Category Archives: Local News

Midwest Food Bank hosts 12th annual Share The Light event

Midwest Food Bank hosts 12th annual Share The Light event

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-The 12th annual Share The Light event put on by the Midwest Food Bank(MFB) is on the docket for weekend activities in Bloomington-Normal. Beginning at noon on Thursday, a silent auction will run through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, holding 150 items up for bid. The three day event is capped off with…MORE

BPD: Arrest made in Tuesday night shooting

BPD: Arrest made in Tuesday night shooting

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man was arrested for a shooting that injured one person Tuesday night. Charles Bell, 33, was taken into custody without incident for the shooting, according to Bloomington police. During the investigation, officers learned that Bell and the victim had a personal dispute which led to the victim being…MORE

Man shot in the arm from gunfire in Bloomington

Man shot in the arm from gunfire in Bloomington

By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police are investigating a shooting that injured a man Tuesday night. Police said they were called about 7:20 p.m., and discovered a man who had been shot in the arm. The wounded man was in the 300 block of East Mulberry Street, near Downtown Bloomington, but it was not…MORE

MCMH announces 2022 History Makers

MCMH announces 2022 History Makers

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Museum of History’s 2022 History Makers include leaders in insurance, education, philanthropy and community service. Norris Porter, Museum Director of Development, revealed this year’s class of McLean County History Makers: • Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell, whose love of nature and generous souls exemplify a community spirit…MORE

Bloomington City Council member to resign

Bloomington City Council member to resign

By A.J. Harris BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Ward 1 City Council member and mayor pro tem, Jamie Mathy will resign his position, effective Tuesday. According to a statement, the resignation is the result of a business conflict that will no longer allow Mathy to hold a position on the council under state law. Mathy made the…MORE

ISU union workers authorize bargaining to call a strike

ISU union workers authorize bargaining to call a strike

By Heart of Illinois ABC University administrators released a statement after American State County and Municipal Employees Union Local 1110 voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. The university released the statement on its website: “Today, March 28, 2022, ISU learned AFSCME Local 1110 announced its membership voted in favor of a strike authorization. While we…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…