A Bloomington doctor faces 40 years behind bars in federal prison for allegedly unlawfully dispensing and distributing controlled substances.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Bloomington senior receives $200,000 Navy ROTC scholarship
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – For one Bloomington High School student, his college decision was made easier with a huge college scholarship. Walker Burns is a senior, and on Thursday he was honored with a scholarship for $200,000. The Navy’s ROTC scholarship is only awarded to five students in the Midwest area, and Burns was…… MORE
Rivian plans largest expansion so far at plant in Normal
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Rivian is planning its biggest expansion to date at its electric vehicle factory in northwest Normal, but it’s not clear what the company wants to do with all of the extra space. Rivian filed plans with Normal’s town government requesting approval of an amended site plan for a 623,000 square…… MORE
IMA looking to help fill open manufacturing jobs across the state
The Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) is looking to fill manufacturer jobs throughout the state through a statewide education and policy tour.… MORE
Real Men Wear Pink raising funds for breast cancer in Central Illinois
Throughout October, men around the country are raising money to help fight breast cancer through the Real Men Wear Pink campaign.… MORE
McLean County officials report 23 new COVID-19 cases; rolling positivity down to 1.9%
The McLean County Health Department reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.… MORE
Normal looking for community feedback on COVID-recovery funds
By A.J. Harris NORMAL – Normal Mayor Chris Koos wants the public to be a part of the discussion about how pandemic relief funds should be spent. The Town of Normal is running a survey for input from the public about how to spend funds granted by the American Rescue Plan. Koos spoke with WJBC’s…… MORE
District 87 schools aim to keep tax rate flat on projected land value gains
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – District 87 administrators are banking on an increase in the district’s tax base next year to collect more tax dollars and not raise taxes on property owners. Administrators announced Wednesday evening they plan to collect almost $46.6 million in property taxes next year, up about 4 1/4% from this year.…… MORE
Coroner identifies body found in Lake Bloomington
By Neil Doyle HUDSON – McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder has identified a body that was found in Lake Bloomington. David L. Roesch, 58, of Saybrook was pronounced dead around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. Yoder says preliminary autopsy results indicate Roesch died from drowning with non-fatal injuries of the forehead and lips consistent with blunt trauma,…… MORE
Brady continues to weigh options for statewide office
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A local lawmaker has been weighing his options the last few months about a run for statewide office. State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) has been exploring the idea of running for Illinois Secretary of State. Current Secretary of State Jesse White, a Democrat, has held the office since 1998, but…… 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…