The Miller Park Zoological Society held its 24th Miller Park Zoo Stampede Saturday. Development Director Paula Pratt said the turnout this year was greater than in 2020. The 2020 run came just before statewide COVID shutdowns.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
House bill would help Illinois cities be more “bicycle friendly”
Cities would have an easier time getting bike lanes and sidewalks put in, under a bill advancing in the Illinois House.… MORE
Bloomington city leaders asking for public input on new Police Chief
City leaders in Bloomington are asking for public input as they search for the next top cop.… MORE
Senate bill would exempt lemonade stands from regulations
Ah, the innocent days of a lemonade stand. A card table on the sidewalk, a pitcher, ice, paper cups – and the public health department getting all up in your business.… MORE
New bill could help small business farmers sell directly to consumers
Small business farmers across the state could soon sell directly to consumers instead of only farmers’ markets under a new Act. … MORE
33 new cases of coronavirus in McLean County
The McLean County Health Department Friday reported 33 new cases of coronavirus.… MORE
OSF eyes state-of-the-art radiation technology for Bloomington cancer center
OSF HealthCare leaders broke ground Thursday for what they say is a key component of its cancer center in the Twin-Cities.… MORE
Socially-distanced Olympics aims to keep kids engaged in their studies
In ancient Greece, wars were stopped to hold the Olympic Games. So, a pandemic was not going to stop social studies students at Parkside Junior High School in Normal from staging their own Olympic competition.… MORE
Former national president of Project Linus sentenced to 30 months in prison, ordered to pay $400K in restitution
The former national president of Project Linus, that was once headquarted in Bloomington, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for stealing from the not-for-profit organization.… MORE
Outside consultant to aid superintendent search in District 87
An outside search firm will help the District 87 School Board find its next superintendent at a cost of almost $21,000.… 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…