Category Archives: Local News

Normal conducted prescribed burns on Monday

Normal conducted prescribed burns on Monday

By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The Town of Normal announced that it was conducting prescribed burns along the creek from Fell Avenue to Constitution Trail on Monday. According to the Town of Normal, a company contracted with the town conducted the burn to help maintain the creek bed and keep the landscape healthy. The Normal Fire Department…MORE

Bloomington police are now sensory-inclusive certified

Bloomington police are now sensory-inclusive certified

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Police Department announced on Monday that it partnered with KultureCity to make its services sensory-inclusive. According to the department, the certification ensures officers are trained to recognize those with sensory needs and how to handle sensory overload situations. All Bloomington squad cars will have KultureCity Sensory Bags, which will…MORE

Olympia CUSD #16 ballot questions will reallocate funds, not raise taxes

Olympia CUSD #16 ballot questions will reallocate funds, not raise taxes

By WMBD-TV STANFORD – Olympia Community Unit School District 16 has two questions on the ballot and they want to make sure voters in McLean, Tazewell and Woodford counties are informed about what those questions mean for their tax bill. The district is looking to reallocate money into their education fund and into operations and maintenance…MORE

Normal Community Ironmen runners-up in IHSA Class 4A Championship

Normal Community Ironmen runners-up in IHSA Class 4A Championship

By Jake Fogal CHAMPAIGN – After the best season for the program since 2015, Normal Community boys basketball came up just short of hoisting the IHSA Class 4A State championship Saturday night in Champaign, falling to Homewood-Flossmoor 60-48. Three Vikings scored in double figures, as Bryce Heard poured in 21 points. Jayden Tyler had 15,…MORE

Illinois State University announces their pick for the school’s new president

Illinois State University announces their pick for the school’s new president

By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Illinois State University went outside its campus looking for a person to lead the school but in the end, came back to the person who temporarily held the job. On Friday, the Board of Trustees announced Aondover Tarhule, who was currently serving as the school’s interim president, could drop the first…MORE

Ironmen push past Palatine; advance to IHSA State Title Game

Ironmen push past Palatine; advance to IHSA State Title Game

By Jake Fogal CHAMPAIGN – Normal Community took the court at the State Farm Center in Champaign for the first time Friday under long time head coach Dave Witzig, but the Ironmen are no stranger to this type of success. Community picked up the victory over Palatine in the IHSA Class 4A State Semifinals, 58-38…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…