Paramedic-level emergency medical care is now available from not just ambulances, but from all front-line fire engines in the Town of Normal. … MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Conservation Police investigating 20 mile stretch of dead fish in Livingston County
Local police want to discover why a large fish kill stretched 20 miles in Livingston County.… MORE
Tomb of the Unknown replica to come to Bloomington as part of DAR convention
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will be featured at the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution convention in Bloomington later this month. Debra Coe, the state’s honorary DAR regent and the head of the Illinois State Office Club, said the public can come to view the…… MORE
Normal Town Council approves multi-million dollar settlement
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Alan Beaman was scheduled for a civil trial later this month against the town of Normal, but a $5.4 million settlement has ended the trial before it even started. On Monday, the town’s council unanimously voted to approve the multi-million settlement for Beaman. Beaman was convicted of murder in 1995, but…… MORE
Ohio man arrested in LaSalle after officers allegedly locate 100 pounds of cannabis
The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office arrested an Ohio man after allegedly finding 100lbs of purported cannabis in his vehicle.… MORE
Project Oz is expanding in Bloomington
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Following a groundbreaking ceremony last week, Project Oz has started construction for its expansion. The youth and family agency is adding 2,500 square feet of flexible space to its current West Bloomington location. The expansion allows for a nutrition nook, laundry facilities, counseling, training, and technology services. Cheris Larson, Director of…… MORE
Rating agency downgrades State Farm General Insurance Co.’s credit rating
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The rating agency AM Best has downgraded the credit rating of State Farm General Insurance Company on Thursday. According to AM Best, State Farm General Insurance Financial Strength Rating has been downgraded from A (Excellent) to B (Fair). State Farm General Insurance Company is a subsidiary of the larger company which is known…… MORE
Normal announces new director of economic development
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The Town of Normal announced that it hired a new director of economic development on Friday. According to Normal City Manager Pamela Reece, Nik Duffle of Broken Arrow, Okla., will have his first day as director of economic development on April 15. “We are excited to welcome Nik to the Town…… MORE
Warmer than normal temperatures could mean early planting and higher yields
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – The warmer than normal winter and early spring are benefiting area farmers by allowing them to prep their fields sooner than normal. And that could mean higher yields later this year for them. “The experiments and the tests that have been done. The yield trials show that if soybeans are planted…… MORE
Bloomington church thankful for support after vandalism
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church is sending out thanks for the support following extensive vandalism. The 158-year-old church is now past the assessment phase and is moving towards the rebuilding and restoration phase. The sanctuary, basement area, glass doors, sanctuary, hallways and furniture were all damaged at the West Bloomington church. On…… 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…