Illinois State University students are in week one of the new school year and the recent vaccination numbers on campus show that many are on board for getting back to normal.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
MCHD reports 32 new cases of COVID-19; rolling positivity rate down slightly
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Health Department is reporting 32 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. According to McLean County Health Department Public Affairs Coordinator Marianne Manko, the new cases come as 19 McLean County residents are hospitalized due to COVID-19. In addition, 12 residents from outside the county are hospitalized in…… MORE
Former ISU President and six area Veterans to be honored for his commitment to at-risk high school students
Former Illinois State University President Dr. Larry Dietz and six area Veterans are receiving recognition for their commitment to the “Stay 4” project.… MORE
ISU leaders pleased by high vaccination rates among students, employees
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Fall classes started this week at Illinois State University, and leaders there said they are pleased so far with vaccination rates that far exceed those for all of McLean County and the rest of the state. The university said 61% of all students and 80% of all employees were fully vaccinated…… MORE
Over 35,000 passengers through CIRA last month
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Last month was another strong showing for Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. CIRA deputy director Fran Strebing spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “We’ve been coming back from what was a rough year. In July we had over 35,000 people come in and out of Central Illinois Regional Airport. We were…… MORE
Jontry: Could be serious consequences for school districts that don’t comply with mask mandate
By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – Regional School Superintendent Mark Jontry says school districts in Illinois don’t really have a choice when it comes to the state’s mask mandate for students. Some voices are calling for school districts to defy the governor’s mask requirements, but Jontry says there could be serious consequences for districts that don’t…… MORE
Fatal crash in DeWitt County
By Neil Doyle CLINTON – One person is dead and two others injured after a car crash in DeWitt County. Illinois State Police say it happened Wednesday at 12:48 p.m. on U.S. 51 Business Route in Clinton approaching U.S. Route 51. Police say a car travelling westbound ran a stop sign and hit a…… MORE
The deadline for flood disaster loan assistance is approaching
In the aftermath of late June’s Bloomington normal flood resulted in the U.S. Small Business Administration approval of a disaster declaration for McLean County.… MORE
Financial Advisor: Afghanistan turmoil could “cause prices to go up”
According to a Central Illinois Financial Advisor, turmoil in Afghanistan could cause prices to rise at the gas pump.… MORE
HCC to launch Nussbaum Trucking Academy
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Heartland Community College has signed an agreement with Nussbaum Transportation Services, Inc. to create a new academy for Truck Driver Training. The agreement between HCC and Nussbaum Transportation forms the Nussbaum Trucking Academy at Heartland Community College. HCC’s Continuing Education will provide advising, orientation, maintain student records, ensure curriculum and instructional…… 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…