An officer with the Normal Police Department is on administrative leave following an arrest involving driving under the influence.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
MCHD reports 164 new cases of coronavirus
McLean County added 164 new cases of coronavirus over the weekend.… MORE
Reditus Laboratories in Pekin identifies 4 COVID-19 variants
Reditus Laboratories announced over the weekend it has detected four COVID-19 variants in 321 randomly selected positive tests that were collected between March 1 and March 30.… MORE
BPD investigating early morning homicide
Bloomington Police say a person was killed somewhere in the 600 block of West Seminary Avenue early Friday morning.… MORE
State Farm announces hybrid roles for employees
Most State Farm employees will work in a hybrid model starting sometime in July.… MORE
MCHD reports 119 new cases of coronavirus; Hospitalizations remain high
McLean County added 119 new cases of coronavirus Friday as the number of people hospitalized continues to inch up.… MORE
“All In for Wesleyan” raises record-setting $2.5 million
Illinois Wesleyan University’s ninth annual day of giving raised a record setting $2.5 million in just 24 hours.… MORE
Planning panel backs Rivian’s compromise expansion plan
The Town of Normal Planning Commission voted Thursday to move forward with plans allowing Rivian Automotive to expand its operation on the west side.… MORE
MCHD reports 2 more COVID-related deaths
Two additional McLean County residents have died from coronavirus complications.… MORE
Tiritilli concedes, not likely to seek recount in race for Normal mayor
Mayoral candidate Marc Tiritilli conceded Wednesday after Tuesday’s initial vote count.… 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…