Removing whatever suspense remained, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) has announced he wants to stay in Congress. He will run in the newly drawn 15th District, which includes Taylorville but not much of Springfield.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
2021’s final weekly crop progress report
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.2 days suitable for field work during the week ending November 28, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 34.5 degrees, 3.2 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.21 inches, 0.69 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture…… MORE
IDPH director on the omicron variant
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Like everyone else in the medical community, Dr. Ngozi Ezike is learning all she can as fast as she can about the fast-moving omicron variant of coronavirus. “We know that it’s not a matter of if but when we will confirm cases in the United States and in Illinois,” said…… MORE
New 861 area code coming to 309 region, assigned to new numbers 2022-2023
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A new area code is coming to central Illinois as an overlay code in the 309 region. The Illinois Commerce Commission says the addition of the 861 area code will be available for assignment sometime late 2022 or early 2023 as the number of assignable telephone numbers with a 309…… MORE
Bloomington High School student to face charges in adult court for bringing loaded gun to school
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – McLean County prosecutors are trying a 16-year old Bloomington High School student as an adult on charges he carried a loaded handgun at school earlier this month. The most serious of the three felony charges against Tayshaun Johnson alleges he carried and possessed a 9 mm pistol to BHS on…… MORE
McLean County man charged with 50 child pornography counts
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A 71-year old Chenoa man is being held on $1 million bond for 50 felony charges of child pornography possession. A McLean County Grand Jury last Tuesday indicted Chester B. McKee, and McLean County Sheriff’s Police said they arrested McKee the next day. Illinois State Police have been investigating McKee…… MORE
House Majority Leader Greg Harris retiring
SPRINGFIELD – One of Illinois’ top lawmakers says one more year will be quite enough.… MORE
McLean County COVID-19 positivity on the rise; officials, report 383 new cases since Wednesday
The McLean County health department reports 383 new cases of COVID-19 since Wednesday. … MORE
State Sen. Bailey: “Government is not the answer” after seeing Chicago gunfire first-hand
Remember the “Pastor on the Roof”? He’s been joined by the “Candidate on the Roof.”… MORE
Illinois gas prices inch up over the past week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices in the state are up two cents in the last week, averaging $3.52 a gallon. According to GasBuddy, prices in Illinois are a penny higher than a month ago and stand $1.38 higher than a year ago. GasBuddy price reports show the cheapest station in the state is…… 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…