The Ward 6 vacancy to replace former Councilmember Jenn Carillo has is down to 10 applicants.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Gas prices down across the state
Illinois gas prices are averaging $3.29 a gallon, down 3 cents compared to last week.… MORE
MCHD reports 144 new cases of COVID-19, rolling positivity down slightly
Since the weekend, the McLean County Health Department is reporting 144 new cases of COVID-19.… MORE
Bloomington-Normal Avanti’s dining rooms closed indefinitely
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Avanti’s Italian Restaurant has decided to close both of its dining rooms in Bloomington-Normal starting Monday, Aug. 16. Avanti’s has two locations in the Twin-Cities, one in Bloomington at 3302 E. Empire Street, and in Normal at 407 S. Main Street. Avanti’s says carry out, curbside pick up, delivery, banquet…… MORE
State Farm hiring 2,500 full-time claims and customer service employees
By A.J. Harris BLOOMINGTON – State Farm is hiring more than 2,500 full-time employees — with over 700 of those based at its headquarters in Bloomington. The claims and customer service openings — a hybrid of in-office and virtual roles — also include their hubs in Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix. Some of the positions support in-language…… MORE
Governor signs veteran-friendly bills into law
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The first Sunday of the Illinois State Fair’s run is the day to honor veterans. Gov. JB Pritzker signed seven veteran-friendly bills, from the creation of “Folds of Honor” license plates to expedition of professional certification for military spouses. Gold Star mother Theresa Palmer of Harristown, near Decatur, said her…… MORE
Scaled-back Trail East development plan in Uptown Normal keeps mural at current site
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A developer is scaling back plans for a major addition to Uptown Normal, and in doing so is willing to end a controversy by allowing a popular mural to stay at the site. The Normal Town Council is being asked to approve Bush Construction’s scaled-down version of Trail East, to be…… MORE
First USDA yield forecast
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The first look at the 2021 crop yield forecast is here, and hopes are high. The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service survey projects yields of 214 bushels of corn per acre and 64 bushels of soybeans in Illinois. Both would be records. Nationally, the forecast for bushels per acre is…… MORE
Road closures during Medici Craft Beer and Jazz Street Festival
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Uptown Normal is hosting the Medici Craft Beer and Jazz Street Festival on Saturday, Aug. 14 from 4 – 10 p.m., benefitting the Children’s Discovery Museum. Beginning at 10 a.m., on Saturday, “No parking” signs will be posted. At noon, North Street from Broadway Street to Uptown Circle will close. This…… MORE
Heavy rain causes severe flooding in Central Illinois town
By HOI ABC GIBSON CITY – Nearly all roads in the Ford County community of Gibson City were impassable because of flooding on Thursday. In some places, water on the roads was several feet deep. Doppler radar estimated 11.4 inches of rain fell in an area just southeast of Gibson City, which is about 35 miles…… 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…