A little over a month after the shooting death of Sonya Massey by a sheriff’s deputy, Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell on Friday announced his retirement, effective no later than Aug. 31.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Bloomington man charged with seven Class X felonies
A Bloomington man with a lengthy criminal record stands accused of delivering hundreds of grams of heroin to an undercover Illinois State Police agent.… MORE
Local taxpayers could be on the hook for a new ‘homeless hotel’
If the plans come to fruition, local taxpayers could be responsible for funding a new homeless hotel.… MORE
State now has blueprint for K-12 schools to teach dangers of overdose
Illinois public schools wishing to teach their students about the dangers of overdoses and substance use disorder now have a blueprint to do so from the state.… MORE
Central Illinois election officials discuss voting integrity
Local election officials gathered Thursday afternoon to answer any questions regarding voting integrity, to make sure ballots are safe this November.… MORE
American Red Cross Evening of Star to feature PGA Hall of Famer Lee Trevino
Six-time major champion and 29-time PGA Tour winner Lee Trevino will be the special guest and keynote speaker at the 29th annual American Red Cross Evening of Stars.… MORE
New policy in Gibson City school district bans cell phones in the middle school
Elementary students returning to the classroom in Gibson City in a couple of weeks will have to do so without a cell phone.… MORE
Caterpillar contractor from Michigan dies at Peoria Proving Ground facility
An investigation is underway after a contractor from Michigan died Wednesday night inside Caterpillar’s Peoria Proving Ground facility.… MORE
Leader of BN Area Convention and Visitors’ Bureau resigns
A 20-year leader of the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors’ Bureau Board of Directors has resigned.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker officially opens Illinois State Fair at ribbon cutting in Springfield
Gov. JB Pritzker led a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning to officially open the Illinois State Fair.… 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…