According to McLean County’s top health official, most new cases of COVID-19 are from unvaccinated people.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
McLean County Coroner ID’s ISU student involved in Monday night car crash
McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder has identified an Illinois State University graduate student who died during a car accident near ISU’s campus Monday evening.… MORE
Local YMCA names Patrick Mainieri Chief Operating Officer
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington-Normal YMCA has named Patrick Mainieri as the organization’s first Chief Operating Officer. Mainieri is currently an assistant principal at Bloomington High School. According to a news release, he has more than 12 years of experience working with and supporting YMCA’s and 15 years in public education. “Patrick is…… MORE
Halfway through Illinois’ firearm deer season
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Halfway through Illinois’ firearm deer season, hunters are slightly ahead of last year’s pace. For Nov. 19-21, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources reports a preliminary total of 50,300 deer “harvested,” compared to 47,147 for the first weekend of 2020’s season. That difference of just over 3,000 is “not terribly…… MORE
Some Miller Park Zoo animals show signs of COVID-19
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Four snow leopards and a Sumatran Tiger at the Miller Park Zoo are showing signs of COVID-19, according to a news release Tuesday. No cat has been confirmed with the virus but staff, consulting with veterinarians, are moving forward with an abundance of caution, according to the release. The zoo…… MORE
UPDATE: Woman dies from injuries after car-pedestrian crash near ISU
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A 23-year old woman who was hit by a car in Normal Monday evening has died from her injuries. Normal Police and McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder said the woman was pronounced dead Tuesday at about 4:15 p.m. at Carle BroMenn Medical Center. Authorities say the woman was hit on…… MORE
Woman badly injured in car-pedestrian crash in Normal
A woman is hospitalized with serious injuries after she was hit by a car near the Illinois State University campus in Normal.… MORE
2021’s final weekly crop progress report
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.2 days suitable for field work during the week ending November 28, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 34.5 degrees, 3.2 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.21 inches, 0.69 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture…… MORE
IDPH director on the omicron variant
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Like everyone else in the medical community, Dr. Ngozi Ezike is learning all she can as fast as she can about the fast-moving omicron variant of coronavirus. “We know that it’s not a matter of if but when we will confirm cases in the United States and in Illinois,” said…… MORE
New 861 area code coming to 309 region, assigned to new numbers 2022-2023
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A new area code is coming to central Illinois as an overlay code in the 309 region. The Illinois Commerce Commission says the addition of the 861 area code will be available for assignment sometime late 2022 or early 2023 as the number of assignable telephone numbers with a 309…… 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…