The five executives, accused of stealing $1.1 million dollars from Bloomington taxpayers while operating the city’s downtown sports arena, pleaded not guilty in McLean County Court today.… MORE
September finishing warm, dry
It’s been an odd stretch in September as the month comes to a close this week.… MORE
Joliet commends Hales, slams media reports
Joliet city officials have issued a statement commending incoming City Manager David Hales for the arrests of five former Bloomington area mangers for fraud.… MORE
Obituaries: Frischmann, Whitfill
Obituary for Norma Frischmann and Thomas Whitfill
… MORE
Secretary of State White supports DACA suit against Trump
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is announcing his support of Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s joint lawsuit against President… MORE
Rauner signs bill for taxpayer funded abortions
Taxpayer-funded abortions will be the law in Illinois and many Republicans are furious.… MORE
Free speech safeguarded if Unit 5 kids hold anthem demonstrations
Unit 5 administrators seek to protect the constitutional rights of free speech and expression for students should they stage peaceful demonstrations at school events when the national anthem is played or during the Pledge of Allegiance.… MORE
Intercity match-up highlights Week 6 of high school football
By Greg Halbleib The final Intercity meeting of the 2017 regular season highlights the Week 6 schedule for the WJBC Friday Night High School Football Extravaganza. Normal West (4-1, 3-1 Big Twelve) visits Bloomington (3-2, 2-2 Big Twelve) one week after both participated in games with single-game school scoring records. West put a school-record 76…… MORE
Obituary: Farney
Elizabeth “Beth” Farney PONTIAC – Elizabeth “Beth” Farney, 83, of Pontiac, formerly of Cullom, passed away at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28, 2017 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 30, 2017 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Cullom. Visitation will be…… MORE
Central Catholic named National Blue Ribbon School
Central Catholic High School is receiving a national honor.… 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…