By WMBD-TV NORMAL – A new back-to-school campaign to eliminate childhood food insecurity is underway. A Midwest Food Bank news release confirms the campaign funds a separate MFB’s Hope Packs program which will distribute supplemental weekend food for at-risk children. “The Hope Packs program is an important part of MFB’s efforts to alleviate hunger and…… MORE
By WMBD-TV TAZEWELL COUNTY – Two Central Illinois counties may enter an intergovernmental contract to help with animal control. Tazewell and Woodford counties are looking at possibly uniting with a plan that will help both counties. According to Libby Aeschleman, the Tazewell County Animal Control Director, there have been preliminary conversations about a potential collaboration.…… MORE
By WMBD-TV TAZEWELL COUNTY – The chairman of the Tazewell County Board announced his plans for retirement Tuesday. David Zimmerman said he will retire when his current term expires and his last day will be Nov. 30, 2024. Zimmerman was appointed to the board in 1997 and elected as the chair in 2008. He said once he retires…… MORE
By WMBD-TV HEYWORTH – Heyworth‘s school board approved a reduction of class sizes to around 15 students for its elementary-aged learners. The change, which has gone into effect this year, impacts Kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade students. The move, recommended by building leadership, aims to help the students reach the recommended reading level by third grade.…… MORE
The Chenoa Police Department announced Tuesday that one of its officers was involved in a crash on I-55 near Towanda on Monday evening.… MORE
There were 6.5 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 27, 2023. … MORE
A 17-year-old boy was arrested Monday night in connection with a fatal shooting at a Peoria County liquor store.… MORE
The former three-term mayor of Bloomington Jesse Smart has died at 84 as confirmed by a Calvert and Metzler Memorial Home notice.… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Normal Fire Department is warning people about a recent recall on dehumidifiers. Last week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall that affects 1.56 million dehumidifiers by the manufacturer Gree. The recall includes 42 models with several brand names such as GE, Kenmore and Norpole. The recall came just ahead of the recent heat wave, which…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – It’s been two years since Carmen Bolden Day last spoke with her son Jelani Day. She now believes she has proof that someone else was involved in his disappearance and ultimately his death. “It’s a void cause he’s absent. I don’t have him anymore. He went from missing, to them finding…… 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…