Illinois, Champaign | featured news

Real-estate lawyer Samuel M. Spiritos has signed a letter of intent with the city of Urbana to redevelop the property at 210 S. Race St. into a boutique Hilton Tapestry-branded hotel.

URBANA — After at least three failed attempts in recent years, the Landmark Hotel may finally have a buyer.

Champaign Central alums Brent and Chad Rakers will be joined by their dad, Harry, a longtime area baseball coach and administrator, in throwing out the first pitch at Saturday's Charlie Due baseball tournament at Spalding Park.

Champaign County sheriff's Lt. Curt Apperson said fire officials and deputies were called to a house in the 500 block of River Road at 1:06 p.m.

SADORUS — Firefighters are trying to figure out what started a fire that damaged a Sadorus home Thursday afternoon.

URBANA — The Urbana Free Library is charting its future and is inviting the public to weigh in.
A survey asking patrons and others how they use the library and how satisfied they are with its various collections, programs and services is available online and at the library through May 27.
read more

DANVILLE — State officials have denied low-income housing tax credits for a proposed $15 million development on various vacant lots in Danville.
read more

Sgt. Dave Griffet said officers served a search warrant Wednesday at the home of Jonathon C. Williams, 51, in the Countrybrook apartment complex. He was charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

On Thursday, a Vermilion County jury found Shaun Briggs, 19, guilty of aggravated vehicular hijacking and aggravated fleeing and eluding police after a two-day trial.

DANVILLE — A Danville man faces up to 30 years in prison after being convicted by a jury of his role in a February 2017 carjacking at a gas-station parking lot and subsequent high-speed chase.

Aaron Walker, 41, was charged Thursday with possession with intent to deliver cannabis and possession of cannabis following his arrest Wednesday by members of the Champaign County Street Crimes Task Force.

URBANA — A tip to police led to the arrest of a Champaign man who allegedly had about 3 pounds of cannabis he intended to sell.

Rick Raney won't return to the $58,000-a-year job he has held since 2000, Tolono Mayor Rob Murphy said Thursday.

URBANA — Tolono's police chief won't face criminal charges following an investigation into his conduct off the job, authorities say.
But Rick Raney won't return to the $58,000-a-year job he has held since 2000, Tolono Mayor Rob Murphy said Thursday.

Despite appearances that the fatal shooting of Elijha Booker, 14, and the wounding of another teen seated next to him may have been an accident, police have been unable to persuade the family of the 15-year-old to get him to talk to them.