As the state is set to lift the mask mandate at the end of the month, a central Illinois Congressman said the move was needed a long time ago.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Two Bloomington men behind bars after a domestic dispute
Two Bloomington men remain behind bars at the McLean County Jail after a domestic dispute.… MORE
Lane reduction in Normal for water improvements
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Beginning Wednesday, at the intersection of College Avenue and Towanda Avenue there will be lane reductions in the north lane of westbound College and the west lane of southbound Towanda. The lane reductions are for water distribution system improvements. Drivers are urged to use caution when traveling through the area.…… MORE
U.S. Transportation Secretary to visit Bloomington-Normal
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is coming to Bloomington-Normal this weekend to highlight work the Department of Transportation is doing to make electric vehicles more accessible to more Americans. According to a news release, that includes launching a new Rural EV Toolkit and announcing historic infrastructure funding under the bipartisan infrastructure law.…… MORE
Three men behind bars after BPD surrounded a home in Bloomington
Three men are in custody in Bloomington, but police remain tight-lipped — calling it an “active investigation.”… MORE
Normal property taxes will not rise, as Town Council OK’s finances for a new fire station
Property taxes will not rise for Normal residents as the town aims to build a new fire station at the tune of almost $5 million on the city’s east side.… MORE
Pritzker visits ISU to discuss investments in higher education
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The governor made a stop Tuesday in the Twin-Cities to tout his budget proposal and investments in higher education. Gov. Pritzker’s 2023 budget proposal includes $2.2 billion for higher education. He spoke during a news conference at the Bone Student Center. “Supporting higher education is key to empowering Illinois’ next…… MORE
One cat dead after apartment fire in Bloomington
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – One cat is dead after an apartment fire Monday morning in Bloomington. Fire crews were called around 11:30 a.m. to the 700 block of Bell Street. When crews arrived, flames were seen in the front and side of the building. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze in about 20…… MORE
Over $22K raised for barn owner who lost ten horses in a fire over the weekend
A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $21,000 after 12 horses died in a barn fire over the weekend near Bloomington.… MORE
Prices at the pump on the rise amid tensions overseas
With the price of oil on the rise, the average gasoline prices in Illinois have risen 10.9 cents per gallon over the past week.… 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…