The Town of Normal just entered into an agreement with  Zagster, a bike-sharing service that will be available for residents and visitors alike. (Photo courtesy of Zagster)

McLean County

County administrator proposes budget increase in 2017

A new wing of the regional Law and Justice Center and a 5-percent increase in spending are among some of the notable elements in McLean County Administrator Bill Wasson’s proposed 2017 operating budget, which could total $95 million if implemented.

Wasson has begun discussing some of the components of the budget, which will formally be presented to the full County Board for adoption in November. The document is working its way through several committees early this fall. Wasson said his proposed budget takes into account a number of scenarios, including what is occurring at the state level.  

Agencies promote road safety during crop harvesting

A consortium of agencies is banding together this fall to promote the importance of driving safely on rural roads across the state. The Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are working in tandem on a campaign, “Caution, Slow Down, Share the Road.”

The effort is designed to remind motorists of the importance of being on high alert on rural roadways for farm equipment, which generally moves at much slower speeds. Data from 2014, the most recent reporting period available, revealed nearly 250 farm-related crashes, statewide, which caused 60 injuries and five deaths.

Agency reaches out to educate younger generations on gardening

Noting that members of Generation X (35- to 51-year-olds) and Generation Y (15- to 34-year-olds) are the largest growing portions of the general population, staffers within the University of Illinois Extension are stepping up horticulture outreach efforts.

The first such overture occurred this summer as U of I Extension horticulture educator Rhonda Ferree launched a program geared toward both population groups. Prior to the summer outreach launch, Ferree said both groups were underserved amid the agency’s overall horticulture education programs.

Thus far, Ferree noted there has been interest in the programs introduced. Participants are especially interested in learning how to grow edibles, including herbs, fruits and vegetables.  

Bloomington

Renner announces Cuba trip for sister cities outreach effort  

Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner has announced he will be one of 20 municipal leaders in Illinois traveling to Cuba from Oct. 8-15 for a cultural exchange. The endeavor, he said, is partially linked to Bloomington and Normal’s historical ties to two Cuban cities — Caibarien and Remedios — through the sister cities program.

Renner has gone on record and broken down how his trip will be funded. It is expected to cost $4,500, he said. The city of Bloomington will contribute $2,000. Illinois Wesleyan University, Renner’s full-time employer, will chip in additional $1,600. Renner said he will fund the balance of the trip.

The upcoming outreach effort comes on the heels of relaxed travel restrictions as the U.S. and Cuba improve relations.   

World Championship ICE Racing competition returns to city

The World Championship ICE Racing competition will make its return to Bloomington this winter with a daylong event slated for Saturday, Jan. 21, at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum, 101 S. Madison St. Described as fast-paced, exciting and family friendly, the competition takes place on a oval ice track. Drivers of all skill levels compete in a number of categories.

Tickets for this winter’s competition go on sale at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14. Further details on the competition will be revealed in upcoming weeks. For information, visit the Coliseum’s events website, www.uscellularcoliseum.com.      

Normal

Douglas Damery is the new director of the parks and recreation department for the Town of Normal.

Town names new park and rec director

An exhaustive, 10-week search for the town of Normal’s next parks and recreation director has come to a close. Municipal officials recently named Douglas Damery to the position. Damery currently serves as the director of the Washington Park District in Tazewell County.

Mark Peterson, town manager, said Damery had a number of attributes that set him apart from other applicants, including facility-related improvements he spearheaded in response to the devastating tornado that struck the city in 2013. Damery will begin his duties Nov. 1. He succeeds Christopher Cotten, who left the post after one year to assume a similar position in Kansas.

Town officials: New eateries likely at former Wild Berries site

Multiple restaurants, likely of the fast casual variety, are expected to occupy the land at 115 S. Veterans Parkway that once housed the local Wild Berries restaurant, which closed in July 2015. The building has since been razed, and the 9,000-square-foot property is on the market.

Town officials said they believe the site would be well suited for new eateries that would complement the existing menu of offerings through such establishments as Blaze Pizza, Chic-fil-A, Chipotle and Red Robin.

Town approve contract for bike-sharing service

Zagster, a Cambridge, Mass.-based bike-sharing service, will soon have a presence in the Twin Cities, following a decision by the Normal Town Council. The town has agreed to pay Zagster $84,600 over a three-year span, in addition to 7 percent of all proceeds from rental fees.

Although the town is fronting the money to bring the service to the region, plans call for stations outside the town’s boundaries.

Several are planned in Bloomington, including at least one station at the BroMenn Medical Center, which has pledged $10,000 of its own money through an advertising arrangement. The new service begins next year.

–McLean County News Briefs–