Saturday was declared Rev. Frank McSwain Sr. Remembrance Day in Bloomington, and at a service celebrating McSwain’s life, the city’s police chief praised the late pastor for his service to others.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Normal West bus driver on the mend after I-74 crash
The driver of a Unit 5 school bus that crashed head-on with a wrong-way semi is off the critical list at a Peoria hospital.… MORE
Lights on Withers Park Christmas tree seen as sign of hope after week’s tragedies
A trying week in McLean County was capped off Friday night by an event aimed at spreading holiday cheer. A crowd braved bitter cold to watch the lighting of the city Christmas tree at Withers Park in Downtown Bloomington.… MORE
Two men remain hospitalized after I-74 crash
Unit 5 has released information about the bus driver from Wednesday night’s crash on I-74.
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‘Superfan’ Crabtree remembered for his smile, love of girls basketball as Normal West copes with tragedy
Hundreds came to mourn girls basketball superfan Charlie Crabtree, but also celebrated the sport of which the 72-year old man from Normal was most passionate.… MORE
UPDATE: Students out of hospital, coach to undergo surgery
A wrong way semi hit a Normal West school bus head-on Wednesday night on I-74 sending multiple people to the hospital and killing two men.… MORE
Two dead as semi hits Normal West school bus head-on with JV athletes on board
A semi apparently going the wrong way on Interstate 74 Wednesday night struck a school bus carrying members of Normal West High School’s junior varsity girls basketball team. A team volunteer on board the bus was killed, as was the driver of the semi, according to Illinois State Police.… MORE
UPDATED: 20-year old identified as West Jefferson Street murder victim
Authorities have released the name of a man found shot to death early Wednesday morning on Bloomington’s west side.… MORE
Man shot and killed on Bloomington’s west side
Bloomington Police say one person has been shot and killed on the cities west side Wednesday morning.… MORE
Menorah’s glow shines on ISU quad
In the darkest of times, there is light. At Illinois State University’s quad Tuesday night, about 40 people braved the cold, freezing rain, and snow to light a giant menorah for the third night of Hanukkah.… 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…