OSF Healthcare held a blessing ceremony Thursday for their new cancer treatment center in Bloomington.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
MCHD Administrator asking tailgaters to social distance during ISU’s Homecoming
McLean County’s top health leader has a message for those attending homecoming tailgating at Illinois State University.… MORE
MCHD reports two more COVID-19 deaths; rolling positivity rate down to 2.2%
Two more McLean County residents have died from COVID-19, while county health officials report 35 new cases of COVID-19.… MORE
Bus driver shortage across the nation
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Many school districts are looking for more bus drivers, and that includes Unit 5. Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle says the district’s vendor First Student has been hiring since the summer and is offering more incentives to attract new drivers. Weikle spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “They’ve increased their hiring bonuses…… MORE
Ferrero breaks ground on first-ever production center in United States
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Ferrero Group has broken ground on the company’s first chocolate processing facility outside of Europe and one of only three production facilities in the world — in Bloomington. A state release says the expansion of Ferrero’s presence in Illinois will bring a $75 million investment in the region, up to…… MORE
LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the death of ISU Graduate student
The investigation into the death of Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day continues after a dive team found no clues in the Illinois River.… MORE
OSF PromptCare offering drive-through flu shot clinics in Bloomington
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Those looking to get a flu shot can do so at a drive-through clinic in Bloomington. OSF PromptCare has scheduled two clinics, one on Monday Oct. 18, and the other on Tuesday, Nov. 2, both from 4-6 p.m. Shots will be given under the canopy at the entrance of Eastland…… MORE
Illinois farmers are closer to completing the harvest
By USDA (Weekly Progress Report) There were 4.2 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 10, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 68.8 degrees, 12.2 above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.88 inches, 0.21 above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 4 percent very short, 17 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 5 percent…… MORE
Portillo’s hopes to raise $405 million from IPO, add 100s of new restaurants
Portillo’s, with restaurants in Peoria and Normal, said it hopes to earn as much as $405.4 million when it sells company stock to the public, and the company is making known just how much it plans to grow in the years ahead.… MORE
Heyworth to close elementary school due to uptick in positive COVID-19 cases
Due to rising cases in COVID-19 in the Heyworth School District, leaders are moving elementary students to an online format for the time being.… 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…