SPlog

I can’t make this shit up. I use the term “human” here loosely because only people that have lost touch with reality do things like this. Here’s someone who is offering up cold hard cash …

Red Bicycle Ice Cream, the new ice cream shop in Urbana that opened in July, will have new hours beginning September 5th. You can read SP’s review here.  Sunday: noon to 9 p.m. Monday: closed …

On Saturday, September 9th, Champaign Park District will be celebrating the opening of the new Beardsley Park. The ceremony will take place from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and is free and open to the public.   …

This is news, y’all — armadillos are coming to Champaign County. Not in herds, yet — wait, do armadillos travel in herds? — but the first one has been spotted in Champaign County. This is …

The Daily Illini announced back in January 2016 that they would be reducing the frequency of print for the newspaper, and with that, the elimination of the print version of buzz Magazine, it’s sister publication. Just this …

This coming Thursday, Miga in Downtown Champaign is doing something pretty interesting — they’re hosting a live classical outfit to perform on August 31st from 7:20-9 p.m. Performers include: Janice Lee, violin Rebin Ali, violin …

Josh Whitman, the athletic director at Illinois, has an incredible way with words. That was on display earlier this year when he had to make the hard, but understandable, choice to let Men’s Basketball coach …

The online registration for this year’s Residential Electronics Collection will open Tuesday, September 5th at 8 a.m. The collection event takes place on Saturday, October 14th from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at Parkland College.  Residents can reserve …

Any questions? Maize at the train station is located at 110 N Chestnut Street, Champaign; Green Street is at 60 E Green Street, Champaign. Order online here.    Photo by Jessica Hammie. 

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) signed a bipartisan automatic voter registration bill into law Monday, after initially vetoing the bill claiming that it would increase voter fraud. In passing this law, Illinois is the 10th state …

During the madness that is Quad Day at the University of Illinois, Publisher Seth Fein and I decided to make a stop at Mid Summer Lounge in Campustown. This is a fairly new chinese restaurant …

In honor of the students returning to U of I this weekend, Nic from Protagonist Pizza Productions put together another one of his sketch videos, similar to his previous one on Roger Ebert, for Alma …

The University of Illinois’ Krannert Art Museum has finally joined Instagram. This is particularly exciting considering it’s an institution dedicated to visual arts and culture, and Instagram is a place to share visual stuff. In …

After what seems like an eternity, IL Public Schools may once again be able to pay their bills.  Lawmakers on both sides released statements indicating that a deal has been made. Governor Bruce Rauner: “Governor …

PYGMALION is coming up in just about a month (September 20-24), and Triptych Brewing is releasing the custom brew for this year’s festival: PYNK. You can see their post below about the brew, and they’ll …

Champaign’s 40 North does a wonderful job of fostering the arts in C-U, most notably with their Friday Night Live series, which has an extremely ambitious programming schedule and is a fantastic resource for any …

Several reports (and lots of tweets) are showing that University of Illinois admins are putting a ban on the “War Chant” song that is played at Illinois athletic events. The Champaign Room is a fairly …

Cafe Kopi has released a new happy hour special, that will help you get free drinks faster, which is always a good thing. Wednesday’s Weekdays (Monday-Friday) from 3-6 p.m. you can get 2 punches on your …

Allerton Park in nearby Monticello has announced Derek Peterson as the new Director of the park. Peterson, who was previously the Assistant Director, replaces Dr. Bruce Branham, who is returning to teaching and research duties …

This Saturday from 4 – 5:30 pm, Chris Kennedy, Democratic candidate for Governor, will be hosting an event to meet prospective constituents at Champaign’s Jupiter’s at the Crossing. Kennedy, who is a former Trustee of …

When U of I began it’s renovations of the Altgeld tower earlier this year, it’s daily chime concerts were put on hold. This long time tradition is still missed, especially as students and faculty are …

The Forest Preserve District of Champaign County will be opening its Kickapoo Rail Trail on Friday, August 25th. This 24.5 mile trail follows the former CSX railroad that ran from East Urbana to Kickapoo State …

2nd Annual Expungement and Record Sealing Summit Saturday, October 21, 2017 Stone Creek Church, 2502 S Race St, Urbana (Race/Windsor) Participant Registration here.  The Champaign County Circuit Clerk’s Office is hosting its second annual Expungement …

Smile Politely interviewed newly elected Parkland Board member Rochelle Harden a few months ago about her controversial situation: can she occupy a space on the board as well as maintain her position on the faculty? …

Interested in running for office at the county level? Champaign County Clerk Gordy Hulten announced today that petitions for candidates seeking nomination in the 2018 general primary election are now available online and in his …

From the press release ELLNORA | The Guitar Festival at Krannert Center has always celebrated the contributions of female artists on global guitar legacies. In April 2016 the University of Illinois’ Sousa Archives and Center for …

Caribbean Grill Restaurant (2135 South Neil Street, Champaign) has updated its hours to Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The restaurant is still closed on Sundays. If you haven’t yet been, do yourself a …

As someone who tries to write about breaking news in Champaign-Urbana, a lot of times I’m left twiddling my thumbs until the U of I fires someone or another development is announced. There isn’t that …

Last month, Japan House announced their annual Matsuri Festival, which takes place this coming Sunday (August 27th) from 3-8 pm. Today, they’ve released a slick map to help you plan your day at the festival. …

If you need any more convincing that the University of Illinois’ Community Credit Union is a positive force in Champaign-Urbana (and beyond), today, they’ve released the list of area students who will receive $1,000 scholarships for …

Since Carol Ammons announced that she would no longer seek Rodney Davis’ seat in IL-13, there has not been a candidate from Champaign County who has thrown their hat into the 2018 race. Today, that …

Yesterday, Mayor Deb Frank Feinen of Champaign and Mayor Diane Marlin of Urbana released a joint statement which re-affirmed their commitment to diversity while denouncing the type of hatred seen in Charlottesville earlier this month. …

Demolition of the old splash pad, play structure, sandbox, and restroom house has begun at Hessel Park in Champaign.  The newer play structures remain open at the park. At least one portapotty has been added …

The C-U Immigration Forum is preparing for its 4th Annual Welcome Awards to recognize individuals and organizations who have contributed to the success of immigrants in Champaign County. The awards ceremony is part of Welcome …

The almighty HUM have announced a few tour dates that are relatively close to Champaign-Urbana — though nothing super close by. However, any time the band announces dates, it is pretty noteworthy considering they tour …

Back in June, the Ludlow Theatre Group called for auditions for The Green Children, their upcoming musical at Parkland College Theatre. Here’s some more general information about the musical, below:   Between September 13 and 17, the …

Big Grove his hosting a wine tasting this week on Wednesday, August 23rd with Copper Cane Winery from 6-8 p.m. Check out the Facebook event, as well as some information about the tasting below. Copper Cane …

Neoga Blacksmith has released their brand new record, Chronontonius, and have announced they are donating their proceeds from the record for the next two weeks to HERO: The Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization. You can listen to the new …

This coming Tuesday, two new statues will make their way to Urbana’s Meadowbrook Park, one of the best places for statuary in Champaign-Urbana. For the full scoop, check out this press release from the Urbana …

Dancing Dog Eatery & Juicery is about to become a certified kosher restaurant, thanks to help from Hillel House. In order to complete the process, the restaurant will be closed Sunday through Tuesday, August 20th through …

A couple of months ago, I wrote about a particularly-questionable officer-involved shooting in Champaign-Urbana. Though there was no body camera footage, the Champaign Police Department did release the dash camera footage from Officer James Hobson, …

In what is easily one of the most hilarious news stories of the Summer, eclipse glasses are in high demand. The News-Gazette even wrote a whole article on it. Did you miss your chance? You’re in …

Tim Sullivan has been announced as Common-Ground Food Co-op‘s Interim General Manager, and as such, has released a statement to owners and the community. Find the statement below: Dear Common Ground Food Co-op Owners and …

The Annual Wellness & Brain Fitness fair will be held at Marketplace Mall on Saturday, October 7th. The fair is an educational and social event that features experts and resources from all areas of wellness, …

Makerspace Urbana is happy to announce that this year we will be hosting our annual celebration of local makers on Saturday, October 14 at Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana. We invite you to apply for …

Traffic will be a little different at the corner of Kirby and 4th Street in Champaign, tonight, including lane closures. For the full details, check out the press release below: EMERGENCY TREE WORK (Intersection of …

In what is certainly a stale and overdone trope, Deadspin took to the internet today to publish a piece entitled “Illinois Is Paying Lovie Smith A Lot Of Money For This Shit“, and featuring another …

From the press release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Brevity is key as New Art Film Festival launches 2017 Call for Entries period (Champaign, Illinois) August 15, 2017: For one month, the New Art Film Festival (NAFF) …