Bill Wasson, McLean County administrator

McLean County

County administrator to retire in June        

Bill Wasson, who has served as McLean County administrator for eight years, announced recently he is retiring in June.

Wasson’s entire career with the county has spanned 34 years. The task of choosing Wasson’s successor rests with the County Board, which will be undergoing a changeover of its own in early December as six new members are sworn in amid the shakeout from this month’s election.  

Region’s unemployment rate increased this fall

The number of unemployed residents in the Bloomington-Normal statistical area increased 0.5 percent, year-over-year in October, according to just released information from the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

At the end of October, according to the IDES, 4.1 percent of residents in the area filed unemployment claims.

At the end of October 2017, the figure stood at 3.6 percent. The state’s average unemployment rate is 4.2 percent. The unemployment average across the U.S. is 3.7 percent.

Jail addition to host new, expanded programs         

After several years of behind-the-scenes planning and construction, the wraps have been taken off the new addition to the McLean County Jail facility.

Officials hosted a ribbon-cutting event Tuesday, Nov. 20, and discussed how the new amenities and infrastructure are intended to enhance existing corrections programs. The expanded facility will serve female inmates and persons with mental illnesses. The addition encompasses 80,000 square feet and had attached to it a $39 million price tag to complete. 

Cyril “C.B.” Frevert, 1961 IWU alumnus

IWU outlines plan on farm auction sale proceeds          

Illinois Wesleyan University plans to allocate the more than $3.5 million gift it is receiving from a recent farm auction toward its School of Music.

Cyril “C.B.” Frevert willed his family’s 930-acre farmstead to a trio of local organizations.

The 12-tract property was auctioned early this month and netted $11.6 million. In a statement, IWU President Eric Jensen said Frevert’s legacy will live on through the monetary gift.

“C.B. was a 1961 alum who cared deeply about Illinois Wesleyan and, specifically, his experience as a music education major with the School of Music,” Jensen said in the statement. “His incredible gift of more than $3.5 million will support student scholarships and equipment in the School of Music.”

The Frevert family’s farmstead was in portions of Allin, Dale and Dry Grove townships. Home Sweet Home Ministries and the McLean County chapter of the Salvation Army were the other beneficiaries of the auction.    

Bloomington

City considering tax on short-term rentals          

The Bloomington City Council is considering a special tax that would be assessed on residences used as short-term rentals.

The plan, which has been working its way through several channels within city hall, is being considered at a time when such online sources a Airbnb are growing in popularity. The tax, if approved, would likely take effect April 1, 2019, based on preliminary information from city officials.

City receiving federal grant for tree inventory

The Morton Arboretum’s Community Trees Program has awarded the city of Bloomington’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department a $7,100 federal forestry grant for an updated street tree inventory.

Findings from the upcoming exercise will help city officials determine when and where new plantings should be placed in various areas of the community.

“This is a great step for us in continuing our scientific-based management of the city’s urban forest,” David Lamb, the city’s assistant superintendent of parks and city forestry said in a statement.  

Beginning Saturday, Dec. 1, merchants in Town of Normal will not be permitted to sell any tobacco or vaping items to anyone under age 21. (https://vaping360.com/)

Normal

Town raises minimum age on tobacco

Normal is joining a small group of Illinois municipalities in enacting an ordinance and setting the threshold of who can legally purchase tobacco and vaping products within the community. Beginning Saturday, Dec. 1, merchants will not be permitted to sell the items to anyone under age 21, following the Town Council’s passage of the new provision on Monday, Nov. 19.

Under terms of the ordinance, any merchant found in violation of the new requirement could face a $50 fine for the first offense and a $500 fine for repeat offenses. Across the state, 26 other communities have similar ordinances on their books.

Man arrested after threatening bus driver

Normal Police on Friday, Nov. 16, arrested a man after he allegedly threatened a Connect Transit bus driver with a gun at the intersection of Braden Drive and Parkside Road about 7:53 p.m.

According to officials, the man threatened the driver after an argument and subsequently left the bus. Officers arrested the man about 8 p.m., after canvassing the area and finding a person matching the suspect’s description.

–McLean County News Briefs–