, much of what you have done and determined for yourselves has been very limited, and that is what really changes when you leave this ceremony today,' Clabaugh said. 'That is simultaneously amazing and overwhelming, and it is rarely easy.' Graduate Owen Barkley said he felt great after the graduation. Though he will miss hanging out with his friends, he said he is excited for the future. Barkley said he was planning on getting a job in retail, with a goal of attending Frederick Community College and one day becoming a scientist. 'There are a lot of good people at Urbana,' graduate Megan Lawrence said, describing her school experience as good. Now, Lawrence is set to go to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to study elementary education. She said programs at Urbana allowed her to get experience teaching kids, and she wants to continue afterward. Her favorite time in school, she said, in her film studies class. 'I'm going to miss seeing my friends every day,' she said. Tristan Thompson said his favorite part of school was playing basketball. He plans on playing at St. Mary's College of Maryland. He said that 10 years from now, he wants to be 'living in my own house, with my wife, as a millionaire.' He added that he wants to play basketball professionally, too. 'Well, you know how I said Minecraft's end goal was just to defeat the Ender Dragon?' Zamora asked. 'That's just the tip of the iceberg.' Just like the game, she said, high school is about taking agency beyond defeating the final boss.
Washington Post
6 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
St. John's girls earn DCSAA track crown; Broadneck coach goes out with a title
Last week, after leading the Broadneck girls' lacrosse program to its fifth straight Maryland Class 4A championship, Coach Katy Kelley made it official. After an 8-6 win over Urbana at Stevenson University, the coach told her team they had provided a grand finale. 'Thank you very much for winning my last game ever,' Kelley said.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Salt & Light asking public for help to retrieve shopping carts
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — One local nonprofit is asking residents to help them locate their lost shopping carts. In a Facebook post Saturday morning, Salt & Light asked anyone that sees one of their carts in the community if they could help bring it to their Urbana store. They said by having carts available, it helps them serve their customers while shopping. Part of Garden Hills Drive closing for construction in Champaign They also said if you find a large number of carts you are unable to transport, call them at 217-355-5654 with the location of them or let someone know at the customer service desk. Salt & Light's Urbana grocery store location is at 1819 Philo Road and its Champaign donation center location is at 1512 W Anthony Drive. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
