Category Archives: Local News

At least one person dead after deadly collision on I-74 in Woodford County

At least one person dead after deadly collision on I-74 in Woodford County

By WMBD-TV CARLOCK – At least one person is dead after a two-vehicle deadly collision on Interstate 74 near Carlock. That’s the word from the Illinois State Police which said the collision occurred in the westbound lanes of I-74 near mile marker 117.5. That’s in Woodford County and near Carlock. According to the preliminary investigation,…MORE

Normal conducted prescribed burns on Monday

Normal conducted prescribed burns on Monday

By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The Town of Normal announced that it was conducting prescribed burns along the creek from Fell Avenue to Constitution Trail on Monday. According to the Town of Normal, a company contracted with the town conducted the burn to help maintain the creek bed and keep the landscape healthy. The Normal Fire Department…MORE

Bloomington police are now sensory-inclusive certified

Bloomington police are now sensory-inclusive certified

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Police Department announced on Monday that it partnered with KultureCity to make its services sensory-inclusive. According to the department, the certification ensures officers are trained to recognize those with sensory needs and how to handle sensory overload situations. All Bloomington squad cars will have KultureCity Sensory Bags, which will…MORE

Olympia CUSD #16 ballot questions will reallocate funds, not raise taxes

Olympia CUSD #16 ballot questions will reallocate funds, not raise taxes

By WMBD-TV STANFORD – Olympia Community Unit School District 16 has two questions on the ballot and they want to make sure voters in McLean, Tazewell and Woodford counties are informed about what those questions mean for their tax bill. The district is looking to reallocate money into their education fund and into operations and maintenance…MORE

Normal Community Ironmen runners-up in IHSA Class 4A Championship

Normal Community Ironmen runners-up in IHSA Class 4A Championship

By Jake Fogal CHAMPAIGN – After the best season for the program since 2015, Normal Community boys basketball came up just short of hoisting the IHSA Class 4A State championship Saturday night in Champaign, falling to Homewood-Flossmoor 60-48. Three Vikings scored in double figures, as Bryce Heard poured in 21 points. Jayden Tyler had 15,…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…