The city of Bloomington encouraged people to shop local for Small Business Saturday.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Livingston Santa Claus sculpture returns to Downtown Bloomington
If you remember Downtown Bloomington from the 1970s, you may remember the Livingston Santa displays.… MORE
One injured after shooting in Normal
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – One person was injured after a shooting incident near Sandra Lane and Bryan Street on Tuesday. Officers responded to the scene at 2:01 p.m. and located a victim who was struck by gunfire, Normal Police Chief Steve Petrilli stated. The victim was treated by officers until the fire department personnel arrived…… MORE
Popular Santa statue to return to Downtown Bloomington
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Whether you have been naughty or nice, Santa Claus is coming back to Bloomington this year. The iconic Livingston’s Santa statue, that is, will have its return celebrated by the McLean County Museum of History, said Micaela Harris, the museum’s Director of Communications. The museum will host a celebration at 11:30…… MORE
Midwest Food Bank sending hay bales to North Carolina
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Midwest Food Bank is helping farmers in North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. About a month ago, a local Illinois farmer stopped by the organization and donated over 600 large round alfalfa hay bales. Now, the Midwest Food Bank is in the process of getting it to those who need…… MORE
Unit 5 to get five new electric school buses
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Five new electric buses are coming to Unit 5 School District. The district was awarded two grants over the last few years from the Illinois and federal EPA grant for electric buses. On Wednesday, the school board accepted a bid for 5 buses for more than $2 million. The district will…… MORE
Two Central Illinois high school students set to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
By WMBD-TV CENTRAL ILLINOIS – Two local students are heading to New York City to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Eureka High School senior Ariana Arnold will be performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade as a member of the color guard. “Originally they said I was just an alternate. A couple of…… MORE
New walking trail coming to Normal following partnership between HCC and COUNTRY
Those in Normal will soon be able to go the distance.… MORE
Tazewell County Board candidates plead guilty to election fraud charges
By WMBD-TV PEKIN – “I believe in truth and I believe in facts,” said Roy Paget, the now resigned candidate for Tazewell County Board Chairman, as he stood with his attorney. Paget, along with central Illinois Realtor Vivian Hagaman who was running for the county board, appeared in Tazewell County Circuit Court on the single…… MORE
District 87 Board of Education discusses tax levy
The Board of Education for Bloomington District 87 met Wednesday where they were given a presentation on this year’s proposed tax levy.… 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…