A man was sentenced on Thursday to 103 years in prison by McLean County Judge William Yoder for the death of Jaleel Johnson.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Sonya Massey, mother called 911 multiple times in days before her death to report mental health crises
The day before she was shot by a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy, Sonya Massey’s mother called 911 and said her daughter was in the front yard of her mother’s house, talking loudly, acting erratically with her car keys in her hand.… MORE
OSF HealthCare announces retirement of central region CEO
OSF HealthCare announced Thursday that Bob Anderson, central region chief executive officer for the company, will retire next year.… MORE
Long-term solution for ‘tent city’ could include purchasing a local hotel
A long-term solution could soon be in place for those living in tents near Home Sweet Home Ministries.… MORE
Right lane of I-55 shut down after semi crashes into overpass pillar
The right lane of Interstate 55 in McLean County is currently shut down after a truck tractor semi-trailer crashed into an overpass pillar Thursday morning.… MORE
Two solar farms approved by Tazewell County Board
By WMBD-TV PEKIN – In a relatively light agenda at Wednesday’s Tazewell County Board meeting, two solar farms were approved with minor pushback from some board members. One will be placed in Malone Township, while the other will be in a rural area in Mackinaw. Some expressed concerns about solar farms taking away from good…… MORE
U.S. Rep. LaHood makes stop at YouthBuild in Normal
YouthBuild McLean County received a visit from U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) on Wednesday.… MORE
Miller Park Zoo reopens Katthoefer Animal Building
Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington is reopening one of its historic buildings.… MORE
7 ISU students appear in court, accused of criminal trespassing during pro-Palestinian campus protest
Seven Illinois State University students appeared in court Wednesday afternoon accused of criminal trespassing during a pro-Palestinian campus protest in late May.… MORE
Illinois iLottery player nabs $1M Mega Millions winning ticket
Someone in Illinois nabbed a one million dollar ILottery winning ticket Tuesday night.… 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…