By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man, arrested for a hotel robbery last year, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in McLean County Court. Court documents say Jarrod Williams, 42, pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery earlier this month. The charge alleged Williams took an undisclosed amount of cash on January 7 of 2020 from…… MORE
The COVID-19 testing site at the McLean County Fairgrounds is closing at the end of July.… MORE
Student-athletes across the state can now receive compensation while in school after Gov. Pritzker signed SB 2338 into law.… MORE
A pilot program at Illinois State University is helping people get back on track with a clear record.… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington and McLean County Health Department will continue COVID vaccinations at the downtown arena but at a reduced capacity. Vaccine clinics at Grossinger Motors Arena will now take place in the Bud Light Lounge area, as well as the section of the south concourse that extends from the…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 3.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending June 27, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 71.0 degrees, 2.9 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 2.74 inches, 1.84 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 7 percent very short, 10 percent short, 51 percent adequate, and 32…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A teenager from Normal is accused of punching a McLean County correctional officer. He has now been charged with aggravated battery. According to officials at the Mclean County Detention Facility, 18-year-old Omarr Parks-Bullock allegedly punched a correctional officer on Sunday after his physical restraints were removed. The time of Sunday’s incident…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – After severe weather over the weekend that caused flooding throughout the Twin-Cities, the City of Bloomington is adding free bulk waste pick-up days starting next week. The special collection will begin July 6 and run for approximately two weeks. Crews will suspend brush pick up during that time frame so the…… MORE
Illinois State university’s 19th President is bidding farewell to the campus.… MORE
A local insurance agency is reporting over 1,200 claims in Illinois after severe weather left many in the Twin Cities with flooded basements.… 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…