With America’s birthday right around the corner, Illinois’ Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding the public about state firework laws and safety.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Normal Council reveals post-election discord on Rivian street name change
The Normal Town Council backed the idea Monday night of renaming Mitsubishi Motorway after the company that’s taken over the Mitsubishi plant and intends to build electric vehicles there.… MORE
Black lab feels the love at ISU
The power of social media is enabling Illinois State University Police to adopt a recruit who is likely to become the department’s most popular officer.… MORE
Coroner: Strong storm knocks down tree limb, Peoria man killed
A Peoria man died Sunday after a strong storm and winds hit the area.… MORE
Illinois is now a “Tobacco 21” state, here’s how the law is different
Illinois is now the nation’s seventeenth “Tobacco 21” state, and while the law seems straightforward, it contains some unexpected nuances. … MORE
Maryland man wanted for armed robbery arrested in McLean County
Bloomington police said a 36-year old Maryland man was arrested over the weekend in connection to an armed robbery in his home state.… MORE
Barickman: Safeguards in place for recreational marijuana
Now that recreational marijuana will become legal in Illinois a local lawmaker feels measures have been taken to keep Illinois residents safe.… MORE
Rivian seeks to make name for itself on local roadway
What once was called Diamond Star Parkway is now Mitsubishi Motorway, and with the backing of local governments, a section of U.S. Route 150 will soon be called Rivian Motorway.… MORE
Sugar Creek Arts Festival 2019
The Sugar Creek Arts Festival features arts and crafts vendors from across the country on July 13th and 14th, 2019 in Uptown Normal.… MORE
Hot weekend ahead across Central Illinois
Water and air conditioning will be in full use this weekend as hot and muggy conditions hit Central Illinois.… 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…