Category Archives: Local News

Gun shots reportedly fired near Rainbow Avenue in Bloomington

Gun shots reportedly fired near Rainbow Avenue in Bloomington

By Jake Fogal On Sunday, Bloomington Police officers were summoned to the 2200 block of Rainbow Avenue in response to a fight call. Several residents called to say that bullets had been fired shortly after. BPD officers arrived on the site and discovered physical evidence of a shooting. No injuries have been reported, no suspect(s)…MORE

Dashcam video shows attack on ISP trooper during McLean County traffic stop

Dashcam video shows attack on ISP trooper during McLean County traffic stop

By HOI ABC CHENOA – New dashcam video shows an Illinois State Police trooper trying to help the driver of a traffic stop near Chenoa, before being attacked. The 11-minute video, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, shows state trooper Matthew Niehaus conducting a traffic stop on Randy Turner for speeding, allegedly at 109 miles…MORE

Two major cash crops in Illinois much closer to normal progress now

Two major cash crops in Illinois much closer to normal progress now

By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending June 5, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 71.1 degrees, 3.1 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.40 inches, 0.51 inches degrees below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 84 percent adequate, and…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…