A Washburn woman was killed Wednesday morning in a head-on collision near Minonk.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Sen. Durbin Faces Possible Primary Opponent
By A.J. Harris Before she was sworn in for her freshman term as a State Representative, newly-elected Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) has already announced plans to run for Senator Dick Durban’s seat in 2020. While Durbin hasn’t officially announced his intent to run for re-election, he recently joked on NBC’s Meet the Press that he is…… MORE
Expungement motion expected for ex-pastor acquitted of child abuse
The attorney for former Twin-Cities pastor Matthew Everly said in the coming days he’ll file a motion to have child abuse allegations erased from Everly’s criminal record.… MORE
Woman dies in head-on crash on icy road near Minonk
Icy roads may have been a factor in a Wednesday morning head-on crash in Woodford County that killed one of the drivers.… MORE
Investigators probe cause of Stanford blaze that injured volunteer firefighter
A team of McLean County fire investigators are determining the cause of a blaze New Years Night that destroyed a business in Stanford, and injured one of the estimated 50 firefighters who battled the flames.… MORE
OSF St. Joseph Bloomington implements visitor restrictions with increase in flu activity
A Bloomington medical center is implementing visitor restrictions with the increase in seasonal flu activity and other upper respiratory illnesses.… MORE
New courses prepare students for what lies ahead
By A.J. Harris BLOOMINGTON – Students in the school districts of Leroy, Olympia, Pontiac, and Tri-Valley will soon be able to enroll in the Work Ready Program, a collaboration between the Regional Office of Education 17 and the Livingston County Career Center. The program will offer classes to students in the growing career fields of…… MORE
Former local pastor found not guilty of harming infant daughter
The largest courtroom at the McLean County Law and Justice Center could not accommodate a standing-room only crowd showing support for former pastor Matthew Everly of Bloomington, who was found not guilty Monday of injuring his infant daughter.… MORE
Individual pronounced dead in late night Hopedale fire
A rural house fire on Sunday claimed the life of a 56-year old after crews battled flames for hours. … MORE
BPD probes “shots fired” call on near east side
Investigators confirmed it was gunfire that rattled a neighborhood Friday afternoon on Bloomington’s near east side.… 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…