By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The city of Bloomington announced a collaboration with the Salvation Army to expand the nonprofit’s shelter services, in the city’s ongoing effort to deal with homeless encampments in a “compassionate manner.” It marks the end of a temporary tent encampment that was located near downtown Bloomington, and city manager Jeff Jurgens…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – After several violent incidents rocked the town of Normal over the past month or so, the town council held a special meeting Wednesday to “draw a line in the sand,” in the words of city manager Pamela Reece. Two ordinances were discussed that, while similar, have varying fines. One would be…… MORE
By WMBD-TV MORTON – A crash left one person dead and another person injured last night on Interstate 74 in Morton The crash occurred around 10 p.m. Wednesday on I-74 eastbound near Morton. A pickup truck driver was driving the wrong way on the highway and crashed head on with a semi truck. The crash…… MORE
A one-month-old boy had enough cocaine in its body that it was the “immediate” cause of death.… MORE
Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois has received money to help unemployed, under-employed and dislocated workers.… MORE
Public transit agencies in downstate Illinois are joining Chicagoland rail and bus operators in asking the state for help balancing their budgets. … MORE
By WMBD-TV PEKIN – Records in Tazewell County will be a bit safe, says County Clerk John Ackerman. The clerk announced during a mid-morning news conference the new Property Fraud Review And Referral Initiative. State law allows Ackerman as the county’s Recorder of Deeds to “to review deeds and instruments and refer any of them…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The Carle BroMenn Outpatient Center will be offering free mammograms this Friday. According to Carle Health, the free mammograms are in recognition of National Mammography Day, and are for those who are uninsured or underinsured between the ages of 40 to 64. “We are so happy to empower individuals who may or may…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington doctor faces up to seven years in prison for allegedly traveling to meet a teenager to engage in sexual activity. Kynan Brown, 40, was charged last week with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and traveling to meet a minor in Ford County Circuit Court in connection with actions that allegedly…… MORE
By WMBD-TV FAIRBURY – Changes could soon be coming to the Prairie Central School District. On the ballot for the Nov. 5 election is a referendum that, if passed, would issue $45 million in bonds to help the district not only enhance its other school buildings but also construct a brand-new pre-K through 4th grade…… 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…