: The Friends of Constitutional Trail organization is working with the city of Bloomington for more signage along the walking and biking trail. (Photo courtesy of Friends of Constitutional Trail)

McLean County

University of Illinois Extension offering four-part diabetes-themed workshop

Throughout October, the University of Illinois Extension will offer a four-part program, I on Diabetes. The program is aimed at helping persons diagnosed with the condition manage and regulate his or her intake of sugars, fats and sodium. The sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Fridays, Oct. 2-23, at the McLean County Extension office, 1615 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington. The cost for all four sessions is $25 per person or $35 for two people. The registration deadline is Sept. 30. For information or to register, call (309) 663-8306 or visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lmw/register.

YWCA seeking volunteers for Reading to End Racism program

The McLean County branch of the YWCA has announced it will launch a program, Reading to End Racism, and volunteers are being sought to bring the program to fruition. Local YWCA leaders received a grant to implement Reading to End Racism. As part of the effort, volunteers will work with local minority students. During a pilot phase, the program will be held at Washington and Cedar Ridge elementary schools in Bloomington. Volunteers are required to attend one of two training sessions from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 29 or Oct. 6 at YWCA’s Bloomington branch, 1201 N. Hershey Road. For information, call Norene Ball at (309) 662-0461.

Bloomington

‘Shots fired’ calls on the rise in Bloomington

Pointing to three calls involving fired gunshots from Sept. 9-11, Bloomington Police are asking residents to remain vigilant. The first call occurred in the 800 block of West Market Street at 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, the second in the 900 block of West. Wood Street at 10:28 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, and the third in the 1900 block of Tracy Drive at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. No injuries were reported in any of the cases, and police have not made any arrests at press time. According to the department, it remains uncertain whether the incidents are related, and an investigation is underway.

Four property owners recognized for property restoration efforts

The Bloomington City Council on Sept. 14 named four property owners to its annual Heritage Awards program, which is aimed at putting the spotlight on persons who take efforts to restore historic properties in the community. This year’s honorees included: Diana Krieg and Dawn Peters (402 E. Grove St.), Stephen Burkart (607 S. Clinton St.), Mike and Judy Evans (701 W. Wood St.) and Joe and Ruth Haney (407-409 W. Washington St.). The council works in tandem with the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission for the annual awards program.

City working with local grassroots group to improve biking, hiking trails

The city of Bloomington is working in tandem with the Friends of the Constitution Trail group by installing signage throughout the community. As part of the agreement, the Friends group will fund the cost of creating 35 signs throughout the community and installing related equipment. City crews, in turn, will install they actual signage and posts when they are ready to be assembled. The Friends’ efforts fall in line with Bloomington’s comprehensive bicycle master plan document that was adopted recently. In a news release announcing the rationale behind the effort, Patrick Dullard, a Friends member, said, “One thing that we’ve learned is that for locals, there are many parts of the trail that they never knew existed, much less explored. In terms of out-of-towners, they love our trail; they just have trouble finding their way around it. These signs should help tremendously.” The signs will be installed later this fall.

Bloomington recognized by state organization for planning efforts

The Illinois chapter of the American Planning Association recently recognized the city of Bloomington for its long-range municipal planning efforts. The recognition, in part, was based on former Plan Commission member Stan Cain’s service to the community. The state APA organization will present Cain with its Planning Advocate award. “I am very proud of the planning efforts happening in our community,” Tom Dabareiner, Bloomington community development director, said in a statement. The city, Cain and other honorees will be recognized at the state APA’s luncheon Oct. 8 amid the organization’s annual state conference.

Normal

Local teacher appears nationally on “Wheel of Fortune” game show

Normal resident Jessica Shindley appeared on the Sept. 18 edition of “Wheel of Fortune,” winning $65,515 in cash and prizes in the process. Shindley, a fourth-grade teacher in East Peoria, won trips to London and Bermuda during her appearance on the show, which was tied to a special teacher-themed week. Shindley traveled to Culver City, Calif., in July to attend the taping.

Time Magazine’s ‘Person of the Year’ to speak at ISU on Sept. 30

Ella Stryker, who in 2014 was named Person of the Year by Time Magazine, will deliver a lecture at Illinois State University’s Bone Student Center at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30. Stryker, a former teacher and current health promoter with the international organization Doctors Without Borders, will speak on, “The Health Educator’s Role in the Effort to Control Ebola.” The talk is free and open to the public.

— McLean County news briefs —