Category Archives: Police and Fire

Fatal car crash Monday afternoon near LeRoy

Fatal car crash Monday afternoon near LeRoy

By Neil Doyle LEROY – Authorities are investigating a deadly car crash that happened Monday afternoon in southeast McLean County. Coroner Kathy Yoder says the crash happened around 3:30 p.m. just east of LeRoy at the intersection of 3100 East and 400 North Road. One person died in the accident and the victim’s name is…MORE

Early morning fire at ISU farm in Lexington

Early morning fire at ISU farm in Lexington

By Neil Doyle LEXINGTON – A fire broke out early Friday morning at the Illinois State University farm in Lexington. Lexington Fire Department public information officer Captain Ian Bruckner told WJBC the fire was reported around 12:40 a.m. in the large 1,000 foot long cow barn, which is recognizable from Interstate 55. The south half…MORE

McLean County correctional officer charged with worker’s comp fraud

McLean County correctional officer charged with worker’s comp fraud

By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed a felony charge alleging worker’s compensation fraud against a county correctional officer. In a release, McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage says that officer is Ryan Hitch, 48. He is alleged to have intentionally made false or fraudulent material statements or material representations…MORE

No injuries after generator issue causes fire at State Farm Corporate South

No injuries after generator issue causes fire at State Farm Corporate South

By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – No one was injured after a generator issue caused a fire at a building on State Farm’s Corporate South campus. State Farm spokesperson Gina Morss-Fischer says a maintenance team performing an equipment check alerted authorities about a small fire. Bloomington Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hartwig says the call came…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…