Fire hydrant flushing across Normal will begin Sunday, Sept. 23 and continue through the week.

McLean County

Bloomington-Normal YMCA expansion progresses        

An unnamed McLean County family has pledged $4 million toward a proposed new Bloomington-Normal YMCA building, organization officials announced this past week.

The family, which has chosen to remain anonymous, has pledged the funds with the caveat local YMCA officials are able to match the funds by the end of 2018.

To date, organizers have secured more than half — $2.2 million — of the amount needed. The Bloomington-Normal branch of the YMCA has long operated at 602 S. Main St., but officials early this year said the facility needs newer, more modern space.

ISU receives grant for new microscopy facility        

Illinois State University recently was named a recipient of a $661,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. According to ISU officials, the funds will help establish a microscopy facility within the science lab building.

Plans call for using the new amenity to give scientists the ability to study the building blocks of cells and the organization of tissues with more clarity and detail than currently available.

“This will be a significant new resource for Central Illinois and beyond,” Kevin Edwards, associate professor of genetics, said in a statement.    

DOT helps airport with snow removal equipment        

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded a $991,773 grant to the Central Illinois Regional Airport, officials announced recently.

CIRA will use the funds to purchase two new high-speed runway brooms. The recent grant coincides with a large-scale pavement rehabilitation project of nearly $5 million that has taken place over the course of the past few years.

Bloomington

New program to communicate location of offenders

The Bloomington Police Department recently announced it will be making available the Offender Watch system.

The national web-based program, offered through the company Watch Systems, is designed to aid law enforcement in providing notice regarding serious offenders.

The program will provide the community with real-time information on sex offenders, violent offenders against youth and murders who are required to register and reside within a community. The program can be accessed through the following link: http://www.communitynotification.com/cap_main.php?office=55109  

Next semi-annual bulk waste pickup set

The city of Bloomington’s public works crews will conduct the next free semi-annual bulk waste collection in early October.

The effort will take place over multiple days, but residents are asked to have large, bulky unwanted items to the curb by 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1, to take advantage of the program.

Once the free fall bulk waste collection is completed, public works crews will resume the city’s normal charge of $25 per bucket for household waste and $100 per bucket for sod, dirt, concrete, rocks and shingles. For information, call the city’s DPW office at 309-434-2220.

Theater company offering free master class program

Members of the Aquila Theatre Company are offering a free participatory master class from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, 600 N. East St. Aquila’s members will be performing “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” at the BCPA on the following day.

The master class is free to high school and college students, but registration is required. For information, call the BCPA ticket office at 309-434-2777.

Normal

Three persons sent to hospital following fire    

Three persons in the 700 block of Normal Avenue were sent to the hospital after a fire damaged portions of a home’s basement about 7:50 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 13.

According to officials within the Normal Fire Department, the agency received calls of thick smoke emanating from the home. Crews reportedly arrived on the scene minutes later.

The occupants within the home were sent to an area hospital for smoke inhalation and minor injuries. The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes, according to NFD, and the incident remains under investigation.   

Water department will begin flushing hydrants    

Fire hydrant flushing across the town of Normal will begin Sunday, Sept. 23, according to representatives of the municipality’s water department.

The routine practice is designed to remove any sediment or stagnant water that might have collected within the overall distribution system.

Water officials are sending out reminders throughout the testing, which is expected to wrap Sunday, Sept. 30.

During the testing, water might be temporarily discolored. For this reason, residents are encouraged not to wash clothes between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. when flushing is in progress in a specific area. A full schedule of the testing is posted on the town’s website, www.normal.org.  

–McLean County News Briefs–