Gabriella Morando

1 week ago | wcia.com | Gabriella Morando

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — 12-year-old Kavari Drisdell was hit and killed by a car in Decatur Sunday evening. His death comes after several roadway accidents involving children. Last Tuesday, a 4-year-old was hit by a car near an apartment complex in Danville. On Friday, a Hoopeston child was struck while crossing the street after visiting an ice cream truck. Back in April, also in Decatur, 6-year-old Noah Edwards died after being hit while on his way to his school bus stop.

1 week ago | wcia.com | Gabriella Morando

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Balloons rose while tears fell for 12-year-old Kavari Drisdell. His family and friends filled the sky with bright colors a day after his death. Decatur Police said the soon-to-be sixth grader was riding his bicycle eastbound across N Van Dyke Street and W King Street when he was hit by a car Sunday night. He later died from his injuries. “I can never wake up and see my son again,” Kavari’s mother, Denise Boyd, said while standing among a growing memorial for her son.

1 week ago | wcia.com | Gabriella Morando

CHENEYVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — As dads were recognized across the country for Father’s Day on Sunday, a Vermilion County couple celebrated something else. Donald and Betty Barron met when they were just teenagers, but have stayed by one another for decades. Sunday marked 75 years of raising children, vacationing as a family and a whole lot of love. “We’ve done pretty good,” Donald said. The two lived a block apart in their hometown of Lewistown, Missouri. Their love story started over a game.

1 week ago | wcia.com | Gabriella Morando

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Father’s Day is a time to thank family members and mentors for their leadership and love. Herbert Burnett knows it takes a lot to fill the role, and is highlighting those who go above and beyond. Burnett is the founder of Hood ll Hood —  a mentorship program that works to put kids on a positive path no matter their circumstances. “Our goal is to mentor the youth that nobody else wants to mentor,” Burnett said. He knows that’s not a one-man job, but a whole community effort.

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Gabriella Morando

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A Champaign woman is helping the community come together to honor gun violence and drug abuse victims. It’s personal for organizer Shanna McGuire, whose brother died of drug use and her nephew was shot and killed. ‘Went all out for everything’; Remembering Trooper Corey Thompsen through running She’s held an event, the Hill Celebration, in their honor since 2022, but said it’s especially important this year in light of recent gun violence.