A Bloomington man with a felony record remains in the McLean County jail on gun charges.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Bloomington man arrested for sexual assault of juvenile
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Bloomington police officers secured the arrest of Wilmer Marquez-Ayala of Bloomington on Wednesday for nine McLean county warrants. Marquez-Ayala’s warrants were issued on Wednesday as a result of a sex offense investigation that began on November 11, 2021. BPD learned that Marquez-Ayala had been sexually assaulting a juvenile for a year, leading…… MORE
Unit 5 School Board expels 2 students for brawl at Kingsley Jr. High
By HOI ABC NORMAL – The Unit 5 School Board on Wednesday expelled two students for their role in a fight earlier this month at Kingsley Junior High School in Normal. The fight happened March 10 involving several female students, and Kingsley Principal Stacie France said in a letter to parents that family members “engaged…… MORE
Former McLean County High School teacher pleads guilty to grooming student
By HOI ABC LEROY – A former teacher at LeRoy High School has pleaded guilty to grooming a student. Brandon Reynolds, 35, made an open plea, meaning there’s no agreement with the McLean County State’s Attorney’s office about a possible sentence. At the time of his arrest last October, authorities said Reynolds used a cellphone…… MORE
Lincoln College to close after 157-years
After 157 years, Lincoln College is closing at the beginning of May due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a cyberattack.… MORE
Better Business Bureau warns against postcard scam in Central IL
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Fake postcards offering Walmart or Target gift savings have been reported in West Peoria today (on Wednesday), and the Better Business Bureau of Central Illinois expects others in the area will be receiving it soon. Jessica Tharp, President and CEO of BBB, spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller on what to do if…… MORE
Midwest Food Bank hosts 12th annual Share The Light event
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-The 12th annual Share The Light event put on by the Midwest Food Bank(MFB) is on the docket for weekend activities in Bloomington-Normal. Beginning at noon on Thursday, a silent auction will run through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, holding 150 items up for bid. The three day event is capped off with…… MORE
BPD: Arrest made in Tuesday night shooting
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man was arrested for a shooting that injured one person Tuesday night. Charles Bell, 33, was taken into custody without incident for the shooting, according to Bloomington police. During the investigation, officers learned that Bell and the victim had a personal dispute which led to the victim being…… MORE
Man shot in the arm from gunfire in Bloomington
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police are investigating a shooting that injured a man Tuesday night. Police said they were called about 7:20 p.m., and discovered a man who had been shot in the arm. The wounded man was in the 300 block of East Mulberry Street, near Downtown Bloomington, but it was not…… MORE
ISU and Bradley kick off “I-74” blood drive on Wednesday
Usually, Illinois State University and Bradley University square off on in sports, but a new challenge is asking the public to pick a school when it comes to a blood drive.… 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…