By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices inched up five cents over the past week, averaging $3.27 Monday. According to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 4,378 stations in Illinois, gas prices are nine cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 96 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The cheapest station in…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – An Illinois State University faculty member was the first one to sound the alarm on graduate student Jelani “J.J.” Day’s disappearance. Director of Clinical Education Cara Boester said she texted Day Monday night about his coursework, but that’s the last she heard from him. “He was actually suppose to come see…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The final drawing of the state’s ‘All In for the Win’ vaccine lottery has taken place, and somebody from Bloomington is one of the lucky winners. The Illinois Department of Public Health notified winners by phone or email on Thursday, according to a news release. The winners of the August 26 drawing are…… MORE
The search for a missing Illinois State University graduate student moved to north central Illinois where authorities said they found the missing man’s car.… MORE
A Bloomington man faces multiple weapon charges after police say he played a role in a Bloomington apartment complex shooting Friday morning.… MORE
By Neil Doyle EAST PEORIA – East Peoria Mayor John Kahl says the city will not be enforcing the latest round of COVID-19 restrictions issued by Gov. JB Pritzker. “Our action is about the residents of our community and their ability to decide the best course of action for their health and their livelihoods,” Kahl…… MORE
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – The Sweet Corn Circus will be held in Uptown Normal this Saturday and Sunday and the event will require several street closures. Starting Friday, “No Parking” signs will be posted at 12 midnight for Constitution Boulevard and 12 noon for streets and lots. The full event footprint will be closed at…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – One store in Uptown Normal is letting it be known: if anyone is against getting the vaccine, they don’t want their business. Employees at Campustown Supply, a store packed with Illinois State University materials and textbooks, have been getting a lot of pushback from shoppers for putting a sign that reads…… MORE
The leader of District 87 is calling Gov. Pritzker’s new vaccine mandate for educators “a positive thing” as students return to the classroom.… MORE
According to McLean County Health officials, cases of COVID-19 are increasing at “an alarming rate,” as health officials report another COVID-related death and 11 new cases of the virus.… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…