Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

Illinois man convicted for attempting to sex traffic a minor

Illinois man convicted for attempting to sex traffic a minor

By WMBD-TV METAMORA – A Metamora man was found guilty of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor Thursday. According to a Department of Justice news release, 49-year-old Dana Curtin was found guilty after a three-day trial. Presented evidence showed that Curtin had spoken to an individual he believed to be an adult…MORE

Pekin police investigate reckless homicide after two dead in hit and run

Pekin police investigate reckless homicide after two dead in hit and run

By WMBD-TV PEKIN – A reckless driver has left two people dead in Pekin. According to Pekin police, two people were found near Caroline and North 2nd Streets early Thursday morning. A woman was pronounced dead on the scene. A 46-year-old man was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.…MORE

Town of Normal hosting public meeting discussing Vernon Avenue repairs

Town of Normal hosting public meeting discussing Vernon Avenue repairs

By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Town officials in Normal are seeking the publics input for plans to reconstruct certain areas of Vernon Avenue. The upgrades to Vernon Avenue would be from West Beaufort Street to Towanda Avenue and intended to evaluate alternative transportation options. A project budget will be determined following the review process. The…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…