McLean County News Briefs

Chronicle Media
 The Knapp Burn Foundation, an organization assisting burn survivors and creating public education and awareness campaigns, will hold its second annual Trial by Fire 5k run/walk on Saturday, May 21. (Photo courtesy Knapp Burn Foundation)

The Knapp Burn Foundation, an organization assisting burn survivors and creating public education and awareness campaigns, will hold its second annual Trial by Fire 5k run/walk on Saturday, May 21. (Photo courtesy Knapp Burn Foundation)

McLean County

Out-of-state man, woman charged with trafficking $30K of meth

A 35-year-old Atlanta man and a 28-year-old LaGrange, Ind., woman were charged Friday, May 13, for trafficking the drug methamphetamine. According to officials within the McLean County Sheriff’s Department, Shawn Castleman and Melysa Coffin intended to sell the meth, which they assert had a street value of $30,000 because of its quantity and potency.

Sheriff’s deputies pulled Castleman and Coffin over on Wednesday, May 12, during what initially was a routine traffic stop in the 3800 block of East Road in the village of Saybrook. The sheriff’s department’s K-9, Rico, is credited with discovering the drug.

New museum exhibit looks at Lincoln’s presence here

The McLean County Museum of History is taking the wraps off a new exhibit that will explore President Abraham Lincoln’s early career in Bloomington as an attorney. It opens to the public Saturday, May 21.

The exhibit, which will feature interactive touchscreens and an assortment of displays, will chronicle the 16th president’s accomplishments, including his involvement in more than 90 cases at the McLean County Courthouse.

The exhibit also will spotlight how Bloomington was an important backdrop in Lincoln’s crusade to abolish slavery. For information on the new exhibit, visit the museum’s website, www.mchistory.org, or call (309) 827-0428.

Ecology Action Center unveils solar program for property owners

The Ecology Action Center, based in Normal, recently announced a partnership with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.

The two organizations are working in tandem to bring a solar energy program to McLean County residents. The newly launched effort is aimed at working with homes, businesses and farm owners and finding solutions to lower electric bills and relying more on solar power.
“This is an exciting opportunity to expand solar in McLean County, lower energy bills for participants and expand our community’s sustainability efforts,” Michael Brown, executive director of the EAC, said in a statement.

For information on the partnership, visit www.midwestrenew.org or call (715) 592-6595.

Bloomington

Police make arrest in armed robbery at Dollar General

The Bloomington Police Department has arrested a 28-year-old Bloomington man on suspicion he robbed a Dollar General store at 1020 E. Oakland Ave. at gunpoint about 9:52 p.m. Wednesday, May 11. According to police, the man took an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the area. No injuries were reported during the incident.

In a follow-up investigation, police found a handgun at the scene that led to the arrest. Bloomington Police worked in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Task Force to arrest the man. He is currently being detained at the McLean County Jail.

Three years after unsolved homicide, police appeal for information

As the city of Bloomington reaches the three-year anniversary of a horrific discovery, local law enforcement officials are sending out a renewed plea for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Haileigh Eichhorn.

On May 7, 2013, police found Eichhorn’s body in Stanford, Ill. Eichhorn, who was 26 at the time of the incident, was last seen alive 10 days prior to the discovery.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Matthew Dick at (309) 434-2475 or mdick@cityblm.org or Det. John Heinlen at (309) 434-2672 or jheinlen@cityblm.org.

Callers also can contact Crime Stoppers of McLean County at (309) 828-1111. Persons with information the leads to the arrest and indictment of a suspect could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Knapp Burn Foundation to hold Trial by Fire run-walk

The Knapp Burn Foundation, an organization assisting burn survivors and creating public education and awareness campaigns, will hold its second annual Trial by Fire 5k run/walk on Saturday, May 21, at Tipton Trails Park, 2201 Stone Mountain Blvd., Bloomington.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the event itself takes place at 8 a.m.

During the event, foundation representatives will team up with members of the Bloomington Fire Department and present demonstrations and activities.

For information, visit www.knappburntrialbyfire.com or call (309) 663-1008.

Normal

Pooch Parade and Pet Fair canceled due to canine flu concerns

Representatives of Uptown Partners have announced the Pooch Parade and Pet Fair that was to have taken place Saturday, May 21, has been canceled because of an outbreak in the community of canine influenza.

Because questions of the outbreak continue to persist, organizers last week announced they decided to forgo this year’s program as a precautionary measure.

While the parade and fair will not go on this year, staffers at Eastland Companion Animal Hospital will volunteer their time and offer the flu vaccine to dogs within Uptown Normal from 1 to 3 p.m. on May 21.

The previously announced sidewalk sales within the Uptown Normal business community will continue on that date, as planned, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets for upcoming Penguin Project performance now on sale

The Penguin Project of McLean County will hold its next performance, a rendition of “Alice in Wonderland Jr.,” at 7 p.m. Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 5, at University High School’s Stroud Auditorium, 500 W. Gregory St., Normal.

Persons with disabilities and their peer mentors are participating in the performance.

Tickets can be purchased between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the Bloomington Parks, Recreational and Cultural Arts Department’s office at 115 E. Washington St.

For information on the organization and the upcoming performance, visit the Penguin Project of McLean County’s Facebook page or call Nicole Kohler at (309) 434-2260.

–McLean County News Briefs–