Back 2 School Alliance hosted its 25th annual giveaway at State Farm on Tuesday.… MORE
Category Archives: WJBC’s Top Stories
Central Illinois man sentenced to 21 years in federal prison meth distribution charge
By WMBD-TV ATLANTA, Ill. – An Atlanta, Ill. man was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison this week on charges he conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine. Juan E. Bernal, 54, had faced up to life in prison but U.S. District Judge James Shadid instead imposed the 252-month sentence. A lawful permanent resident of…… MORE
Postal worker from Pontiac identified as man killed Monday traffic crash in Bloomington
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A 36-year-old U.S. Postal Service worker was identified as the person killed in a two-vehicle crash Monday morning in Bloomington. McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder said Ronald Bethard, Jr., of Pontiac, died from multiple blunt injuries due to his postal service vehicle struck by a sports utility vehicle. Per state statute,…… MORE
Normal council moving forward with new housing and Uptown South plans
At Monday’s Normal Town Council meeting, both the public and some council members voiced concerns about two development projects.… MORE
Bloomington Police investigating fatal crash
One man is dead after a two-vehicle crash near Ashley Drive and Beich Road on Monday.… MORE
Reportedly 40 gun shots fired in early Sunday morning shooting in south Normal
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Normal Police responded to a shots fire call earlier Sunday morning where two individuals sustained gun shot wounds. At 3:30 a.m., officers were called to the area of South Linden Street and Lindell Drive for a report of multiple shots fired. Upon arrival at the scene, officers observed several vehicles…… MORE
Man shot in Bloomington early Monday morning
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A man suffered non life-threatening injuries early Monday morning after being shot in Bloomington, police said. According to the police department, officers were sent to the 500 block of West Grove Street on a report of shots fired. Once then, they found a man who had been shot. Paramedics with the…… MORE
Average gasoline prices continue rise nationwide
By Jake Fogal MCLEAN COUNTY – Gas prices have continued to rise across the country as here in Illinois gas is up 7.0 cents over the week, averaging $4.04. “Average gasoline prices continued to move up last week thanks to a continued rise in oil and continued pressure from hot weather that impacted refineries. However,…… MORE
2023 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen
An experience babysitting a child with a seizure disorder is guiding the path of this year’s Miss Illinois County Fair Queen.… MORE
Schedule changes at this year’s Illinois State Fair
Changes to the calendar are part of the 2023 Illinois State Fair. … 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…