Normal is the lucky recipient of a new National Endowment for the Arts grant for $50,000.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Bloomington-Normal NAACP calling Sonya Massey’s death gruesome
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – Leaders at the Bloomington-Normal National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) called Sonya Massey’s death “senseless and gruesome.” Massey was killed in her Springfield, Illinois, home after being shot by former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson earlier this month. Leaders at the Bloomington-Normal NAACP said at this year’s National NAACP Convention…… MORE
Normal firefighters take time to repair bikes after apartment fire
The Normal Fire Department was able to help out with more than just putting out an apartment fire on Monday.… MORE
Police in Normal launching investigation after shots fired on Sunday
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Police are investigating a shots fired incident that happened Sunday afternoon in Normal. Officers were called just after 4:15 to the 1100 block of West Avenue, just south of West Hovey Avenue. Authorities say multiple gunshots were fired in the area, but no injuries were reported. Anyone with information about…… MORE
Lorenz announces candidacy for Mayor of Normal
Normal Town Council member Kathleen Lorenz on Monday announced her candidacy to be the next mayor of Normal.… MORE
Bloomington City Council approves new roadwork
The Bloomington City Council unanimously approved a $6.8 million roadwork contract with Rowe Construction at during last week’s meeting.… MORE
Grayson’s behavior in Logan County led superior to ask, ‘How are you still employed with us?’
Before former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson was accused of shooting Sonya Massey after she called police to investigate a prowler, he had a rocky, one-year tenure with the Logan County Sheriff’s Department. … MORE
Two men arrested after shooting, stand-off outside Bloomington apartment Thursday afternoon
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Officers with the Bloomington Police Department arrested two men Thursday afternoon for their involvement in a reported shooting that resulted in a stand-off outside a local apartment complex on Morris Avenue. According to a Friday press release from Bryce Janssen, a public information officer with Bloomington police, 25-year-old Lashawn McDonald from…… MORE
Safety Town in Normal to be expanded
A feature located in Carden Park for decades that teaches children about road and pedestrian safety is set to be expanded, while reaching out to more advanced age groups.… MORE
Pekin babysitter remains in custody until trial; accused of killing infant
A judge on Thursday morning ordered a Pekin woman to remain in custody until the outcome of allegations that she suffocated a 10-month-old baby under her care earlier this month.… 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…