Meet the WICS TV News Team
Alicia Lewis - Reporter
Alicia Lewis joined ABC NewsChannel 20 in October 2012 as a General Assignment Reporter. Relocating from the Land of 10,000 Lakes to the Land of Lincoln, she is excited to be a part of a community so rich in history.
Alicia began her love of journalism at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota where she worked at UTVS News, a local television station in St. Cloud. As the Managing Editor, Lead Anchor and Field Reporter, she prided herself on sharing local events and stories of the individuals within her community. She also wrote and produced three live newscasts daily.
During her time at UTVS News, Alicia was an integral part of the award-winning newscast that won Best Television Newscast in the nation, as voted by the Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts, as well as the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Whether she is in front of the camera or behind the lens, she is passionate about engaging communities through the art of storytelling and is looking forward to sharing that passion with her viewers. Don't hesitate to say hello or send an email. She would love to hear from you.
Andrea Marvin - Reporter
Andrea Marvin joined the News Channel 20 team in June of 2011 as a general assignment reporter. She is excited to tell the stories that matter most in Central Illinois.
She comes to us from a station in Northern California where she was a backpack reporter. That means she did it all, reporting, photography and editing. During her time, she covered the homeless problem in the area, tribal related issues, as well as the 2010 earthquake and tsunami that damaged the region.
Andrea started her career at a cable station in Southern Colorado. Previous to that she interned at FOX 31 Denver and graduated with a Bachelor's of Journalism Communications from Colorado State University.
A Colorado native, Andrea loves to hit the slopes with her snowboard in the winter! She also enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends. With a passion for history, Andrea is excited to learn all about the Land of Lincoln. If you see her in the community, don't hesitate to say hi.
Andrew Hansen - Anchor / Reporter
Andrew Hansen is ABC Newschannel 20's morning co-anchor. During his time at WICS, he has worn a number of hats. He started as a general assignment reporter, then anchored sports for one year, then covered the Illinois capitol before landing his current role with the station.
Andrew is originally from Joliet and went to college at Valparaiso University. There, he majored in Television/Radio and Sports Management and minored in business. Following college, Andrew started his television career in Quincy, where he worked as a bureau reporter in Macomb and as a fill-in sports anchor.
After being in Springfield for a number of years, Andrew is excited to be at the anchor desk. He says his favorite thing about reporting is meeting people in the community and telling their stories.
In his spare time, Andrew enjoys fantasy football, biking, playing euchre, and especially hitting the golf course.
Christina Mueller - Reporter / Weekend Weather Anchor
Christina joined WICS in January 2013 as a Weekend Weather Anchor/Weekday Reporter. Christina moved to Springfield from Quincy, where she worked in the same role at KHQA-TV. While working in Quincy she covered stories in Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa ranging from politics to agriculture. She would love to hear whats going on in your neighborhood. If you want to ask her a question or just chat, shoot her an e-mail or look her up on Facebook and Twitter.
Christina graduated from Quincy University with a bachelors degree in Communication with a concentration in Broadcasting. While at QU she worked on the campus news webcast, QUTV, and held an internship as a weekend reporter for KHQA-TV. She was a member of Lambda Pi Eta, a communications honor society. She was also active in Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII) women's fraternity, where she helped plan campus philanthropy events to benefit the National Arthritis Foundation.
Christina is from Godfrey, in the St. Louis metro area. (Yes, she is a Cardinals fan). On her time off,Christina spends time with her family, curls up with a book, or spends time outside.
David Ade - Reporter
David joined WICS in March 2012 as a reporter/videographer.
He is originally from Elk Grove Village, a Chicago suburb, but comes to WICS from Carbondale. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in December of 2011 with a bachelor's in Radio/Television. While at SIUC, he was actively involved in their live student-produced television newscast which aired on the PBS affiliate, WSIU-TV. He served as the station's sports director for nearly two years, and won awards for sports reporting and sports producing.
David also worked at a commercial radio station cluster in southern Illinois for just over a year before coming to WICS. He was a disc jockey, sports talk show host, sports play by play broadcaster, news anchor, and news reporter.
David's favorite part about reporting is meeting new people, and talking to people who care about their community.
Glenn Marshall - Reporter
Glenn Marshall joined ABC Newschannel 20 in August 2012 as a General Assignment Reporter. Glenn began his journalism career working behind the scenes on the assignment desk at NBC Chicago. He was later chosen to be one of 10 people across the country to train with NBC as a News Associate.
In that role, Glenn covered high profile court cases including the murder of Academy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson's family and the murder trial against ex-police officer Drew Peterson. He was also involved with the coverage of the NATO Summit in Chicago during the summer of 2012.
Glenn graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in communications. While on campus, he was elected president of the school's National Association of Black Journalists. This is where he developed a passion for news. Glenn is still heavily involved with the organization. He was deputy chair for special events at the 2012 National Association of Black Journalists convention in New Orleans, La. In that position, he helped put together a panel discussion on the Trayvon Martin story, and helped to produce other events.
Glenn has a strong passion for the community. He chose a career in journalism because he wants to to make a difference by telling stories that affect people across central Illinois.
Jed DeMuesy - Sports Anchor / Reporter
As far back as Jed can remember, he has wanted to be involved in sports. When his athletic career fizzled out in high school (to put it kindly), becoming a sports journalist was the next best thing.
Originally from Massillon, Ohio, Jed graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, taking his first job in the business with WBUP-TV in Marquette, Michigan. As a Yooper, Jed covered everything from the two Division I collegiate hockey programs, to the annual ski jumping competition in Ishpeming.
After ten months, Jed took a job to be closer to home, at WHIZ in Zanesville, Ohio. Jed served as sports director in the small town for four years, covering the Ohio State Buckeyes as well as several local high schools in Muskingum and the neighboring counties. One of Jed's fondest memories is calling play-by-play action for the Zanesville Blue Devil basketball team for four seasons, which included their State Semifinal run following the 2009-10 season. Jed also worked part-time at WKRC in Cincinnati when his schedule allowed.
Always looking for new challenges, Jed is excited to be a part of the Champaign-Urbana community, and would love to hear from anyone with a good story to tell.
Jeremy Rauch - Sports Anchor / Reporter
Jeremy Rauch joined WICS in May of 2011 as a sports reporter and weekend sports anchor.
He was born in Columbus, OH, and went to college in Wilmore, KY, where he graduated from Asbury University. There he majored in Media Communications and minored in Spanish. In August of 2008, Jeremy spent 30 days in Beijing, China, working the Summer Olympic games as a camera assistant/operator. Some of the highlights from that trip include sitting poolside while Michael Phelps swam for his Olympic-record eighth gold medal, watching Team USA Basketball and experiencing the opening ceremonies live.
Following the Olympic games, Jeremy worked at stations in Dalton, GA, and Zanesville, OH, as a sports anchor and reporter. He covered things such as Ohio State football and the PGA Memorial Tournament. He was also the radio voice for the number one High School Basketball team in Ohio.
Jeremy is a huge Buckeye fan, but also follows the Browns, Bengals, Indians, Reds, Cavaliers and UNC Basketball. Married to his college sweetheart, Jeremy loves being with his wife, dog and friends. He also enjoys basketball and golf, and most of all going to the beach.
Joe Crain - Morning and Midday Meteorologist
Joe helps you plan for the day at work and school with the Storm Team 20 forecast every weekday from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. during "Sunrise This Morning". Joe also keeps you updated on the latest weather with local updates during "Good Morning America" and has a complete look at your forecast during "ABC NewsChannel 20 Midday" at 11:00 a.m. weekdays.
At the young age of 12, Joe got an early start to his career with school and community announcements on his hometown radio station in Cairo, Illinois. Joe has held a variety of on-air, programming and management positions with radio stations in St. Louis, Duluth, Green Bay, Sioux City, Omaha, Peoria and Springfield. Joe joined the ABC NewsChannel 20 family in the summer of 2004 as a weekend weather anchor. He was named the morning and midday weather anchor in March 2008.
Joe is a graduate of Mississippi State University's Broadcast Meteorology Certification program and holds a B.A. in Radio-Television Sales and Management with a minor in Journalism from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
Joe is a professional member of both the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. Additionally, Joe has been honored by his peers with numerous awards such as the "Silver Dome" from the Illinois Broadcasters Association and multiple nominations for the national "Gavin Award" that showcases excellence in radio programming.
Joe has been recognized for his community involvement with a number of organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, Land of Lincoln Goodwill, Central Illinois Community Blood Center, Camp CoCo, Central Illinois Down Syndrome Society and Salvation Army. As a member of Storm Team 20, Joe enjoys speaking each year to dozens of school and civic groups about weather and severe weather safety.
Joe, along with his wife Ann and children, Megan and Thomas, reside in Springfield. He's a model railroader and train collector. Joe's an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Fighting Illini and SIU Salukis. And, by his own account, Joe is a "below average" golfer.
Joe's always glad to hear from you and is eager to answer your weather related questions.
Katie Heinz - Reporter
Katie joined the ABC Newschannel 20 team in February, 2008. With a particular interest in political reporting, Katie is thrilled to cover Springfield's "city beat" for WICS. She brings experience reporting on government at the local, state and federal levels to the job.
Originally from Palatine, Katie earned her bachelor's degree in journalism with a minor in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also holds a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She's excited to be living and working in Central Illinois after reporting for more than a year in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
When she's not working, Katie enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, cheering on the Illini and exploring all that Central Illinois has to offer. She's also a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region.
Feel free to e-mail her with story ideas or suggestions.
Kimberly Howard - Reporter
Kimberly joined ABC NewsChannel 20 in May 2012 as a one-man-band reporter. That means she shoots, writes, edits and reports her stories. As a self-proclaimed news junkie, Kimberly is thrilled to call the Land of Lincoln her new home. She had her first stint on-air as a reporter and anchor for UCTV-14 News at the University of Connecticut. She graduated from UConn in 2009 with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Communication Sciences. She then became an associate producer and assignment desk editor at News 12 Connecticut. When she wasn't writing or coordinating behind the scenes of TV news she spent time working for three news websites as a one-man-band reporter: LocalOnlineNews.TV, CTNewsJunkie.com and AOLs Patch.com. Much of her work centered on local politics, but telling the compelling stories of her neighbors has always been her first love. She took that love to Gainesville, Florida where she was a one-man-band reporter for GTN News, a CBS and NBC affiliate. And now, on to central Illinois! When not on assignment, Kimberly loves being outdoors, reading, enjoying live music and playing with her adorable cats Oliver and Olivia. Reporting isn't only her career, it is her passion.
Krista Lander - Sports Director / Anchor
After spending the first five years of her career in different parts of the country Krista finally returned home to Central Illinois in December 2010. Krista grew up a Cornjerker in Hoopeston, Illinois and is very proud of her small town roots.
Krista graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2005 and immediately entered the sportscasting field as the weekend sports anchor in Twin Falls Idaho. After spending two plus years in the Gem state she moved to West Texas to be the sports director at a station in Odessa. While in Texas she had the opportunity to cover 'THE' Friday Night Lights team the Permian Panthers. On top of great high school football Krista also covered the Dallas Cowboys training camp and the Texas Tech Red Raiders for three seasons.
While it has been an experience traveling the country Krista is happy to finally be home. In her spare time she chases around her Boston Terrier Haley and follows the Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks, as well as the Cleveland Browns. While she enjoys covering the University of Illinois her college allegiance lies with the Purdue Boilermakers.In the summer she looks forward to spending weekend afternoons inside the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.
Liz Foster - Anchor / Reporter
After growing up in the South, Liz Foster is excited to join the NewsChannel 20 team and explore the Midwest. Liz join WICS in October 2010. She hails from Georgia, where she began her career WMGT in Macon. While in Middle Georgia, Liz covered a variety of stories from crime and consumer reports to how kids with cancer cope. Prior to reporting in Macon, Liz interned at WBTV in Charlotte after graduating from Georgia Southern University. At GSU, she earned a degree in Communication Arts with a major in Broadcasting.
Working in news is a lifelong dream for Liz... she even taped her own news show as a child on her family's video camera! Liz looks forward to getting involved in community organizations in Central Illinois. Away from the cameras and the newsroom, she enjoys playing with her Yorkie Bella, cooking, traveling, volunteering and watching Braves baseball and SEC football. Liz appreciates hearing from viewers and welcomes anyone to email with a story idea or just to say hello!
Marine Glisovic - Reporter
Marine Glisovic joined the WICS news team as a reporter/photographer in September 2011. She comes to us from Plainfield, Illinois, a Chicago suburb.
Marine graduated from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois, where she majored in Journalism, concentrating on Broadcast News.
Before joining WICS, Marine worked at a PBS-affiliated station, WEIU-TV. It was there she was able to gain the experience of reporting, photography, anchoring, and producing for 16 counties in east central Illinois. Marine worked on all three shows, which won WEIU News Watch three Mid-America EMMY Awards.
Marine is fluent in French, after spending her childhood growing up in Paris, France. She still has family overseas, and enjoys taking trips to visit when time allows. The last time she visited Europe was back in summer 2008, when she studied abroad in the Netherlands.
She is proud to continue calling central Illinois her home and can't wait to meet more interesting folks in the community.
If Marine isn't reporting the latest news, you can find her reading, cooking, jogging or shopping!
Mike Brooks - Reporter
Mike Brooks has been with the ABC News Channel 20 team since 2008, starting out as a part-time news photographer, and now a full time reporter. He has done a little bit of everything here, from operating satellite and microwave trucks to running newsroom shots, and now is spending more time in front of the camera.
Born and raised in Sangamon County, Mike graduated from Tri-City High School in Buffalo (go Tornadoes!), then headed to the University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign, where he cemented his love for the Fighting Illini and met his wonderful wife Jodie. Now the two live back home on the Brooks family farm, with a herd of Polled Hereford cattle, a few goats, a rather large cat, and their Blue Heeler, Remo.
When he's not traveling Central Illinois with a camera on his shoulder, he enjoys working on old cars and trucks, riding motorcycles and ATV's, racing supermoto, and is currently attempting to learn classical piano.
For Mike, his favorite part of the job is telling the stories of the people who make Central Illinois such a unique and wonderful place, and he really doesn't mind going to all those car shows every summer either.
Natalie Sparacio - Anchor / Reporter
Natalie Sparacio joined WICS in January 2012 as Sunrise This Morning Anchor and Reporter for ABC Newschannel 20. After working at television stations in Austin, Minnesota and Wausau, Wisconsin, Natalie is thrilled to deliver the news in her home state. A graduate of Marquette University, Natalie majored in journalism.
Throughout her television career, Natalie has been active in the communities shes lived in. Shes coached several club and high school soccer teams, served on boards for the United Way, March of Dimes, DonateLife and been recognized as a Red Cross Real Hero nominee.
When Natalie is not anchoring or reporting she loves spending time with her big Greek and Italian family, watching the Blackhawks, traveling and running in races. She just completed her first half marathon in September 2011. She adopted her Chihuahua Terrier, Hamilton, during a pet segment interview. It was love at first sight! Natalie looks forward to life in the Land of Lincoln and welcomes emails to say hello or offer up story ideas!
Ric Kearbey - Meteorologist
Ric Kearbey loves giving the nightly weather forecast on television!
Ric says, "It's something that everyone cares about and knowing I can help them plan their day or weekend is a fun responsibility!"
Ric also knows the importance of severe weather and keeping families safe.
He is committed to staying with ABC NewsChannel 20 views on their televisions until the threat of severe weather leaves the area. You may even see Ric on the air at noon or 3am.
Community involvement is a passion of Ric's. "Connecting with the community, our viewers, makes what we do more real. To actually meet the people who watch us is a great feeling,
and it makes each night's broadcasts more personal for me. Don't be surprised to hear I was at your child's school, or if you see me at the local benefit for an important cause because it's extremely important to me," says Ric.
Ric also loves to interact with viewer through social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
Ric also is a Pinterest enthusiast, sharing all of his favorite things with viewers.
In his free time, Ric enjoys spending time with his family, running, and working out.
Hes crazy about the St. Louis Cardinals. He is a Bethalto, IL native.
His TV career as taken him to Augusta, GA, Peoria, IL, St. Louis, MO, and now Springfield!
Shantel Middleton - Anchor / Reporter
Shantel Middleton joined the WICS news team in September 2011. Shantel is originally from Charleston, South Carolina, but she has come to call many places home in the time since leaving. She gained her first on-camera experience working at WCIV in Charleston, South Carolina. Shantel worked as a political reporter covering the 2008 presidential primaries and general election for MTV News. At the end of the election, Shantel returned to reporting and producing at WCIV. She next moved to Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands where she covered politics and crime on the Caribbean island. Shantel is a long-time volunteer with Happy Days and Special Times, a pediatric oncology camp for kids with cancer and their families. She looks forward to keeping you informed, getting to know your families, and seeing all that Lincoln Land has to offer.
Vince DeMentri - Anchor / Reporter
Vince DeMentri joined the ABC Newschannel 20 team in September 2012. He anchors the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts and the 10 p.m. newscast with Liz Foster.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Vince is a graduate of Temple University, where he double-majored in journalism and political science. He played linebacker for the Temple Owls football team, which earned him a scholarship.
Vince's television reporting career has taken him to news outlets across the country, from Des Moines to New York City.
A skilled investigative reporter, Vince has won seven Emmy awards, 14 AP/UPI awards, and an award from the Society of Professional Journalists. He received an Ellis Island Medal of Honor--one of the highest civilian medals recognized by Congress--for his reporting on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. His 9/11 reporting also earned him two Edward R. Murrow awards--often considered the highest honor in broadcast news.
Vince's investigative stories have prompted laws to be enacted and changed, and caused several politicians to resign from office.
In addition to 9/11, Vince has been among the first to report on numerous major world events, including Operation Desert Storm, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the death of Princess Diana, and the installation of Pope Benedict XVI. Notable interview subjects include Mother Teresa, Jack Kevorkian, and presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.
Vince's hobbies include reading, traveling, and competitive power lifting. He has one teenage daughter.
He is very happy to be in Springfield, and looks forward to meeting the folks of central Illinois and becoming part of the community. He encourages viewers with tips for investigative stories to contact him with details.
