A Bloomington man faces multiple drug charges after allegedly setting up a drug deal with an undercover cop.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Prices at the pump remain the same in latest gas report
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices are unchanged over this past week, averaging $4.99 a gallon. “After several weeks of soaring gas prices, last week saw prices nationally slow down ahead of Memorial Day, but I’m afraid the good news ends there,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. According…… MORE
Hill of a Race event announced for City of Bloomington in late August
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Returning to Bloomington in August is the Hill of a Race Obstacle Run. The City of Bloomington’s Parks and Recreation department is partnering with Dust 2 Glory Fitness and Certified Spartan S-G-X Coach Dustin for the ultimate outdoor fitness challenge course for competitive racers. “The Hill of a Race obstacle…… MORE
Normal Rivian plant evacuated due to battery fire
NORMAL – A defective battery pack inside Rivian’s auto manufacturing plant created a fire that required an evacuation Saturday morning. According to a release from the Normal Fire Department, firefighters responded to the plant at about 10:40 AM for reports of a battery pack on fire. First responders found the pack in a testing area…… MORE
Fire destroys several cabins at Utica resort
By HOI ABC UTICA – Several cabins are a loss after fire tore through buildings at Grand Bear Resort near Starved Rock State Park. The flames grew quickly because of heavy winds. A plume of smoke could be seen 20 miles away. Authorities say no injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is…… MORE
‘Heroes of Habitat’ carries legacy of military son
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A McLean county family will have a new home to celebrate Christmas in this year, while honoring a soldier’s ultimate sacrifice. The ‘Heroes’ of Habitat’ program through McLean County Habitat for Humanity held its first groundbreaking for the build season Saturday. The program works to build homes as a way…… MORE
Congressman Davis: Won’t support a law that ‘infringes on the Second Amendment’
Rodney Davis knows something about gun crimes. The Republican Congressman from Taylorville was at a baseball practice near Washington in 2017, when a gunman fired at the players, wounding U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.).… MORE
Dan Brady Helps Honor Normal Cops
By A.J. Harris NORMAL – Yesterday, several Normal Police Officers were honored for their service to the community, heroically putting their lives on the line for the safety of others. In August of 2021, Officer Shane Bachman, Officer Cory Phillips, Sgt. Jonathan McCauley, Officer Kyley Helper and Officer Evan Easter confronted an armed individual on…… MORE
District 87 schools reviewing safety policies after Texas school shooting
By Blake Haas & Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – On the heels of a school shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers in Texas, school districts in central Illinois are reviewing their safety procedures. According to incoming District 87 Superintendent Dr. David Mouser, safety precautions are in place at the district, however, school administrators are…… MORE
ISU Athletics announces 2022 Percy Family Hall of Fame Class
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois State Athletics selected it’s group of Redbirds into the 2022 Percy Family Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Marshaun Coprich ’16 (football), 2014 and 2015 All-American and two-time MVFC Offensive Player of the Year Heather Forsyth ’06 (soccer), two-time MVC Player of the Year and four-time All-MVC selection Abby Olson…… 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…