The town of Normal has developed a Small Business Relief Program (SBRP) to assist small businesses significantly impacted by COVID-19.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Midwest Food Bank sets goal of 200,000 meals for Giving Tuesday
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is known as Giving Tuesday and this year Midwest Food Bank is focusing donations on Tender Mercies meals.… MORE
Reserved shopping hour reinstated at Hy-Vee
Starting Monday, Hy-Vee is reinstating its reserved shopping hour for customers considered “high risk” in response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases.… MORE
49th COVID death reported in McLean County; Rolling positivity rate drops over weekend
The McLean County Health Department Monday reported the county’s 49th COVID-related death.… MORE
Bloomington Dr. COVID-19 vaccine “long-term effects are certainly a cause for concern”
Although recent COVID-19 vaccine results from British drug maker AstraZeneca show “highly effective” results, one Central Illinois Doctor says it’s still too early to know the long-term effects.… MORE
Former Normal cop pleads guilty to official misconduct
A former Normal Police officer will spend some time in the county jail for his guilty plea after his arrest almost a year ago for stealing thousands of dollars from a suspected drug overdose victim.… MORE
Sheriff’s office probing burglary in Lexington
Police are investigating a burglary that happened early Thursday morning in Lexington.… MORE
ISU President Larry Dietz announces plans to retire
Illinois State University President Larry Dietz Friday announced he will retire at the end of June as the university’s 19th president.… MORE
Bloomington leaders take wait-and-see approach before issuing mask-wearing rule
A mandatory mask-wearing ordinance is not in Bloomington’s immediate future, but City Manager Tim Gleason said leaders are “definitely watching” how the community responds this weekend to COVID-19 restrictions.… MORE
MCHD reports 48th COVID-related death; 178 new cases
A McLean County man in his 80s has died from coronavirus complications.… 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…