Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories

Illinois State displays Jesse Fell’s Civil War documents

Illinois State displays Jesse Fell’s Civil War documents

By Eric Stock NORMAL – Jesse Fell is known for a lot of things, including helping to create the Town of Normal and Illinois State University. But there’s a significant part of his past you might not know about. Jesse Fell served as paymaster for the Union Army under President Abraham Lincoln as a way…MORE

Lots of wet weather leads to lots of wet basements

Lots of wet weather leads to lots of wet basements

By Connor Boyd BLOOMINGTON – The recent downpours of rain in Illinois has caused many basements to be flooded. Spokesperson for Bloomington Servpro Jake Tucker explained the steps to restore a flooded basement. “You want to make sure everything is safe,” Tucker said. “Definitely want to get an electrician over and just make sure there’s…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…