Category Archives: Local News

Bloomington’s library celebrates completed renovations, expansions with ribbon-cutting

Bloomington’s library celebrates completed renovations, expansions with ribbon-cutting

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Thursday, the Bloomington Public Library finally celebrated finishing its expansion and renovations with a ribbon cutting. The building was filled with people who appreciate all the resources a library has to offer. At the ribbon cutting, library staff gave tours to elected officials and members of the community. A teen zone,…MORE

Two solar farms approved by Tazewell County Board

Two solar farms approved by Tazewell County Board

By WMBD-TV PEKIN – In a relatively light agenda at Wednesday’s Tazewell County Board meeting, two solar farms were approved with minor pushback from some board members. One will be placed in Malone Township, while the other will be in a rural area in Mackinaw. Some expressed concerns about solar farms taking away from good…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…