The man picked to become Normal West High School’s next head football coach is the team’s long-time assistant coach, who was backed by some players and parents seeking continuity in the program.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Pontiac Prison still on lockdown after ‘disturbance’ injures staffer
Pontiac Correctional Center remains on lockdown after authorities say a “disturbance’ there earlier this week injured a prison staff member.… MORE
Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau present Ag Awards
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce and McLean County Farm Bureau highlighted the dedication and hard work of a number of local farmers last night during the chamber’s Agriculture Awards.… MORE
Kiwanis Club to host Pancake Days at BCPA
The start of a new morning isn’t complete without a good breakfast, and a local club is holding an enormous pancake breakfast for the public this weekend.… MORE
Bloomington to consider 1-year ban on new video gaming machines
A Bloomington alderman wants to ban new video gaming machines in the city, at least for a year.… MORE
Bloomington Edge GM sees summer indoor football as a win for his team, downtown arena
The general manager of Bloomington’s indoor football squad said the team is not disappearing from public view despite a court ruling preventing the team from playing this spring in the Indoor Football League.… MORE
ISU’s Dietz aims to calm mass shooting fears after Florida killings, claims ‘robust’ measures in place
Illinois State University President Larry Dietz is using social media to describe what he calls the “robust” safety and security measures in place to prevent tragedies like the mass shooting that killed 17 people at a Florida high school.… MORE
Habitat for Humanity names new director
Habitat for Humanity of McLean County has named its new executive director.… MORE
Gov. Rauner tours GROWMARK, discusses budget plan
Amidst a re-election battle, Governor Bruce Rauner visited Bloomington this afternoon to tour the GROWMARK facility in town.… MORE
Bloomington man sentenced to 30 years for murder of infant
A Bloomington man has been sentenced for his involvement in the death of an infant in 2011.… 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…