New traffic warning lights installed outside the new Normal Fire Department headquarters will alert motorists when to stop for emergency vehicles.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Bloomington aldermen seek to correct the record on angry exchange with Mayor Renner
Bloomington aldermen plan to revise meeting minutes from a tension-filled city council meeting two weeks ago.… MORE
Coroner: Head injuries from fall caused man’s death in parking garage
A man found Monday morning in a downtown parking garage died from head injuries received in a fall on stairs according to McLean County Coroner Kathy Davis.… MORE
Two more youngsters allege sexual abuse by local piano teacher
A local piano teacher accused of child molestation faces additional charges involving two more alleged victims.… MORE
Durbin calls for gun reforms after meeting with Florida students
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has renewed his call for increased gun control after meeting with students from the Florida high school where 17 people died in a mass shooting.… MORE
Heartland announces third presidential candidate
After unveiling the first two finalists in its presidential search, Heartland Community College has announced the third candidate for the job.… MORE
LaHood: Stronger background checks could keep guns from mentally ill
In the aftermath of the recent Florida school shooting, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said there are some gun control measure he would support.… MORE
Bloomington council backs one year ban on new video gaming terminals
Bloomington businesses won’t be able to install new video gaming machines for the next year as the city government decides how to regulate them.… MORE
Aldermen raise garbage fees, reduce bulky waste pickups to help balance city budget
Bloomington aldermen have voted to raise the cost for garbage collection, while at the same time they reduce some solid waste services and slash the city government’s budget deficit by $1.1 million dollars.… MORE
IWU and ISU admissions offers assurance to peaceful gun violence protesters
Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan Universities are assuring high school students their involvement in peaceful protests won’t prevent them from being admitted to the schools.… 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…