Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

Under The Ground BloNo closing after a two-year run

Under The Ground BloNo closing after a two-year run

By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – A beloved vegan-based restaurant in downtown Bloomington is closing its doors. Under the Ground BloNo announced they are closing at the end of February due to health issues and other factors. “This month also presented an extra set of challenges, and as a scrappy little business that was already fighting…MORE

IHSA’s cheerleading finals coming to Bloomington this weekend

IHSA’s cheerleading finals coming to Bloomington this weekend

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The annual Illinois High School Association Competitive Cheerleading State Finals will be hosted in Bloomington this weekend at Grossinger Motors Arena. The state’s top 100 teams will journey to the Twin Cities to participate in four separate classes. Over 13,000 spectators are expected to attend the two-day event, according to…MORE

Woman charged after Bloomington shooting incident

Woman charged after Bloomington shooting incident

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A woman was arrested in connection to a shots fired incident on Saturday. According to a Bloomington police news release, 31-year-old Amelia R. Hatch was arrested and then charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and battery. She appeared in McLean County…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…