By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices continue to inch down across the country. In Illinois, gas has fallen about 18 cents over the past week, averaging $3.42 a gallon. GasBuddy price reports show the cheapest station in Illinois is priced at $2.72 while the most expensive is $5.79. Gas price in Illinois 73.5 cents…… MORE
Two more COVID deaths in McLean County as number of new hospitalizations rises
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Health Department reports two more people, including a woman in her 50s, have died from COVID-19-related illnesses. Data released Friday also new cases and hospitalizations moved higher during the weekly period, and for a second week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) classified McLean County’s community level…… MORE
Convicted McLean County drug dealer sentenced to 18 years in prison
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – A man who said he resorted to sell drugs in the Twin Cities to get his family’s food truck up and running was sentenced Friday to 18 years in prison. Edward Holmes, 51, was one of McLean County’s biggest drug dealers, if not the biggest, said Assistant State’s Attorney Jeff…… MORE
1 dead after single-car crash in southeast Bloomington
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Coroner has released the name of the fatal crash victim from Friday evening in Bloomington. The victim was 19-year-old Rowan B. Rumley of Bloomington. The autopsy indicates that Rumley died from multiple blunt injuries after hitting a concrete barrier with his car. The crash happened Friday around…… MORE
Brackets released for 2022 State Farm Holiday Classic
By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – The brackets for the 43rd annual State Farm Holiday Classic have been released. Brackets can be viewed and downloaded at www.theclassic.org/brackets/. Seedings were determined by a poll of participating head coaches, state-wide media and tournament committee members, with accommodations made to avoid teams playing a conference or regular season opponent through the…… MORE
Federal and state dollars going into carbon-capture trial in Springfield
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Carbon capture could be a way of the future for utilities, and Springfield appears to be on the leading edge. That’s because it has its own utilities. Groundbreaking was Thursday for a federal-and-state funded plant. The US Department of Energy’s Lynn Brickett tries to convey how big a deal this…… MORE
Plans for a large luxury housing development in North Normal taking shape
By 25 News NORMAL – It is grassland for now, but there are big plans for a 39-acre lot in North Normal. Developer Fairlawn Capital is planning to build ‘Carden Springs,’ a sprawling luxury housing development of nearly 500 units, ranging from single bedroom apartments to three-bedroom townhomes. Rent will start at $1,500 per month…… MORE
Normal advised to keep candidates off the ballot for positions that don’t exist
By 25 News NORMAL – The names of three people seeking election to jobs either appointed or nonexistent should not appear on next April’s election ballot in Normal, according to a legal opinion from a Chicago attorney. The town government hired the outside counsel, Michael J. Kasper of the Kasper & Nottage law firm after election petitions…… MORE
IHSA board selects ISU’s Hancock Stadium as football state final host
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The Illinois High School Association’s Board of Directors on Wednesday selected Bloomington-Normal and Illinois State University as the new hosts for the football state finals. The new hosting agreement will place the event at Hancock Stadium on Thanksgiving weekend for the years of 2023 to 2027. “We appreciate all of…… MORE
Going green is part of State Farm’s ‘good neighbor’ policy
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – State Farm Insurance plans to use solar energy to power eight of its Bloomington facilities, including the company’s headquarters and operations center. State Farm says it has entered into an agreement with Constellation to buy 103,000 megawatt hours of energy per year, equal to 74,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually or…… 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…