Category Archives: Police and Fire

Peoria Heights man behind bars in McLean County on attempted robbery charges

Peoria Heights man behind bars in McLean County on attempted robbery charges

By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – A Peoria heights man is behind bars in McLean County after local police say he allegedly attempted to rob a local restaurant. On Sunday evening, Bloomington police responded to a restaurant in the 1800 block of S. Veterans Parkway to a report of an armed subject around 8:45 p.m. Police…MORE

Proposed union contract gives Bloomington cops 2.5% annual pay hikes

Proposed union contract gives Bloomington cops 2.5% annual pay hikes

By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Unionized Bloomington Police officers would receive 2.5% annual pay increases under terms of a proposed three-year contract that also gives bilingual officers annual bonuses. The city council will vote Monday night on a tentative deal costing Bloomington taxpayers almost $1.4 million dollars during the three years. “This ratification will match…MORE

UPDATE: Man dead after shooting on Bloomington’s near east side

UPDATE: Man dead after shooting on Bloomington’s near east side

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A 30-year-old man is dead after a shooting Thursday night in Bloomington. Police were called around 9 p.m. to the 800 block of East Washington Street. Police say a man was lying on the ground with apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to Carle BroMenn Medical Center. The man was…MORE

Man seriously wounded in shooting on Bloomington’s near east side

Man seriously wounded in shooting on Bloomington’s near east side

By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police say they are investigating a Thursday evening shooting on the city’s near east side that seriously wounded a man. A police lieutenant said the man is hospitalized with serious to life-threatening injuries after a shooting that was reported shortly before 9 p.m. in the 800 block of East…MORE

Coroner identifies body found in Lake Bloomington

Coroner identifies body found in Lake Bloomington

By Neil Doyle HUDSON – McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder has identified a body that was found in Lake Bloomington. David L. Roesch, 58, of Saybrook was pronounced dead around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. Yoder says preliminary autopsy results indicate Roesch died from drowning with non-fatal injuries of the forehead and lips consistent with blunt trauma,…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…