By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – District 87 School Board members on Wednesday appointed a local woman to join them on the board during a meeting which marks the retirement of the district’s longtime superintendent. Valeda Harvey was sworn-in to replace Tammy Houtzel who resigned earlier this year because she moved out of the district. The…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A former state lawmaker, working as a paid consultant for the Unit 5 School District, intends to give the school board options this summer about a possible tax hike referendum. Ed Sullivan Jr., a former Republican state representative from the Chicago suburbs, said at Wednesday night’s school board meeting that…… MORE
Normal Police are changing the flow of traffic on various roads as thousands visit the twin cities for the upcoming Tailgate N’ Tallboys music festival.… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington-Normal is coming together around Washington Elementary School after having its garden vandalized last week. An 11 year old cherry tree was uprooted from the garden and stolen, plus many of the plant beds were crushed by large rocks stationed throughout the garden. Two local businesses swiftly offered assistance to…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – On Saturday, Bloomington Police responded to reports of shots fired that later led to a foot pursuit of the suspect. According to BPD, officers were able to locate physical evidence that a shooting had a occurred in the 1800 Block of Lincoln Street around 5:30 pm. Through an investigation, police…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Once again, schools will be able to take advantage of free covid-19 tests from the University of Illinois’ Shield program. About 258 districts throughout the state plus many private schools worked with Shield Illinois during this most recent academic year, utilizing the speedy saliva tests says the program’s Beth Heller.…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is offering tips to stay safe during the heat wave. Extreme heat is hitting many parts of Illinois, and it’s important to use a little extra caution says IEMA spokesperson Kevin Sur. “For those that like to be outside consider curtailing your strenuous activities until…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington Elementary School is reporting its garden was vandalized last week. Washington Elementary School, had several pieces of its garden smashed and/or stolen. Kelly Mathy, a fourth grade teacher at Washington Elementary, assisted in starting the garden over a decade ago. Large rocks were moved and crushed much of…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.4 days suitable for field work during the week ending June 12, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 69.1 degrees, 1.4 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.99 inches, 0.07 inches degrees above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council agreed to spend some of the money it’s received from the American Rescue Plan to help fund a mobile health unit serving McLean County residents who otherwise wouldn’t have direct assess to medical care. The council voted unanimously Monday night to contribute $150,000 from the federal…… 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…