Jurors hearing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s trial are finally scheduled to begin deliberations Wednesday afternoon more than three months after testimony in the case began.… MORE
Category Archives: Police and Fire
Madigan attorney urges acquittal, accusing feds of ‘shoving misshapen puzzle pieces together’
After watching prosecutors spend more than 10 hours over three days dissecting every element of the racketeering and bribery case against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the defense on Friday acknowledged the government’s presentation seemed “very polished.”… MORE
Victor Farris pleads to kidnapping, hijacking car with child inside
An Ohio man, who sparked a large manhunt last fall after stealing a car with 3-year-old child inside from a North Peoria rental facility, pleaded guilty Thursday.… MORE
In closing arguments, prosecutor alleges Madigan was driven by ‘power and profit’
As prosecutors began their closing arguments Wednesday in the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, they accused the longtime Democratic powerbroker of lying to the jury when he testified in his own defense earlier this month.… MORE
Pair arrested following complaints in Streator
By WMBD TV LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Guns, ammo, drugs, and two repeat offenders are off the streets in South Streator. The Livingston County Sheriff stated on Facebook Tuesday that Sebastian Carlile and Annette Essman were arrested for a slew of charges on Friday, January 17. The Sheriff’s Office tasked their pro-active team to execute a search warrant…… MORE
Bloomington fire starts in house being remodeled
A two-story house in Bloomington caught fire while being under construction.… MORE
Bloomington family faces organized crime charges related to their pawn shops
A Bloomington family is being accused by the state’s top prosecutor of running an organized retail crime enterprise through multiple Monster Pawn locations.… MORE
Bloomington man in custody after Monday afternoon shooting
A Bloomington man was arrested Monday in connection with a shooting Monday that sent one person to the hospital.… MORE
Woodford County Sheriff looking for tire suspects
The Woodford County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help identifying who has been leaving hundreds of tires throughout the county.… MORE
House fire burns for over four hours in Lexington
A house fire in Lexington took over four hours to extinguish due to icy conditions and the roof collapsing.… 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…