Category Archives: Police and Fire

Decades-old unsolved murder weighs heavily on Bloomington’s new police chief

Decades-old unsolved murder weighs heavily on Bloomington’s new police chief

By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s new police chief revealed more about his background Monday while speaking publicly for the first time to the city council. Jamal Simington said he understands first-hand the impact of violent crime. Simington said his father was shot to death in 1975 in a killing that remains unsolved. “That experience…MORE

Fairbury officer is home recovering after a traffic crash in Livingston County

Fairbury officer is home recovering after a traffic crash in Livingston County

By HOI ABC FAIRBURY – A Fairbury police officer is recovering at home after a high-speed chase Friday night. Officer Gary Lisewski was involved in the accident that sent three people to the hospital, according to Fairbury Police Department. In a Facebook post, police said his squad car rolled over several times and he was…MORE

BPD probing shots fired on east side

BPD probing shots fired on east side

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police are investigating a shots fired incident from the over the weekend on the city’s east side. Authorities were called Saturday around 11:15 p.m. to the area of Willedrob Road. When officers arrived, they located evidence that a shooting had occurred. Officers also learned that gunfire had struck an…MORE

Man in custody after police standoff in Normal

Man in custody after police standoff in Normal

By HOI ABC NORMAL – Normal Police say a man is in protective custody after being in a standoff with police for almost two hours Sunday evening. Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner said they called in crisis negotiations after there was a report of a man in a yard at the 1200 block of Brentwood…MORE

Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office asking for public’s help in sign-stealing case

Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office asking for public’s help in sign-stealing case

By Blake Haas TAZEWELL COUNTY – The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying recent thefts of multiple stop signs in the county. During the week of May 19, Heritage Lake reported eight stop signs and poles, one speed “bump ahead,” and the large decorative Heritage Lake entrance sign was…MORE

ISU police issue campus crime advisory for shots fired incident

ISU police issue campus crime advisory for shots fired incident

By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Normal Police are probing a shots fired incident that happened Monday night about three miles from the Illinois State University campus. ISU police issued a campus crime advisory after police were called around 5 p.m. to an apartment complex located at 710 W. Orlando Ave. The shots were also reported…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…