Atlanta, IL

PEKIN − Hours after she was sentenced to prison last week for the suffocation of her 11-month-old daughter, Angel Vanduker gave birth to another child. Chief Assistant State's Attorney Kevin Johnson said the Pekin woman went into labor late Friday night and was on her way to UnityPoint Health-Methodist when the child was born.

DECATUR — Two Decatur men armed with guns fought with each other hand-to-hand until a third man, Jackie G. Deberry, intervened by grabbing up one of the weapons that had fallen to the floor before using it to fatally shoot one of the gunmen, a court heard Wednesday. Deberry,...

NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — Installation has begun on more automatic license plate reading (ALPR) cameras in Normal. 27 cameras will be installed and soon ready to use by the Normal Police Department. The cameras, produced by Flock Safety will assist the department in solving a variety of crimes or cases that involve a vehicle.

(25 News Now) - A PCs for People distribution drive is coming to McLean County. The Regional Office of Education #17 says the PCs for People organization will distribute devices on Tuesday, August 30, from 3-6 p.m. at the Front Street Concourse entrance of the Grossinger Motors Arena. PCs for...

DECATUR — Prosecutors said accused Decatur methamphetamine dealer Konnor W. Burns had a reputation for fleeing from police when pulled over, and he lived up to it again after cops tried to stop him around 1 a.m. May 18. A sworn affidavit described how a marked Decatur Police squad...

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Seven months following a devastating fire, a Bloomington church has started the process of building a new permanent home. Construction began this week on Victory Church’s new building after a January fire totaled the previous building. Executive pastor Jarrod Herald said after speaking with insurance, it was more cost-effective to tear down the old building and start over from scratch.

Here is the agenda provided by the committee:1. Roll Call 2. Approval of Minutes: July 5, 2022, regular meeting 3. Recommend Payment of Bills & Appropriation Transfer Request Forms 4. Appearance by Members of the Public...

BLOOMINGTON (Heart of Illinois ABC) - A little boy was bit by a dog Tuesday afternoon on Bloomington’s east side. Bloomington Police confirmed a large dog attacked the child in the 1100 block of Chatham Lane, near East Empire Street. Police said the boy had severe lacerations, and family...

This little city is cute and quaint. It has a slightly weathered and old-fashioned feel thanks to the historical buildings dotted around it. Bloomington offers that welcoming small town feel, yet there’s still lots to do. It’s right next to the town of Normal, which feeds into its events...

MACON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Macon County sheriff said their officers will start wearing body cameras this week. In a news release, Sheriff Jim Root said they are rolling out body worn cameras for their patrol division deputies. They are starting this implementation to comply with HB 3653 (SAFE-T Act), which requires camera policies […]

PEORIA (Heart of Illinois ABC) - For a landlord, the current rental market is a boon. There’s plenty of demand to go around, but the problem comes in finding the supply to fit a prospective renter’s needs. “You’ll post [properties] online or put signs up in the yard...

Illinois State Police to Conduct Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols. Pesotum – Illinois State Police (ISP) District 10 Interim Commander, Acting Captain Bryan Pruitt, announces the ISP will conduct Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) in Macon County during September. OREPs allow the ISP to focus on safety belt and child safety seat laws. Illinois law requires all vehicle passengers (front and back) to be buckled up.

DECATUR — Police said they arrested a Decatur drug dealer who had a stolen handgun in his car, more than two pounds of cannabis in his house and $1,400 from drug sales in his pockets. Douglas R. Critchfield, 34, is due to be arraigned in Macon County Circuit Court...

NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — Wednesday marked the first day of school for McLean County Unit 5. At Prarieland Elementary, nearly 500 students filled the halls and classrooms. The lack of masks and COVID-19 mitigations signaled a return to pre-pandemic times. “This year we are to, really no mitigations, so...

NORMAL – McLean County’s largest school district will be asking voters’ permission this fall to raise property taxes to reduce multi-million dollar structural deficits in the education fund. The Unit 5 School Board voted unanimously Wednesday for a referendum that asks for an increase in the district’s...

August 17, 2022 – Unwanted electronics, such as TVs, video devices, gaming systems and computer equipment, will be collected from those who register for an appointment for Macon County Environmental Management’s Collection Event on Saturday, August 27. Registration is required for attendance. Click here to go to the registration site.

MORTON, Ill. (WMBD) — A recent study is bringing Illinois’ manufacturing scene to the spotlight for its multi-billion dollar economic impact, and it’s directly affecting the Central Illinois area. Manufacturing matters, that’s the message of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association as industry leaders tour the state. Wednesday, the tour made a stop at Morton Industries. “Manufacturing […]

A tense exchange at Monday’s Normal Town Council meeting spilled out into the hallway afterward, escalating into an altercation between a council member and a writer for a conservative media outlet that some feared would turn physical. The incident happened just outside council chambers Monday night. Council member Kevin...

BLOOMINGTON – Following the discovery of at least three staff members who had contracted COVID-19, the McLean County Museum of History will be shut down until further notice. The museum closed early on Tuesday, and a statement was issued following the positive tests. “We are concerned about risks to...

NORMAL – School is getting underway this week for many students in McLean County and the move-in process is still ongoing over at Illinois State University. Around 6,000 students will move-in to the dorms this week at ISU. Students started arriving to campus earlier this week and move-in continues through Aug. 21. About 300 volunteers, including students, staff, faculty, Illinois State athletics teams, registered student organizations, and community members will be on hand during the week to assist students and their families.