The Town’s 2024 Citizen of the Year is a former Normal Town Council member.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
COUNTRY Financial has tips for filing claims after severe weather
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Following the severe storms from earlier this week, COUNTRY Financial is offering some tips when filing insurance claims. The insurance and financial services company says to take photos of all damage. Some insurers will even cover the cost of spoiled food. So, include spoiled food in your photos before tossing it…… MORE
Teen believed to be fleeing from stolen car, police chase before drowning in Illinois River
By WMBD-TV BARTONVILLE – A 14-year-old boy fled from a stolen car that was being chased by police before drowning in the Illinois River on the Fourth of July, according to the Peoria County sheriff in a Wednesday morning update. Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins released new details Wednesday morning regarding the death of Leron…… MORE
Two local pitchers picked in Major League Baseball draft Tuesday
By WMBD-TV CENTRAL ILLINOIS – Two pitchers from central Illinois were selected on the final day of the Major League Baseball draft on Tuesday. The Cardinals selected Normal Community grad Mason Burns in the 14th round. He started his college career at Illinois State and transferred to Western Kentucky where he racked up 15 saves…… MORE
Amid heavy rainfall in southern Illinois, Nashville dam system breached; hundreds evacuated
Two days of heavy rainfall caused water to overflow and breach the dams of Nashville’s city reservoir on Tuesday, resulting in extensive flooding and the evacuation of about 200 people from their homes in the small southern Illinois town of about 3,000 residents.… MORE
COUNTRY Financial records over 1,000 claims from severe storms
A Bloomington-based insurance company reports more than 1,000 claims after several days of severe storms in Central Illinois… MORE
Bloomington Fire Dept. responds to over 200 calls in four-day span
Thanks to humid conditions and severe storms, the Bloomington Fire Department has responded to over 200 calls over the past four days.… MORE
Normal Town Council approves modifying an enterprise zone to support Rivian’s expansion
By WMBD NORMAL – Normal Town Council unanimously approved extending the boundary of an enterprise zone in Bloomington-Normal to support Rivian’s future expansion. An Enterprise Zone provides economic incentives to commercial companies undertaking new investments, including facility expansion. This would extend the boundaries to cover 320 acres located at Rivian Motorway, across from Rivian. It…… MORE
Cody Hendricks announces 2025 run for Bloomington mayor
Bloomington City Council member Cody Hendricks announced Tuesday morning that he is running for mayor in 2025.… MORE
USDA crop report enjoying favorable conditions midway through summer
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork in the week ending July 14, 2024. Statewide, the average temperature was 75.5 degrees, 0.9 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 1.93 inches, 1.13 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 4 percent…… 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…