Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

Normal West capitalizes on mistakes; beat Bloomington in intercity showdown

Normal West capitalizes on mistakes; beat Bloomington in intercity showdown

By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Flags littered the field at Wildcats Stadium Friday night as Normal West had it’s first home game of the season, renewing it’s rivalry with Bloomington. Unsportsmanlike penalties were a theme for both sidelines, as the two team’s were eager to gain an edge in this intercity clash, though the Wildcats…MORE

Normal hosts open house for Vernon Avenue Project

Normal hosts open house for Vernon Avenue Project

By WMBD-TV NORMAL – On Thursday, the Town of Normal hosted an open house with Hanson Professional Services about the Vernon Avenue Complete Streets Project. The project will be between Beaufort Street and Towanda Avenue. In June, Hanson, an engineering consulting firm, gave a presentation before the council showcasing potential ideas such as adding bike…MORE

Woodford County school districts set to receive FCC funds

Woodford County school districts set to receive FCC funds

By WMBD-TV WOODFORD COUNTY – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth announced Wednesday that Illinois schools and libraries will receive $6,279,820 through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund. Morton Community Unit School District 709 will receive $295,900 and County of Woodford Schools will receive $15,900 to help close the digital divide in schools…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…