A special meeting is set for Monday as the Bloomington City Council considers a formal reprimand of Alderwoman Jenn Carrillo for berating two incoming council members on social media.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Family comes together to celebrate what would have been Rica Rountree’s 11th birthday
Two years after her daughter was murdered, one mother celebrated what would have been her child’s 11th birthday.… MORE
Twin-Cities rape suspect released on bond
A man from the Chicago suburbs has been released on bond on charges he sexually assaulted a woman in Normal and videotaped their encounter without her consent.… MORE
McLean County adds 95 cases of coronavirus
The McLean County Health Department Friday reported 95 new cases of coronavirus as there are currently 698 active cases in the county.… MORE
McLean County Board’s only Asian says board hasn’t done enough to fight anti-Asian bias
The only Asian and person of color on the McLean County Board scolded some fellow board members Thursday night for not speaking out against discrimination and increasing violence against Asians.… MORE
Sentencing delayed for man convicted in 2018 Bloomington triple murder
Sydney Mays’ sentencing was delayed Thursday after the 24-year-old convicted murderer said he wanted a new lawyer.… MORE
71 new cases of COVID in McLean County; 1 additional death
McLean County health officials Thursday reported another coronavirus-related death, a woman in her 50s, not associated with a long-term care facility.… MORE
Authorities use DNA evidence to arrest McLean County date rape suspect
McLean County prosecutors revealed police used DNA to track down the suspect in a 2019 date rape near the Twin-Cities.… MORE
IWU takes action as student is hurt in fraternity hazing
An Illinois Wesleyan University fraternity is suspended after a student was hurt in a hazing incident.… MORE
Gleason: Police chief recruitment should begin in May
Earlier this week, Eric West was named the new fire chief for the City of Bloomington, but now City Manager Tim Gleason will turn his attention to the position of police chief.… 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…