By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – “An amazing person” is how Illinois’ senior U.S. Senator describes Gen. Colin Powell, who died earlier this week from COVID complications at the age of 84. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “The son of immigrants to the United States who decides he has a duty for…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Fire Department confirms five people were hospitalized after a late night fire. It broke out around 11:15 PM Monday night in the 600 block of West Market Street in a building that had been converted into an apartment complex. The condition of the five injured is unclear at…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 2.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 17, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 61.4 degrees, 5.5 above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.83 inches, 1.23 above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 21 percent surplus.…… MORE
A McLean County woman remained jailed late Monday on charges she defrauded two elderly people of more than $130,000.… MORE
By Heart of Illinois ABC BLOOMINGTON – Three years after he was charged, the first of what could be many trials started Monday for a Pekin piano teacher accused of sexually abusing six of his students in the Twin-Cities. Aaron Parlier, 40, faces 38 charges in all, including predatory criminal sexual assault and child pornography,…… MORE
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – Tailgate N’ Tallboys is announcing their headliners for a concert at the Interstate Center in Bloomington next summer. USA Concerts announced on Monday country music stars Morgan Wallen, and Hardy will headline the festival. Earlier this year, USA concerts announced the festival is moving to the twin cities from Peoria.…… MORE
The McLean County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying two suspects involved in several burglaries this past weekend.… MORE
A Clinton man faces charges in McLean County after a joint investigation with LeRoy and Clinton Police.… MORE
McLean County hospital beds are nearing capacity as local health officials report 63 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday.… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Health Department is offering COVID-19 booster shots for those who are eligible. Currently, only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for boosters. Those who can receive the additional shot are people 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, and those 18 and older with an underlying health…… 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…