NORMAL – On Thursday, July 20th the Constitution trail will be closed from Raab Rd. to Northtown Rd. for resurfacing. Work will begin at 6 a.m. and the trail will open around 5 p.m.… MORE
Yearly Archives: 2017
City manager: Hyatt Place in no danger of closing even without tax break
Normal’s city manager said the canceled deal that would have rebated hotel/motel taxes to Hyatt Place is far from the death knell for the nearly two-year old hotel, considered one of the centerpieces of Uptown Normal’s development.… MORE
Police look for second suspect in Schlotzsky’s hold-up
Bloomington police are releasing details of a Friday night robbery at a local restaurant, and seeking the public’s help to find a second suspect.… MORE
Two businesses in Normal admit selling alcohol to minors
An undercover sting catches two prominent businesses in Normal selling alcohol to minors, and both establishments are repeat offenders.… MORE
Uptown Normal’s Hyatt Place drops tax rebate request
The owner of Hyatt Place in Uptown Normal is saying thanks, but no thanks to a tax rebate from Normal’s town government, even though the hotel is apparently struggling in a stagnant local hotel market.… MORE
Judge bars hearsay testimony in Zimmerman murder case
A McLean County judge has barred many of the statements that prosecutors sought to introduce as evidence in the murder trial of Kirk Zimmerman, who is accused of killing his ex-wife Pamela Zimmerman in November 2014.… MORE
State offers guidance on income tax increase
The Illinois Department of Revenue has general information regarding how much more you’ll have to pay the state in income taxes.… MORE
Residents can help communities battle mosquitoes
The City of Pontiac battles mosquitoes as a river town, but asks for help from residents in the fight.… MORE
Congressmen: Republican voters should be angry if Obamacare repeal fails
Some Illinois’ Republican congress members say GOP voters should be angry if there’s no Obamacare repeal and replace.… MORE
Vice chairman Soeldner to seek re-election to McLean County Board
The vice chairman of the McLean County Board has announced he plans to run for a third term on that body.… 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…