Bloomington Police are investigating an armed robbery at a Freedom Oil Gas Station.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
BPD shows off body cams, sees new technology as key investigative tool
Bloomington’s police chief, who took over earlier this year, said he’s guiding the department through a monumental change in technology with the addition of body-worn cameras for all police officers.… MORE
Bloomington council candidate drops out of the race
Ward 8 Alderman candidate Travis Wilson announced Tuesday evening he is no longer in the running for the seat representing Bloomington’s southeast side.… MORE
High bond set for Casey’s robbery suspects
A McLean County Judge has set bond at a half-million dollars for the two suspects in a weekend robbery outside Casey’s General Store on Fox Creek Road.… MORE
Biaggi’s is tops, according to TripAdvisor
By A.J. Harris Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, headquartered in Bloomington, was named one of TripAdvisor’s best restaurant chains in the country for 2019. In the Small Chain Restaurant category, which includes places with between 10-50 locations nation-wide, Biaggi’s took 9th place overall. TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website, bases its rankings on an algorithm that…… MORE
Modest tax hike seen on tumbling Eastland Mall land values
Bloomington property owners will see a modest increase on their tax bills next year because Eastland Mall’s value is sinking at a faster-than-expected pace.… MORE
Salvation Army Still Short of Red Kettle Goal
By A.J. Harris BLOOMINGTON – As of Monday, December 17, the Salvation Army “Make A Difference” Red Kettle Campaign has raised over $145,000, which is still over $74,000 short of its annual goal for the campaign, according to Development Director Angie Bubon. “Last year was a difficult year for the Red Kettles, and we are…… MORE
Normal council approves big raises for future elected leaders despite ‘optics’ and ‘stigma’
Normal’s mayor and council members will receive raises starting two years from now following action at Monday night’s town council meeting.… MORE
Kenney man killed in fiery Macon County crash
A single-vehicle crash in rural Maroa Friday night claimed the life of a DeWitt County man.… MORE
BPD: two in custody after armed robbery at Casey’s
Bloomington Police have taken a man and woman into custody after an armed robbery at a Casey’s General Store.… 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…