An apparent breakthrough in Springfield as legislative leaders and Governor Rauner said they reached a school funding agreement.… MORE
Yearly Archives: 2017
Motorcyclist killed in northeast Normal crash
A man is dead after crashing his motorcycle into a concrete barricade in far northeast Normal, and police and the coroner are investigating whether the man was under the influence or alcohol or drugs.… MORE
Hockey team not just Bloomington’s anymore
Old Team, New name– the Bloomington Thunder is now known as the Central Illinois Flying Aces.… MORE
Lead levels rise above state standards at four District 87 schools
Four District 87 schools have higher than allowable levels for lead under new state government guidelines created following the Flint, Michigan water crisis.… MORE
Prosecutors: Bloomington arrests put dent in local illicit drug market
McLean County prosecutors say police have made a major dent in the local ecstasy market after making three arrests this week.… MORE
District 87 uses cash reserves to account for unprecedented state shortfall
District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly said the school funding shortage in Illinois has reached unprecedented levels.… MORE
Sports On Air
Sports On Air… MORE
OSF shoe drive sets record
OSF Healthcare’s annual shoe drive produced a record haul.… MORE
Thunder defenseman Callahan to play in All-American Prospects Game
Bloomington Thunder defenseman Michael Callahan has been selected to participate in the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game on Sept. 21.… MORE
Hillcrest Street in Normal to close
Hillcrest Street between Virginia Avenue and Highland Avenue will be closed for sewer repairs starting at 7 a.m. Monday, weather permitting, and will remain closed until repairs are completed. … 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…