By HOI ABC CARLOCK – Fire ripped through a large metal shed in rural Carlock Thursday afternoon destroying several vehicles inside. Several area departments were called to aid the Carlock Fire Protection District in fighting the blaze at 8540 U.S. Route 150, about 1 1/2-miles east of Carlock. The call came in about 12:55 p.m.…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The singing sensation from Normal, Illinois is nearing closer to the top spot on American Idol. Leah Marlene is in the Top 7 of the singing competition, and hopes to continue her run into the Top 5 and beyond. The golden ticket was put in Marlene’s hand nearly two months…… MORE
The Illinois Community College Board is announcing a new grant that will bolster a program for African American students.… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Illinois State Police issued a public safety announcement Thursday morning alerting the public of an escaped individual who is possibly located in Woodford County. Police say he is considered a danger to himself and others. Javier Aguirre, a 47-year-old man from Hoopestown, escaped from a hospital transport van around 11:20…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington Police officer rescued a man from a burning west side home Wednesday evening. The man is hospitalized with burns, but the officer is fine, according to Bloomington Police Lt. Clayton Arnold. Bloomington Fire Department Battalion Chief Gavin Pitcher said firefighters saw fire and smoke coming from the back…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Illinois State University administrators are describing as “modest” their proposal to raise the cost for new students to attend ISU for the next school year. ISU’s Board of Trustees will consider a proposal Friday to increase the total cost of attending ISU by 3.42%, boosting the total price for full-time…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Five Republican candidates for the McLean County Board, including the incumbent board chairman, won’t be on the June primary ballot because they failed to number pages of their nominating petitions. A judge on Wednesday overturned the McLean County Electoral Board’s ruling, meaning the candidates’ names won’t be on the primary…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Miller Park Zoological Society is hosting it’s 7th annual Brews at the Zoo on June 10 and 11. “We’re excited to host our 7th Brews event,” said Paula Pratt, Development Director for the Miller Park Zoological Society. “With 1000 guests visiting the zoo over two nights we make lots…… MORE
By A.J. Harris NORMAL – The North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture held its annual ag competition this year in Platte, Nebraska, and Illinois State University took 26 students hoping to show of their skills. They ended up as Grand Champions. Blake Dean, a senior at ISU, was one of those students. He spoke…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A topic that has people ready to rally in Bloomington: federally protected abortion rights. Monday, a draft was leaked from the Supreme Court with the majority deciding to overturn Roe v. Wade. People brought their emotions and the signs out to the Twin Cities in opposition. About every step was…… 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…