By WMBD-TV WOODFORD COUNTY – Scammers found a new grift by masquerading as Woodford County deputies and staff, according to a post from the office’s Facebook page. The Woodford County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents they don’t call for payment or any other kind of solicitation. Scammers will often use threats or coercion while imitating police to get…… MORE
A mobile home in rural Fairbury became caught on fire on Friday evening.… MORE
A woman and her three dogs escaped unharmed after their home in Normal caught fire on Saturday.… MORE
Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Dodge, plans to reopen a shuttered plant in Illinois after receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from the Biden Administration.… MORE
A month’s long traffic enforcement led to the arrest of two individuals in Normal.… MORE
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – The American Red Cross of Illinois stresses the ever-present demand for all blood types at its central Illinois locations and surrounding areas. Jayce Eustice, communications manager with the nonprofit, said this month, blood and platelet donors are critically needed to support lifesaving transfusions this summer. “Donors of all blood types are in demand,…… MORE
By WMBD-TV MCLEAN COUNTY – Normal-based YouthBuild McLean County is one of 100 community projects receiving grant money from Lowe’s Hometowns. According to a YouthBuild news release, the grant money will go towards a new outdoor learning space including a sports court and gardening beds. YouthBuild helps kids aged 16-24 who have not graduated high…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington has a new addition to its website to keep residents in the loop about upcoming land developments. A news release from the Bloomington Communications and External Affairs Manager Katherine Murphy states that the new dashboard will provide real-time data of residential development going back from January of…… MORE
A traffic stop in Normal last week led to the arrest of a man for drug and weapon charges.… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL – Following the arrests of seven protestors at Illinois State University in May, all appeared in court today for a pre-trial hearing. Just after 1:30 p.m., the court began with the attorney of the seven protestors, Cheryl Weikel, taking the stand and asking for a continuance, citing a busy two weeks without…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…