Bradley Swank

Champaign

Reporter at WCIA-TV (Champaign, IL)

Reporter for WCIA 3 news in Champaign Illinois, covering the central IL area.

Articles

Where in Central Illinois is gas below $3?

Dec 19, 2023 | wcia.com | Bradley Zimmerman |Bradley Swank

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Just in time for Christmas, more and more gas stations across Central Illinois are selling regular gas below $3 per gallon. GasBuddy’s latest data found another drop in the average price of gas for Champaign County, the 13th consecutive week of lower gas prices. The average price is now $3.18 per gallon, a drop of 14 cents since last week and 26 cents since last month.
Former State Police officer dies, leaves legacy of new officers

Dec 18, 2023 | wcia.com | Bradley Zimmerman |Bradley Swank

DALTON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) — Law enforcement in Central Illinois is mourning the passing of a former State Police officer whose legacy will live on in the many police officers serving the region today. Retired Colonel Tad Williams passed away on Saturday at the age of 57 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was at his home and surrounded by family as he died.
U of I researchers design material that reacts to temperature

Dec 12, 2023 | wcia.com | Bradley Swank |Simmy Wood

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Researchers at the University of Illinois are working on the future, and that future includes robots. They developed a new material designed to change behaviors depending on temperature. This will allow the next generation of autonomous robots to perform specific tasks through their interactions with the environment, such as switching on LED lights.
Rossville man dies at Indiana Flex-N-Gate facility

Sep 27, 2023 | wcia.com | Bradley Swank |Simmy Wood |Bradley Zimmerman

COVINGTON, Ind. (WCIA) — A man from the Vermilion County town of Rossville has died following an accident at a Flex-N-Gate facility near Covington, Ind. on Monday. Officials with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office confirmed deputies were dispatched to the facility for an emergency and found the man dead. An investigator from the Coroner’s Office arrived and confirmed the death at 2:27 p.m.Justin Brummett, Warren County Coroner, identified the man as 44-year-old Daniel Laird.
Shelby Electric Cooperative gives $20,000 to Autism and Movement Project in Pana

Sep 20, 2023 | wcia.com | Bradley Swank

PANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A generous donation from a Shelbyville business is going toward the Autism and Movement Project Learning Center in Pana. Through their partnership with CoBank, Shelby Electric Cooperative gifted $20,000 to the AAMP. The group helps kids with autism learn life and school skills. The money is going to several programs there, including the Brewin’ Hope Coffee House. The coffee shop employs people in the program.
CUPHD observes Child Passenger Safety Week with car seat inspections

Sep 19, 2023 | wcia.com | Bradley Swank |Bradley Zimmerman

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Safety is important any time one gets behind the wheel. But during Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week, the focus is on kids in car seats. The week-long observance is a partnership between local communities and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As part of the annual safety week, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is hosting a series of car seat inspection events every day to ensure kids are safe.
Millikin University breaks ground on new athletic center

Sep 18, 2023 | wcia.com | Bradley Swank

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Millikin University in Decatur is adding a new building to their campus. Officials broke ground on a new athletic center on Friday. The complex will replace the old building which was home to only the six men’s teams. Now, all 20 of Millikin’s athletic teams will fit under one roof with state-of-the-art equipment. The university’s president said the new building will attract more students. “We need this facility in a big way.
Decatur mayor, retired firefighter react to ADM explosion

Sep 12, 2023 | wcia.com | Bradley Swank

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The impact of Sunday night’s explosion at Decatur’s ADM complex could be seen and felt in both the city and in surrounding communities. And word quickly spread that Decatur’s largest employer was on fire. Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe said she didn’t see the explosion first hand, but she heard firefighters on their way to the emergency. “Where I live, there are a lot of echoes, but within a very short amount of time, I heard another house being called out,” Moore Wolfe said.
Four Macon County groups team up to get rid of hunger

Sep 12, 2023 | wcia.com | Bradley Swank

DECATUR Ill. (WCIA) — Four groups in Decatur announced today that they are coming together to get rid of hunger. In a summit, they presented their new plan and the possibilities that come with it. Starting next month the Salvation Army, Good Samaritan Inn, Catholic Charities, and Northeast Community Fund will team up for a food drive. This food drive will be online only, and only during the month of October. Director of Good Samaritan Inn Nicky Besser said the goal is to get everyone involved.
Arcola Broomcorn Festival celebrates its 52nd year

Sep 10, 2023 | wcia.com | Bradley Swank |Simmy Wood

by: Bradley Swank, Simmy Wood Posted: Sep 10, 2023 / 02:47 PM CDT Updated: Sep 10, 2023 / 02:47 PM CDT ARCOLA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Arcola Broomcorn Festival is wrapping up its annual celebration today after a “sweeping” success of a weekend. Walking down the street in Arcola, festival-goers could see everything from vendors to small carnival rides.