🌱 Why Urbana CASA volunteers are driving thousands of miles for local kids

Hello Urbana! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Urbana CASA volunteers are driving thousands of miles for local kids
• What led Urbana police to seize multiple illegal guns near campus?
• What happened in the Urbana courtroom for a 43-year-old cold case?

Also on today's calendar: Birth to Five Illinois: Region 9 Lunch & Learn and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Friday: Sunshine, nice and less humid, with a high of 81 and low of 59 degrees.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 82, low: 63.
• Sunday: A shower and thunderstorm, with a high of 73 and low of 54 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

1. Volunteers travel thousands of miles a year to check on children in foster care (news-gazette.com) — CASA of Champaign County, based in Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana, relies on volunteers who collectively drive tens of thousands of miles each year to visit children in foster care, many placed far from home. Leaders say maintaining consistent, in-person contact is increasingly challenging as placements stretch across Illinois and beyond, but Urbana-area volunteers remain a crucial stabilizing presence for hundreds of local kids navigating the court system.
   

2. Several illegal guns recovered after traffic stop escalates in Champaign Co. (wcia.com) — Police recovered several illegal guns after stopping a vehicle near Green Street and Goodwin Avenue in Urbana Wednesday afternoon, arresting two people and later finding more weapons during searches at Champaign homes. The investigation is still active, and Urbana-area residents with information are encouraged to contact Champaign Police or share anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
   

3. Champaign man facing charges in 43-year-old cold case makes first court appearance (wcia.com) — A Champaign man charged in connection with a 1983 New Mexico homicide made his first court appearance in Urbana, where he waived extradition and will remain in Champaign County Jail until transported. The decades-old cold case was revived after DNA evidence, including material from the victim’s fingernails, was reanalyzed and reportedly matched his profile, with Albuquerque detectives traveling to Champaign to interview him.
   

4. Champaign Urbana Theatre Company Presents: Ragtime The Musical (chambanamoms.com) — Local theater fans can catch Champaign Urbana Theatre Company’s production of Ragtime at the Virginia Theatre, with shows July 30–August 2 and tickets starting at $19 for students and seniors. The musical tackles systemic racism and historical inequities, so organizers include a clear content warning and urge attendees to use discretion and confirm show status before heading out.
   

5. Severe storms knock out power, down trees across Central Illinois (wandtv.com) — Severe storms late Wednesday knocked out power and downed trees across several central Illinois counties, prompting tornado warnings and cleanup efforts. While the main outages were reported around Springfield and Sangamon County, Urbana residents may want to note the nearby damage and stay alert for any follow-up National Weather Service assessments or infrastructure impacts that could extend into Champaign County.
   

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📸 Around Urbana

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Urbana

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday June 13

• Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration →
  Champaign Public Library - Douglass Branch, 504 E Grove St, Champaign
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Saturday June 13

• Juneteenth @ Douglas Park
  The UP Center of Champaign County Douglas Park
  12:00 pm
• Exhibit of Local Art by Anna Spencer →
  Champaign County Chamber of Commerce The Scratching Post is Champaign's Cat & Board Game Cafe. Enjoy our light snack and drink menu, purchase a game pass to access our massive library of 500+ board games, or make a reservation to visit our cat lounge where 20+ adoptable cats are waiting
  2:00 pm
• Donate Your Used Board Games! →
  Champaign County Chamber of Commerce The Scratching Post is Champaign's Cat & Board Game Cafe. Enjoy our light snack and drink menu, purchase a game pass to access our massive library of 500+ board games, or make a reservation to visit our cat lounge where 20+ adoptable cats are waiting
  2:00 pm

Sunday June 14

• Donate Your Used Board Games! →
  Champaign County Chamber of Commerce The Scratching Post is Champaign's Cat & Board Game Cafe. Enjoy our light snack and drink menu, purchase a game pass to access our massive library of 500+ board games, or make a reservation to visit our cat lounge where 20+ adoptable cats are waiting
  2:00 pm

Monday June 15

• Sweets & Treats Sampling Event →
  Martinelli's Market - Bakery & Deli, 500C N Walnut St, Champaign
  10:00 am

Tuesday June 16

• Finance Committee Meeting →
  The UP Center of Champaign County 1001 S Wright St, Champaign, IL 61820
  6:30 pm

Wednesday June 17

• Seed Science →
  The Urbana Free Library, 210 W Green St, Urbana
  10:30 am

Wednesday June 24

• Birth to Five Illinois: Region 9 Lunch & Learn →
  Virtual Via Zoom
  12:00 pm

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📣 Urbana Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday June 12

• Young Professionals Resource Group (YPRG)
  Champaign County Chamber of Commerce 303 W. Kirby Ave. Champaign, Il. 61820 Large Conference Room
  1:00 pm
• JACKYL WITH SIIN →
  The City Center, 505 S Chestnut St, Champaign
  6:00 pm

Saturday June 13

• Juneteenth @ Douglas Park
  The UP Center of Champaign County Douglas Park
  12:00 pm

Sunday June 14

• Kappa League Golf Fundraiser →
  University of Illinois Golf Orange and Blue Courses, 800 Hartwell Dr, Savoy
  11:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Officials issued a brief public safety alert after a small amount of mercury was improperly disposed of at a lab on the University of Illinois campus.
  11:37AM on Jun 10: Officials report hazardous material release on the University of Illinois campus, urging people to avoid the area. (Nextdoor )
• Looking for handyman for small job.
  Need glass shower doors removed, shower rod installed, grab bar installed, and folding seat installed. Does anyone have recommendations? (Nextdoor Middle Urbana)

• United Natural Foods, Inc. posted a job opening for Warehouse Maintenance Associate (Day Shift) in Urbana. Apply here.
• Planet Fitness, Inc. posted a job opening for Future Opening: Overnight Custodian in Urbana. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Urbana here.

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Ok Urbana! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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