This year’s NCAA Men’s (and Women’s) Basketball Tournament has pretty much lacked the traditional “Cinderella” stories, with higher-seeded teams predominantly advancing through to the Sweet 16. This shift from the beloved, and expected, unpredictability of March Madness has sparked discussions about the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements on the tournament’s competitive balance.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have received a grant to tackle milk waste in childcare centers. The project aims to address the 40% of milk served in childcare settings that is wasted, creating financial, nutritional, and environmental concerns.
In the past week, Red Cross volunteers in Illinois provided crucial assistance to 27 people impacted by six separate home fires in Kilbourne, Peoria, Champaign, Paxton, Danville, and Paris. The volunteers offered a wide range of support, including emergency financial aid, food, relief items like toiletries, and health and mental health services. They also connected those affected by the fires with available recovery resources.
Silas Wheeler, a 21-year-old resident of Savoy, is gearing up to participate in this year’s Christie Clinic Illinois 5K, marking an incredible milestone in his health journey. In 2020, Silas underwent life-saving surgery to remove two-thirds of his right lung due to a cancerous carcinoid tumor that had been blocking the lower lobes of his lung.
Majesty is a long-term resident, which means she has been available for adoption for over 90 days. The adoption fee is waived, which means she can be picked up for free! Majesty is also a CCHS staff favorite. Here’s what adoption supervisor, Dani, has to say about her:
Love reading romance? Join the Swipe Right: A Romance Book Club on Monday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. at The Urbana Free Library. Bring a book you’ve recently enjoyed and share what you loved about it, and then listen to great recommendations from others. Love seeing art? Visit Domesticated: Paintings by Travis Keller on Thursday, March 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Giertz Gallery at Parkland College. Travis Keller’s vibrant, large-scale oil paintings of everyday experiences offer a fresh take on domestic life.
Illinois basketball’s season came to a frustrating end on Sunday, as the No. 6 seed Illini were defeated by No. 3 Kentucky in the Round of 32 at the Fiserv Forum. Despite battling back in the first half, the Illini were unable to overcome a fast-starting Kentucky squad, ultimately falling 84-75.
Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer has confirmed the death of 22-year-old Nathan G. Gudeman, a Champaign resident, who was fatally stabbed on W. Healey Street in Champaign. Gudeman was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:06 A.M. on March 22.
The Parkland Cobras ended their remarkable season as national runners-up after a heart-wrenching 55-54 loss to the Kirkwood Eagles in the NJCAA DII Championship Game, held at Danville Area Community College.
On Saturday afternoon, March 22, 2025, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Danville Police Department responded to several 911 calls reporting a shooting in the 1200 block of E. Williams Street. Officers arrived at the scene and found a 15-year-old juvenile victim lying in the roadway, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was quickly transported to a local hospital and is currently in critical condition.