Meeting late into the night on Tuesday, the McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals backed plans for four projects that would generate electricity from the sun.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Former downtown arena chief seeks venue change in theft trial
The president and CEO of Central Illinois Arena Management, which used to run the former U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Downtown Bloomington, believes he can not get a fair trial in McLean County on charges he stole taxpayer money.… MORE
Local man charged with raping woman, beating her with metal pipe
McLean County prosecutors have charged a Bloomington man with sexually assaulting a woman and beating her with a metal pipe.… MORE
Pyle chosen to fill Unit 5 board vacancy
A Unit 5 board vacancy will be filled by an academic adviser at Illinois State University.… MORE
Qik’n’EZ in Normal closed for an extended period of time after fire
Firefighters swarmed a convenient store early Tuesday morning after smoke could be seen pouring out of the roof of the building.… MORE
Follow up: DeWitt County Sheriff’s Office wrapping up investigation in alleged dog abuse video
After a video surfaced on social media showing an alleged dog abuse, an investigation is wrapping up leading to possible charges in the next 24 hours.… MORE
Daniel receives pay raise ahead of school year
The Unit 5 Superintendent is receiving a bump in his salary.… MORE
GOP chair praises ‘nonpartisan’ effort to eliminate Bloomington Election Commission
The chairman of the McLean County Republican Party said it was satisfying to work on a nonpartisan issue even though leaders from the local Democratic Party were not involved.… MORE
Normal dedicates Mark R. Peterson Plaza
The gathering place in Uptown Normal, between the Children’s Discovery Museum and the transportation center, will be known from now on as the Mark R. Peterson Plaza, named for the city manager who retired earlier this year after 20 years on the job.… MORE
Miller Street closed for sewer repairs
Effective immediately, Miller Street between Western Avenue and Livingston Street will be closed to thru traffic for sewer repairs.… 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…