Category Archives: Local News

Suspect arrested, charged in connection with Pub II crash

Suspect arrested, charged in connection with Pub II crash

By 25 News NORMAL – Normal Police say a man has been arrested and charged in connection with a crash that injured two Illinois State University students September 15. Police say Aidan McCain, 20, was driving northbound on Linden Street “at an extremely high rate of speed” and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle then left…MORE

Bloomington names new director of arts and entertainment

Bloomington names new director of arts and entertainment

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A current city employee will be the next executive director of Bloomington’s two marquee entertainment venues. Anthony Nelson has been selected for the job and will oversee the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts and the arena in downtown Bloomington, according to a city news release Monday. “We are going…MORE

ISU administrator dies after being struck by bicycle

ISU administrator dies after being struck by bicycle

By WJBC Staff NORMAL – An administrator at Illinois State University died Friday morning after being struck by a bicycle last week. 49-year-old Adam Peck, an Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at ISU, was the pedestrian hit by the bicycle last Monday around 5:30 p.m. The crash happened on the ISU campus near South…MORE

Heartland breaks ground on new manufacturing and technology training facility

Heartland breaks ground on new manufacturing and technology training facility

By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Heartland Community College on Thursday broke ground on its new 45,000 square foot facility to support advanced manufacturing technology training. Heartland staff were joined by members from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Affairs, local officials, and industry leaders for the ceremony. The $17 million facility will include new…MORE

Former Illinois Governor endorses Brady

Former Illinois Governor endorses Brady

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Former Gov. Jim Edgar rarely endorses candidates anymore. The Republican lawmaker going for another of Edgar’s old jobs – secretary of state – is an exception. “Realistically,” Edgar told a crowded room at a Republican campaign office near the Capitol Thursday, State Rep. “Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) has the best chance…MORE

Early voting underway in McLean County

Early voting underway in McLean County

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Early voting for the November 8 election is underway across the state of Illinois. Here in McLean County, early voting is being offered for all residents at Eastland Mall. Bloomington residents can also early vote at the Bloomington Election Commission office at 121 N. Main Street in Downtown Bloomington. All…MORE

Prominent local firms reach deal including sale of key Bloomington property

Prominent local firms reach deal including sale of key Bloomington property

By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington-based insurance company COUNTRY Financial is selling its Financial Services Building on the Twin-Cities’ east side to agricultural cooperative GROWMARK. The Financial Services facility at 1705 Towanda Avenue will become GROWMARK’s new headquarters, according to a news release. The sale is expected to be completed later this year. COUNTRY Financial…MORE

Trailblazing justice passes the torch to another

Trailblazing justice passes the torch to another

By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – The torch was passed in Bloomington Wednesday from one trailblazing jurist to another. The McLean County Law and Justice Center was the scene where outgoing Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman met with the public, accompanied by her chosen successor, Justice Lisa Holder White. McLean County is part of District 4, they region…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…