Category Archives: Police and Fire

Coroner identifies body found in Lake Bloomington

Coroner identifies body found in Lake Bloomington

Posted on October 27, 2021

By Neil Doyle HUDSON – McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder has identified a body that was found in Lake Bloomington. David L. Roesch, 58, of Saybrook was pronounced dead around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. Yoder says preliminary autopsy results indicate Roesch died from drowning with non-fatal injuries of the forehead and lips consistent with blunt trauma,…… MORE

Small fire at Rivian plant in Normal

Small fire at Rivian plant in Normal

Posted on October 27, 2021

By Neil Doyle NORMAL – A small fire broke out Tuesday night at the Rivian plant in northwest Normal. The Normal Fire Department said there was minimal damage and no injuries were reported. The plant was evacuated for a short time while firefighters put out the fire. Fire crews were called around 5 p.m. after…… 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…