Central Illinois man sentenced to 21 years in federal prison meth distribution charge

Posted on August 8, 2023

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

Posted on August 8, 2023

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

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…