A couple major developments have been announced for Uptown Normal that might answer criticism about vacant space in existing and future Uptown buildings.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Attorney: Price too high for Whalen’s release, McLean County needs bail reform
Donald Whalen, who’s waiting to find out if he’ll be tried again for his father’s murder, was required to pay too much bond money to be released from jail, according to one of his lawyers.… MORE
Donald Whalen goes home after family posts bond in 1991 murder case
Donald Whalen said he wanted to go home after spending almost the last 28 years in prison for his father’s murder. The Bloomington native, now 52, walked out of the McLean County Jail Friday evening after his family posted a $100,035 cash bond.… MORE
Not In Our Town supports local Muslims after New Zealand attacks
The group Not In Our Town hosted a demonstration Friday afternoon in support of local Muslims after the attacks on two New Zealand mosques.… MORE
Uptown streets closed for Sharin’ of the Green parade
By Katherine Murphy As the streets of Uptown Normal are taken over by parade watchers and participants Saturday there are some street closings to let you know about. There will be no parking on several streets after 10 a-m and the same streets will be closed to traffic after eleven a-m – South School…… MORE
City shows off Hamilton Road extension plans
It’s only 3,000 feet of new roadway. However, south Bloomington residents and city leaders hope the planned extension of Hamilton Road, from Commerce Parkway to Bunn Street, will divert traffic from busy Veterans Parkway and boost prospects for new businesses in the area.… MORE
State asks judge to reconsider Whalen murder trial ruling
McLean County prosecutors are asking the judge who ordered a new murder trial for Donald Whalen to change his mind.… MORE
NPD: Two arrested for beating and robbery
McLean County prosecutors Wednesday filed charges in a Tuesday night robbery and beating in Normal.… MORE
Renner: Gas tax needed to help improve roads
Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner wants to improve city streets and in order to do so he wants to raise the local gas tax.… MORE
Trailblazing girls join first all-female Boy Scouts troop in Twin-Cities
Some girls in the Twin-Cities are blazing a trail for others in an organization that’s thought of as just for boys.… 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…