By WJBC News BLOOMINGTON – Messina Lambert will be named the next principal of Bloomington Junior High School, pending District 87 School Board approval this month. Lambert currently serves as the principal of Irving School. “It was not a desire to leave the Irving principalship that is leading to my transition to BJHS, rather, I…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.1 days suitable for field work during the week ending April 30, 2023. Statewide, the average temperature was 50.4 degrees, 6.1 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.26 inches, 0.61 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 2 percent very short, 10 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 19…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The Normal Town Council Monday night approved two special use permits for an adult-use cannabis dispensary. Council chambers were full while members of the community shared their opinions on dispensaries at the proposed locations. Mayor Chris Koos stopped public comments after 30 minutes. The special use permit for High Haven, a Michigan-based…… MORE
By WMBD_TV BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington is ranked number two on the Spring 2023 Top 20 Emerging Housing Markets Index Report. The report was put together by the Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com. Springfield ranked number nine. The report released on Wednesday analyzes key housing market data, economic vitality and lifestyle metrics. The results produce “emerging housing…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Normal Police officers responded to a shots fire call early Saturday morning near Heartland Community College. Police arrived in the 1500 block of Trumbull Avenue shortly after 3:00 after numerous calls were made reporting gunfire. Shell casings were discovered at the location, but no evidence of property damage. According to…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices this week in Illinois are down about 3 cents, averaging $4.02 a gallon, according to GasBuddy. Prices across the state are up about 19 cents from a month ago, but still 38 cents cheaper than a year ago, GasBuddy said in a news release. The lowest price in…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Coroner Dr. Kathy Yoder released the identity of the person who died in a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash on I-55 near milepost 158 in McLean County Friday. Yoder said 58-year-old David E. Williams of Bloomington died from multiple blunt traumatic injuries after being struck by an automobile on I-55.…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – State lawmakers are working on legislation to further address the teacher shortage in Illinois. The problem is serious, especially in hard to staff areas say supporters. A bill from Senator Meg Loughran-Cappel of Shorewood extends the number of days that substitute teachers filling an emergency vacancy can work in the…… MORE
A Bloomington teenager is facing charges in McLean County after investigators say he was involved in a shooting in early April.… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – It was an emotional evening at Wednesday’s Unit 5 School Board Meeting as new members took office. It was the last meeting at the table for Board President Barry Hitchins and Alan Kalitzky. Mark Adams and Alex Williams took a seat at the table for the first time. Kelly Pyle and…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…