By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The Town of Normal announced its plans on Tuesday to rename the Fairview Aquatic Center. According to a press release from the town, they will rename the center to the Kent M. Karraker Aquatic Center in honor of the town’s former mayor. Normal Mayor Chris Koos shared the news with Karraker’s family…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The city of Bloomington announced a new partnership on Friday that will be giving back to area veterans. The city’s Arts & Entertainment Department stated that it has partnered with the nonprofit organization Vet Tix to provide local and regional veterans with tickets to live events free of charge. The tickets would be for events…… MORE
By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – The 2024 Illinois spring turkey season netted a statewide record of 17,208 turkeys harvested, according to an Illinois Department of Natural Resources news release. This is an increase from last year’s total of 16,123 turkeys and bests the previous record of 16,659 turkeys in 2006. The top five counties were Jo…… MORE
By WMBD-TV CHICAGO – The Illinois Poison Center is warning residents of the increased presence of foodborne illnesses as the warmer months roll in. Why now and not winter? Basically with outdoor celebrations, hot food fails to stay hot and cold food fails to stay cold, increasing the risk of food poisoning. That, plus bugs…… MORE
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – If your car or license plate are stolen in Illinois, you’re financially responsible for the replacement fees. But that may soon change as State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) applauded the Illinois House and General Assembly passing Senate Bill 3471, which would waive fees for replacing a license plate or registration sticker.…… MORE
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – Memorial Day is right around the corner, and travel experts expect it to be one of the busiest times of the year with more 40 million people traveling across the country. Not only is the holiday a day when airports and highways are filled with eager vacationers, but it’s also a…… MORE
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – Memorial Day is Monday, and that means plenty of boats will be on the water this weekend. Safety is paramount given the number of boats that will be on the Illinois River, some for the first time this season. Michael Christman is a vessel examiner with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and emphasized…… MORE
Due to several maintenance issues, the pool in Farmer City will not be opening to the public for the Memorial Day weekend.… MORE
Some lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Memorial Day weekend to minimize travel disruption. … MORE
One man was injured in a shooting Thursday afternoon near the 100 block of W. Shelbourne Dr. … 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…