Illinois High School Association state football finals return to Hancock Stadium this weekend. … MORE
Category Archives: Local Sports
Prairie Central honoring late students with court design ahead of 2023 season
By Jake Fogal FAIRBURY – The high school boys basketball season gets underway tonight for many school’s in Central Illinois, including the team up at Prairie Central High School. Prairie Central one season ago went 31-3, and hoisted the regional championship trophy before falling in sectional play to Pontiac. This season the Hawk’s play for…… MORE
Normal Community football falls to Downers Grove North in semifinals of IHSA playoffs
The Ironmen of Normal Community lost 42-0 Saturday afternoon to Downers Grove North in the semifinals of the Class 7A IHSA football playoffs.… MORE
Local high school athletes sign National Letters of Intent
The first day of the 2023 fall signing period was a big one in central Illinois with high-profile athletes signing their National Letters of Intent.… MORE
St. Louis Cardinals plan to stop in Twin-Cities for annual Cardinals Caravan
The St. Louis Cardinals are coming to Bloomington-Normal at the first of the year for their annual pre-season tour.… MORE
Tensions boil over in overtime victory for Normal Community in 2nd round of IHSA Playoffs
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – A back-and-forth contest at Dick Tharp Field Saturday night led to hot heads and heighted tempers as the Normal Community Ironmen eked out a win over Bradley Bourbonnais in overtime, 31-30. Both teams were knotted at 24 apiece as the fourth quarter culminated, sending the second round matchup to overtime.…… MORE
ISU & IWU receiving positive feedback following basketball doubleheader
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL – It was a victory for the Bloomington-Normal community last Sunday as Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan took to the court for a basketball doubleheader at CEFCU Arena. “It was awesome! To see that many people show up for an exhibition game was incredible.” said ISU Interim Athletic Director Dr. Jeri…… MORE
#1 Normal Community dominates Argo in Round One of IHSA playoffs
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Despite a cold front and a soaked playing field from several days of rain, the Ironmen at Normal Community cruised to a first round victory over Argo 43-0. The shutout marks the fourth consecutive game where Community has held a team to zero points, as the Ironmen offense piled on…… MORE
Bloomington falls flat to Decatur MacArthur in final week of regular season
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – A field goal was the first score of the game put on the board early in the first quarter by the Purple Raiders, but what came to follow left fans packing up and heading for the exits early as Decatur MacArthur put a beating on Bloomington 54-10. Bloomington challenged the…… MORE
Heartland Women’s Volleyball Coach named Coach of the Year
Heartland Community College’s Head Volleyball coach has been named the top coach in the Midwest Atlantic Conference.… 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…