It’s the fifth anniversary of an unsolved local murder case, and Bloomington Police are hoping the public will come forward with information that might lead to an arrest.… MORE
Category Archives: Police and Fire
University Liquors blaze leaves store badly damaged
An early morning blaze at University Liquors has left the store with structural damage to its roof and heat and smoke damage to its lower level.… MORE
Fire crews in Normal battle liquor store blaze
Fire crews in Normal are battling what officials describe as major fire at University Liquors at 706 W. Beaufort near the Illinois State University campus.… MORE
Alderman Hauman wants closure on divisive ‘welcoming city’ debate
A Bloomington alderman said it’s time for her colleagues to follow Normal’s lead and vote on a ‘welcoming city’ ordinance as a response to the Trump Administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.… MORE
Petrilli: Dogs in the department can do more than sniff out marijuana
A Normal police administrator who has been a drug dog handler says there’s no danger of putting marijuana-sniffing dogs down if the substance ever becomes legal.… MORE
Parachute accident seriously injures skydiver performing at CornBelters opener
A skydiver was badly hurt Friday night in a parachute accident near the Corn Crib in Normal.… MORE
Clay Wheeler: We hope to always strive to do better
Clay Wheeler, Interim City Manager Steve Rasmussen’s choice to replace Brendan Heffner as Bloomington’s police chief, said the department will continue striving to make improvements.… MORE
Bloomington man charged with reckless homicide for fatal car crash
A Bloomington man is charged with two counts of reckless homicide for a single-car crash early Thursday west of the Twin-Cities.… MORE
Eureka arrest connected to decades-old Washington State case
An arrest in Woodford County could lead to answers in a decades-old case.… MORE
Police: Bloomington man killed in drunk driving crash
A Bloomington man is jailed for drunk driving and other charges for a single-car wreck early Thursday morning that killed another man west of Bloomington.… 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…