By Neil Doyle and 25 News NORMAL – A man has been arrested after reports of a rifle pointing out a hotel window in Normal. Police Chief Steve Petrilli said officers arrived on the scene around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon at the Comfort Suites in the 300 block of Greenbriar Drive. As police evacuated rooms and…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington has named a new director of the Miller Park Zoo. Jay Pratte comes to the city after holding positions with the Dallas Zoo, Zoo Atlanta, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and the Utica Zoo. He replaces Jay Tetzloff who served as the zoo’s director for…… MORE
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man faces several arson charges related to an apartment complex fire early Monday morning. 23-year-old Roman Kannaday faces six counts of aggravated arson, three counts of resisting a peace officer, and one count of violating the Illinois Pyrotechnic Use Act. Bond was set at $200,000 Tuesday. Prosecutors say…… MORE
Illinois State University is setting record numbers for its incoming freshman class, but the school’s top brass is also touting other enrollment numbers.… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 11, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 69.9 degrees, 0.1 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.79 inches, 0.10 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 4 percent very short, 24 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 2…… MORE
The McLean County Sheriff’s Office is going digital. A new mobile app will allow users to communicate directly with the Sheriff’s Office for a number of issues.… MORE
In the pumpkin capital of the world, farmers are feeling the pinch of the high cost of fertilizer and a labor shortage. … MORE
By 25 News MCLEAN COUNTY – Three candidates have submitted applications to take over the role of State’s Attorney in McLean County. It comes as incumbent Don Knapp is set to take over as judge following the last election. Ericka Reynolds from Heyworth, currently serves as the Assistant State’s Attorney in the county already. She…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – A Normal Juvenile has been arrested for two armed robbery incidents. A 15-year old juvenile, formerly from Normal, first robbed Indy Smoke Shop at 112 North St. in March according to Normal police. In this incident the suspect entered the business, displayed a bb gun that looked like a firearm,…… MORE
By 25 News PEORIA – A McLean County man has been sentenced to 6 1/2-years in federal prison for using social media to send obscene material to a minor. U.S. District Judge James Shadid handed down the sentence against Alexander B. Smith, 23, of Danvers. Shadid could have given Smith a maximum 10 years in…… 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…