By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – McLean County residents and businesses that suffered damage from storms last weekend will see emergency management crews going door-door Friday and Saturday. Property owners most affected by the storms can expect a visit by an assessment team, which will be collecting only basic information about the type of damage…… MORE
The McLean County Museum of History is celebrating Independence Day with free admission to the public.… MORE
Speedy trials are back in Illinois after the state’s highest court issued two new orders on Wednesday.… MORE
The numbers are in from dispatch calls in McLean County after thunderstorms last weekend.… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Expiration dates for Illinois driver’s licenses and ID cards have been extended an additional five months — from Aug. 1, 2021, to Jan. 1, 2022. “Extending expiration dates until January 1, 2022, means people with an expired driver’s license or ID card do not need to rush into a Driver…… MORE
A Bloomington man has been sentenced to 80 years in prison on eight counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim under the age of 13.… MORE
In the past week, the McLean County Health Department reports two COVID-related deaths.… MORE
Homeowners in the Twin Cities are looking at hefty price tags and long wait times to repair the flood damage from last weekend’s thunderstorms.… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Board Chairman John McIntyre has issued a disaster declaration after severe storms over the weekend caused countywide damage. “The purpose of the declaration, which remains in effect for seven days, is to assist in getting an appropriate and accurate assessment of damage totals across the county,” said McIntyre.…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – A career that spanned five decades is coming to a close. Illinois State University President Dr. Larry Dietz retire Wednesday as the university’s 19th president. “This has been a great experience working for the university and I’m going to miss the people. But I’ve been at this for 50…… 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…