A LeRoy man is facing several charges of Criminal Sexual Assault and Criminal Sexual Abuse.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Ecology Action Center moves Earth Day activities online
The Ecology Action Center in Normal is still celebrating Earth Day during the coronavirus pandemic.… MORE
McLean County Board extends helping hand to suffering small businesses, taxpayers
Owners of small businesses in McLean County, struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic are receiving some relief in the form of low-interest loans, while landowners in the county will have more time to pay their property taxes after elected leaders took action Tuesday night.… MORE
Missouri man accused of killing woman from Normal
Illinois State Police and several other agencies arrested a man from Missouri who allegedly murdered Haley Decker, 18, of Normal.… MORE
Now 18 confirmed coronavirus cases in Livingston County
The Livingston County Health Department reported one new case of COVID-19 Tuesday, bringing the county total to 18.… MORE
No new cases of COVID-19 in McLean County
There are still 86 confirmed COVID-19 cases in McLean County, but a large amount of those cases have recovered.… MORE
State Farm provides $10 million for loan program to help Central Illinois small businesses
State Farm announced its providing a $10 million low-cost loan to a program that will help Central Illinois small businesses and nonprofits during the coronavirus pandemic. … MORE
$22 million surplus won’t go toward stimulus checks for Bloomington residents
Bloomington’s ‘Committee of the Whole’ met Monday via Zoom conference call to discuss the 2021 budget and the possibility of a community stimulus. The meeting started with a presentation of the 2021 budget and how it’s expected to be impacted by COVID-19.… MORE
Pritzker addresses reopening the state
Gov. JB Pritzker is now considering lifting his “stay home” order – if and when he does so – in parts of the state, rather than all at once.… MORE
MCHD announces new cases of COVID-19, moving county total to 86
The McLean County Health Department announced a new case of COVID-19, moving the county total to 86 confirmed cases.… 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…