McLean County 4-H Members that attended the Teen Leadership Conference in January in Decatur, IL included Extension program coordinator, Laura Holland, Christivie Nzengo, Cierra Ester, Jennifer Velazquez, Anna Birsa and Tess Birsa. (Photo courtesy of Illinois 4-H)

McLean County

Early voting for March primary begins

Early voting across McLean County is underway, and residents can cast their ballots at specific locations at the McLean County Government Center, 115 E. Washington St., depending on municipality.

Bloomington residents can cast their ballots at the Bloomington Election Commission office on the fourth floor, while voters in Normal and elsewhere in the county can cast early ballots at the McLean County clerk’s office on the first floor.   

ISU board approves upgrade projects

The Illinois State University board of trustees approved several repair and equipment upgrade projects, totaling $3.5 million, within two residence halls. Structural improvements, which will be undertaken this summer, will occur within the Watterson Towers residence hall complex. Most of the improvements are earmarked for areas that were first constructed in 1964. ISU trustees approved the allocation funds at a meeting Friday, Feb. 16.  

Judge to retire in July; term runs through 2020

McLean County Circuit Judge Robert Freitag announced last week he will retire this summer, even though his term has two remaining years left on it.

In a statement announcing his decision, Freitag said, “(I) am looking forward to starting the next chapter in my life and will be looking for new avenues to provide volunteer service.”

Freitag was first elected to the roll of a judge in the circuit court in 2008. He previously was a prosecutor and public defender. The Illinois Supreme Court could make an appointment to fill the remaining two years of Freitag’s term.

Local 4-H youth participate in statewide conference

Using inspiration from Martin Luther King Jr.’s writing as a guide, local 4-H members recently took part in a Teen Leadership Conference in Decatur. Statewide, nearly 100 teens took part in the conference; local attendees included Anna Birsa, Tess Birsa, Cierra Ester, Christivie Nzengo, Jennifer Velazquez and program coordinator Laura Holland with the University of Illinois Extension.

Team members worked together to improve community advocacy, college readiness, communication and personal development skills. “In 4-H, we know that leadership is not about a title or a designation,” Lisa Diaz, U of I Extension assistant dean and 4-H director, said in a statement. “It’s about impact, influence and inspiration.”

Bloomington

Zoo seeking volunteers; information meeting date set  

Staffers within the Miller Park Zoo have reopened an appeal for volunteers, and information will be shared at an information meeting from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 24, at the facility, 1020 S. Morris Ave.

The zoo is seeking persons with various skill sets to assist with projects throughout the zoo grounds. For information, call Anthony Nelson, MPZ business manager, at (309) 434-2250.

Registration for adult summer softball leagues set

The Bloomington Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department recently released details on its adult summer softball leagues. Registration will be held from Monday, March 12 to Thursday, March 22 at the department’s administrative office, 115 E. Washington St. For information, call the department at (309) 434-2260.

Normal

McDonald’s employee fired for swearing at state cop

An employee who uttered a profanity at an Illinois State Police officer through a McDonald’s drive-through lane in Normal was swiftly fired, local franchisees said as reports of the incident circulated on social media.

As she went to pay for her food, in full uniform and in a squad car, the trooper alleges the cashier said to her, “I just have to say this to you: (Expletive) the police.” The officer further alleges she heard the cashier’s co-workers laughing in the background as she went to the next drive-through window to pay for her food.

According to published accounts of the incident, the officer said she promptly called McDonald’s corporate office to report the incident.

Race, protest and equality subject of upcoming ISU talk

Illinois State University will wrap Black History Month with a talk, “Are We There Yet? Race, Protest and the Challenge of Multicultural Education.” Adrienne Dixson, a professor of critical race theory and education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will host the free talk, which will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center, 100 N. University St.   

–McLean County News Briefs–