Latest news with #CentralIllinois
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Central Illinois ties strong for Denver Broncos
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) – The Denver Broncos 2025 squad has more than a couple connections to Central Illinois. The team is coached by Eastern Illinois alum Sean Payton, 2025 will be the third year he leads the Broncos. Former Illinois offensive lineman Alex Palczewski has been with the team about the same amount of time as Payton. Now, two more with ties to the WCIA viewing area are joining Payton and Palczewski in the Mile High City. The Broncos selected former Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Denver also signed wide receiver Trent Sherfield, a Danville native, in March. The two new wideouts in Colorado are becoming friends quickly. '[I] love PB, man,' Sherfield said of Bryant. 'PB is my young guy.' Sherfield, who spoke with WCIA while hosting a girls football camp in his hometown over the weekend, says former Illinois kicker/punter Caleb Griffin reached out to him when Denver drafted Bryant. Griffin is also a Danville native. '[He] told me that Pat Bryant was like his little brother to him,' Sherfield said. 'He was watching out for him and all those different things.' Bryant and Sherfield make up a veteran and rookie dynamic, coming together in different stages of their careers. 'Excited for PB, man, super excited for him,' Sherfield said. 'We've connected, so far, so quickly already. Super excited to work with him. I'm going into year year eight [in the NFL], he's going into year one. So, whatever I can do to help him chase his dream at the next level and all those things.' Sherfield says Bryant hasn't been to Danville, but was familiar with the town. Sherfield has played in 112 NFL games in his career, totaling 86 receptions and over 1,000 receiving yards. Bryant ended his college career with a bang, racking up 984 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior with the Illini. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Central Illinois family farms picking, selling corn until sold out
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Family farms all over Central Illinois are starting to sell sweet corn. Lingley Brothers Sweetcorn started selling their sweetcorn Monday — about a week earlier than expected, due to the recent high heat and heavy rainfall. They held a stand in Hoopeston, Tilton and Rantoul on Tuesday as well. Workers were up at 4 a.m. to begin harvesting the corn by hand, then started selling it at 10 a.m. until they sold out. Corn crops way past 'knee high at the Fourth of July' in Central Illinois For some, however, sweetcorn is more than just a job; it's a family tradition. 'Once it's sweetcorn season, my brother, my sisters, my brothers-in-law, my friends, they all come out and they help,' Megan West, whose parents bought the company in 2000, said. 'So it's a lot of fun going out and spending extra time with the people that I care about.' The stands in Hoopeston, Tilton and Rantoul will open at 10 a.m. again on Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
From the Farm: Illinois FFA announces 2025 Star Farmer from Taylorville
TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois FFA has a new Star Farmer for 2025 from the Taylorville FFA Chapter. Kade Beckmier farms just southwest of Taylorville, and he was introduced as the new FFA Star Farmer in Springfield a couple weeks ago. He's been around sheep since he was old enough to walk, and he started showing them when he was about four years old. From the Farm: Agribusiness Star Maroa-Forsyth FFA Chapter Beckmier said this is his passion and he's the sixth generation to live in the area, and that they've been raising sheep in Central Illinois for about five generations. He has also written a forage book that talks about the five-acre field he has behind the barn on his property. 'It is an incredibly huge honor, especially in the state of Illinois where Ag is extremely competitive and it's very hard to win things, even section, chapter sometimes,' Beckmier said. 'It's incredibly awesome to win state and area star farmer.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How to beat the heat: Tips from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The temperature is rising in Central Illinois this week, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency is issuing guidance on how to beat the heat and stay cool. Officials said on Facebook that heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the U.S. Hundreds of people die each year, and anyone can be overcome by heat-related injuries — heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. More than 700 people died from the heat in Chicago 30 years ago. Groups vulnerable to heat-related injuries include young children, infants, older adults, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. WEATHER NOW: Severe weather and bigtime heat in the forecast over the next several days To avoid heat-related illness, officials advised the following: Stay well-hydrated but avoid alcohol, sugary beverages and caffeinated drinks Consume at least 1.5 to 2 quarts of fluids daily Wear loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing Closely monitor children, the elderly and those with special needs Do not leave children and pets in a closed vehicle, even for short periods of time If outside, stay in the shade or under awnings as much as possible Keep the lights in homes low or off, keep shades drawn and avoid using the oven Keep rooms well ventilated with air conditioners or fans Keep windows open if there is no air conditioning Take periodic baths or showers, and use wet towels to cool off Use air conditioning for a few hours a day Visit public cooling centers, public pools and air-conditioned stores and malls Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Urbana pool manager offers tips to stay safe amid high temperatures
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — With the extreme heat wave Central Illinois is experiencing, people are flocking to pools like Urbana's Crystal Lake Park Aquatic Center. The pool had almost 1,000 visitors Saturday, and is offering tips to stay safe during high heat and UV days: How to beat the heat: Tips from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Apply sunscreen on the hour every hour to avoid getting sunburnt. Drink water as often as you can to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Don't run at the pool or dive in the shallow end. The facility's manager, Max Katz, also offers guidance for families with young children or seniors. 'So with our little ones, we definitely say supervision is key,' Katz said. 'Keeping an eye on your little ones if you have them with you. Keeping them close by as well and at an arm's distance. And then for those older ones, just knowing your limits and making sure that you're staying on top of yourself; not getting too dehydrated or overheated in any way.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
