Category Archives: Local News

ISU police issue campus crime advisory for shots fired incident

ISU police issue campus crime advisory for shots fired incident

By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Normal Police are probing a shots fired incident that happened Monday night about three miles from the Illinois State University campus. ISU police issued a campus crime advisory after police were called around 5 p.m. to an apartment complex located at 710 W. Orlando Ave. The shots were also reported…MORE

Council rejects immediate direct aid to Bloomington flood victims, asks residents to seek state, federal help first

Council rejects immediate direct aid to Bloomington flood victims, asks residents to seek state, federal help first

By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council is holding off on making direct financial payments to residents whose property was devastated by historic flooding in late June. Instead, the council encouraged property owners to apply for state and federal assistance programs, and when that money is exhausted, the council will again consider a…MORE

Woman wounded by gunfire on Bloomington’s east side

Woman wounded by gunfire on Bloomington’s east side

By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police say a woman was wounded in a shooting Monday evening on the city’s east side. Police said they were called about 7:30 p.m. to a report of several shots fired in the 1300 block of North Hershey Road, near Clearwater Avenue. The woman suffered non-life threatening injuries, according…MORE

Illinois gas prices down six cents over the week

Illinois gas prices down six cents over the week

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices in Illinois dropped about six cents over the past week, averaging $3.26 a gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Illinois is priced at $2.85 while the most expensive is $3.84. Gas prices in Illinois are almost three cents lower than a month ago but…MORE

Decades-old McLean County murder case to be featured on true crime series

Decades-old McLean County murder case to be featured on true crime series

By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A decades-old McLean County murder case is now receiving national attention as it is set to premier on a true crime television series. In 1999, Barton McNeil was found guilty of the murder of his three-year-old daughter. He was sentenced to 100 years in prison without the possibility of parole.…MORE

Jelani Day’s mother speaks out about the search process

Jelani Day’s mother speaks out about the search process

After the LaSalle County coroner confirmed the body found in the Illinois River Sept. 4 was Jelani Day, his mother Carmen Bolden Day shared shared what she endured during the search for her son in an emotional interview.MORE

Bloomington council to consider 2.5% pay raise for city manager

Bloomington council to consider 2.5% pay raise for city manager

By Heart of Illinois ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s city manager continues to get glowing reviews from elected leaders, who are scheduled to vote Monday night on giving him a raise. Tim Gleason, who used to run city governments in Washington and Decatur, received the highest performance ranking for his work in Bloomington. The city council…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…