With in-person learning still in limbo due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Back2School Alliance is putting backpacks and school supplies in the hands of children who need them most.… MORE
Category Archives: Headlines
Rivian expansion plans win council approval
The Normal Town Council is backing Rivian’s plans to expand its factory even before it starts making electric vehicles on the west side of town.… MORE
Health officials announce three new cases of COVID-19
McLean County Health officials report three new Coronavirus cases, increasing the county total to 385 cases.… MORE
Visitation temporarily suspended after lightning strike at McLean County Jail
A lightning strike at the McLean County Detention Facility has affected the inmate visitation system throughout the facility as well as the inmate phone system in certain housing areas of the jail.… MORE
IHSA Executive Director: “It appears to be difficult” to have football in the fall
With the IHSA Board of Directors set to convene later this month, the top leader of the IHSA says the football season in the fall “appears to be difficult.”… MORE
Connect Transit awarded CARES Act grant
Connect Transit is getting over $900,000, thanks to the CARES Act.… MORE
Apple ‘N Pork Festival cancelled
Due to potential risks posed by COVID-19, the DeWitt County Museum Association Board of Directors has canceled the 52nd Annual Apple ‘n Pork Festival.… MORE
MCHD announces 10 new COVID-19 cases; county total over 300 cases
With local health officials announcing ten new Coronavirus cases, the county total now stands at over 300 cases.… MORE
MCHD announces 15th COVID-19 death
Another person has died due to complications from COVID-19, the McLean County Health Department reports.… MORE
Normal Walmart requiring customers to wear face coverings
To ensure customers’ health and safety, Walmart in Normal has implemented a new change.… MORE
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…