Brandon Merano

2 days ago | wcia.com | Brandon Merano |Ethan Holesha

Posted: Jun 5, 2025 / 09:15 PM CDT Updated: Jun 5, 2025 / 09:16 PM CDT SHARE CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Parkland College is hosting a pair of basketball games this weekend, and one of WCIA’s own will be taking part.

1 week ago | wcia.com | Brandon Merano |Bradley Zimmerman

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — They didn’t know him, and he didn’t know them, but that didn’t stop 300 people from attending a Vietnam veteran’s funeral last week. Robert Neff died at the age of 79 with no known family. The public was invited to his funeral on Friday, and Central Illinois showed up in force. As Neff was laid to rest, hundreds of people attended the funeral service, including active duty servicemembers, veterans, Honor Guard members, Patriot Guard riders and civilians.

1 month ago | wcia.com | Danny Connolly |Brandon Merano

PONTIAC, Ill. (WCIA) — Christie Clinic Race Weekend is almost here and people throughout Central Illinois are getting ready to lace up their shoes. One of those athletes is Jessica Davis from Pontiac. Davis was in a UTV accident in 2018 which took her left arm. She’s also served in the Marine Corps. She said losing her arm was just the beginning of another journey.

Feb 6, 2025 | wcia.com | Molly Sweeney |Brandon Merano

KINCAID, Ill. (WCIA) — A trial is underway for a former South Fork teacher accused of aggravated battery. WCIA obtained documents from the Kincaid Police Department’s investigations through a Freedom of Information Act request. According to the documents, a South Fork School District parent reported to police that Michelle Freligh, a South Fork High School teacher, “attacked” her juvenile daughter. The incident happened on Dec. 7, 2023. Kincaid Police went on to investigate the incident at the school.

Feb 4, 2025 | wcia.com | Brandon Merano

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A quick errand turned into a tragedy at a Jacksonville Walmart. Sid Welles was waiting in the car while his wife Evelyn was picking up a gallon of milk. She collapsed — but luckily Steve Gilbreth, who knew CPR, was nearby. Evelyn experienced ventricular fibrillation, a quivering of the heart muscles, leading to blood stoppage in September. Thankfully, Gilbreth gave her lifesaving CPR until paramedics got there.