Kirk Zimmerman, Bloomington

Retired school chief charged in accident with cyclist

A retired Eureka school superintendent, is charged with two traffic citations and reckless conduct stemming from a July 14 accident in Hudson, Ill., that resulted in a bicyclist being seriously injured, according to reports. Randy Crump, 61, was released on bond with citations charging him with reckless driving and reckless conduct. He also was charged with causing bodily harm by following a cyclist too closely — a misdemeanor offense, according to reports. The bicyclist, Dean Davis of Bloomington, was riding with a group of cyclists along a rural McLean County road near Hudson when the accident occurred, according to reports. Davis was being treated for his injuries at Regional Medical Center in Normal. The accident is still under investigation, according to the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Get help on planning easy, healthy meals

University of Illinois Extension-Livingston-McLean-Woodford is partnering with Eureka Public Library  on Planning Meals with Ease. This class will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at the library, 202 S Main St. Meal planning can be an overwhelming task, especially when life gets busy. This program will focus on five steps to simple meal planning. The program will include a cooking demonstration and taste the food prepared, receive a meal plan with recipes for five different meals, and take home a list of mobile apps made for meal planning. The class will be taught by Jenna Smith, University of Illinois Extension nutrition & wellness educator and registered dietitian.There is a $3 fee. To register for this class call, (309) 467-2922.

Bloomington:  Ex-husband arrested in connection with woman’s death

Bloomington Police arrested Kirk Zimmerman, 56, on July 21,  in connection to the death of his ex wife last November., Pamela Zimmerman was found dead in her office after police got a call from someone saying they could not get in touch with her.  Zimmerman had been shot and the coroner ruled it was a homicide.  Law enforcement  authorities have not said what directly led them to arrest Zimmerman, social media and online sources may have played a role in allegedly connecting Kirk Zimmerman to Pamela’s death, according to reports. Zimmerman could be charged as soon as next week on one count of first-degree murder. A bond hearing has been scheduled for 1 p.m. July 29.

OSF St. Joseph Medical Center to hold shoe drive

A shoe drive benefiting Bloomington-based Home Sweet Home Ministries will be held in partnership with OSF St. Joseph Medical Center from Aug. 7 to 16. Receptacles for shoe drop-offs will be placed in parking lots at three sites: the main facility along Veteran’s Parkway, OSF Medical Group’s satellite office 1701 E. College Ave., Bloomington, and the Center for Health at Fort Jesse, 2200 Fort Jesse Road, Normal. The main campus also will have five drop-off spots within the facility itself throughout the drive. Donors are asked to supply new or gently used men’s, women’s and children’s shoes. Each pair should be attached with a rubber band or zip tie. The donated items will be sold in the Mission Mart Thrift Store and directly benefit Home Sweet Home Ministries’ programs. For information, visit hshministries.org.

Bloomington’s comprehensive plan document advances

Bloomington  city officials are looking to put the final touches on a lengthy comprehensive planning document outlining strategies for the city over the next 20 years.  The city has already held two planning commission public hearings on the document.  In recent months, as details about the comprehensive plan have been released, officials have pushed for a desire to focus future development in existing neighborhoods, according to reports. Maximizing use of vacant spots, including the old railroad yards on the city’s west side, are also included in the plan, according to reports. Commissioners could vote on the plan at their next regular meeting, scheduled for 4 p.m. Aug. 12 at City Hall, 109 E. Olive St.

Normal: Plans to remodel Heartland’s Challenger Learning Center on hold

Heartland Community College’s anticipated remodel of its Challenger Learning Center in Normal are in limbo after state officials suspended a $125,000 grant that was viewed as a key lynchpin toward revamping the facility. State officials offering the grant attribute the withholding to a budget impasse by lawmakers in Springfield. Heartland staffers are hoping to remodel the learning center’s Discovery Lab into more of an interactive model for students in kindergarten to grade 4 in an effort to bring the site in line with standards set by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Normal officials table animal ordinance; more feedback sought

The Normal City Council on July 20 held off on a vote to revise an ordinance limiting the number of animals permitted at a residence. Organizers from the Wishbone Canine Rescue Agency implored town officials to reconsider the amendments, which, as proposed, would limit only two litters of cats or dogs per home per year, according to reports. Wishbone organizers say the more restrictive language could impact the organization’s ability to place puppies and kittens in foster homes. The town’s City Council is expected to revisit the proposed ordinance amendments at a later date.

Man dies after falling from parking garage in Normal

A man falling from a five-story parking garage in Normal early on July 22 has died, town Police Lt. Paul Smith said in a news release. The man was flown to Peoria with critical injuries after he fell off the edge of a student residence facility, the Hovey Apartments, in the 800 block of Hovey Avenue, according to police. The man died after he arrived in Peoria. Normal law enforcement authorities did not release the man’s identity at press deadline. An investigation is underway, Smith said.

Wild Berries Restaurant in Normal closes abruptly

After six years in business, the Wild Berries eatery at 115 S. Veterans Parkway in Normal closed unexpectedly. A sign thanking customers for their support and patronage was placed on the front doors of the restaurant after the weekend of July 18-19. While no official reason was given for Wild Berries’ closure, competition along the Veterans Parkway corridor has been cited as one possible reason. Several chain restaurants, including Chick-fil-A and Red Robbin, have popped up near the Wild Berries property, possibly taking some of its business. The Wild Berries building, previously housed by a Bennigan’s restaurant, is listed for sale by a Peoria-based commercial real estate company known as Chase Real Estate Group.

— McLean County news briefs —