Category Archives: Local News

Heartland Community College opens renovated student center

Heartland Community College opens renovated student center

By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Heartland Community College is celebrating the opening of a renovated space designed to help assist students outside the classroom. It will feature a space dedicated to student success, well-being and even a game room. Heartland had a celebration with students to commemorate the opening. They provided food and music and even…MORE

Bloomington police showing support for breast cancer awareness month

Bloomington police showing support for breast cancer awareness month

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Police Department is using badges to show its support for those fighting breast cancer. According to a news release from the city of Bloomington, officers can earn special pink commemorative Velcro badges by donating to Susan G. Komen. Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington said he was proud of the department’s…MORE

Sugar Creek Arts Festival to cause road closures in Normal

Sugar Creek Arts Festival to cause road closures in Normal

By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The town of Normal will be closing certain streets in preparation for their Sugar Creek Art Festival. Normal Civics Arts Manager Adam Fox, several streets will be closed at 1 p.m. on Friday, including: You can view a map of these closures here Parts of Constitution Trail in Uptown Normal will also…MORE

Normal’s Self-Service Electronic Recycling

Normal’s Self-Service Electronic Recycling

By WMBD-TV NORMAL – A self-service electronics recycling drop-off will be available for McLean County residents on Oct 5. from 8 a.m. to noon and the first Saturday of each month. According to the Town of Normal, this will be in addition to the regular drop-off that is available Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 2:30…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…