By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington has been recognized by The Arbor Day Foundation as a 2021 Tree City USA. The community was also given a Growth Award. A Growth Award is given to a community alongside the Tree City USA recognition for showing environmental improvement and a higher level of tree…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A McLean County judge has determined that two children, who are siblings of a missing Bloomington baby, were themselves neglected while being cared for by their mother. Last month, Kimberlee Burton, 29, was found unfit to stand trial on criminal charges alleging she concealed the death of her seven-month old…… MORE
The Illinois Commerce Commission and Operation Lifesaver are celebrating 50-years of rail safety education.… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Coroner Dr. Kathleen Yoder identified Sunday’s drowning victim as 19 year old Dariyon Phelps of Bloomington, IL. Phelps was pronounced deceased on April 24 at 08:31 p.m. in the Carle BroMenn Emergency Department. Preliminary autopsy opinion indicates that Phelps died from drowning. Toxicology testing is pending. “I want…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois State Police has identified 46 year old Benjamin Herrington as the fleeing subject in the ambulance hijack seen on Interstate 55 on Monday. A section of Interstate 55 was closed Monday evening after police chased Herrington from Chicago to Dwight. State Police said the chase ended at about 6:30…… MORE
By Dave Dahl WASHINGTON – Two Republican candidates for governor, on stage in Tazewell County Monday night, stressed the importance of their Christian faith. “If we have to do one thing to save our great state of Illinois,” said Jesse Sullivan, “it’s this: we need to deepen our relationship with God: as individuals, as a…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The city of Bloomington is a step closer to turning a downtown eyesore into a housing solution. Monday night, the council unanimously passed an agreement between the city and a developer to revitalize the CII East building downtown. The privately-owned building on East Street has been vacant for many years,…… MORE
By HOI ABC DWIGHT – A section of Interstate 55 was closed Monday evening after police chased the driver of a stolen ambulance from Chicago to Dwight. Illinois State Police said the chase ended about 6:30 p.m. when the ambulance stopped and a suspect was taken into custody. Authorities said I-55 was closed in both…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Normal’s very own American Idol is making her claim for national glory. Leah Marlene advanced to the Top 10 Monday night, singing Bob Dylan’s ‘Make You Feel My Love.’ On her Facebook page, Leah expressed gratitude for everyone who voted for her to continue on in the competition. “I can’t believe…… MORE
The Tazewell County Emergency Management Agency is looking for volunteers.… 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…