Some Nicor Gas customers in Bloomington will be noticing some changes in the coming weeks. … MORE
Category Archives: Local News
New Lincoln College president has ambitious goals for school
The new president of Lincoln College is bringing a variety of ideas and goals to the table. … MORE
Grant to fund Bloomington YouthBuild jobs program
The City of Bloomington has received a $20,000 grant from Curative Health Cultivation, which will be put towards funding the city’s YouthBuild summer jobs program.… MORE
Fell Fest to honor Normal’s oldest park
One of the oldest parts of Normal that still stands today is the centerpiece of a celebration this summer as Normal marks its 150th anniversary. … MORE
New Development Director of Miller Park Zoological Society excited to help zoo grow
By Andy Dahn BLOOMINGTON – The Miller Park Zoological Society has been supporting the local zoo with a variety of funding since 1960, and the society’s new Development Director is ready to continue that support. Susie Ohley said the best way for residents to give back to Miller Park is by becoming Zoological Society members.…… MORE
Obituary: Vernon “Vern” Dean Shepherd
Vernon “Vern” Dean Shepherd, 83, of Bloomington, passed away at 2:13 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal.… MORE
Police cracking down on Fourth of July drunk driving, illegal fireworks
By Andy Dahn BLOOMINGTON – Fourth of July means fireworks, which can sometimes cause serious injuries. McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage said extra caution must be taken when setting off fireworks. “It’s not just the explosive part of it, but a lot of these fireworks burn at a very high temperature,” Sandage said. “So they…… MORE
Normal Fire Department warns of sparkler dangers
By Andy Dahn BLOOMINGTON – Sparklers are a popular type of firework on the Fourth of July and can be easily purchased at most convenience stores. Public Information Officer for the Normal Fire Department Matt Swaney said the dangers of sparklers are often overlooked. “They burn at extremely high temperatures,” Swaney said. “And when they’re…… MORE
Obituary: Barbara Stewart
Barbara J. Stewart, 70, Forrest, died at 1:40 pm Thursday, July 2, 2015 at her residence in Forrest. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Monday, July 6, 2015 at the Forrest United Methodist Church with Pastor Deb Honegger officiating. Burial will be in Forrest Twp. Cemetery. Visitation will be 2:00 to 5:00 pm…… MORE
Fireworks expert says fireworks should be left to professionals
Independence Day is upon us which means here comes the boom.… 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…