Category Archives: Local News

COVID-19 is experiencing an uptick in Central Illinois, but what does it mean?

COVID-19 is experiencing an uptick in Central Illinois, but what does it mean?

By WMBD-TV CENTRAL ILLINOIS – Positive COVID-19 tests are going up once again in Central Illinois. Though we aren’t seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases, there is still an uptick in positive tests. Four weeks ago, the percentage of positive COVID-19 cases in Illinois was 11.1%. Last week they were 15.5% COVID-19 deaths were also…MORE

USPS warning customers of tracking text scams

USPS warning customers of tracking text scams

By WMBD-TV CENTRAL ILLINOIS – The United States Postal Service (USPS) is warning customers of a scam that can lead to personal or financial information being stolen. It’s called “smishing”, a form of phishing that involves a text message or a phone number. Victims usually receive a message asking them to click a link, luring…MORE

McLean coroner identifies I-55 car crash victim

McLean coroner identifies I-55 car crash victim

By WMBD TV BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Coroner Dr. Kathleen Yoder has released the name and cause of death of the man killed on I-55 on Tuesday. According to a McLean County Coroner news release, Jacob Shaw, 27, of Kenosha, Wisconsin likely died from multiple blunt injuries from his car striking a parked utility truck…MORE

Bird tests positive for West Nile Virus in McLean County

Bird tests positive for West Nile Virus in McLean County

By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The McLean County Health Department is reminding community member’s to fight the bite after a bird has tested positive for West Nile Virus in Normal. The health department collected the dead crow after a resident reported it in the 61761 zip code area in Normal. West Nile Virus is a…MORE

Local EMA encouraging people with dementia to use Care Trak

Local EMA encouraging people with dementia to use Care Trak

By WMBD-TV WOODFORD COUNTY – The Woodford County Emergency Management Agency is spreading the word about the Care Trak system. It helps the agency track those with dementia, should they disappear. The device bridges the gap for those with dementia who still have some independence and their families aren’t quite ready for them to go…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…