2020 was a year to forget for many of us, though Illinois farmers had a good year. That’s according to the final yield report from the USDA’s crop reporting service.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Dr. Ezike receives COVID-19 vaccination
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike on Tuesday received her first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.… MORE
State health officials report 6,642 new COVID cases, 117 additional deaths
Another 117 Illinois residents have died from COVID-19 complications and state health officials Tuesday reported 6,642 new cases.… MORE
Lawsuit against Bloomington long term care facility alleges ‘gross negligence’ in COVID outbreak death
Bloomington Rehab and Health endured a COVID-19 outbreak in May 2020 that ended with 11 residents dead. One of those residents, 72-year-old Marlene Hill, is named in a lawsuit against the parent company of the Bloomington Facility, Petersen Health Care.… MORE
72 new coronavirus cases reported in McLean County
Just 8% of hospital beds are available in McLean County as 34 local residents are reported to be in the hospital due to COVID-19.… MORE
Central Illinois businesses receive portions of ‘BIG’ grant to help with COVID-hardship
Coronavirus relief is here for small businesses in McLean County as businesses will share a slice of state funding to help with COVID-19 hardships.… MORE
Bloomington adopts Welcoming America plan despite calls for stronger aid for undocumented immigrants
The Bloomington City Council Monday night agreed to participate in a non-profit group’s effort to help immigrants feel more at home in U.S. communities.… MORE
Pekin piano teacher’s first of six child molestation trials set for October
It will be another 10 months before the first of a half-dozen trials is held for a Pekin piano teacher accused of sexually molesting his students in the Twin-Cities.… MORE
McLean County continues first phase of COVID-19 vaccinations
Local health officials provided an update on the COVID-19 vaccine and its distribution.… MORE
Brush and bulk waste collection delayed in Bloomington
Because of the large amount of brush generated as a result of the snow and ice events that took place during the first few days of January, Bloomington brush and bulk waste collection will follow a modified schedule until crews can catch up with the demand.… 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…