Rescue crews had to use heavy extrication equipment after a Thursday evening crash between a car and a pick-up truck in rural McLean County.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
HOI reopening plan tabled in McLean County
The McLean County Board decided to table a proposal Thursday night to immediately implement terms of the so-called Heart of Illinois sub-regional proposal, in which 11 counties would reopen businesses at a faster pace than Gov. JB Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan.… MORE
Local NAACP chapter reacts to death of George Floyd
The Executive Committee of the Bloomington-Normal Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has released a statement after the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin in Minnesota.… MORE
MCHD announces no new cases of COVID-19; countywide total stands at 216
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Health officials announced some good news on Thursday, no new cases of COVID-19. Health officials report that of the 216 cases, 36 individuals remain in home isolation, three remain hospitalized, and 166 have recovered. There have been 11 deaths in the county. The McLean County Health Department (@McLeanHealth)…… MORE
McLean County health administrator cautions against speedier reopening
The head of the McLean County Health Department believes the county government is not prepared to safely implement a quicker reopening of area businesses than prescribed by Gov. JB Pritzker’s phased-in approach.… MORE
Real estate market in Illinois gaining steam despite pandemic
Although many real estate offices remain closed and open houses are rare because of the pandemic, the housing market in Illinois is on fire… MORE
Towanda July 4th celebration canceled
The 52nd annual Towanda 4th of July celebration has been canceled due to the current pandemic.… MORE
Legal battle underway as students sue ISU over fee refunds
Responding to a federal lawsuit, Illinois State University claims it strives to provide fair refunds of the mandatory fees students paid for the semester interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
UPDATED: Farmer City woman died from diabetic complications
Authorities say a Farmer City woman who was found Tuesday died from diabetic complications in her home.… MORE
MCHD confirms 11th COVID-19 death was an employee at local long-term care facility
McLean County Health officials confirmed that the woman who died from COVID-19 on Tuesday was an employee at the Bloomington Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. … 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…