The Bloomington Rotary Club is celebrating four educators who are making a difference in the lives of their students.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Murray’s Shoes in Bloomington to close
Following over 140 years of business in Bloomington, Murray’s Shoes is getting ready to close up shop for the last time.… MORE
Barickman: New veterans home will likely need federal help, possibly capital bill
State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, said the $250 million it might take to build a new veterans facility is a ‘huge expense’ and would take lots of cooperation to make a new facility happen.… MORE
Renner: City might promote from within BPD to replace Chief Heffner
Bloomington’s mayor is hinting the city might not have to search nationally to find Police Chief Brendan Heffner’s replacement.… MORE
Local Boy Scouts prepare for name change to welcome the other gender
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its iconic name to welcome girls into the organization, but it’s unclear how the change will be received locally.
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LeRoy superintendent among Illinois administrators recognized in Springfield
A local school administrator recognized Tuesday in Springfield said he’s grateful that the worthwhile work of leading youths is being celebrated.… MORE
Normal updates mulch loading hours
Normal’s Public Works Department has announced new hours for mulch loading starting May 7.… MORE
Scalise visits Springfield for US Rep. Davis
GOP House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana visited Springfield on Tuesday for a fundraiser for Taylorville Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis.… MORE
County panel backs south Bloomington solar farm
A McLean County government panel approves of the latest renewable energy project, a solar farm on Bloomington’s south edge.… MORE
Bloomington partners with NAACP to diversify city workforce
Bloomington’s city government is seeking to recruit a more diverse pool of candidates for city jobs that mirrors the community’s overall workforce.… 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…