By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Thursday, Crystal Kitchen received a $5,000 check for the Fresh Thyme’s 10th Birthday celebration contest. Owner Crystal Stanley calls the win two-fold. She said she’s always wanted to enter a baking contest, and she’s a frequent shopper at Fresh Thyme. The winning treat was a morning glory cake containing spice, carrots, apples, raisins,…… MORE
A three-time Grammy nominated Country singer plans to perform at Grossinger Motors Arena later this year.
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The Town’s 2024 Citizen of the Year is a former Normal Town Council member.… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Following the severe storms from earlier this week, COUNTRY Financial is offering some tips when filing insurance claims. The insurance and financial services company says to take photos of all damage. Some insurers will even cover the cost of spoiled food. So, include spoiled food in your photos before tossing it…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BARTONVILLE – A 14-year-old boy fled from a stolen car that was being chased by police before drowning in the Illinois River on the Fourth of July, according to the Peoria County sheriff in a Wednesday morning update. Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins released new details Wednesday morning regarding the death of Leron…… MORE
By WMBD-TV CENTRAL ILLINOIS – Two pitchers from central Illinois were selected on the final day of the Major League Baseball draft on Tuesday. The Cardinals selected Normal Community grad Mason Burns in the 14th round. He started his college career at Illinois State and transferred to Western Kentucky where he racked up 15 saves…… MORE
Two days of heavy rainfall caused water to overflow and breach the dams of Nashville’s city reservoir on Tuesday, resulting in extensive flooding and the evacuation of about 200 people from their homes in the small southern Illinois town of about 3,000 residents.… MORE
A Bloomington-based insurance company reports more than 1,000 claims after several days of severe storms in Central Illinois… MORE
Thanks to humid conditions and severe storms, the Bloomington Fire Department has responded to over 200 calls over the past four days.… MORE
By WMBD NORMAL – Normal Town Council unanimously approved extending the boundary of an enterprise zone in Bloomington-Normal to support Rivian’s future expansion. An Enterprise Zone provides economic incentives to commercial companies undertaking new investments, including facility expansion. This would extend the boundaries to cover 320 acres located at Rivian Motorway, across from Rivian. It…… 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…