CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) -- Booker T. Washington STEM Academy in Champaign was placed on lockdown on Thursday after gunshots were heard nearby. In an email obtained by WCIA, the school's administrative team confirmed that the lockdown was issued at 11:45 a.m. out of "an abundance of caution." The lockdown was lifted around 1 p.m. after law enforcement determined there was no longer a threat. The school day proceeded as usual. Rantoul School District confirms Roundtree’s appointment Additional authorities will be in the area during the school's 3:30 p.m. dismissal, the administrative team said. I ..read more

FAIRMOUNT, Ill. (WCIA) -- A Fairmount man has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse. According to a document from the Vermilion County State's Attorney, 63-year-old Edward Cheuvront has been charged with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. All 4 counts are class 2 felonies. Edward Cheuvront is listed as a board member on the Village of Fairmount website. Danville felon sentenced to 7 years for gun possession The document alleges Cheuvront performed sex acts on the victim, now 17 years old, on at least four separate incidents; two involving Cheuvront fondling the victi ..read more

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) -- There's a new department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The university announced this week that they are establishing the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science. The new department comes after a $50 million gift from Thomas Siebel, an alumnus of the program and the CEO of C3 AI, an enterprise artificial intelligence company in used in industries like agribusiness, defense and manufacturing. "We are thrilled to partner with the University of Illinois to establish the Siebel School of Computing & Data Science," Siebel said. "By supporting cutti ..read more

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) -- On Wednesday, Decatur's Golden Fox Brewing earned Gold in the world's most prestigious beer competition, the World Beer Cup. The award was given for one of 110 beer-style categories: American-Style Imperial Stout beer. Golden Fox "topped off" 59 competing entries with their winning beverage, the Furious Fox. The beverage is described as an ale that is black in color and packed with earthy flavors, including fig molasses, oak chocolate, dark fruits and light roast coffee. “Owner/Brewer Andrew Boyd continues to strive for perfection in every beer he creates,” said Jim Fox ..read more

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) -- The Champaign Police Department is trying to recruit volunteers for two of its public panels. The department is looking for people to serve on its officer interview panels and Use of Force Review Committee, which provide input to Chief Timothy Tyler on each candidate applying to be a police officer and review incidents where an officer uses force in the course of their duties. People volunteering for interview panels will meet with applicants and asses their qualifications. Time commitments will vary based on need, but they are asked to commit at least one day per mon ..read more

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) -- The Urbana School District is paying more than $200,000 to settle an age discrimination lawsuit, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced. Teachers in 2018 sued the school district because the school district capped salary increases for teachers 45 years old or older to 6%. Urbana teachers younger than 45 could get a higher salary increase. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits the discrimination of individuals aged 40 and up on the basis of age, including with respect to compensation. Part of Illinois pension law requires any teacher's salary i ..read more

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) -- One person is dead following a multi-vehicle crash northwest of Effingham Wednesday afternoon. The crash happened around 4:40 p.m. at the intersections of 1600th Avenue and 1000th Street, near Lake Sara and Fore-Way Gold Course. Officials with the Illinois State Police said there were three cars involved -- a 1999 Ford pickup truck, a 2021 Ford pickup truck and a 2004 Ford sedan. The investigation revealed that the sedan was stopped at the intersection, with the 2021 truck stopped behind it. The 1999 truck, officials said, was driving toward the stopped vehicle ..read more

PESOTUM, Ill. (WCIA) -- A large pothole on I-57 north has caused a traffic reroute early Thursday morning. Around 5:47 a.m., Illinois State Police sent out an advisory that around milepost 220 in the construction zone, there is a large pothole and traffic is being redirected at milepost 212 near Tuscola. Drivers can reenter I-57 north at the on ramp at Pesotum 220 as the pothole is just south of the exit. IDOT quickly arrived at the scene with equipment, working to resolve the issue. Just after 6 a.m., ISP announced that traffic is no longer being diverted at exit 212, but is now being divert ..read more

VILLA GROVE, Ill. (WCIA) -- The Villa Grove Fire & Rescue team is responding to a gas leak as of Thursday morning. Just after 10 a.m., firefighters responded to the gas leak, located by the west side of Harrison Park. The fire department urged everyone to avoid the area ..read more

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) -- In February, Willard Airport asked several local governments in Champaign County to help with securing more leisure flights. Wednesday night, the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District agreed to chip in. The airport already got half a million from the U of I. Their goal is $1 million. The MTD board of trustees voted to put $20,000 toward the airport's plan at their meeting tonight. Members say they're now joining Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, and the Champaign County board who have already put money into the bucket. It's all help to cover the minimum revenue guarantee for ..read more