By Jake Fogal DOWNS – Tri-Valley and Central Catholic are separated by nine miles in Central Illinois, but don’t meet very often despite the short distance between the two schools. Last time these two teams met came back in 2016, when Tri-Valley beat the Saints 28-6. The two Class 2A schools met again in Round…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The top two teams of the Big 12 Conference squared off in the final week of the 2024 regular season Friday night. Normal Community hosted Peoria at Dick Tharp Field in Week 9, and with both programs already securing postseason spots, focus was pointed towards a conference title. The Lions…… MORE
By Jake Fogal EUREKA – A conference title was on the line in Woodford County in Week 8 as the 7-0(5-0) Eureka Hornets hosted the 6-1(5-0) Tri-Valley Vikings. The game began with fireworks as the Vikings pounced on a fumble on the opening kickoff of the contest. Tri-Valley took the lead off of the turnover…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Fresh off its first loss of the season, the Purple Raiders of Bloomington came out hungry in Week 7 to get back into the win column over Peoria Notre Dame. Bloomington throughout the season has been a team that sets the tone early in ballgames, but Peoria Notre Dame senior…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – In a clash between two intercity schools, Bloomington and Normal Community’s rivalry was renewed in Week 6 of the High School football season. Both teams have had stellar season’s as Bloomington was riding an undefeated campaign through five weeks, while Normal Community has only one blemish against a non-conference opponent…… MORE
By Jake Fogal LEROY – Heavy winds Friday night could not slow down the LeRoy football team as the Panthers ran all over Tuscola in Week 5. LeRoy entered Week 5 of the high school football season as the fifth ranked team in Class 1A, and continued to prove why after leveling Tuscola 57-7. The…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The Bloomington Purple Raiders are a secret no more. Having a chip on their shoulders heading into this rivalry matchup against Normal West, BHS hadn’t beaten their rivals since 2012. The Purple Raiders came into the matchup undefeated at 3-0, while the Wildcats were entering the game at 2-1. Bloomington…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – U-High unloaded for six touchdowns in Week 3 as the Pioneers opened conference play in the Central State Eight against Decatur MacArthur. University High kept the General’s sputtering on offense throughout the contest, and picked up the blowout win 48-7. U-High quarterback Alek Weiland shared the pigskin all night with…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The 30th edition of the Chili Bowl went the way of the Normal Community Ironmen for the second year and a row, as NCHS beatdown Normal West 48-7. The connection between quarterback Kyle Beaty and receiver Mar’Quan Gary was on display early in the game, as the duo put up…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Week 1 of the 2024 High School Football season belonged to Normal West running back Cody Muhlbauer. The sophomore Wildcat was responsible for every touchdown Normal West scored on Friday, finding the endzone five times and totaling over 350 rushing yards in the 33-27 victory. The two Big 12 Conference…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…