Kacee L. Vassallo, 29, El Paso

Region

El Paso woman dies amid collision with truck

A 29-year-old El Paso woman died Sunday, Jan. 14, of injuries sustained in an accident near mile marker 7.5 on Interstate 39, near Hudson.

Kacee L. Vassallo was pronounced dead at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Bloomington at 11:15 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, coroner Kathy Davis said in a news release.

Vassallo was the passenger in a southbound vehicle, which struck a semi tractor-trailer. Davis in the news release said Vassallo died of multiple blunt force injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was treated at a local hospital. It is unknown if the semi tractor-trailer driver was injured. Illinois State Police are investigating the incident in conjunction with Davis’ office. Toxicology reports were pending at press deadline.

Two-day conference to explore race, ethnicity

A two-day conference aimed at shedding light on how people view the concepts of race and ethnicity in modern times is coming to Illinois State University next month. “Social, Ethnic and Racial Boundaries on Campus and Community in the 21st Century” will he held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center, 100 N. University St., within ISU.

Nobuko Adachi, associate professor of anthropology at ISU, organized the event.

“This conference examines race, ethnicity and microaggressions in light of the new political developments in the United States — both local and national,” Adachi said in a statement. The conference is free and open to the public. For information, contact Adachi at (309) 438-8036 or nadachi@illinoisstate.edu.

AWC to announce 2018 Crystal Award winners

The Bloomington-Normal chapter of the Association for Women in Communications will hold its annual Crystal Awards program at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at the DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center, 10 Brickyard Drive, Bloomington.

Winners will be announced in three categories: outstanding woman in communications, innovation award and the namesake Crystal Award.

The evening’s activities will also include the presentation of the AWC student scholarship to an area college student studying communications and recognition of the local chapter’s member of the year. The event is open to the public. Tickets are available at www.awcbn.org.   

Bloomington

Man arrested on suspicion of firing handgun at crowd of people in December

Bloomington Police this past week arrested a man on suspicion of shooting a handgun at a group of people days before Christmas.

After an investigation, the Bloomington Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division arrested Bloomington resident Willie L. Dawson, 33, on charges of multiple counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm. No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred in the 1900 block of Peach Street on Saturday, Dec. 23.

Dawson, who was apprehended Friday, Jan. 19, has been transported to the McLean County Jail and is awaiting sentencing.

Nestle’s sale of candy business has local impact

Nestle’s planned sale of its candy business to the Italian-based company Ferrero means the Bloomington-based manufacturing facility would be included in the transaction, officials announced this past week. Nestle on Tuesday, Jan. 16, announced it intends to sell its U.S. candy business to Ferrero.

The transaction has been valued at $2.8 billion. In a statement announcing the sale, Nestle CEO Mark Schneider said he and other company officials believed the company’s candy business would be well served under Ferrero.

“At the same time, this move allows Nestle to invest and innovate across a range of categories, where we see strong future growth and hold leadership positions,” Schneider said in the statement. Although its name is commonly associated with candy, Nestle’s portfolio of products is diversified and includes bottled water, coffee, frozen meals, infant nutrition and pet care items.

James Mack, new performing arts manager for city of Bloomington

City officials hire new performing arts manager

After a months-long search, Bloomington officials have named a professional to helm the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. James A. Mack has been named the center’s manager and will assume his duties Monday, Feb. 12.

Jay Tetzloff, director of the city’s parks, recreation and cultural arts department, said Mack joins BCPA at an ideal time since planning for the 2018-19 season is getting underway.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jim to the city of Bloomington as performing arts manager,” Tetzloff said in a statement. “His passion for the arts, paired with a strong background in management and fundraising, will benefit the BCPA greatly.” Mack’s resume includes stints at Balboa Park in San Diego and, most recently, as managing director of the Mesquite Arts Council in Mesquite, Tex.

Normal

Officials mulling cuts for FY2018 budget

Normal officials are looking to trim $4.25 million in expenses as planning for the Fiscal Year 2018 municipal budget of nearly $102.5 million rounds the bend. Among the cost-cutting measures under consideration are staffing reductions of up to 25 persons and eliminating or reducing such programs as the Harmon Arts Grant Program and the electronics recycling center.

In addition to state funding woes, town officials have attributed other factors to the most recent rounds of budget crunching. Sales tax revenue, for instance, has declined the past three years. Firm decisions on what will be cut from the budget will be made this spring.   

Swingers Grille closes after more than a decade in business

Swingers Grille, a dining establishment on Normal’s west side, ceased operations early this month, closing out more than 11 years in business. Business owners announced the closure on the eatery’s website and via social media.

“With a heavy heart, and much thoughtful consideration, the owners of Swingers Grille have officially closed the doors of its Normal location,” the statement, in part, reads. “We want to thank all our loyal patrons who have supported us over the years.”

Swingers, 1304 Cross Creek Drive, operated out of a facility housing the All Seasons Golf Learning Center and the All Seasons/Hawthorne Race Course. Both businesses remain open.

–McLean County News Briefs–