The chairman of the McLean County Republican Party said it was satisfying to work on a nonpartisan issue even though leaders from the local Democratic Party were not involved.… MORE
Normal dedicates Mark R. Peterson Plaza
The gathering place in Uptown Normal, between the Children’s Discovery Museum and the transportation center, will be known from now on as the Mark R. Peterson Plaza, named for the city manager who retired earlier this year after 20 years on the job.… MORE
Helmets on as high school football practices begin
With less than three weeks until the first game whistle blows, high school football programs have begun preparing for the upcoming season. … MORE
WJBC Voices: Pride Fest signifies improved inclusion
Saturday, July 28 saw an event in downtown Bloomington that was perhaps unimaginable 20 or 30 years ago.… MORE
Obituaries: Oberholtzer
Norma Jean Oberholtzer, 79, of Normal, passed away Aug. 4, 2018, of peripheral artery disease at OSF St. Joseph Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.… MORE
Bow hunters seeking land have options in IDNR program
As hunting season draws near the Illinois Department of Natural Resources wants to connect bow hunters to land owners.… MORE
Miller Street closed for sewer repairs
Effective immediately, Miller Street between Western Avenue and Livingston Street will be closed to thru traffic for sewer repairs.… MORE
GOP attorney general hopeful stays out of local immigration debate
The so-called ‘welcoming’ resolution to calm deportation fears of undocumented immigrants divided the Bloomington City Council, and the Republican running for Illinois Attorney General won’t offer an opinion on the issue that’s dividing local leaders.… MORE
Restaurateurs crafting special beer for firefighters
Springfield restaurateurs Court and Karen Conn were out of the country in late April, when an early-morning fire damaged the beer garden of their popular downtown microbrewery, Obed and Isaac’s.… MORE
Vienna Beef owner: Chicago is the only place for Chicago hot dogs
There’s only one place where you can make a Chicago hot dog, says one of the owners of Vienna Beef.… 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…