Category Archives: Police and Fire

Coroner identifies Danvers man in rural Mackinaw crash

Coroner identifies Danvers man in rural Mackinaw crash

By Neil Doyle MACKINAW – A 69-year-old Danvers man has been identified as the victim of a two-vehicle crash in rural Mackinaw. Preliminary autopsy results indicate Larry Conder died from blunt force head injuries due to the accident, according to Tazewell County Coroner Charles Hanley. Toxicology testing is pending. The two-vehicle crash happened Wednesday, Feb.…MORE

‘Private’ meeting between Jelani Day’s family and police as legislation aims for quicker FBI involvement in similar cases

‘Private’ meeting between Jelani Day’s family and police as legislation aims for quicker FBI involvement in similar cases

By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Leaders of the Bloomington Police Department met Thursday with relatives of Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day, while at the same time legislation is moving forward in Springfield that would require quicker FBI involvement in cases similar to Day’s disappearance and death. Family members said on the “Justice For Jelani…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…