A 23-year old McLean County man remains behind bars on a million-dollar bond alleging he tortured a Bloomington woman for 48-hours.… MORE
Category Archives: Police and Fire
BFD: Pets dead after house fire in Bloomington
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Multiple pets are dead after a fire Sunday afternoon on the city’s south side, according to the Bloomington Fire Department. Firefighters were called at 1:50 p.m. to the 1300 block of South Oak Street. Crews encountered thick smoke and flames coming from the front of the home. Authorities say one…… MORE
Third man sent to prison for 2019 Bloomington murder
A McLean County judge on Friday handed down a 28 year prison sentence for one of three men convicted of a fatal shooting in Bloomington almost three years ago.… MORE
Pontiac Police: Suspect detained following armed robbery
By Neil Doyle PONTIAC – An Aurora man has been arrested after an armed robbery Wednesday afternoon in Pontiac. Police say the armed robbery happened around 12:54 p.m. at the BP gas station located at 319 West Howard Street. A masked suspect entered the store and displayed a handgun before demanding money and forcing the…… MORE
Normal Police launch new social media campaign
By Blake Haas NORMAL – In an attempt to stop thieves in their tracks, the Normal Police Department is launching a social media campaign called “Manhunt Monday.” Each week, the department displays photos of alleged criminals while in the act. Brad Park, Public Information Officer with the Normal Police Department, said the social media campaign…… MORE
BPD probing Monday afternoon shots fired incident
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington police are asking for the public’s help in solving a shooting incident that happened Monday afternoon. BPD says around 12:45 p.m. officers responded to Towanda Ave. and E. Jefferson St. Investigators say they found physical evidence that a shooting had occurred. There were no reported injuries and no suspect…… MORE
Former Bloomington piano teacher sentenced for child porn and sexual assault
A Former McLean County piano teacher was handed down a 450-year prison sentence in a McLean County courtroom on Friday.… MORE
Two adults taken to hospital after Unit 5 school bus crash Friday morning
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A car is totaled after a Friday morning car/bus accident in Normal. Normal Police Department Community Services Officer Brad Park said a call came in around 8:10 a.m. for a car/bus accident at Raab Road and Parkside. The driver of the car, and the only person in it, was not…… MORE
Area sheriff warns local taxpayers will bear burden as state stops taking inmates from county jails
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Department of Corrections is again declining to accept inmates from county jails because of COVID-19 outbreaks at state prisons, a move a local sheriff said is forcing local taxpayers to foot the bill to house those prisoners. The state calls it a temporary pause, but McLean County Sheriff…… MORE
Victory Church Executive Pastor on fire and plans moving forward
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – After a large fire Monday afternoon at Victory Church in southeast Bloomington the executive pastor is asking the community for prayers. Several fire departments responded to fight the blaze that destroyed most of the west wing of the church and caused lots of smoke and water damage, according to Executive…… 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…