By Patrick Baron BLOOMINGTON – As Illinois examines a measure that would raise minimum wage salaries for teachers to $40,000, a local administrator says it may not go over well in some districts. Regional Superintendent of Schools Mark Jontry, who oversees schools in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston, and Logan counties, said the proposal could spell trouble…… MORE
Three busy roads set to get resurfaced thanks to $926,000 from motor and fuel tax
By Blake Haas NORMAL – Thanks to a motor and fuel tax, three busy streets in Normal will get resurfaced paving the way for smoother driving. Plans to kick off the resurfacing project of three busy streets in Normal will kick off as soon as the Illinois Department of Transportation gives the green light.…… MORE
Family remembers life of Quantez Brown after stabbing death
By WMBD News and Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – Friends and family of a Twin Cities homicide victim are doing what they can to honor his memory. On Tuesday, Quantez Brown, 24, was stabbed to death. On Wednesday night his friends and family celebrated his life by hosting a vigil at 408 N. Roosevelt Ave. where…… MORE
Sheriff: Convicted child molester stabs himself in courtroom after verdict
McLean County Sheriff’s are investigating how an elderly man on trial for child molestation was able to bring into the courtroom a knife that he used to stab himself Wednesday afternoon.… MORE
Jackson charged with first degree murder, bond set at $2 million
Woman accused of stabbing a Bloomington man yesterday claims the victim ‘threatened to beat her up.’… MORE
Gov. Rauner signs two bills to help Veterans’ Home in Quincy after 13 deaths
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – There’s finally progress in the rebuilding of the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Quincy, where 13 residents died of Legionnaires’ disease in recent years. Gov. Rauner Tuesday signed two bills that help make it happen: one starts the $53 million project; the other incorporates a recently purchased former nursing home –…… MORE
Sports complex not at the top of Mayor Renner’s priority list
By Howard Packowitz BLOOMINGTON – Elected leaders have some soul searching to do, according to Bloomington’s mayor, whether to move forward on a $43.6 million indoor and outdoor multi-sports complex. A sports complex feasibility study was presented to the Bloomington and Normal councils earlier this week. Mayor Tari Renner places higher on his priority list…… MORE
Man dead, woman in custody after Bloomington stabbing
Police in Bloomington are investigating the city’s seventh homicide of 2018.… MORE
Bridgestone to expand production, add 30 jobs at Normal plant
Bridgestone Americas has announced plans to expand production and jobs at its off-road tire manufacturing plant in Normal.… MORE
BPD investigating late night stabbing
By Howard Packowitz and Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington police are investigating a stabbing that happened early Tuesday morning that happened on the city’s west side. Police said a man was stabbed at Market and Roosevelt street at about 1:40 a.m. and was transported to Advocate BroMenn Medical Center. No other details are available, and…… 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…