Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

McLean County man behind bars after beating man unconscious

McLean County man behind bars after beating man unconscious

By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – A McLean County man remains behind bars after prosecutors say he beat a man unconscious. Late last week, Bloomington police responded to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington for a patient who left before completing treatment. After a short investigation, police found the man in the 800 block of E.…MORE

Convicted felon faces weapon charges in Bloomington

Convicted felon faces weapon charges in Bloomington

By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police found a handgun on a Bloomington man after responding to a domestic battery incident. According to an arrest report, police responded to an apartment in the 1-thousand block of Arlene Court late Friday night. Once on the scene, police found a woman with a bloody lip and swelling…MORE

McLean County woman accused of beating a man with a metal pipe

McLean County woman accused of beating a man with a metal pipe

By Blake Haas MCLEAN COUNTY – A McLean County woman stands accused of kidnapping a man and beating him with a metal pipe. According to an arrest report, a man called police to report a noise complaint late last week. When the man opened his front door, he found Katie Franco, 40, allegedly threatening him…MORE

Lt. Gov. Stratton hears from minority women business owners

Lt. Gov. Stratton hears from minority women business owners

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Lieutenant Gov. Juliana Stratton (D-Ill.) stopped by the Minority Business Development Center at Eastland Mall in Bloomington to hear from minority women business owners for her new initiative “We Thrive”. “We Thrive” is an effort spearheaded by Stratton to financially empower minority women business owners by increasing access to existing resources. Bloomington was…MORE

Foodmobile coming to McLean County

Foodmobile coming to McLean County

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank and the McLean County Unit 5 school district announced a partnership that will bring a Foodmobile to Normal Community West High School.MORE

Potential entire downtown remodel coming to Bloomington

Potential entire downtown remodel coming to Bloomington

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Surveys and meetings were held by Bloomington officials to get the opinion of community members on what they would like to see be implemented in the remodel. Questions on the survey included if they would like to keep historic characteristics or spring for a more modern look; another, if they would…MORE

Two shots fired incidents being investigated by Bloomington Police Department

Two shots fired incidents being investigated by Bloomington Police Department

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Police Department is investigating two shots fired incidents that transpired on Wednesday. An officer heard shots being fired near their location at 6:45 Wednesday night. An additional investigation led to the 800 block of South Summit Street, where officers located evidence that a shooting had taken place. There…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…