Unity Community Center, 632 Orlando Ave., Normal, is accepting registrations for the after-school program. (Photo courtesy Unity Communtiy Center)

McLean County

Advocate Medical Group relocating behavioral health office

Advocate Medical Group’s Normal-based behavioral health office at 1304 Franklin Ave. is relocating to the second floor of the Advocate BroMenn Outpatient Center at 3024 E. Empire St., in Bloomington, officials have announced.

The relocation takes effect Monday, July 25, and the facility will be closed Friday, July 22, to accommodate the transition. AMG’s other behavior health office in McLean County at 303 N. Hershey Road, Bloomington, will remain at that site.

Unity Community Center registrations for after-school program

This fall, Unity Community Center will resume its after-school enrichment program for students aged 5 to 18 who live within the McLean County Unit 5 School District. The program is offered at the UCC site at 632 Orlando Ave., Normal, and includes such activities as 4-H, Kids in the Kitchen, Ag in the Classroom, music, world languages, gardening and Teens as Teachers. Openings are filled through a lottery system, and there are income restrictions. Registration can occur by appointment or during a three-day walk-in from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8 to Wednesday, Aug. 10. For information, visit go.illinois.edu/unity or call (309) 862-4041.

Bloomington

Police searching for missing Bloomington teen

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Jaymes R. Cramer, 16, of Bloomington. Cramer was reported missing Wednesday, July 13, after leaving his home on foot, heading toward the South Gate Estates Mobile Park. He frequents pools and the skate park within O’Neal and Holiday parks.

He is described as black, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds and having black hair and brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a blue Hawaiian print shirt, black or blue jeans and blue tennis shoes. Bloomington Police are asking anyone with information to call the department at (309) 820-8888.   

Three people arrested in fight at Chuck E. Cheese

Bloomington Police arrested three men on allegations of instigating a fight that at one point involved as many as 40 people at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant, 1701 E. Empire St., Bloomington, at 6:04 p.m. Saturday, July 2. A 3-year-old child reportedly received a minor injury amid the chaotic, mob-like environment.

When police arrived, the fighting had ceased, but an investigation led officers to make three arrests. A 23-year-old Bloomington man and two 24-year-old Normal men were transported to the McLean County Jail on allegations of aggravated battery, mob action and reckless conduct.  

Three snow leopard cubs born at Miller Park Zoo

Snow leopards might be an endangered species, but their population is up by three animals, thanks to a concerted effort at the Miller Park Zoo. Staffers recently welcomed three female cubs, who were born early this summer. The proud parents are Rilu (the dad) and Hima (the mom).

The cubs are on exhibit at the Katthoefer Animal Building. Jay Tetzloff, director of the MPZ, said plans call for naming the cubs at this fall’s fundraiser, Zoo Do.

According to conservation experts, there are about 7,000 snow leopards left in the wild in their natural habitat of Central Asia.

Longtime Bloomington Police officer to retire

Brian Evans, who has served the Bloomington Police Department for 25 years, has announced he is retiring from the force as of Friday, July 29. Evans most recently served as a school resource officer with Bloomington School District 87 and McLean County Unit 5 School District.

Evans began his career with the department in 1991 as a patrol officer and subsequently assumed such roles as an active shooter instructor and a field-training officer.

Speaking to Evans’ impact on the community, BPD Sgt. Steve Sicinski in a statement said, “He is one of the most empathetic people I have ever known, for he is genuinely concerned for those he works with and those he serves.”

Normal

Town recognized for cracking down on drunken driving

Advocacy group the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists recently recognized the Normal Police Department for cracking down on drunken driving, basing its assertion on the number of arrests made in 2015.

Normal Police arrested 306 motorists for drunken driving-related offenses last year — the sixth highest across the state. In its analysis, AAIM also noted the town had the third highest number of arrests per officer.

New urgent care center announced in Normal

MedExpress, a West Virginia-based urgent care center, has announced plans to open an office at 1700 Parkway Plaza Drive in Normal this fall. MedExpress, which has offices across the nation, touts itself as offering a neighborhood health center that never requires appointments.

While the bulk of MedExpress’ business model revolves around urgent care, the company also offers such services as pre-employment screenings, basic wellness and prevention, physicals and flu shots.

The Normal office is expected to employ 20 people, according to details provided by the company.

–McLean County News Briefs–