Category Archives: Local News

Normal district referendum remains off the ballot following judge’s ruling

Normal district referendum remains off the ballot following judge’s ruling

By 25 News NORMAL – The issue of districts for the Normal Town council will remain off the ballot following the most recent ruling from a McLean County judge. Following multiple hours of arguments before Judge Scott Kording Monday, he released his decision virtually Tuesday. The question at the heart of the case is an issue of…MORE

ISU president delivers State of the University Address

ISU president delivers State of the University Address

By WJBC Staff and 25 News NORMAL – Illinois State University President Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy outlined the future steps for the university during the school’s annual State of the University speech. One of those new plans is to hire a Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer to be the center point of collaboration and creative…MORE

‘Active’ investigation into crash that critically injured 2 ISU students

‘Active’ investigation into crash that critically injured 2 ISU students

By 25 News NORMAL – No criminal charges have been filed so far against a driver who struck two Illinois State University students from Plainfield, critically injuring them outside a popular bar near campus last week. Meantime, a classmate of the two victims has organized a GoFundMe page to help their families with medical bills and other…MORE

UPDATE: Normal Police release more details on weekend shooting

UPDATE: Normal Police release more details on weekend shooting

By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Normal Police are releasing more details regarding a man who died from gunshot wounds early Sunday morning. After a preliminary autopsy report from the McLean County Coroner’s Office, it was determined the 29-year-old man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident happened around 3:40 a.m. Sunday in the 200…MORE

Former state’s attorney elevated to judge in 11th Judicial Circuit

Former state’s attorney elevated to judge in 11th Judicial Circuit

By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – There’s a new judge in McLean County as former state’s attorney Don Knapp became the newest judge of the Illinois Eleventh Judicial Circuit, which also includes Woodford, Logan, and Livingston Counties. Knapp took his oath in front of more than 100 family, friends and fellow judges — at the McLean…MORE

Man dead after fatal hotel shooting in Normal

Man dead after fatal hotel shooting in Normal

By 25 News NORMAL – Police are investigating a deadly shooting that happened at a Twin Cities hotel. According to a release from Normal Police, officers responded to a person shot at the Candlewood Suites on Susan Drive around 3:40 a.m. Sunday. There, they found a man in the parking lot, where they rendered aid.…MORE

First woman named to serve as McLean County State’s Attorney

First woman named to serve as McLean County State’s Attorney

By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – A local lawyer made history Thursday evening when she was selected to become the first woman to hold the office of McLean County State’s Attorney. Erika Reynolds has been an assistant McLean County prosecutor since 2015, and has led the office’s Crimes Against Children division in which she’s handled some…MORE

BPD probing Wednesday night shots fired incident

BPD probing Wednesday night shots fired incident

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Police are investigating a shots fired incident that happened Wednesday night on Bloomington’s near east side. Officers were called about 11 p.m. to the 500 block of East Douglas Street for a shooting. When BPD arrived on scene they located evidence that a residence had been struck by gunfire. No…MORE

Police: 2 pedestrians in critical condition after being hit outside Pub II

Police: 2 pedestrians in critical condition after being hit outside Pub II

By Neil Doyle UPDATE (NORMAL) – Illinois State University Police Department says the two pedestrians were ISU students. NORMAL – Two male pedestrians are in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle outside Pub II early Thursday morning, according to Normal Police. Police said a car crashed into Pub II, located at 102 North…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…