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Bloomington council approves resurfacing program, annexation for solar project
Bloomington City Council members on Monday approved plans to annex land on Washington Street to allow construction of a community-scale solar energy project. They also waived the formal bidding process for a resurfacing and pavement preservation program to update streets and sidewalks. Two individuals impacted by the annexation spoke during...
Illinois rockers Revis get the band back together with a revival tour stopping at the Castle
Life and record labels had gotten in Revis’ way—not bad blood or creative differences. The post-grunge band that got its start in Carbondale in the late '90s landed a record deal and moved to LA. The band petered out by 2005. A brief revival came around 2010. But songwriter and rhythm guitarist Nathaniel Cox, vocalist Justin Holman, bassist Bob Thiemann, guitarist Robert Davis and drummer David Piribauer have started to make music again.
Prep sports recap for May 29, 2024
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — One college bound pitcher outdueled the other. Arizona recruit Cody Freitas shut out Louisville signee Ethan Eberle and Normal Community, 3-0, in a class 4A sectional baseball semifinal at Illinois Wesleyan University on Wednesday. Normal Community, which set the school record for wins in a season, finishes the year with a […]
Fallen GIs honored across central Illinois for Memorial Day
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WMBD) — Across central Illinois, people commemorated Memorial Day with parades and ceremonies to both honor and celebrate the lives of those who gave their lives in service of their country. McLean County. Residents started their day with the McLean County Memorial Day Parade. Hundreds of community...
Historic Church celebrates its doors back open after vandalism attack
BLOOMINGTON (25News Now) - Four churches gathered today in Bloomington to celebrate the re-opening of Mt.Pisgah Baptist Church. Earlier this year, the church and six other businesses were targeted by vandals. One female was arrested for the incident. Pastor Timothy Mark Harris says she used fire extinguishers to damage the property. He says the church survived by the grace of god.
Judge hears arguments in bid for retrial of Bloomington murder case
A Decatur man sentenced to 45 years in prison following the murder of a 20-year-old Bloomington man in 2018 is petitioning the court for a new trial. Attorneys for Anthony Grampsas, now 24, have filed a post-conviction petition arguing that new evidence from three individuals involved in the 2018 home invasion and shooting indicates Grampsas is innocent.
Attempted murder charge filed for 2 alleged shootings on Bloomington’s east side
BLOOMINGTON (25News Now) - A Bloomington man is charged with attempted murder for allegedly firing a gun at a car, targeting one of its occupants, earlier this month. Charges allege Daqwan Davis, 22, fired a gun on Tuesday, May 7, at a car in the 1800 block of Lawndale Way and again in the 1300 block of Mount Vernon Drive, only about a block from each other near Veterans Parkway and Clearwater Avenue. Court documents indicate Davis also lived in the area, on Dogwood Lane.
Not guilty plea entered for arrested ISU protesters
NORMAL (25News Now) - Seven students arrested at Illinois State University (ISU) in early May after refusing to end a sit-in outside the president’s office have pled not guilty Thursday. Each of the students pled not guilty to a criminal trespassing charge, according to the McLean County State Attorney’s...
State suspends law license of Bloomington lawyer for misappropriating money
The state of Illinois has suspended the law license of a Bloomington attorney for misappropriating money from insurance cases and neglecting clients. The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission has issued what's often called a soft disbarment for Gregory Oltman, equating to an indefinite suspension. Oltman won't be able to practice law for a minimum of three years, must petition for reinstatement, and has to go through a commission hearing before the state Supreme Court considers lifting the suspension.
Violence prevention agencies work to keep kids safe as school year winds down
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (25News Now) - For some Central Illinois students, this week marked the end of the school year, meaning a little more freedom, but it also means an uptick in juvenile crimes. To combat that, agencies like the Normal Police Department enforce nighttime curfews for minors. The rule is...
Two charged in connection with shots fired incident in Normal nearly two years ago
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — Two people appeared in court this week on weapons charges stemming from an incident nearly two years ago in Normal, the police department announced. Eric L. Clark-Phifer and Demetrius D. Moore, both 32 and both from Bloomington, stand charged in McLean County Circuit Court with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of firearm without a valid FOID card in connection with the July 9, 2022, incident where Normal police say several shots were fired in the 200 block of West Willow Street.
Law enforcement reminding teens of curfew
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WMBD) — An informal survey of cities, counties and towns within central Illinois found that most have ordinances or rules that are based upon the state of Illinois statute. Under Illinois law, a youth under 17 can not be out past 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Weekends,...
Dust Storm Shuts Down Sections of I-55 Near Bloomington, Illinois Authorities Urge Motorist Caution
Chaos ensued on Illinois roadways as a menacing dust storm descended upon central Illinois, leading to the closure of parts of Interstate 55. The Illinois State Police diligently worked to manage the fallout as visibility plummeted to near zero at times, forcing troopers to shut down the stretch of I-55 near Bloomington, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. Motorists were urged to immediately seek out alternative routes, with officials rerouting northbound traffic onto Route 136 eastbound, Route 51 northbound, and I-74 westbound, and southbound vehicles onto I-74 eastbound, Route 51 southbound, and Route 136 westbound.
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