Category Archives: Uncategorized

Obituary: Ward

Obituary: Ward

  BLOOMINGTON – Larry A. Ward, 65, of Bloomington, passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 2 a.m. in his home with his family by his side. A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington. Military Honors will…MORE

Obituary: Mitchell

  BLOOMINGTON – Bruce Eric Mitchell I, 59 of Bloomington, Illinois, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 2:45 a.m. at his home. Bruce’s service will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Beck Memorial Home, Bloomington with Pastor Josh Beutow officiating. Following the service burial will be held at Park Hill…MORE

Obituary: Everett

James Everett, 69, of Shirley, passed away at 9:55 a.m., Friday, March 3, 2017 at his home. His funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at St. Mary’s Church, Bloomington with Rev. Gregory Nelson and Deacon Robert Hermes officiating.  Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bloomington.  Visitation will be from…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…