Police are investigating a shooting that happened Saturday on Bloomington’s west side.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
133 new coronavirus cases reported in McLean County; Region 2 moves to Phase 4
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Monday announced that Region 2, which includes McLean, Livingston, Woodford, and Tazewell counties, is moving to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan.… MORE
Plea deal has final arena fraud defendant paying $21K restitution to Bloomington taxpayers
A former top executive of the taxpayer-owned indoor sports arena in Downtown Bloomington paid almost $21,000 to the city government on Friday after his guilty plea to a misdemeanor theft charge.… MORE
IDPH: Regions in Phase 4 can start intraconference play of high school sports
The Illinois Department of Health’s top doctor announced Friday regions in Phase 4 can resume intraconference play in high school sports.… MORE
Miller Park Zoo to reopen indoor exhibits
Since March, indoor exhibits at the Miller Park Zoo have been closed due to COVID-19. That will change on Monday when the zoo reopens its buildings at a 50% capacity.… MORE
Illinois Senator backs President Biden’s proposed stimulus package
After passing a $900 million COVID-19 stimulus package in December, Illinois Senior Senator Dick Durbin is calling for more relief as Joe Biden spends his first days in office.… MORE
10 additional COVID-related deaths reported in McLean County
The McLean County Health Department Friday announced 10 more coronavirus related deaths, bringing the number of lives lost to 146.… MORE
Hundreds including mom and daughter get first COVID shots at Bloomington arena
A mass vaccination site is now open in McLean County for seniors and frontline workers.… MORE
New swimming pool, skate park seen as boost to Bloomington’s west side
Bloomington leaders asked for input Thursday night about upgrades to one of the city’s signature parks in hopes the multi-million dollar project will help revitalize the west side.… MORE
IDPH reports 4,979 new COVID cases, 123 deaths
The Illinois Department of Public Health Thursday reported 4,979 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus and 123 additional deaths.… 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…