The Pontiac Police Department announced a three-year veteran of the Department is the 2021 Officer of the Year.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
ISU Police issue crime advisory; student alleges she was robbed
Illinois State University Police are asking for the public’s help solving an armed robbery late Wednesday night.… MORE
Masking no longer required in District 87
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – District 87 will not require face masks for students, staff and visitors after a legislative panel ruling earlier this week. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted against extending IDPH Emergency Rules regarding masking requirements in schools. “Upon discussing this with our legal representatives and weighing all options, effective…… MORE
Prosecutor: Mother didn’t mention kids at arrest or in jail
A mother arrested as the investigation continues into a missing infant made no mention of having children to law enforcement during her arrest or while in jail.… MORE
A new bill would require disclosure of a criminal record for fire chief applicants
It sounds like a joke that writes itself – an arsonist is a fire chief. But it’s no laughing matter to Illinois lawmakers.… MORE
Students in central Illinois experience space through a simulate course
Thanks to a grant from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin company, students in central Illinois can experience what space is like through simulated space missions.… MORE
McLean County PATH Crisis selected as new 988 crisis/suicide phone line; adding 115 new positions
McLean County’s PATH Crisis is adding 115 new jobs as the state of Illinois announced the call center would serve as the new 988 mental health and crisis intervention phone line.… MORE
Unit 5 updates COVID-19 mitigations
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – After a legislative panel voted Tuesday night to suspend the latest version of COVID-19 mitigations for public schools, Unit 5 is no longer requiring masks. According to a news release, the district made the decision after the vote by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. As a result, Unit 5 is…… MORE
NWS: Heavy snow and freezing rain expected Wednesday night and Thursday
By Neil Doyle LINCOLN – The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning that goes into effect at midnight until 6 p.m. Thursday as heavy snow and freezing rain are expected across central Illinois. The winter storm warning includes McLean, Livingston, Woodford, Tazewell and Ford counties. The NWS is calling for mixed precipitation…… MORE
Parents file lawsuit against three Central Illinois school districts over mask mandate
By HOI ABC SPRINGFIELD – Three more school districts are being sued by parents over COVID prevention plans. McLean County Unit 5, Bloomington District 87, and Pontiac District 429 are named in this lawsuit being filed in Sangamon County. Sangamon County is where a temporary restraining order was also issued against the governor’s mask mandate…… 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…