A ceremony was held Friday morning on route 23 on Interstate 55 in honor of Ponitac Police Officer Casey Kohlmeier. (Photo courtesy WJBC file photo) By Terry James PONTIAC – A crowd gathered Friday morning for a dedication ceremony in honor of Casey Kohlmeier. Kohlmeier and his K9 partner, Draco, were killed by a drunk…… MORE
By Adam Studzinski NORMAL – Illinois State University students packed the university quad Friday afternoon to rally against racism. The rally was organized by the school’s NAACP chapter in response to a racially charged tweet sent from an account not associated with the school, but carrying the ISU name. NAACP President Khia Donald says people…… MORE
Attorneys representing three Normal police officers in a lawsuit filed against the town regarding its performance standards have 30 days to file a new complaint after the original one was dismissed in court Friday.… MORE
Hometown Military News: May 1, 2015:… MORE
By Eric Stock PEORIA – State Sen. Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap, said he has proven his credentials on the immigration issue while serving in Springfield as he seeks a new gig in Washington. LaHood voted against measures to enable illegal immigrations to get a drivers license and to create a private scholarship fund for undocumented youth…… MORE
By WJBC Staff A look at reported offenses in Bloomington, Normal and on the Illinois State University campus. Reports do not indicate confirmed offenses. Thu. April 30, 2015 City of Bloomington has yet to post activity Town of Normal Call Time Date Officer Type Report Location / Block Address Disposition Type 23:50 04/30/2015 869 E…… MORE
By Joe Ragusa NORMAL – The Heartland Community College “American Dreams: Local Results” fundraising campaign earned almost $400,000 more than expected. Campaign chairman Julie Dobski says money and help came from all over the community. “The best thing about this campaign was we had lots of people,” Dobski said. “We did a lot of planning.…… MORE
By Joe Ragusa BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Department of Transportation is listening to suggestions on how to improve the state’s infrastructure in tough financial times. Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn hosted the meeting at Bloomington City Hall Thursday. He says funding for roads follows a boom-and-bust cycle. “We do a capital program and it’s good for…… MORE
By Adam Studzinski BLOOMINGTON – A woman convicted of aggravated DUI for the 2012 death of Lauren Leffler, 21, has filed for executive clemency. Katie Lawson, 26, of Bloomington, was the driver of the vehicle which struck and killed Leffler in downtown Bloomington. She’s currently serving a 12 year prison sentence in the Logan County…… MORE
By Eric Stock BLOOMINGTON – Tickets go on sale Friday for the David Davis Mansion’s largest annual fundraiser, the Glorious Gardens Festival garden walk. “The funds we raise help support the continued maintenance on Sarah’s garden and it also helps support all the educational program the mansion does for the school kids during the year,”…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…