An accused killer from Bloomington has been declared unfit to stand trial in a case that brought into focus the problem of domestic violence in the Twin-Cities.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
‘Bench of hope’ dedicated to two organ donors
Two lives were honored Thursday afternoon with a bench dedication for Olivia ‘Livi’ Sonetz and Michael Collins.… MORE
Simple steps to financial health for graduates
Country Financial is giving graduates a few ‘Simple Steps’ to become financially secure.… MORE
EDC shares Rauner’s concerns about Illinois business climate
Local economic developers say recent business expansions in Bloomington-Normal have more to do with what’s happening in McLean County than in Springfield.… MORE
Governor’s surprise phone call to WJBC: ‘I love Rivian’
Illinois’ chief executive said he is cheering for the success of Rivian Automotive, which received state tax credits and other incentives to begin making electric cars at the former Mitsubishi Motors plant in Normal.… MORE
Chicago teens charged with passing phony $100 bills
Bloomington police say they’ve caught three teenagers passing counterfeit $100 bills last weekend.… MORE
Normal’s Reece: Taxing body approval for Uptown TIF preferred, not required
Normal’s city manager said the town government will continue pursuing an extension of a tax increment financing district for Uptown Normal even if an affected taxing body or two are opposed to the idea.… MORE
Smoking materials blamed for fire to historic Bloomington home
Fire investigators say unattended smoking materials caused the fire which heavily damaged an historic home near downtown Bloomington last month.… MORE
Bloomington intersection closed for repairs
Effective immediately, the intersection of Low Street and Bissell Street will be closed to thru traffic for street repairs.… MORE
Heartland College board backs TIF extension for Uptown Normal
A fourth local taxing body is giving its blessing to the Town of Normal’s desire to add another 12 years to the life of Uptown Normal’s tax increment financing district.… 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…