Plea Deal Possible In Bloomington Coliseum Fraud Case

Three of the four people charged with scamming Bloomington's city-owned coliseum out of more than a million dollars could soon be pleading guilty. Lawyers for Paul Grazar, Kelly Klein, and Jay Laesch told a judge yesterday that they are 'negotiating' with prosecutors. The three are charged with shortchanging and hiding over a million dollars from the coliseum over a number of years. The fourth person charged in the case, John Butler, has not indicated if he may plead guilty as well.

Illinois Senate Okays LGBT History Requirement

The plan to require local schools to teach lessons on LGBT history is a big step closer to becoming law.  The Illinois Senate yesterday approved the idea.  State Senator Heather Steans says her plan would give LGBT students across the state someone to look up to.  School administrators say they oppose any classroom mandates from Springfield and they're not taking an issue with the content of the required lessons.  The plan now moves to the Illinois House.

Republicans In Springfield Push For Lawmaker Pay Freeze

The top Republican in the Illinois Senate wants to make sure lawmakers don't make more money. Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady yesterday introduced a plan that would stop lawmakers from getting a cost of living adjustment next year. Brady's plan would also stop automatic pay raises for statewide elected officials, and prevent the legislature from raising the reimbursement rate for meals or miles for lawmakers when they travel to Springfield.

Sen. Durbin Wants New E-Cigarette Regulations

Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin wants the government to get tougher on vaping and e-cigarettes. Durbin told a crowd in Bloomington-Normal yesterday that he wants to ban flavored vape liquid, and make sure than no one under 21 can buy the vape devices or the liquid that is used to give people a hit of nicotine. Durbin says vaping is billed as a healthy alternative to cigarettes, but carries a host of health concerns of its own.

Two Mattoon Women in Custody for Attacking Each Other with a Frying Pan

The Mattoon Police Department arrested 24-year-old Tytia Cushman and 22-year-old Brooke Beltz for domestic battery at 6:17 p.m. Sunday night in the 1400 block of North 16th Street in Mattoon. The charge alleges Cushman struck Beltz multiple times with a closed fist before she assaulted Beltz with a frying pan. The charge also alleges that during the dispute, Beltz had struck Cushman numerous times to the head with a frying pan lid.

Both were taken into custody at the Coles County Jail.

Bloomington Bulky Waste Pickup Day

Today the city begins its Bulk Waste Collection plan in an effort to keep Bloomington clean. Two times out of the year the city will pick up bulk waste at no additional charge to the resident. They ask that all items be broken down and placed in a garbage collection cart.  The next time the city will do this will be October 1, 2018.

Residents Escape Bloomington Fire

A home in Bloomington at 605 E. Front St that was converted into apartments was heavily damaged by fire Monday afternoon. The good news is that eight residents of the building got out safely. One firefighter was transported by ambulance with minor injuries.The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. The Bloomington Fire Department puts the damage estimate at $125,000.