Latest news with #WMBD
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bloomington intersection shut down due to concrete spill; motorcyclists warned
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Motorcycles should avoid the West Washington Street and North Morris Avenue intersection, as sand was put on the road due to a concrete spill. Just before 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, the city of Bloomington announced the intersection had been closed down due to a concrete spill. They urged everyone to avoid the area while clean up is underway and thanked everyone for their patience. Katherine Murphy, a city spokesperson, said that the road is open, but motorcycles should avoid it. 'The intersection is open but has sand on it, specifically motorcycles should avoid,' she said. No cause of the spill was made immediately available. This story will be updated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Local doctor pushes back on federal statement about COVID-19 vaccine guidelines
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A recent announcement by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women, is drawing reaction from local public health experts. On Tuesday, Kennedy said the department would no longer recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for those groups. Experts here say there is a rigorous process to examine who should get a vaccine and when which is undertaken by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That process, they say, is still in the works and no official, science-driven recommendation has been released, said Dr. Gregg Stoner, medical director of the Peoria City/County Health Department, 'There is a committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. It's a 19-member panel made up of scientists, public health officials, and doctors,' Stoner said. 'They make a recommendation based on the science that exists at the time about what immunizations are recommended. That then goes to the director of the CDC, who would sign off on it. 'Then it's forwarded to health departments—so the Illinois Department of Public Health—and that would come down to us. We would then change our standing orders to follow those guidelines,' he said. As of now, the CDC has not issued any new guidance removing COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for healthy children or pregnant women. Dr. Robert Healy, the associate chief medical officer for Carle Health, said there is 'uccessful evidence of taking all mitigation efforts available to reduce the spread of infection in our communities.' 'We continue to monitor the CDC and state recommendations for vaccine scheduling, supporting the individual needs of our patients,' he said. 'Talk with your care provider about your medical history and risk level when considering any immunization.' Stoner emphasized the ongoing impact of COVID-19, particularly among at-risk populations. 'Well, it's become a regular part of our society now,' said Stoner. 'COVID is still killing hundreds of people and hospitalizing thousands every week in the United States. It is here, and it's here to stay.' He noted a concerning drop in vaccination rates as public concern has waned. 'People have become a little less concerned about it, and so vaccination rates have somewhat declined—and they really shouldn't,' he added. Stoner also addressed Kennedy's comments specifically, warning of their implications for maternal and child health. 'So the recommendations were that pregnant women did not need to receive a vaccine and that healthy children did not need to receive the vaccine,' he said. 'The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology issued a statement three days ago expressing their extreme displeasure with this recommendation. 'They said all pregnant women should be vaccinated for COVID, and that if they develop COVID during pregnancy, it is catastrophic for them and their families,' Stoner said. 'Maternal antibodies are passed to the child, and so a child born to an unvaccinated mother has no protection for the first six months of their life.' Stoner recommends high-risk individuals continue to get a COVID-19 vaccine twice a year and encourages anyone with concerns about immunization guidelines to consult their healthcare provider. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
CI Road Trip: Washington Good Neighbor Days
WASHINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Chief Meteorologist Chris Yates was in Washington on Friday for our CI Road Trip. Chris was visiting to see what Washington Good Neighbor Days has to offer, including deep-fried Oreos. Good Neighbor Days takes over the weekend in Washington The carnival opened up at 4 p.m. and is set to run through 10 p.m. Those who stay late tonight can expect to see fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The carnival will reopen from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. This story will be updated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bloomington City Council Approves Over $10 Million for Infrastructure Upgrades
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — In a significant move to enhance the city's infrastructure, the Bloomington City Council on Tuesday approved more than $10 million investment package for the coming year. The improvements will target a wide range of projects — from road resurfacing and sidewalk replacements to utility repairs and traffic signal maintenance — underscoring the city's commitment to long-term infrastructure planning and public safety, officials say. 'Infrastructure may not always be flashy, but it's foundational,' said City Manager Jeff Jurgens. 'This package shows our commitment to responsible stewardship of public resources and the kind of long-term planning that keeps Bloomington safe, accessible, and moving forward.' $3.77 million for the General Resurfacing Program, which will target select streets and a portion of the Constitution Trail near Fox Creek and Hamilton roads. The roads were prioritized based on pavement condition ratings to improve driving surfaces and extend their lifespan. $2.44 million for the Sidewalk, Curb, and Gutter Replacement Program, designed to reduce the backlog of sidewalk complaints. This effort will improve pedestrian safety and accessibility by replacing deteriorated sidewalks and curb ramps across the city. $1.05 million for the High-Pressure Slurry Seal Program, which applies a protective surface layer to extend the life of roadways by up to a decade. $162,731 for the Reclamite Program, a pavement preservation method that restores oils and resins to asphalt surfaces to prevent cracking. $755,320 for the Street, Alley, and Sidewalk Maintenance Contract, which enables flexible repairs throughout the year as needs arise. $1.72 million allocated to Utility Infrastructure Repairs, including emergency and planned work on sanitary and storm sewers, pump stations, and other vital systems. $174,065 for the city's Traffic Signal Maintenance Project, aimed at maintaining safe intersections by upgrading key components such as mast arms and signal controllers. Mayor Dan Brady applauded the council's approval and emphasized the broader impact of the projects. 'This package reflects our proactive approach to caring for what we have,' he said. 'These projects are about more than asphalt and concrete — they're about quality of life, public safety, and strengthening our neighborhoods for years to come.' City Hall says work on these projects is expected to roll out in phases over the next fiscal year, with community updates provided throughout the process. For more information, residents can visit the City of Bloomington's official website or attend upcoming city council meetings to learn more about specific project timelines and locations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Micah McCoy making a name for himself in Washington
WASHINGTON, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — There's another player with the last name McCoy playing on the left side of the infield at Washington. But Micah McCoy isn't playing the family position of shortstop. 'I played shortstop at 8U, then shifted to thirdbase because I got a little bigger. I like third. It's more about reaction. I like to show off the arm sometimes,' McCoy said with a smile. He's showed off his arm quite a bit this season, helping the Panthers win the Mid-Illini Conference title. The Panthers will host Geneseo in a class 3A regional championship game Saturday morning. McCoy comes from a family of that loves to play bat-and-ball sports. 'Mason played shortstop, (Micah) plays third. They both have good arms,' said Washington baseball coach Kyle wisher. 'I remember watching Micah growing up when Mason was playing summer ball. He's put in a lot of hard work over the past three years. It's paid off this year.' McCoy's older sister Madi was a star softball shortstop at Washington, leading her 2015 team to a state title. She was an All-American at Illinois Central College and then went on to Bowling Green. And McCoy's older brother Mason is now in the big leagues with the San Diego Padres. Micah said he talks with his older brother usually about four or five times a week. 'Sometimes I go into the dugout after I strikeout and I send him the video. I ask, 'what am I doing wrong?' I get frustrated,' McCoy said. 'When I go hit, I can get a bunch of feedback. He helps me out a lot.' Micah will follow in his Mason's footsteps by playing at ICC next year. Then he hopes to play at a Division I school, like his brother did. Mason went to the University of Iowa for his final two years of college baseball before being selected in the sixth round of the 2017 draft by the Baltimore Orioles. Like his brother, Micah would love to eventually play pro baseball. He knows the comparisons to his oldest sibling are inevitable, but he's just trying to make a name for himself. With the help of his brother. 'I've talked to my brother about it. He helps me as much as he can,' McCoy said. 'He doesn't want to use too much leverage. He wants me to create my own path.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
