Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

Gibson City student dead after crash in Ford County

Gibson City student dead after crash in Ford County

By Jake Fogal FORD COUNTY – Local emergency services in Ford County responded to a single vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon that left one person dead. The Ford County Sheriff’s Office put out a news release that a 17-year old male from Gibson City, died in a crash on 500 East Road, just south of Sibley…MORE

Illinois House passes state budget

Illinois House passes state budget

Just after 2:30 Saturday morning, the Illinois House of Representatives followed the Senate in passing a $50.6 billion spending plan for the fiscal year which begins July 1.MORE

Illinois Senate passes budget bill

Illinois Senate passes budget bill

For all the talk of bipartisanship this spring, no Republicans voted for the more than $50 billion budget lawmakers created this week.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…