OSF Healthcare requires all employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by the end of September this year.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Rep. Davis disappointed in Speaker Pelosi after veto
A Central Illinois lawmaker tabbed to help investigate the deadly capitol insurrection said he’s disappointed in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after the Speaker rejected two of the five Republicans House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy selected for the panel.… MORE
MCHD Health officials report 91 new cases of COVID-19 in the past week
In the past week, the McLean County Health Department reports 91 new cases of COVID-19, including an additional death.… MORE
CIRA passenger traffic continues to increase
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Passenger traffic at Central Illinois Regional Airport went up again last month and continues to improve as the summer progresses. CIRA deputy director Fran Strebing spoke with WJBC’s Marc Strauss. “We are now comparing numbers from 2021 to our 2019 numbers and we are at 80% of 2019 numbers, which was…… MORE
26 acres of ISU-owned land might soon be up for sale
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Illinois State University is seeking permission from its governing board to sell almost 26 acres of land northeast of campus that used to be bustling with activity, but is vacant now. Shelbourne Apartments is at the corner of Shelbourne Drive and Beech Street in Normal, formerly the site of 100 townhouse…… MORE
Raoul: Just knowing your kids’ friends isn’t enough
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A recent kidnapping investigation – in which a Springfield sex offender allegedly met a 13-year-old girl online, then brought her to Illinois from Georgia – gives us a chance to talk about how not to be a victim. Illinois attorney general Kwame Raoul says predators can have easy access to…… MORE
Fire heavily damages home in south Bloomington
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Firefighters from four McLean County fire departments battled a blaze late Tuesday morning that severely damaged a home on Bloomington’s south side. Bloomington Township Fire Chief Tom Willan said firefighters saw flames coming from the front of the house when they arrived about 10:25 a.m. to the 3000 block…… MORE
Bloomington Public Works crews wrap up bulk waste collection from historic flooding
Just a little more than a month after historic flooding in the Twin Cities, Bloomington Public Works crews wrapped up Bulk Waste Collection on Tuesday.… MORE
Explosion in car causes fire at Bloomington recycling yard
No one was injured after a fire at a recycling yard in Bloomington on Tuesday.… MORE
Normal man in jail on attempted murder charges accused of hitting a correctional officer
A Normal man in the McLean County Jail on attempted murder charges is facing new charges after striking a correctional officer in the face.… 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…