Normal police officers and sergeants will see a pay increase over the next four years. The town council approved the union contract last week.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Former Illinois State football standout hopes to hear his name called during the NFL Draft
A former Central Illinois high school football standout hopes to hear his name called for the NFL Draft this week. … MORE
ISU hosting open forum for Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Illinois State University plans to hold an open forum on Thursday for the vice president of academic affairs and provost nominee.… MORE
Former Clinton Chief of Police passes away
A former longtime Chief of Police in DeWitt County passed away this week. … MORE
McLean County certifies two K9’s and handler
By WMBD-TV MCLEAN COUNTY – Three McLean County Emergency Management Agency employees earned new certifications from the National Search Dog Alliance last weekend. McLean Emergency Agency Facebook states that Handler Joan Brehm and K9’s Rip and Jessie passed their disaster certifications in Missouri. Rip is trained in live finds and Jessie is trained in human remains. Of course we…… MORE
Bloomington designated a Tree City USA Community for 38th year
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington was recognized again for their forestry by the Arbor Day Foundation on Monday. A Bloomington Parks and Recreation news release states that community was honored by the non-profit for a forestry department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry plan with a $2 per capita budget allocation, and of course,…… MORE
The Baby Fold expansion leads to additional services, programming
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The cutting of the ribbon signifies the start of a new center in Bloomington by the Normal-based nonprofit, The Baby Fold. “Trauma and the impacts of trauma has been rising in our community,” said the Vice President of Development & Public Relations Sam Guillory. “We want to make sure that our community…… MORE
Unit 5’s Board of Education holds special meeting regarding property tax appeal
The Unit 5 School Board held a special meeting Monday night to vote on intervening on an appeal that will be made to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board.… MORE
Bloomington City Council votes in Jeff Jurgens as new city manager
Jeff Jurgens will be Bloomington’s new city manager after a unanimous vote by the city council on Monday.… MORE
Prices down at the pump over the past week
Over the past week, prices at the pump are down $0.06, averaging $3.90 today.… 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…