Category Archives: Local Sports

IHSA’s cheerleading finals coming to Bloomington this weekend

IHSA’s cheerleading finals coming to Bloomington this weekend

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The annual Illinois High School Association Competitive Cheerleading State Finals will be hosted in Bloomington this weekend at Grossinger Motors Arena. The state’s top 100 teams will journey to the Twin Cities to participate in four separate classes. Over 13,000 spectators are expected to attend the two-day event, according to…MORE

Eureka College announces head football coaching hire

Eureka College announces head football coaching hire

By Jake Fogal EUREKA – Eureka College is bringing in a two time NFL Pro Bowler to take over as the head coach of the Red Devils football program. The college announced Monday, that Randy Starks will takeover as the 20th all-time coach of the program. “There are a lot of people that coach their…MORE

Terrence Shannon Jr. suspended, charged with rape in Kansas

Terrence Shannon Jr. suspended, charged with rape in Kansas

By WMBD-TV CHAMPAIGN – Illinois basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. is suspended from all team activities after the senior All-American candidate was charged with rape in Kansas. The alleged incident occurred back in September when Shannon Jr. was visiting Lawrence for the Illinois football game. A warrant for his arrest was issued on Wednesday by…MORE

IHSA football district proposal fails

IHSA football district proposal fails

Illinois High School Association (IHSA) member schools approved 12 of 14 amendment proposals that appeared on the all-school ballot, but a proposal that would have significantly changed football scheduling in the state failed to pass.MORE

Prairie Central honoring late students with court design ahead of 2023 season

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

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…