Category Archives: Local News
Cigarette sets cottonwood seedlings ablaze, paints winter-like setting in northeast Normal
Normal firefighters at the scene of one of the dozen small fires on Taft Drive caused by a discarded cigarette. (Photo by Nick McClintock) By Howard Packowitz NORMAL – A bizarre scene in a north...
May 24, 2018
Murder charges filed against 3 Chicago-area residents in Streator shooting
LaSalle County State’s Attorney Karen Donnelly is joined by prosecutors and investigators during a news conference on charges filed in connection with Tuesday’s fatal shooting in Streator....
May 24, 2018
IAA Drive in Bloomington to close
(Pixabay) By Eric Stock BLOOMINGTON – Effective Wednesday, May 30, from 7 a.m to 5 p.m. IAA Drive between Rowe Drive and just south of the Country Financial entrance will be closed to thru traff...
May 24, 2018
Man who dumped body near Pontiac in 1996 convicted of 5 more killings
Andrew Urdiales, 53, has been convicted of killing eight women. (Illinois Department of Corrections) By Eric Stock A convicted serial killer who murdered a woman and dumped her body in the Vermillion ...
May 24, 2018
Local United Way expands meaning of giving as cash donations slide
United Way of McLean County CEO David Taylor and business consultant Kathleen Lorenz met with reporters Wednesday afternoon. (Photo by Howard Packowitz/WJBC) By Howard Packowitz BLOOMINGTON ...
May 24, 2018
Beyond the Books provides over $55,000 in grants to Unit 5 programs
The local chapter of Beyond the Books has provided 33 Unit 5 educators with funding to help their programs grow. (Facebook/Beyond the Books) By Patrick Baron NORMAL – Over two dozen Unit 5 educa...
May 23, 2018
Illinois Senate approved extension of Normal TIF district
The request to extend the life of the Uptown Normal tax increment financing district now goes to the Illinois House. (WJBC file photo)By Greg HalbleibSPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate has approv...
May 23, 2018
Streator woman dead, 3 in custody after shooting
Streator police are still investigating Tuesday night’s shooting.(Flickr/Alan Cleaver)By WMBD-TVSTREATOR – Three suspects are in police custody after a woman was shot and killed Tuesday ni...
May 23, 2018
Attorney for ex-pastor accused of abuse: Reserve judgment until facts are known
Matthew Everly was a pastor at Eastview Christian Church in Normal when he allegedly physically abused his infant daughter. (McLean County Jail) By Howard Packowitz and Eric Stock BLOOMINGTON – ...
May 23, 2018
YWCA keynoter hopes to inspire others to overcome fears of cultural differences
Di Ann Sanchez, human resources consultant and expert on overcoming cultural differences was the keynote speaker Tuesday night at the YWCA McLean County Women of Distinction banquet.(Photo by Howard P...
May 23, 2018
