CIRA to get new snowplows with federal grant

Central Illinois Regional Airport
Central Illinois Regional Airport plans to have two new snowplows by winter. (Photo by B Corbin/WJBC)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Central Illinois Regional Airport has new snow removal equipment on the way.

The airport has received a $900,000 federal grant to pay for two new rotary snowplows.

Airport spokeswoman Fran Strebing told WJBC the two plows will replace one older model. The Bloomington airport has to come up with a 10-percent funding match. The grant was announced by U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood.

Strebing said the airport plans to have the new plows by this winter.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…