It took only three hours for a 12-person jury to find Nathan Woodring guilty of murder in the death of a local sheriff’s deputy.… MORE
Category Archives: Police and Fire
Small fire at Rivian plant in Normal
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – A small fire broke out Tuesday night at the Rivian plant in northwest Normal. The Normal Fire Department said there was minimal damage and no injuries were reported. The plant was evacuated for a short time while firefighters put out the fire. Fire crews were called around 5 p.m. after…… MORE
Over 400 march in Peru for “Justice for Jelani”
Over 400 people marched in the streets of Peru, Illinois, on Tuesday to seek justice for Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day.… MORE
Documents say four teen suspects planned, executed Mackinaw homicide
A 17-year-old man is being tried as an adult and faces murder charges — along with the other two adults previously named after a woman was killed and a man wounded in a shooting Friday night in Mackinaw.… MORE
LaSalle Coroner determines Jelani Day’s death; says no evidence of injuries
The scenario surrounding Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day remains a mystery; however, the LaSalle Coroner released autopsy results for Day on Monday.… MORE
Fourth person arrested in Mackinaw homicide; cause of death withheld
Sheriff Jeff Lower said another person has been arrested in a Friday night shooting at a home in rural Mackinaw that left one woman dead and a man in critical condition.… MORE
Former Pekin piano teacher found guilty of child porn and sexual assault
A central Illinois man accused of sexually assaulting his piano students has been found guilty on all 20 counts.… MORE
Former cop avoids jail time for guilty plea to DUI
A former Normal Police officer, who used to be a school resource officer, has pleaded guilty to drunken driving.… MORE
Bloomington fatal fire considered ‘suspicious’; Coroner identifies victim
Bloomington Police are launching an investigation into the cause of the fire that killed a 62-year old man, as investigators call the fire “suspicious.”… MORE
Day two of trial against Ex-Pekin Piano teacher ends
Court was brief on Tuesday, for the trial against Aaron Parlier. Parlier is accused of sexually assaulting his piano students.… 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…