Bloomington aldermen have approved a scaled down plan to reduce traffic bottlenecks at the intersection and Towanda Barnes and Ireland Grove Roads.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Feds turn down initial request for Normal pedestrian underpass grant
The Town of Normal has been turned down for a federal grant to assist construction of a pedestrian underpass at the uptown railroad tracks, but town officials say they’ll try again.… MORE
Road signs stolen near Saybrook
The McLean County Sheriff’s Department reports several road signs are missing from the Saybrook area.… MORE
Rep. Davis worries North Korea won’t give up nuclear weapons
Central Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis is not convinced President Trump should meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.… MORE
Normal West’s dance team places 18th at national finals
Normal West High School’s dance team members are living on cloud nine. They were awarded a trophy at the IHSA Competitive Dance Nationals in Orlando Florida.… MORE
Departure of economic development leader seen as chance for change
An overhaul might be necessary in the way McLean County tries to entice businesses to locate here, according to one of the leaders of local economic development efforts.… MORE
St. Patrick’s Day 5K dedicated to Joshua Rodgers
The 25th annual Saint Patrick’s Day 5K run will be dedicated to a local fallen hero.… MORE
District 87, Unit 5 partner with local libraries to expand reading
Bloomington and Normal libraries are looking to get local children more excited about reading.… MORE
ISU student attends third alternative spring break
Spring break is in full swing for Illinois State University students and while some will be spending their time catching up on sleep, others are traveling to make a change.… MORE
Private sector job viewed as attractive option compared to rigorous economic development work
A Normal Town Council member, who serves on the board of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, doubts recent criticism of the council had much to do with EDC head Kyle Ham’s departure.
… 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…