The working group studying public transit’s future in Bloomington-Normal won the backing of Normal’s Town Council in a unanimous vote, but the discussion at Monday night’s meeting included criticism of recent Connect Transit board actions.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
ISP looking for answers 16 years after Streator boy’s murder
Illinois State Police are turning to social media in an effort to find more leads in the 2003 death of 7-year old Dalton Mesarchik of Streator.… MORE
Blaze tears through Bloomington apartment house
A fire caused heavy damage to an apartment house late Sunday night on Bloomington’s near east side.… MORE
Mourners pledge to “never forget” motorcyclist killed in hit-and-run crash
Dozens of motorcycle riders revved up their engines Friday afternoon at Miller Park to honor Corey Cottrell, 39, from Normal, who died in a hit-and-run crash last month at Main Street and MacArthur Avenue.… MORE
UPDATE: Suspect charged after standoff with local police
A male suspect is in custody after a standoff Friday afternoon with Bloomington and Normal police.… MORE
BPD: Boy shot on city’s near west side
A juvenile boy was shot Friday in the 400 block of North Lee Street, according to Bloomington Police.… MORE
Local economic development council selects Hoban as new CEO
After 15 months without a permanent CEO, the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council has selected Patrick Hoban to lead the organization.… MORE
Bond increased in fatal hit-and-run case
With federal immigration agents waiting, bond was increased ten-fold for a man charged in connection with last month’s hit-and-run death of a motorcyclist in Bloomington.… MORE
Sugar Creek Arts Festival street closures
Streets around Uptown Normal will be closed this weekend for the Sugar Creek Arts Festival.… MORE
BPD: teen injured in early morning shooting
Bloomington Police is asking for the public’s help after a bullet struck a juvenile early Friday morning.… 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…