By Heart of Illinois ABC BLOOMINGTON – Three years after he was charged, the first of what could be many trials started Monday for a Pekin piano teacher accused of sexually abusing six of his students in the Twin-Cities. Aaron Parlier, 40, faces 38 charges in all, including predatory criminal sexual assault and child pornography,…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Week 8 of the high school football season has come to a close and just one week remains in the regular season. Around the Intercity: Normal Community (8-0) remained undefeated with a win over Champaign Centennial 35-13. Normal West (6-2) is now playoff eligible as they beat Peoria Richwoods 54-0.…… MORE
The St. Louis Cardinals announced this afternoon that they have agreed to part ways with Manager Mike Shildt.… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The high school football regular season is quickly coming to a close with just two weeks remaining. Normal Community is undefeated and they’ll try to remain perfect Friday night against Champaign Centennial. Ironmen head coach Jason Drengwitz says the Chargers will present some challenges. “On offense they’ve got a quarterback…… MORE
With higher vaccination rates among Americans, a Central Illinois Doctor believes the country is turning the corner when it comes to COVID-19.… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Normal West (5-2) scored all 28 of its points before Danville (3-4) got on the board and it was enough for a Wildcats victory 28-14. Normal West junior quarterback Jayden Mangreum scored two rushing touchdowns. The other scores came on runs by junior wideout Matthew Marsaglia and junior running back…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – More than 300 golfers from around the state will compete in the IHSA boys golf state finals Friday and Saturday in Bloomington-Normal. Class 1A will compete at Prairie Vista Golf Course, Class 2A at Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University, and Class 3A at The Den at Fox Creek…… MORE
By WJBC Staff ST LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals have announced their 26-player active roster for Wednesday night’s National League Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Dodgers that is set for 7:10 p.m. The Cardinals will be playing in their second one-game N.L. Wild Card game, last doing so in 2012 when they…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Early turnovers hurt the Bloomington Purple Raiders (3-3) as they fell in Week 6 to Champaign Centennial (3-3) 40-20. A few fumbles from Bloomington quarterback Marcus Griffin gave the Chargers good field position and Centennial running back Brandon Harvey scored three touchdowns in the first half, giving the Chargers a…… MORE
Gov. JB Pritzker says he’d be disappointed if the Chicago Bears moved out of the city.… 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…