Category Archives: Local News

Florida woman killed in Wednesday’s crash on U.S. Route 24 was visiting family

Florida woman killed in Wednesday’s crash on U.S. Route 24 was visiting family

By WMBD-TV WASHINGTON – The Tazewell County Coroner has identified the woman killed Wednesday morning when she was struck by a pickup truck on U.S. Route 24. Pronounced dead at the scene at 7:32 a.m. Wednesday, May 8 was 20-year old Jacksonville, Fla., resident Hailey Parks, said Coroner Charles R. Hanley. She was in the…MORE

Unit 5 and District 87 schools hosting St. Jude fundraiser Friday

Unit 5 and District 87 schools hosting St. Jude fundraiser Friday

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – A cancer survivor in Bloomington-Normal is trying to give back to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for saving his life seven years ago. Cael Wolfe was diagnosed with cancer as a kid and recieved treatment from St. Jude. Now, over the past few years, he helps to organize a fundraiser…MORE

McLean County talks housing needs

McLean County talks housing needs

The McLean County Regional Planning Commission is working to find a solution to the county’s housing needs by adopting a regional housing recovery plan back in March.MORE

Bloomington Fire Department launches community engagement survey

Bloomington Fire Department launches community engagement survey

By WMBD-TV and Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Fire Department wants to hear from the community about how to improve their emergency services. The online community engagement survey covers a range of topics like preferences for communication, satisfaction with current offerings, and resident’s perception of fire and emergency services. Frank Friend with the Bloomington…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…