Work began on May 29 on repairs of the Veterans Parkway bridge.

McLean County

Veterans Parkway bridge repair work begins this week      

Construction crews have begun a repair project on Veterans Parkway, also known as Interstate 55 Business, this week, according to officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The work began Tuesday, May 29, and tentatively has been slated to wrap Friday, June 15, pending weather conditions. The repairs will require lane closures throughout the project, though accommodations in both directions are expected.

IDOT officials are reminding motorists to observe reduced speed requirements, allow extra time while commuting the thoroughfare and, if possible, consider alternate routes. To stay up-to-date on the project, visit www.gettingaroundillinois.com.  

Local landmarks recognized for bicentennial      

Three historic sites in Bloomington and Normal have been named to the state chapter of the American Institute of Architect’s Illinois’ 200 Great Places list of attractions. The compilation ties into the state’s bicentennial celebration.

The list of local attractions includes the Children’s Discovery Museum and Normal Theater in Normal and the David Davis Mansion in Bloomington. According to the AIA, criteria was based on several factors, including design features. AIA’s full list of recognized sites is available at www.illinoisgreatplaces.com.

Extension hosting therapeutic horticulture workshop

The University of Illinois Extension’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is hosting a workshop, “Therapeutic Horticulture: Gardening is Healing,” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at the Community Cancer Center, 407 E. Vernon Ave., Normal.

The day-long conference will provide hands-on experiences to demonstrate key therapeutic concepts and theories and show how the act of gardening can be beneficial. The cost is $40. For information or to register, visit go.Illinois.edu/registerlmw or call 309-663-8306.   

Bloomington

Police continue investigating crime from 2013     

Five years have passed since Bloomington resident Haileigh Eichhorn died, and Bloomington Police are putting out a renewed call for information on the unsolved crime.

Eichhorn was last seen alive in late April 2013. A week-and-a-half later, her body was discovered in rural Stanford. Eichhorn was age 26 at the time of the incident.

According to a department news release, Bloomington Police continue seeking information leading up to the days and hours of Eichhorn’s death.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detectives Matthew Dick at 309-434-2475 or John Heinlen at 309-434-2672.  

City seeks feedback on traffic signal proposal     

The Bloomington Public Works Department is seeking input from the public on traffic signals on Front Street, between Main and Center streets. The existing infrastructure was built in the 1940s and 1950s, and, according to DPW officials, has exceeded its life expectancy.

In a cost-savings maneuver, DPW officials are proposing a plan that calls for taking out the existing signals and replacing the control mechanism with bump-outs to continue pedestrian safety measures.

Residents and other persons interested in offering feedback on the plan can send comments via email to traffic@cityblm.org.  

Bloomington’s Miller Park Zoo will hold its birthday celebration on June 9. The zoo will welcome several new animals this summer. (Photo courtesy of Miller Park Zoo)

New animals coming to Miller Park Zoo   

Several new animals are arriving at the Miller Park Zoo this summer, officials announced this past week.

The first arrival, a Siberian-based hooded crane, has already been greeting visitors, having arrived in mid-May.

In the months ahead, MPZ also anticipates bringing American alligators, guanacos(part of the camel family) and greater rheas (part of the ostrich family). “The Miller Park Zoo is looking forward to being able to show off amazing animals … to our guests,” Jay Tetzloff, zoo director, said in a statement.  

Normal

Loan bolsters Rivian’s plans for manufacturing site    

Detroit-based Rivian Automotive has announced it has secured a $200 million loan that helps set the stage for the company’s planned manufacturing plant in Normal. Rivian last year announced plans of producing its line of electric vehicles at Normal’s former Mitsubishi plant in 2020.

Rivian executives have yet to announce the specific vehicle design it will manufacture at the Normal facility, but has indicated it plans to employ up to 1,000 persons locally.

Self-service electronic recycling hours expanded for summer    

Hours for Normal’s self-service electronics recycling site have been expanded for the summer. The facility, 1301 Warriner St., is open from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekdays, through Friday, Aug. 31.

Hours also will continue on the first Saturday of each month, from 8 a.m. to noon. For information, visit www.normal.org/publicworks or call 309-454-9571.  

–McLean County News Briefs–