TheRepublic.com - Bloomington News

Father of Illinois school shooter gets probation

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:04:14 -0400

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - The father of a central Illinois teenager who pulled a gun in his class and fired shots into the ceiling has admitted giving the boy the weapon.

ISU's next president praised by students, faculty

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:17:11 -0400

NORMAL, Illinois - People who know soon-to-be Illinois State University President Timothy Flanagan say he's engaged and involved with the campus he now leads and the town where he lives.

Illinois State University athletic director quits

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:11:41 -0400

NORMAL, Illinois - Illinois State University Athletic Director Gary Friedman unexpectedly resigned Monday with three years left on his contract, saying the job wasn't a good fit for him.

Bloomington considers vicious dog ordinance

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:51:03 -0400

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - An attack by a pit bull that left two residents hospitalized has prompted the Bloomington City Council to consider an ordinance that would require the owners of dogs already deemed dangerous outside the city to comply with a number of regulations.

SPOTLIGHT: More farmers raising Alpacas

Sat, 11 May 2013 10:31:13 -0400

HEYWORTH, Illinois - Soft, copper-colored fleece falls gracefully off an alpaca as Brian Houchin passes his clippers across the animal's belly and torso.

Truck driver indicted in death of firefighter

Fri, 10 May 2013 21:10:24 -0400

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - A McLean County grand jury has indicted the driver of a semi-trailer truck that struck and killed a Hudson firefighter.

Woman found dead in farm field was assault victim

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:19:39 -0400

STANFORD, Illinois - A body found in a rural area of central Illinois has been identified as that of a missing Bloomington woman, and preliminary autopsy results indicate she was the victim of a fatal assault.

Bridgestone plant in Bloomington-Normal cuts jobs

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:47:08 -0400

NORMAL, Illinois - Bridgestone's plant in Bloomington-Normal is cutting 23 positions.

Illinois commission cuts student grant money

Mon, 06 May 2013 16:26:48 -0400

NORMAL, Illinois - The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is making a 10 percent cut in grants given through its Monetary Awards Program after a shortage of money caused by an increase in student demand.

Chenoa man to be tried in death of 3-year-old girl

Sun, 05 May 2013 10:05:37 -0400

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - A Chenoa man accused of killing his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter is opting to skip a jury trial and instead let a judge decide his guilt or innocence.

Central Ill. city to review party bus regulations

Sat, 04 May 2013 13:11:04 -0400

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - The party - or at least the party bus - may be over in one central Illinois community.

SPOTLIGHT: Arrowhead find sparks student research

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:52:25 -0400

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois - Mystery still surrounds three boxes of arrowheads and other projectile points uncovered several years ago in the basement of a building at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.

SPOTLIGHT: Pontiac teens promote awareness of bats

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:34:01 -0400

PONTIAC, Illinois - What started as a batty joke in science class has led Pontiac Regional Alternative School students to become local leaders in promoting awareness of bats.

Illinois GOP leader announces welfare reform

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:58:55 -0400

NORMAL, Illinois - Republican leaders from the Illinois House have proposed a welfare reform package.