A four-hour Normal Town Council meeting Monday night included disagreement whether Mayor Chris Koos’ neighborhood has rusty water.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
American Red Cross calling on people to donate blood amid COVID-19 pandemic
The American Red Cross says the need for blood is high as 150 blood drives were canceled across the state in the last week due to bitter temperatures and the COVID-19 pandemic. … MORE
MCMH documenting local experiences of the pandemic
The McLean County Museum of History (MCMH) has initiated “COVID-19: The McLean County Experience,” to hear from area residents and preserve local experiences of the pandemic.… MORE
Update on events in Uptown Normal
Even with coronavirus numbers holding steady and the rollout of the vaccine – events in Uptown Normal will most likely be on hold until at least August. … MORE
Rolling positivity rate holds steady; 75 new COVID cases in McLean County
The McLean County Health Department reported 75 new cases of coronavirus since Friday, bringing the total of probable and confirmed cases to 14,549.… MORE
Man gets 20 years for guilty plea to Twin-Cities murder
McLean County prosecutors have gained a second conviction for a gun battle that killed a man on Bloomington’s east side almost two years ago.… MORE
New gateway arch in Downtown Bloomington
A new gateway arch welcoming people to downtown Bloomington has received some mixed reviews. … MORE
MCHD reports 30 new cases of COVID
McLean County hospitals remain almost full as the county’s rolling positivity rate continues to inch down.… MORE
HSHM to renovate food co-op after receiving $75,000 grant
The food co-op at Home Sweet Home Ministries in Bloomington will be getting a new look… MORE
All-week classroom learning possible after spring break, says District 87’s superintendent
Administrators in Bloomington School District 87 are considering bringing back in-person learning for all students four or five days a week, instead of just two days a week.… 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…