After thousands of Central Illinois people were alerted by an Amber Alert for 13-month-old Bentley Dutz, Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell, along with the Fulton County ESDA, have confirmed the entire story was fabricated. … MORE
Category Archives: Local News
ISU Board approves farm expansion
The governing board at Illinois State University has decided to expand the university farm in northern McLean County.… MORE
NPD: Local business robbed at knifepoint
Normal Police report a man armed with a knife robbed a business on the west side of town Friday afternoon.… MORE
Normal council to vote on elected leaders’ salary hikes, eyes 78 percent jump in mayor’s pay
Pay raises for elected officials in Normal are on the town council’s agenda Monday night.… MORE
Gridley’s Village President: Community’s largest employer shuts down with little warning
The village president of Gridley, in northern McLean County, received news no person in his job would want to hear.… MORE
20th Annual Give the Gift of Life Blood Drive
Give the gift of life this holiday season with the American Red Cross’ 20th annual Holiday Blood Drive.… MORE
Caterpillar CEO named Chairman of the Board
The Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar has now been voted as the Chairman of the Board.… MORE
Crabtree saluted for devotion to Normal West, and for his candy treats
Unit 5 School Board members paid tribute to fallen Normal West High School volunteer Charlie Crabtree with a moment of silence Wednesday night.… MORE
Unit 5 eyes higher pay for substitute teachers
Substitute teachers in Unit 5 are a step closer to receiving their first pay raise in 18 years.… MORE
Twin-City school boards approve tax levies, as Unit 5 land owners will pay more next year
McLean County’s largest two school districts adopted levies Wednesday night for the amount of taxes they intend to collect from property owners next year, and one of the districts is raising taxes.… 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…