Since Friday, the McLean County Health Department is reporting 93 new cases of COVID-19, increasing the county’s probable cases to 18,927.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
COVID vaccines available at the McLean County Fair
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Fair starts on Wednesday. Local health officials are reminding people to be cautious with COVID-19 still present in the community. McLean County Health Department Administrator Jessica McKnight says they want people to enjoy the fair but there are ways to help reduce the risk of COVID-19. McLean County…… MORE
Illinois gas prices up 6 cents in the past week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices continue to climb in Illinois with the average sitting at $3.36 a gallon. According to GasBuddy, prices are up 6.2 cents compared to last week and are seven cents higher than last month. GasBuddy price reports show the cheapest station in Illinois is priced at $2.99 while the…… MORE
NWS launching new damage categories for severe weather
By WJBC Staff LINCOLN – Starting today, the National Weather Service will better convey the severity and potential impacts from thunderstorm winds and hail by adding a “damage threat” tag to Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. “Destructive” and “Considerable” Damage Threat Categories NWS has developed three categories of damage threat for Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. The categories, in…… MORE
Rolling positivity rate above 4% in McLean County
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise across the Twin Cities as local health officials report 35 new cases, while the rolling positivity rate increased to 4.2%. On Friday, health officials reported 155 people are isolating at home, while 18,428 people have been released from isolation and are considered recovered.…… MORE
Man pardoned for Twin-Cities murder can sue Town of Normal and police, Illinois Supreme Court rules
The Town of Normal and three retired police officers may wind up asking the state’s highest court to reconsider its decision ordering a trial alleging malicious prosecution in a decades-old murder case.… MORE
City brings back mask policy
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Following the latest CDC guidance, the City of Bloomington is reinstituting a mask policy. “The only change is the return of masks when employees are moving through hallways and to other buildings,” said City Manager Tim Gleason. “When people are in their own work spaces, they can remove their masks.” Residents…… MORE
COVID testing site in McLean County to remain open
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The COVID-19 testing site at the McLean County Fairgrounds was scheduled to close July 31 due to a decrease in testing. However, due to an increase in COVID cases surrounding the Delta variant, the Illinois Department of Public Health has decided that community-based testing sites will remain open. Testing will continue,…… MORE
MCHD reports first cases of West Nile Virus
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The first cases of West Nile virus have been identified in McLean County. A mosquito pool collected in the 61705 zip code area and a dead bird found in the 61761 area tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to a news release Thursday. McLean County is one of 18 counties…… MORE
Under your car is a jackpot for thieves
By Dave Dahl BLOOMINGTON – A certain auto part is in high demand – it’s the catalytic converter, which allows your car to run on unleaded fuel. It’s valuable, because it contains precious metals. Heather Paul of State Farm Insurance says claims tripled in 2020, compared to 2019. And in Illinois alone, claims for the…… 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…