Category Archives: Local Sports

Normal West promotes Fincham to head football coach

Normal West promotes Fincham to head football coach

The man picked to become Normal West High School’s next head football coach is the team’s long-time assistant coach, who was backed by some players and parents seeking continuity in the program.MORE

Cold-shooting Titans falter in CCIW Tournament

Cold-shooting Titans falter in CCIW Tournament

By Eric Stock ROCK ISLAND – Two losses in the final week of the season have Illinois Wesleyan sweating it out for an NCAA at-large bid. The No. 15 Titans failed to overcome a cold shooting night in losing for the second time in four days to North Central, 70-64, in the semifinals of the…MORE

IWU’s Roses, Bonnett earn CCIW honors

IWU’s Roses, Bonnett earn CCIW honors

Illinois Wesleyan junior Brady Rose was named to the first team, junior Colin Bonnett was chosen for the second team and Ron Rose shared “Coach of the Year” honors as the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin coaches voted on all-league honors on Wednesday, Feb. 21.MORE

Illinois State grabs overtime victory over Drake

Illinois State grabs overtime victory over Drake

Milik Yarbrough and Phil Fayne each had double-doubles, while Keyshawn Evans scored 23 points with six assists as the Illinois State Redbirds fought off a feisty Drake squad on Wednesday night, winning in overtime 89-81.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…