A central Illinois man accused of sexually assaulting his piano students has been found guilty on all 20 counts.… MORE
Category Archives: Top Stories
Former cop avoids jail time for guilty plea to DUI
A former Normal Police officer, who used to be a school resource officer, has pleaded guilty to drunken driving.… MORE
PATH Crisis reporting increase in mental health calls
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – The need for mental health help is on the rise in the twin cities, as PATH Crisis reports a significant increase in calls for assistance related to the issue. According to Kevin Richardson, the call center program manager at PATCH Crisis, calls began flooding the nonprofit at the start of…… MORE
Bloomington fatal fire considered ‘suspicious’; Coroner identifies victim
Bloomington Police are launching an investigation into the cause of the fire that killed a 62-year old man, as investigators call the fire “suspicious.”… MORE
The battle over legislative maps continues; local Senator calls map-making process a “power grab”
The battle over legislative district maps continues in Springfield as a federal court threw out a legislative map passed in May that favored Democrats on Tuesday.… MORE
McLean County woman charged with financial exploitation of elderly pair
A McLean County woman remained jailed late Monday on charges she defrauded two elderly people of more than $130,000.… MORE
County music stars Morgan Wallen and Hardy to headline Tailgate N’ Tallboys concert
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – Tailgate N’ Tallboys is announcing their headliners for a concert at the Interstate Center in Bloomington next summer. USA Concerts announced on Monday country music stars Morgan Wallen, and Hardy will headline the festival. Earlier this year, USA concerts announced the festival is moving to the twin cities from Peoria.…… MORE
McLean County Sheriff’s Office asking for help in identifying suspects involved in burglaries
The McLean County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying two suspects involved in several burglaries this past weekend.… MORE
MCHD reports 63 new cases of COVID-19; rolling positivity rate down to 1.8%
McLean County hospital beds are nearing capacity as local health officials report 63 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday.… MORE
Jail inmates lose computer privileges in clash between GOP sheriff, County Board Democrats
Inmates’ use of computer tablets at the McLean County Jail has become the subject of a political battle between County Board Democrats and Republican Sheriff Jon Sandage.… 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…