By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Police Department has concluded it’s missing persons investigation from earlier this week, as a body was identified Thursday morning as Melissa S. Ostrom. Ostrum had been reported missing on Monday and was pronounced dead upon being found by officers early Thursday. An autopsy is pending and a death…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Connect Transit announced they will suspend fares Saturday, April 22, to celebrate Earth Day. According to a Connect Transit news release, fares will be suspended for all public transportation services in Bloomington-Normal to encourage everyone to “try transit” on Earth Day and make a positive impact on the environment. Local residents are encouraged to…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House and Senate Wednesday welcomed the next mayor of Chicago to a rare joint session. Brandon Johnson called Chicago a union town and Illinois a union state. “Just look at our state constitution, where we grant workers the fundamental right to organize and to collectively bargain. Right there…… MORE
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – Hard rockers Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will perform at the Peoria Civic Center later this summer, the facility announced on Tuesday. The pair will perform on Aug. 15. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 21. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or in person at the Toyota Box Office,…… MORE
By WMBD-TV MCLEAN COUNTY – McLean County Coroner Dr. Kathy Yoder identified the victim of a deadly crash that occurred Monday. According to a coroner’s office’s press release, 28-year-old Nathan A. Walloch of Camby, Ind., suffered multiple blunt-force injuries due to the crash. Toxicology is still pending at this time. The crash occurred on U.S.…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Solar Panel and Parking Lot plans at Rivian Automotive were unanimously solidified by the Normal Town Council Monday night. Rivian now has the green light to install the community’s largest array of solar panels to generate electricity at the electric vehicle plant in northwest Normal. The solar panels will be…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork in the week ending April 16, 2023. Statewide, the average temperature was 62.7 degrees, 11.5 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.65 inches; 0.45 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 25 percent…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington police are asking for the public’s help finding a person of interest in multiple purposely set fires. According to Bloomington police Facebook, The Bloomington Police Department and Bloomington Fire Department responded to four separate fire scenes across the far west side of Bloomington along W. Market and W. Washington, In each incident…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – In an effort to prevent crime and protect officers the Normal Police Department is getting new equipment. The police department was awarded $500,000 in a Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant. The purpose of the grant is to help with community development and crime prevention. Some items had to be…… MORE
By Dave Dahl As the Illinois legislature enters its final five weeks of session, Senate Republicans have what they say are business-friendly bills ready to go. Naming Caterpillar and Tyson Foods as just two examples of departures, Sen. Don DeWitte (R-St Charles) wants to do something to keep employers here. “In an effort to maintain…… 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…