April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and a local organization is celebrating by decorating the town in blue.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Bloomington-Normal makes efforts to beautify the town
The City of Bloomington Beautification Committee, The Town of Normal, and the Ecology Action Center are dedicating the week of Saturday, April 14 through Sunday, April 22 to cleaning the Twin Cities.… MORE
Former LeRoy Replex director sentenced to jail for thefts to feed video gaming addiction
It was revealed during a sentencing hearing Friday that the fired executive director of the LeRoy Park District’s Replex stole tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer money, rec center dues, and donations to feed his video gaming addiction.… MORE
Men will walk a mile in high heels on HCC campus
Heartland Council on Family Relations is asking men to walk a mile in women’s shoes to raise awareness for sexual assault and gender violence.… MORE
Bloomington man sentenced to prison for fatal hit-and-run crash
A Bloomington man has been sentenced to prison for a fatal hit-and-run crash last fall.… MORE
U-High practices reunification procedure
Safety and efficiency are the two main components of University High School’s reunification plan.… MORE
Normal Police to close lobby during overnight hours
The Normal Police Department lobby is now closed overnight, but residents are still able to quickly contact officers.… MORE
Rep. Davis hopes to spare farmers from pain of China trade war
Central Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis said a trade war with China would have a devastating impact for area farmers.… MORE
Prominent ‘welcoming city’ supporter seeks Bloomington City Council seat
A progressive activist pushing for Bloomington to become a ‘welcoming city’ for undocumented immigrants is running for the city council seat held by the council’s senior member.… MORE
Tree removal to close Oakland Ave. Sat. morning
All lanes of East Oakland Avenue will be closed between Mercer Avenue and Moore Street on Saturday, beginning at 7:30 a.m. for approximately four hours for a tree removal.… 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…