Bloomington aldermen enthusiastically endorsed plans by the local Boys and Girls Club to build a multi-million dollar clubhouse at Sunnyside Park on Bloomington’s west side.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Police still seeking answers five years after Bloomington woman’s murder
It’s the fifth anniversary of an unsolved local murder case, and Bloomington Police are hoping the public will come forward with information that might lead to an arrest.… MORE
University Liquors blaze leaves store badly damaged
An early morning blaze at University Liquors has left the store with structural damage to its roof and heat and smoke damage to its lower level.… MORE
GOP counts votes as Farm Bill awaits
A vote on the Farm Bill could come in the U.S. House this week as Republicans scramble to get enough vote on the measure that would call for tighter controls for those who receive welfare benefits.… MORE
West Grove Street in Bloomington to close
Effective immediately, the 1200 block of West Grove Street will be closed to all traffic due to street repair work.… MORE
Rivian project recognized with national award
Efforts to bring an electric car maker to McLean County not only brought the company, they also brought a national award.… MORE
Fire crews in Normal battle liquor store blaze
Fire crews in Normal are battling what officials describe as major fire at University Liquors at 706 W. Beaufort near the Illinois State University campus.… MORE
Alderman Hauman wants closure on divisive ‘welcoming city’ debate
A Bloomington alderman said it’s time for her colleagues to follow Normal’s lead and vote on a ‘welcoming city’ ordinance as a response to the Trump Administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.… MORE
ISU Board of Trustees approves new degrees, project funding
Illinois State University will be offering two new degrees starting this fall.… MORE
Petrilli: Dogs in the department can do more than sniff out marijuana
A Normal police administrator who has been a drug dog handler says there’s no danger of putting marijuana-sniffing dogs down if the substance ever becomes legal.… 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…