Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

Poor cell service an issue at Tailgate N’ Tallboys for second straight year

Poor cell service an issue at Tailgate N’ Tallboys for second straight year

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – It was another successful showing for Tailgate and Tallboys earlier this month, as the country music festival headlined by Nickelback, Kane Brown and Jelly Roll entertained thousands of people at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, but cell phone service took a plunge during the Twin Cities big summer spectacle. Cell…MORE

Danvers man to appear in court in August for death of Bloomington woman

Danvers man to appear in court in August for death of Bloomington woman

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A Danvers man will next appear in court in late August regarding charges he allegedly killed a Bloomington woman. Joshua Livingston, 41, of Danvers, appeared in McLean County Circuit Court on Monday for a status hearing. At issue were concerns he had that the public defender’s office had a conflict of interest as one…MORE

Prices at the pump remain steady throughout country ahead of July 4

Prices at the pump remain steady throughout country ahead of July 4

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have fallen nearly 5 cents in the last week, averaging $3.96 a gallon According to GasBuddy’s survey of over 43-hundred stations in Illinois, prices in the state are a few cents higher than a month ago. GasBuddy price reports show the cheapest station in Illinois…MORE

Volunteer firefighters in Illinois to get state tax credit

Volunteer firefighters in Illinois to get state tax credit

By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – A bill was recently signed into law that gives volunteer firefighters up to a $500 credit towards their state tax return. The measure, announced by State Sen. Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City), will take effect in the 2023 tax year and could be used when people file their returns next year. The…MORE

Illinois Department of Public Health urging caution against West Nile Virus

Illinois Department of Public Health urging caution against West Nile Virus

By Jake Fogal ILLINOIS – West Nile Virus has been confirmed in four Illinois counties as mosquito’s begin to buzz this summer season. Fifteen mosquito batches have tested positive for the virus in 2023, and the current counties that have detected West Nile are Cook, Morgan, St. Clair, and LaSalle. Angie Crawford with the McLean…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…