Normal Township Supervisor resigns, trustees name her replacement

Posted on July 8, 2022

By HOI ABC NORMAL – The Normal Township Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of Supervisor Sarah Grammer on Thursday, and named a long-time Illinois State University administrator as her replacement. Grammer said in a Facebook post that she’s resigning because her family is moving to Wisconsin. Grammer, a Democrat, was first elected as township…… MORE

Normal Planning Commission backs plan for wind turbine at Rivian plant

Posted on July 8, 2022

By HOI ABC NORMAL – Rivian’s plan to put up a wind turbine at its local factory has won the backing of the Normal Planning Commission. Commissioners Thursday evening voted unanimously in favor of the company’s wind energy project to provide Rivian’s newly-made electric vehicles with their first “all green” charge. The commission’s endorsement goes…… MORE

American Idol winner Maddie Poppe joining Leah Marlene for Corn Crib concert

Posted on July 6, 2022

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Later this summer, American Idol finalist and Normal native Leah Marlene will headline a hometown concert alongside Idol contestant Fritz Hager at the Corn Crib. Marlene announced via her Facebook Tuesday that another music act will take the stage. That being former American Idol winner Maddie Poppe. Poppe won the…… MORE

Tazewell deputy receives national recognition for keeping teen drivers safe on the road

Posted on July 6, 2022

By HOI ABC TAZEWELL COUNTY – Tazewell County Sheriff’s Deputy John Shallenberger has received a national honor for helping reverse a troubling trend of teenage drivers dying on local roadways. Shallenberger on Sunday received the Innovation in the Classroom Award at the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) Conference. He was selected by a…… 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…