By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – In addition to rebuilding after a devastating fire two years ago, Victory Church is preparing to open a school. On Thursday the church held a parent information meeting about its school Foundation Christian Academy. The school is a ministry of the church. “Our new building literally is standing on the previous foundation,” said Jarrod Herald,…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Uptown Circle and all its entrances and exits will be closed at 11 a.m. for a festival on Saturday. According to a Town of Normal news release, the closure is for “A Festival of Colors: Holi Moli!,” which will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The festival is being…… MORE
Health care workers crowded the Capitol Thursday, hoping for some listening ears – and some more co-workers.… MORE
For Illinois Wesleyan University’s President-elect, returning to Central Illinois is a full-circle moment. … MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – It’s national library week and Normal Public Library wants visitors to know they’re still open as they go through changes. Last week, the library temporarily moved across the street into the old Busey Bank for renovations and asbestos removal. The library will continue hosting their book club and learning circle events…… MORE
It was a tale of two states Wednesday, when the four legislative leaders – one at a time – addressed members of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce at a conference in Springfield.… MORE
After a national search, Illinois Wesleyan University’s Board of Trustees named the university’s 21st President.… MORE
The clock is ticking for lawmakers in the nation’s capitol to find common ground on a new farm bill before the November presidential election.… MORE
By WMBD-TV EUREKA – The Woodford County Sheriff’s Department will now handle animal control services. This comes after the Woodford County board approved the change last Thursday. They appointed Sheriff Matt Smith to be the Animal Control Warden starting April 4. Chief Deputy Dennis Tipsword said having the animal control services in-house will benefit the…… MORE
By WMBD-TV MACKINAW – Tazewell County Coroner Charles Hanley has identified the man who died in a Monday car vs motorcycle crash near Townline and Boston School Roads in Mackinaw. According to the coroner’s Facebook, 73-year-old Eric Bates of McLean County died of multiple blunt force injuries due to the crash. Bates was the operator…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…