As cases of COVID-19 continue to surge in McLean County, District 87 is changing school schedules to limit the spread.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
McLean County Health officials report 645 new cases of COVID-19; rolling positivity is 20.9%
Another person has died from COVID-19 in McLean County as health officials report 645 new virus cases over the past 24 hours.… MORE
Local Dr.: Fourth COVID booster shot may be needed
According to a local doctor, medical experts are looking into a fourth booster shot to increase protection against COVID-19.… MORE
Victory Church Executive Pastor on fire and plans moving forward
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – After a large fire Monday afternoon at Victory Church in southeast Bloomington the executive pastor is asking the community for prayers. Several fire departments responded to fight the blaze that destroyed most of the west wing of the church and caused lots of smoke and water damage, according to Executive…… MORE
Jelani Day’s family voices discontent to elected leaders about death investigation
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Jelani Day’s brother and mother expressed their displeasure to Bloomington aldermen Monday night about how police have handled the Illinois State University graduate student’s death last year. At Monday night’s city council meeting, Seve Day called his sibling’s death a “hate crime” and said the investigation conducted by several police…… MORE
Town of Normal preserving artifacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in a community time capsule
The Town of Normal is looking to preserve artifacts from the COVID-19 pandemic through a community time capsule.… MORE
Illinois gas prices up 10 cents over the week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices in the state are up 10 cents over the week, averaging $3.43 a gallon, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 4,378 stations in Illinois. According to GasBuddy, prices are 2 cents lower than a month ago, but just over a dollar higher than a year ago. The cheapest station…… MORE
Consumers and manufacturers in Illinois are debating Right to Repair
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The Right to Repair movement – allowing customers and repair shops to bypass the manufacturer in fixing their electronics – is coming to Illinois. The movement, says Illinois Public Interest Research Group director Abe Scarr, is “diverse, bipartisan, and growing: we just want to fix our stuff. But, increasingly, manufacturers…… MORE
‘Potentially large fire’ stopped by Bloomington Fire Department
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – One person was injured and one adult and three children were temporarily displaced after a structure fire at a home converted to apartments that was quickly stopped by Bloomington firefighters. At around 4:24 a.m. Thursday, the fire department was dispatched to the fire in the 900 block of West Market…… MORE
Connect Transit suspending bus fares as cases of COVID-19 surge
Amid rising cases of COVID-19 in McLean County, Connect Transit is suspending bus fiars and late-night services.… 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…