The St. Louis Cardinals are coming to Bloomington-Normal at the first of the year for their annual pre-season tour.… MORE
Category Archives: Local Sports
Tensions boil over in overtime victory for Normal Community in 2nd round of IHSA Playoffs
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – A back-and-forth contest at Dick Tharp Field Saturday night led to hot heads and heighted tempers as the Normal Community Ironmen eked out a win over Bradley Bourbonnais in overtime, 31-30. Both teams were knotted at 24 apiece as the fourth quarter culminated, sending the second round matchup to overtime.…… MORE
ISU & IWU receiving positive feedback following basketball doubleheader
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL – It was a victory for the Bloomington-Normal community last Sunday as Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan took to the court for a basketball doubleheader at CEFCU Arena. “It was awesome! To see that many people show up for an exhibition game was incredible.” said ISU Interim Athletic Director Dr. Jeri…… MORE
#1 Normal Community dominates Argo in Round One of IHSA playoffs
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Despite a cold front and a soaked playing field from several days of rain, the Ironmen at Normal Community cruised to a first round victory over Argo 43-0. The shutout marks the fourth consecutive game where Community has held a team to zero points, as the Ironmen offense piled on…… MORE
Bloomington falls flat to Decatur MacArthur in final week of regular season
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – A field goal was the first score of the game put on the board early in the first quarter by the Purple Raiders, but what came to follow left fans packing up and heading for the exits early as Decatur MacArthur put a beating on Bloomington 54-10. Bloomington challenged the…… MORE
Heartland Women’s Volleyball Coach named Coach of the Year
Heartland Community College’s Head Volleyball coach has been named the top coach in the Midwest Atlantic Conference.… MORE
U-High Pioneers clinch first postseason berth since 2015; beat Lincoln 49-28 in Week 8
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – It has been 8 years since U-High last took the field for a playoff game, but the third season under Head Coach Brody Walworth has propelled the Pioneers back to the promised land after a Week 8 victory over fellow Central State Eight Conference foe Lincoln 49-28. Coach Walworth spoke…… MORE
Panthers preserve undefeated season beating Heyworth 40-19 in Week 7
By Jake Fogal LEROY – Seven weeks, seven wins. That’s the definition of LeRoy’s 2023 football season thus far as the Panthers continued their winning ways in Week 7, beating up on fellow Heart of Illinois Small Conference foe Heyworth, 40-19. “A testament to these kids and how hard they have worked with and for…… MORE
Olympia falls short of upset over state ranked Maroa-Forsyth in Week 6
By Jake Fogal STANFORD – A 40-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter Friday night from Olympia Spartan’s senior Nic Olsen gave life to a Stanford crowd as the Spartans sat two points behind a Class 2A #1 Maroa-Forsyth team with 11 minutes to play. The two point conversion attempt that followed came up…… MORE
Central Catholic runs away with Week 5 win over Tolono Unity
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Central Catholic Saints relied on their field general in Week 5 to defeat a conference rival, but not in the way you may think. Senior quarterback for the Saints Colin Hayes beat the Rockets with his legs instead of his arm, finding the end zone for six rushing touchdowns…… 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…