Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

A teenager and three adults arrested in Bloomington over the holiday weekend

A teenager and three adults arrested in Bloomington over the holiday weekend

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Four people were detained by the police and are now being charged with several offenses. In response to a report of shots fired, officers were summoned to the 1400 block of West Graham street on November 23rd, at 5:30 p.m. The first arrest was made at that time. A 17-year-old…MORE

Election petitions filed for nonexistent jobs to be decided on by the Town of Normal

Election petitions filed for nonexistent jobs to be decided on by the Town of Normal

By 25 News NORMAL – The final day to file nominating petitions for next spring’s municipal election took an unexpected turn in Normal on Monday. Two people filed petitions to become candidates for jobs that don’t exist, while a third person wants to become Normal’s town clerk, which is an appointed position. The filings are…MORE

Well-known candidates on the ballot for Normal Town Council in 2023

Well-known candidates on the ballot for Normal Town Council in 2023

By 25 News NORMAL – Voters in Normal will elect three town council members next spring, and the incumbents holding those seats have all filed nominating petitions before Monday’s deadline to get on the April ballot. Their challengers are not political newcomers, particularly Marc Tiritilli, who’s run twice for mayor, including the 2017 contest in…MORE

New members set to join the Bloomington City Council next year

New members set to join the Bloomington City Council next year

By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Only one incumbent whose term expires next year is running for re-election to the Bloomington City Council. Monday was the deadline for council candidates to file nominating petitions with the city’s election commission. There are only two contested races. Incumbent Donna Boelen is running unopposed on the April ballot for…MORE

GasBuddy report: “Gasoline could fall under $3 per gallon by Christmas”

GasBuddy report: “Gasoline could fall under $3 per gallon by Christmas”

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices are down 19 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.78 a gallon across the state. GasBuddy says prices in Illinois are 35.5 cents lower than a month ago and over 26 cents more expensive compared to this time last year. GasBuddy price reports show the cheapest…MORE

Twin Cities man sentenced to 25 years in prison for severe assault of a child

Twin Cities man sentenced to 25 years in prison for severe assault of a child

By 25 News MCLEAN COUNTY – A Twin Cities man was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison for repeatedly beating his girlfriend’s young son who suffered broken bones, brain bleeding, and was malnourished from the abuse. “You are beyond evil,” said the child’s grandmother who provided a victim-impact statement to the court. “What kind…MORE

Illinois State University farm plans for future after fire

Illinois State University farm plans for future after fire

By 25 News MCLEAN COUNTY – Illinois State University is thanking its agriculture community for stepping up to battle an almost 15-hour fire and taking in majority of its livestock after the research farm’s barn caught fire Friday. The university said it lost half of its 700 ft beef barn. “Certainly, that was a real…MORE

Corn harvesting nearly complete in Illinois

Corn harvesting nearly complete in Illinois

By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending November 20, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 28.1 degrees, 14.2 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.15 inches, 0.55 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 12 percent very short, 19 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 1…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…