Category Archives: Local Sports

Normal West runs through Peoria Notre Dame in season opener

Normal West runs through Peoria Notre Dame in season opener

By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Week 1 of the 2024 High School Football season belonged to Normal West running back Cody Muhlbauer. The sophomore Wildcat was responsible for every touchdown Normal West scored on Friday, finding the endzone five times and totaling over 350 rushing yards in the 33-27 victory. The two Big 12 Conference…MORE

Two local pitchers picked in Major League Baseball draft Tuesday

Two local pitchers picked in Major League Baseball draft Tuesday

By WMBD-TV CENTRAL ILLINOIS – Two pitchers from central Illinois were selected on the final day of the Major League Baseball draft on Tuesday. The Cardinals selected Normal Community grad Mason Burns in the 14th round. He started his college career at Illinois State and transferred to Western Kentucky where he racked up 15 saves…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…