By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington Elementary School is reporting its garden was vandalized last week. Washington Elementary School, had several pieces of its garden smashed and/or stolen. Kelly Mathy, a fourth grade teacher at Washington Elementary, assisted in starting the garden over a decade ago. Large rocks were moved and crushed much of…… MORE
Wheat harvest underway in Illinois
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.4 days suitable for field work during the week ending June 12, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 69.1 degrees, 1.4 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.99 inches, 0.07 inches degrees above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and…… MORE
Bloomington to help Carle go mobile to provide health care for underserved areas
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council agreed to spend some of the money it’s received from the American Rescue Plan to help fund a mobile health unit serving McLean County residents who otherwise wouldn’t have direct assess to medical care. The council voted unanimously Monday night to contribute $150,000 from the federal…… MORE
Normal Police allegedly find a ‘ghost gun’ during a weekend traffic stop
A 26-year-old man is behind bars in McLean County after authorities allege he had a ‘ghost gun.’… MORE
Central Illinois falls under Heat Advisory until Wednesday
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Highs in the upper 90s and heat index readings in the triple digits are expected over the next few days, making for dangerous heat. As a result of the heat, there is a Heat Advisory in effect from noon Monday until 8 p.m. Wednesday. Cooling centers have been opened throughout…… MORE
Italian chocolate maker Ferrero announces a major expansion at the Bloomington plant
For the second time this year, Italian chocolate maker Ferrero plans another expansion of roughly $214 million.… MORE
Illinois gas prices up 18 cents over the week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices continue to rise, up about 18 cents over the past week, averaging $5.62 a gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, prices in the state are 79 cents higher than a month ago and $2.35 higher than a year ago. The national average has risen 15 cents per…… MORE
Republican candidate for governor makes stop in Bloomington
By Dave Dahl BLOOMINGTON – The reported reboot of the Richard Irvin campaign looks a lot like how it started. The Aurora mayor and Republican gubernatorial candidate is back to telling people he is Democrats’ “worst nightmare.” Irvin, speaking with sheriffs in Bloomington Friday, is also back to saying he is intimidating Gov. JB Pritzker…… MORE
ISU basketball legend visits local therapy clinic
By HOI ABC NORMAL – An Illinois State University basketball legend was in the Twin Cities Sunday to talk about the importance of a local therapy resource. Doug Collins, whose number 20 is retired by the Redbirds, held a special press conference at Marcfirst – an organization that specializes in speech & language, physical and…… MORE
Sec. of State reminding the public DMV’s are by appointment only
Ahead of the busy summer driving season, the Illinois Secretary of State is reminding the public of the rules and regulations in place at the DMV.… 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…