The McLean County Health Department reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Normal looking for community feedback on COVID-recovery funds
By A.J. Harris NORMAL – Normal Mayor Chris Koos wants the public to be a part of the discussion about how pandemic relief funds should be spent. The Town of Normal is running a survey for input from the public about how to spend funds granted by the American Rescue Plan. Koos spoke with WJBC’s…… MORE
District 87 schools aim to keep tax rate flat on projected land value gains
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – District 87 administrators are banking on an increase in the district’s tax base next year to collect more tax dollars and not raise taxes on property owners. Administrators announced Wednesday evening they plan to collect almost $46.6 million in property taxes next year, up about 4 1/4% from this year.…… MORE
Coroner identifies body found in Lake Bloomington
By Neil Doyle HUDSON – McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder has identified a body that was found in Lake Bloomington. David L. Roesch, 58, of Saybrook was pronounced dead around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. Yoder says preliminary autopsy results indicate Roesch died from drowning with non-fatal injuries of the forehead and lips consistent with blunt trauma,…… MORE
Brady continues to weigh options for statewide office
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A local lawmaker has been weighing his options the last few months about a run for statewide office. State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) has been exploring the idea of running for Illinois Secretary of State. Current Secretary of State Jesse White, a Democrat, has held the office since 1998, but…… MORE
This week’s crop report is more like a wet weather report
(USDA) – There were 4.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 24, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 54.1 degrees, 1.8 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.70 inches, 0.02 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 2 percent very short, 8 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 25 percent surplus.…… MORE
Small fire at Rivian plant in Normal
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – A small fire broke out Tuesday night at the Rivian plant in northwest Normal. The Normal Fire Department said there was minimal damage and no injuries were reported. The plant was evacuated for a short time while firefighters put out the fire. Fire crews were called around 5 p.m. after…… MORE
Over 400 march in Peru for “Justice for Jelani”
Over 400 people marched in the streets of Peru, Illinois, on Tuesday to seek justice for Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day.… MORE
Scams on the rise; local IT company providing tips to prevent hackers from stealing information
October is national cybersecurity month, and a local Information technologist (IT) is providing tips to avoid scams that could cost millions.… MORE
Documents say four teen suspects planned, executed Mackinaw homicide
A 17-year-old man is being tried as an adult and faces murder charges — along with the other two adults previously named after a woman was killed and a man wounded in a shooting Friday night in Mackinaw.… 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…