By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Ryan Pedon has hired his second assistant coach to his staff, as Andrew Dakich joins the Redbird program departing from Elon University. “I’m really excited about adding Andrew to our staff,” said Pedon. “Andrew played for us in his graduate year at Ohio State, and I was able to see firsthand his…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-The McLean County Museum of History (MCMH) has been recognized for it’s distinguished work on it’s groundbreaking series, “Breaking Bread in McLean County.” The Illinois Association for Museums awarded MCMH Superior Achievement in Community Partnership. The 10 part program detailed the shared and differing experiences of local migrant communities from the Kickapoo…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – After 45 years in education administration, Central Catholic High School Athletic Director Hud Venerable announced that he will retire July 1. Venerable took over the Saints athletic programs in 2017. During that time, the Saints added girls swimming and boys lacrosse to their roster of athletic opportunities and hosted several…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – “A rich tradition of athletic success” is one of the reasons Allie Matters accepted the volleyball coaching job at Illinois State University. Matters was introduced to the community Monday morning on the Scott Miller Show on WJBC. Matters comes to ISU after spending the last four seasons as the head…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A boys lacrosse team has been added at Central Catholic High School. The team will compete this spring at the IHSA junior varsity level and move to varsity next season under the leadership of head coach Vincent Rasa, according to a news release. Rasa founded the Bloomington-Normal Warriors Lacrosse Club.…… MORE
The Normal CornBelters are introducing a new Field Manager and Bench Coach with local ties for the 2022 season.… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Illinois State University has named Allie Matters the eighth head coach in the history of the Redbird volleyball program. “I am so grateful for this opportunity to lead the Illinois state volleyball team,” Matters said in a news release. “I want to thank President Terri Goss Kinzy, Director of Athletics…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Following another underwhelming 13-20 season by the Illinois State men’s basketball team, the University moved swiftly to find it’s next head coach. Nearly an hour after the Redbirds loss to Northern Iowa on Friday, ISU announced that Ryan Pedon, Ohio State Buckeyes assistant, would fill the vacant head coach position for the…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Following a loss to Northern Iowa in the second round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, Illinois State Athletics has confirmed that Ohio State Top Assistant Ryan Pedon will take the reigns of the men’s basketball program as it’s next head coach. “I am extremely excited to be joining the Redbird family.…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Around 15,000 fans are expected to travel to the Twin-Cities this weekend for the Illinois High School Association girls basketball state finals. This is the first year all classes are competing on the same weekend as the games will take place at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena. According to the…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…