By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Returning to Bloomington in August is the Hill of a Race Obstacle Run. The City of Bloomington’s Parks and Recreation department is partnering with Dust 2 Glory Fitness and Certified Spartan S-G-X Coach Dustin for the ultimate outdoor fitness challenge course for competitive racers. “The Hill of a Race obstacle…… MORE
NORMAL – A defective battery pack inside Rivian’s auto manufacturing plant created a fire that required an evacuation Saturday morning. According to a release from the Normal Fire Department, firefighters responded to the plant at about 10:40 AM for reports of a battery pack on fire. First responders found the pack in a testing area…… MORE
By HOI ABC UTICA – Several cabins are a loss after fire tore through buildings at Grand Bear Resort near Starved Rock State Park. The flames grew quickly because of heavy winds. A plume of smoke could be seen 20 miles away. Authorities say no injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A McLean county family will have a new home to celebrate Christmas in this year, while honoring a soldier’s ultimate sacrifice. The ‘Heroes’ of Habitat’ program through McLean County Habitat for Humanity held its first groundbreaking for the build season Saturday. The program works to build homes as a way…… MORE
By Blake Haas & Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – On the heels of a school shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers in Texas, school districts in central Illinois are reviewing their safety procedures. According to incoming District 87 Superintendent Dr. David Mouser, safety precautions are in place at the district, however, school administrators are…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois State Athletics selected it’s group of Redbirds into the 2022 Percy Family Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Marshaun Coprich ’16 (football), 2014 and 2015 All-American and two-time MVFC Offensive Player of the Year Heather Forsyth ’06 (soccer), two-time MVC Player of the Year and four-time All-MVC selection Abby Olson…… MORE
By Blake Haas and A.J. Harris BLOOMINGTON – Over 600 smash burgers were served up Wednesday night in downtown Bloomington as Green Gables teamed up with Epiphany Farms. Green Gables, a landmark staple by Lake Bloomington, burned several weeks ago, leaving the popular restaurant in ruins. To raise funds for the restaurant, cooks from Green…… MORE
Hopes have been dashed for a new Samsung electric vehicle battery factory in the Twin Cities, as Stellantis and Samsung announced they’re taking their business and $2.5 billion investment to Kokomo, Indiana.… MORE
A Bloomington pawn shop owner robbed and beaten at gunpoint last Wednesday is sharing his first-hand account.… MORE
Gas prices are reaching record numbers in central Illinois, just ahead of the year’s busiest travel weekend.… 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…