Happy weekend, Champaign! In today’s happening-today edition: Yo-yo champion Mark Hayward, a Sunday afternoon goat hike, and holiday traffic crackdown + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Champaign protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Regional growth in motion: Ridgeline Roofing & Restoration acquired Freedom Roofing and Construction, expanding its Midwest footprint. The move is expected to bring resources and growth to the Champaign area while preserving customer relationships -- see the roofing expansion.
Season-ending showcase: Central Illinois standouts hit Tucci Stadium at Illinois Wesleyan today for the 52nd Illinois Shrine Game, featuring 23 schools with David Hay and Tony Reetz benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children -- get all the details.
Holiday safety effort: Champaign police, Illinois State Police, and IDOT launched enforcement June 19, continuing through July 6, targeting impaired and unruly driving ahead of the Fourth of July to keep roads safe -- see the traffic crackdown.
Thoughtful Father's Day gifts, ready by Sunday. Father's Day is tomorrow, which makes shipping anything now a gamble you'll probably lose. Skip it entirely. A whole range of Father's Day gifts is ready for same-day pickup in hours, so something personal is well within reach by tomorrow. -- get it today.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold just posted its strongest run in decades...And the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, GoldCo has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Easy local nature fix: Skip the long drive and park yourself at D & W Lake Camping & RV Park, where full hookups, WiFi, and pull-through sites meet actual lake time with boat rentals, fishing, and a quiet vibe. Perfect for a low-effort reset this week, with a playground and pets welcome.
Dial in your swing: Whether you're shaking off rust this week or chasing a new personal best, Just Fore Fun Golf has an outdoor range with elevated targets with yardages you can check from your phone, plus three Foresight simulator bays for rain-or-shine reps, lessons, and custom fittings.
Serious roll potential: From crispy deep-fried classics to cheeky specials and even poke bowls, Sushi Man delivers the kind of satisfying, no-drama sushi night you need midweek. Two Champaign spots and online ordering make it a zero-excuse move for dinner or a study break.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year, it's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The conversation no man wants to have with his doctor: Turns out ~70% of men over 50 are avoiding the exact same one. The hesitation, the awkward throat-clear, the hoping it just sorts itself out… you're far from alone. The good news? You don't need the waiting room at all. What used to mean a face-to-face appointment and an uncomfortable pharmacy run now takes a few clicks from the couch — discreet online evaluation, personalized treatment shipped straight to your door. *No appointment, no awkward small talk →
Get cash back on your gas, groceries, and dining: This is real cash, not points you have to convert like credit card rewards. There are no coupons to clip and no deals to hunt down, you just claim an offer, pay with your linked card, and the cash back lands automatically. You can set it up in minutes and start earning on your very next purchase. *Start earning → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚗 Journey @ State Farm Center | Saturday (6/20) at 2:00 AM – Nothing beats belting arena rock with 10,000 new best friends, especially when Journey rolls into the State Farm Center. Dust off the 80s muscle memory, warm up those don't-stop-believin' pipes, and enjoy a night that pairs perfectly with babysitters, earplugs, and nostalgia.
💍 Mya Lambrecht Jewelry Trunk Show @ Circles Boutique | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Pop in for Mya Lambrecht’s trunk show, where raw gems, ancient coins, trade beads, chain, bone, and a little mysticism become future heirlooms. Beauty in chaos, forgiveness in patina, and jewelry that starts conversations. Your pearls can take the night off.
🪀 Yo-Yo Champion @ Champaign Public Library | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – The library is getting loud in the quietest way with World Yo-Yo Champion Mark Hayward, the guy who’s spun on Letterman and America’s Got Talent. Expect hijinks, tricks, and audience shenanigans, plus a chance to relive your lunchroom glory. Yo-yos for sale, pride optional.
🔬 Science and Engineering Saturday @ Martens Center | Saturday (6/20) at 11:30 AM – Longest day of the year means extra daylight for kid energy, so channel it into a hands-on solstice STEAM challenge. Kids 8 and up become Shadow Architects, building, measuring, and discovering how the sun shapes the world. Free, registration required, and your sanity preserved.
🚚 Father's Day Party @ The Treehouse: Retail & Play Space | Sunday (6/21) at 10:00 AM – Finally, a reason to tell the kids to touch the trucks, not the breakables. The Treehouse rolls out firetrucks and construction trucks to climb, a bounce house, bubbles, a Father’s Day craft, popsicles, and open play, all for 11 bucks a kid at the door.
🐐 Sunday Afternoon Goat Hike @ Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery | Sunday (6/21) at 1:30 PM – Trade your usual Sunday errands for a leisurely goat hike on the farm, with a guided loop through pasture, past Saline Creek, through the woods, and around the pond, a mile altogether. The herd sets the vibe, you supply sturdy shoes, patience, and a camera.
🍷 Sunday Wine Down w/ Blues Deacons @ Alto Vineyards | Sunday (6/21) at 2:00 PM – Whether you know your Muddy from your Mayer, or just want a solid pour with your Sunday exhale, Alto Vineyards hosts a Wine Down with the Blues Deacons. Expect originals, deep cuts, classics, and modern blues your hips remember, and your back appreciates. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Champaign report Weather forecastToday — High: 81°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 17%
A slight chance of rain showers before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. West northwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. North northeast wind 2 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 76°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 94%
Rain showers likely between 7am and 10am, then showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. East southeast wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. East northeast wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. This house is wildThis 2023 Signature Homes custom build pairs open-concept living with polished details, from engineered wood floors and custom built-ins around the gas fireplace to a granite-and-stainless kitchen with a roomy pantry. Five bedrooms, a finished basement with a hidden dry sauna, a 3-car garage with floor drains, and a private patio make it especially memorable.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
