The Normal Police Department has launched a community survey as part of its ongoing accreditation process. According to a news release, the survey asks questions designed to measure and improve the quality of policing in the community.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Bloomington Ice Center manager named to the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame
The manager of the Bloomington Ice Center is now a Hall of Famer.… MORE
McLean County court awarded federal grant to help families work through legal issues
The McLean County Circuit Courthouse will be able to put more funding to keep families together thanks to a new grant.… MORE
Woodford County electrical aggregation referendum
By WMBD-TV WOODFORD COUNTY – Voters in Woodford County will decided on Nov. 5 whether they’d like electrical aggregation in the future. “Even if you voted for the referendum, you can opt out of the alternative supplier offer if it’s not right for you,” said Jim Chilsen, a spokeswoman for the Citizens Utility Board, a…… MORE
Voters are going to the polls in even higher numbers a week out from election day
By WMBD-TV CENTRAL ILLINOIS – On a warm late October day, residents of Tazewell, Peoria and McLean counties lined out the door to cast their ballot a week out from election day. Tazewell County Some voters in Tazewell County say they went out and voted early to beat the lines. “I wanted to avoid any…… MORE
Homelessness issue not magically fixed following shutdown of tent city in Downtown Bloomington
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The homeless encampment that grew in downtown Bloomington was shutdown in mid-October, but the issue has stayed top of mind for City officials. Before its closure, around 30 individuals called a tent city home in the Eastview Church parking lot near its Community Center on Mission Drive. Bloomington City Manager…… MORE
Warm and dry this past week as Illinois farmers continue harvest
There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork in the week ending October 27, 2024.… MORE
Filing petitions close for 2025 consolidated elections
While many people are focused on next week’s elections, others are filing petitions to be on the ballot next year.… MORE
Mackinaw man dead after Monday fire
Authorities say a man is dead after a shed fire in Mackinaw on Monday.… MORE
OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center names new president
OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington has named a new president.… 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…