WICD ABC 15 (Champaign, Illinois)
Midday Weather: Flurries begin, expect more

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- Midday Weather: Flurries begin, expect more
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Jenese and Katy hope for a piece of sunshine in the forecast

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- Midday News Update: Rauner says expect changes
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Jenese Harris presents the latest during Midday at 11, including Bruce Rauner says expect changes to reduce state debt; a son steals from his father and more.

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- Midday Business Watch: Stocks make turn around
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Jenese Harris talks about the latest in business news. Stocks make turn around, Blackberry is back, Starbucks card sales sore

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- Inspired Illini: Strizak Finds Strength During%2
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- During her Freshman season at Illinois, outside hitter Michelle Strizak learned her mother had been diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. In an effort to move forward while honoring her mom and her battle with cancer, Strizak turned to Huff Hall and her Illini volleyball teammates.

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- Meijer: Soba Noodle Salad with Salmon and As
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- 5 1/2 oz soba Authentic Japanese-style buckwheat noodles*
1/2 cup Kens lite Asian Sesame with Ginger

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- Po'Boys Barbeque
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Po'Boys Barbeque in Urbana- 367-2255

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- Success: Phases Of The Moon
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Thaddeus Reith of New York said "oh it was great. It turned out to be great but the first few days it was so much rain it tore up the ground".
People were stuck in the car for hours, waiting to access Kennekuk Park for the highly anticipated music festival. Organizers say torrential rain nearly flooded many parts of the camp ground.
Jeanie Cooke of Danville Area Convention

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- Long Line Into "Phases Of The Moon"
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Hope Stacey of Peoria said "eleven hours, Ive never waited so long for anything in my entire life. In our cars, everybody was turning their cars off, turning them back on."
No other option but to wait after organizers say heavy rain turned most of Kennekuk Camp grounds into a swamp. Those unable to access the park opening night were sent to the Vermillion County Fairgrounds and the Airport.
David Castellani of Chicago said "once we got there it was pretty nice, mean they were ready for us. There wasn't a lot of people, we got in there, we set up, spent the night and then they bussed us over here".
Although Castellani and his friends waited in line eight hours the night before, he's still looking forward to a good time.
"It was frustrating you know, it definitely was but at the same time we're kinda here to be on an adventure so we make the best of it," Castellani said.
William ditto of Madison WI said "it's always hard to get a first time ...

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- Mattoon Shooting Investigation
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- A Mattoon man is behind bars and another person shot after a alleged drug deal- turns bad.
Mattoon Police say, there were called to the 3200 block of Marshall Avenue around 8:45 Thursday night for a report of shots fired.
When they arrived they found a person shot in the hip.
An investigation showed the shooting occurred during a drug transaction.
Just a few hours later, police arrested John Watts of Mattoon.
He was arrested on charges of armed violence, aggravated battery with a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm.

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- Rantoul Board OK's Land for Medical Marijuana%
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- RANTOUL -- "To me, I don't think it's a good idea. Not in Rantoul," said mother Cheryl White.
Drugs, a high crime rate and her children are three reasons why White is cautious about the possibility of a medical marijuana facility in her city. Rantoul Village Board members said "yes" to 40-acres of land for it Monday night.
"Our understanding is that it brings high-paying jobs and it'll bring 30 new families at a maximum to Rantoul," Mayor Charles Smith said.
Smith references potential job expansion, if one of the two interested companies is awarded state clearance to build in Rantoul. With approval, he says, may come better housing opportunities, higher school enrollment, property taxes and more.
"The village will basically benefit from this whole process because we'll be supplying the electricity for them and they require high intensity light, lighting systems, ventilation systems which will all be electronic," Smith said.

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- Police Looking for Bank Robbery Suspect
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- CHAMPAIGN--Police are searching for a man they say robbed a bank Monday afternoon.
It happened around 3:20 at the First Midwest Bank in the 800 block of Springfield Avenue.
Police say, a man walked into the bank and showed the tellers a note saying he had a gun.
The teller handed over cash and he left the bank headed North.
There were five employees in the bank at the time of the robbery, but no one was hurt.
If you have any information on the robbery or the suspect you're asked to please call Crime Stoppers at 373-TIPS.

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- Midday at 11: Weather and local news update
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Midday at 11: Weather and local news update

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- Lake Vermilion Water Quality Concerns
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- undefined

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- A Fashionable Fundraiser
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Tuesday April 8 6 p.m.
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

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- Midday Consumer Watch: Markets up, Sriracha
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Midday Consumer Watch: Markets up, Sriracha beer, vehicle recalls

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- Out and About: Events for December 5th - 8
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Out and About: Events for December 5th - 8th

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- Carle Hospital: Salvation Army Toy Drive
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- undefined

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- Rantoul Township High School Band Fundraiser
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The Rantoul Township High School Band will host its annual fundraiser at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Champaign, December 6th all day.

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- April 25 Fitness Friday: Flow Yoga
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Mary Wolters from the Urbana Park District demonstrates Flow Yoga for our Fitness Friday.

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- Midday Highlights
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Jenese Harris Midday Highlights

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- Gifford Strong - Anniversary Church Service
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- GIFFORD --
On Sunday, residents from Gifford and the surrounding area met at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church for service and to reflect on the year that has gone by since the tornado last November. Photojournalist Brian Singer takes us there.

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- In the Kitchen: Stuffed Bacon Cheddar Pancakes
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Cheddar Bacon Waffles
2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons baking powder2 teaspoons kosher salt2 large eggs2 cups whole milk1/2 cup of butter, melted2 cups shredded cheddar
cheese 1 cup diced bacon
Whisk together the flour,
baking powder, and salt in a large bowl to aerate and break up any lumps

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- Business Watch: Bond buying; Delievery surge%2
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Jenese Harris reports on the top business stories happening on October 30th.

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- WICD News Channel 15's Josh Getzoff does the Ice Bucket Challenge
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- WICD News Channel 15's Josh Getzoff does the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

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- Big Yellow Ride Tandem Bikes
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- URBANA -- Whether you have a friend in town, are looking to take the kids on a new adventure , "neutral cycle" in Urbana has a bright yellow option.
The big yellow rides are tandem bikes you can rent and cruise around town, they're 35-dollars for the day or ten dollars an hour. Neutral cycle brought the bikes in around four months ago, and currently have eight available to rent. The co-founder tells us, the bikes have been popular with students who are looking for a different ride around campus.
"To have a tandem bike that they can just have when their friend come in town to visit, may be able to come and check out the bike for a short period of time. It's hassle free, and very convenient, and they're a lot of fun," Tim Chao, Co-founder of Neutral Cycle tells us.
Neutral cycle has different types of bikes for rent, including: Cruisers, cargo, and trailer bikes. Click on the "Web Watch" tab on our homepage to learn more about Neutral Cycle.

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- Fab Lab 3D Printing for Kids
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- URBANA -- Students in the Fab Lab at the University of Illinois are learning to use 3D printers, machines loaded with plastic or other material to bring 3D models from the computer, to life.
"We want to do a lot of project based learning. So people come in with an idea, they work with that idea to create the thing. And they have to try it many times, they get to work together, they're allowed to use the internet, all these really cool things they sometimes don't get to do at school," Jeff Ginger, Operations Lead at the Fab Lab says.
Whether it's models, toys, robots, or games

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- Panhandling Gone Wrong
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- URBANA -- A homeless man facing charges for: Aggressively pursuing a woman, who wouldn't give him money. It happened at the Meijer in urbana on Friday - after the man approached the elderly woman, she told employees what was going on. Then things got a little scary.
This all happened around 8:30 friday morning after the woman refused to give the man cash, she walked into meijer and reported him ....to store employees. Later, they walked outside together so she could point him out.
The suspect: Frank Wesley apparently got so upset, he allegedly started following the woman to her car. She was able to lock the door before he could get to her. According to police: Wesley tried to force his way in but she was able to drive away and call police.
Wesley has had prior issues at Mejier for pan handling, he was already not allowed on the property. Police tell us, the woman did the right thing.
"I truly think she did everything appropr...

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- CSI Camp for Kids
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The CSI camp for teenagers in the Champaign area is coming to a close.
The camp is part of the youth police academy program.
It's designed to give kids hands-on practice and training on crime scene processing and teach them how to work as a team.
Students also learned how to take photographs, dust for fingerprints, and draw diagrams of the scene of the staged crime.
The camp is designed to get more students interested in the crime scene investigation field.
"That there's a lot of interest in crime scene processing and that - the kids are really interested in the details aspects of it. Y'know, what breaks down, what you do to collect evidence," Jonathan Westfield tells us.
Westfield says the hardest part about the camp is teaching the kids to take their time, since crime scene processing is such a detailed process.
This summer marks the 13th year for the youth police academy program.

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- Ancient Bug Discovered
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- CHAMPAIGN -- Scientists at the Illinois Natural History Survey have discovered the remains of an 18 to 20 million year old grasshopper preserved in amber.
The amber was part of a collection first discovered by former Natural History Survey entomologist Milton Sanderson in the late 1950's, which was kept in storage at the university.
A few years ago, scientists at the university reopened the buckets of amber and discovered pieces of ancient bugs preserved inside, which offer glimpses of what life was like almost 20 million years ago.
"It's been an unbelievable - gift to work on this project. I'm just happy to be apart of it and it was nerve-wrecking prepping this piece," Jared Thomas says.
The grasshopper found is a species that has never been seen before, which discoverers Sam Heads and Jared Thomas say represents a part of the evolutionary track of locusts.
Click on Web Watch to read more about their di...

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- Tourism Boost for Champaign County
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Tourists spending 300-million dollars in Champaign county just last year. That's an increase of more than 8-million dollars from 2012. As expected, Champaign leaders say, they're excited about these new numbers and what it could mean for the community as a whole.
"I'm really excited, it's really fantastic - I think that Champaign is doing so well with so many of our things actually benefits a lot of the communities around as we become more of a destination. It really gives an opportunity for some of the smaller events to those surrounding communities," Mayor Don Gerard says.
Champaign county has reached a new high in the economic impact of tourism... 306.6 million dollars in direct spending in 2013 according to the Illinois office of tourism... over 8 million dollars more than 2012.
"I think it just shows the fact that our community is working together to drive economic development through tourism," Jayne DeLuce of 'Visit Champaign County' ...

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- Bee Research at U of I
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- At the University of Illinois researchers have been studying how bees communicate. They're using radio frequency identification tags to learn about bee behavior at three different levels... The behavioral level...The level of their brain... And the level of genes inside their brain. Experts we talked to say, the more they can learn about the bees... The better they'll be able to understand how bees affect pollination. So far they have found some interesting results that go against the belief that every bee is a busy bee.
"We found that twenty percent of the foragers that go out to collect nectar and pollen....twenty percent of the foragers count for over fifty percent of the forging activity"
Researchers found another twist when elite bees are removed other bees increase their level of activity. The project has been going on for three years and officials say they plan to continue research to find out what makes some bees more active than others.

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- Speeding in Mahomet Neighborhood
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- "Y'know with the number of young kids in the neighborhood, it seems like cars go through there pretty fast a lot of the time", one resident says.
Residents in the Thornewood North neighborhood, in Mahomet, are asking village leaders to put up new speed limit signs.
With a lot of kids playing outside in the neighborhood, many people say that cars are driving too fast because there are no speed limit signs posted. Illinois law states that when there are no signs present the speed limit is 30 mph. Not only do residents want signs put up...They want the speed limit lowered as well. The village president tells us that there's not much that they can do right now... but they have some plans to help combat the speeding problem.
It's an issue that has caught many residents attention....and they want answers. The subdivision of Thornewood North is tired of drivers speeding through their neighborhood. Residents say they see more drivers in the morning....

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- Water Rescue Training
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- CHAMPAIGN -- New at 6 - the difference between life and death. Champaign rescue crews taking part in the fire department's annual, water rescue training program. It happened this morning, and we were there for the all action.
"Usually once every year or two years we'll have a drowning in the city limits. And if we can get out and expidite with the tools that we have on hand to make a rescue, and hopefully we can make a big difference in somebody's life."
It may look like these rescuers are playing in the water at the Kauffman lake in Champaign...
But they're actually training to save someone's life who may be trapped or drowning.
Officials tell us the purpose of this training is familiarity with equipment...
Making sure every first responder knows what to do, and how to do it.
"Well the biggest thing is keeping familiar with the equipment it's not just - it's one thing to look at it in the station, it's a completely different t...

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- First Female Tree Climber to Compete
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- CHAMPAIGN -- Alex Julius is the first female climber, from Illinois, to compete in this year's international tree climbing competition. Julius gave us a demonstration of her abilities to climb. And tells us, she's excited to represent Illinois.
Julius says that "Probably the best part for me about climbing is always pushing my limits, I love taking myself out of my comfort zone and trying something newer and harder, which is why i love the competition"
Many of us may have climbed trees when we were younger...
But Alex, a member of the International Society of Arboriculture, makes it part of her job.
"Once I learned I could make money climbing, couldn't say no," she says.
She's been climbing since her days at college...
And now she is the first female climber from Illinois to compete at the international tree climbing championship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
"I feel pretty honored to be the first female for the Illinois chapter, I'v...

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- Midday Breaking News: Gas Leak, weather update
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Midday Breaking News:
Several streets are closed, after a major gas leak this morning.
STREETS CLOSED:
Bradley Avenue, between Market Street and
Fourth Street, is closed. Other intersecting roads closed in the area of the
leak are: Oak Street at Bradley Avenue
#jenese #harris #gas #leak

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- Midday Update: Man attempts to rob and assault woman, weather update, celebrity fundraiser
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- MIDDAY UPDATE: Man attempts to rob and assault woman, weather update, celebrity fundraiser

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- Urbana Home Invasion
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- URBANA -- A home invasion, shortly after 4 a.m. ends with a 23-year-old Urbana woman in the hospital.The attack happened Saturday in the 400 block of S. Busey Avenue.According to Urbana police, the man got in through an open window. When the sleeping victim woke, the suspect --armed with a weapon--attacked her. She was hit in the head and face, but at some point during the fight the woman was able to open her bedroom door.That's when her roommate dragged her into another room. Police believe the suspect escaped through the same window he entered. He's described as: -- a black man-- no older than 40 -- wearing a yellow or white jacketPolice are also calling this man a suspect in an attempted break-in that happened around 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning -- right before this attack.If you have any information -- you're asked to call Urbana police or Crimestoppers at 217.373.TIPS.
#jenese #harris #home invasion

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- Gifford Relief Funds
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- "on behalf of the people of illinois - compromise township is going to be recieving one-hundred and eighty-five thousand, one-hundred and thirty dollars and the village of gifford will recieve three hundred and seventy nine thousand, two-hundred and ninety five dollars, so there you go, ok, thank you!"
It's been eight months since the tornado hit gifford...
And finally there is some relief from the state of illinois.
So our state decided to invest state money to helping communities like gifford recover and pay for some of the municipal costs.
Those costs come in from all the hours put in to clean up the village...
Trees removed...
Homes torn down...
And streets cleared of debree.
All of it has been an eight month long mounting bill that needs to be paid.
And residents say they deserve some relief.
"well it's going to be a blessing - and i think there's more damage in this town right now than a lot of people know abou...

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- Governor Quinn Signs New Bill for Gifford
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- "the attitude of the people then and now is we shall rebuild, and make it even better", Governor Quinn said at a press conference in Gifford on Monday afternoon.
Quinn signed a new bill into law...
That will help cover the cost of property tax bills small businesses in Illinois would face after rebuilding their properties damaged by tornadoes.
"after a natural disaster and there is damage done to a business property, we want those businesses to rebuild and repair, and we don't want them to suffer a very high property tax increase because of those repairs."
After a building recieves an add-on or repair, they would normally be taxed higher for the addition to their property.
This bill will alleviate those taxes...
Guarenteing assesments won't increase more than four percent per year for a maximum of fifteen years.
"small business means big business in illinois, and by signing this law i think we're helping not only businesses in gifford bu...

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- Course Offered for Youth Pilot Program
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- DANVILLE -- Danville Area Community College is offer a fifteen hour training course to teach people coaching skills they'll use in a new pilot program to help area youth.
The program will provide care coordination and home and community based services for young people with social and behavioral issues so they can learn to be productive.
Professional staff will provide coaching to the youth.
The course at DACC will train the workforce that will assist the professional staff.
The course is for those 21 and over with a high school diploma or equivalent.
The cost is one-hundred and fifty dollars per student and classes begin of Friday, July 18th.
ABC NewsChannel 15's Heather Good Reports

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- Grant Funds Youth Jobs
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- DANVILLE -- Thirty summer jobs are available to young people through the East Central Illinois Community Action Agency but organizers say they expect three times that many people to apply.
Interviews are underway now.
Youth unemployment is high in Vermilion County according to officials so the agency was able to apply for a grant through the state for summer employment.
Over one hundred thousand dollars will fund the program for thirty people to have work for six weeks over the summer.
The program is open to youth ages 16 to 24 who receive some kind of assistance like free and reduced lunch or SNAP benefits.
ABC NewsChannel 15's Heather Good Reports

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- U of I Police Arrest 7 After Massive Drug Bust at Campus Fraternity
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- This story originally aired May 9, 2014.

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- Senator Durbin Warns Students Against For Profit Colleges
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- This story originally aired May 9, 2014.

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- Memorial for Murdered Girl
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- This story originally aired May 7, 2014.

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- 8-Year-Old Brings Loaded Gun Clip To School
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- This story originally aired on May 5, 2014.

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- Champaign #3 for Best Summer Camps
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- CHAMPAIGN -- The University of Illinois has helped the city of Champaign become the 3rd best place in North America for summer camps. U of I officials say kids from all over the country come to the university's campus to participate in the summer athletic programs. ABC Newschannel 15's Josh Getzoff reports.

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- Free Baseball Club for Kids
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- CHAMPAIGN -- Baseball season is in full swing and this month some kids in Champaign are getting their first chance to learn the sport. Volunteers have hosted the Northside Sandlot Baseball Club for the last six years. It's giving children whose families can't afford to play organized sports the chance to learn how to play America's pastime. Coach Wesley Miller says it's also helping the kids gain confidence. The players parents also say they love the club. "He's been given the opportunity to just do his best and so it's really showing. He wants to come home and practice and play and that's really awesome," says parent Osajuli Cravens. At the end of the season all the players will get their very own helmet, glove and bat. ABC Newschannel 15's Lauren Stream reports.

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- Students Fly High at Johnson Flight Academy
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- MATTOON-- "I got my first solo on that runway you see behind me. That really gave me that bug, that passion for aviation." Captain Robert Bowden is an instructor at the Johnson Flight Academy. For the past ten years he's been teaching students skill that can last them a lifetime. "Aviation is really a lifelong learning experience, if you get into it when you're young, you get the knowledge, the skills at a young age - those are some that will last you for the rest of your life."
Students come from all over the country to join the academy. This week, students are learning the mathematics and science of flying in the classroom. Then they bring that knowledge to the skies to fly in a real airplane, either by themselves, or with an instructor.
"What I really like about the program is that I feel like it enhances you as a person." Instructors tell us that this training will help students get into flight school, and the demand for these jobs aren't going anywher...

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- Developing: Train Hits Vehicle in Savoy
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- This story originally aired on April 24, 2014.
SAVOY-- An Amtrak commuter train hit a vehicle near Rt. 45 in Savoy at around 7:00 p.m. Thursday. Witnesses say the vehicle was towing farm equipment, and was trying to cross an unmarked railroad crossing. The train was traveling at high speed and dragged the vehicle about 100 feet according to witnesses, before coming to a complete stop about 400 yards from the scene of the accident. One person was air lifted from the scene in a medical helicopter. We are working to confirm the number of victims as well as the status of their injuries, and will update with more information as it becomes available.
Adam Rife reporting

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- IHSP: No Lower Pads This Summer For H.S. Football Players
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- This story originally aired on April 24, 2014.
New Rules this summer for Illinois High School Football Players. No lower pads.
Nate Rodgers, Reporting