Local police departments will be joining with the Drug Enforcement Agency in the national Drug Take Back Initiative on Oct. 22. Residents who are looking to dispose of prescription medications can check with their local police on hours to come by and drop off the drugs for proper and safe disposal. (Image courtesy of DEA)

McLean County

Study: Bloomington-Normal most educated communities in state

Bloomington and Normal are Illinois’ most educated communities, based on a study conducted recently by financial news and opinion website 24/7 Wall Street. The study took into account a number of criteria, including the percentage of residents with a college degree, the number of post-secondary schools in the immediate vicinity and median household income.

Combined, 55 percent of the Twin City’s residents have a bachelor’s degree and 95 percent hold a high school diploma. The median household income throughout both communities inched toward $64,000. In its analysis, 24/7 Wall Street noted nearly a quarter of Bloomington and Normal’s workforce is in the insurance and finance sector.    

Bloomington

Coliseum director terminated for fraudulent activity

Curtis Webb, executive director of the U.S. Cellular Coliseum, was terminated this past week after confirming suspicions he was using a business credit card for personal purchases. The city of Bloomington contracts with a vendor, VenuWorks, to oversee operations at the Coliseum.

In an email to city staffers, which has since been made public, VenuWorks President Steve Peters confirmed the fraudulent activity, which was discovered Wednesday, Oct. 12.

“We discovered, in the course of conducting a routine review of Coliseum financials, an indication that (Webb) was using a credit card for personal purchases,” Peters wrote in his email, further confirming Webb admitted to the activity when confronted.

Peters said Webb was immediately ordered off the premises and terminated. VenuWorks has indicated it is promptly reimbursing the city for fraudulent charges, which are around $16,000.

Police investigate shots fired reports along Tracy Drive

After receiving multiple reports of gunshots being fired into the air, Bloomington Police responded to the 1900 block of Tracy Drive at 8:06 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10. According to officials, officers conducted a canvass of the area and collected undisclosed evidence at the scene. No injuries were reported, and no one is in custody at press deadline.

The investigation is ongoing. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the department at (309) 820-8888 or call McLean County Crime Stoppers anonymously at (309) 828-1111.

Police searching for missing Bloomington teen

Bloomington Police are seeking assistance from the public on the whereabouts of resident Rosie Derring, 15, who was reported missing Tuesday, Oct. 11. According to Derring’s family, she was last seen Saturday, Oct. 8.

She is black, stands about 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs about 120 pounds. Rosie has long black hair and brown eyes. Police are asking anyone with information to call (309) 820-8888.

Market Street railroad crossing closed for immediate future

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that the Norfolk Southern Railroad crossing on Market Street will be closed for several days, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 19. Motorists traveling through the area will be asked to follow a marked detour that outlines alternate routes. Railroad crews are conducting routine maintenance at the crossing site.

Bloomington sets trick-or-treat hours

Bloomington officials recently announced the date and time for trick-or-treating throughout the city; it will occur from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. Alongside the announcement, Bloomington Police have issued a series of reminders for children partaking in the time-honored tradition. Authorities recommend parents know exactly where their children are trick-or-treating, review traffic safety rules with younger children and advise kids not to eat anything until an adult inspects it. The full list of precautions is on the city’s website, www.cityblm.org.

Miller Park Zoo hosting pumpkin decorating contest

The Miller Park Zoo is holding its first-ever pumpkin-decorating contest, which is available to Halloween enthusiasts of all ages. Participants will have an opportunity to enter their pumpkins in one of three divisions: kids (ages 5-11), teens (ages 12-17) and adults (ages 18 and up).

Pumpkins can be carved or painted and must follow the theme, “Rock Star Pumpkins.” Information and registration forms are available at the zoo’s gift shop, 1020 S. Morris Ave. Contest participants can drop off their entries between Wednesday, Oct. 26 and Friday, Oct. 28. Judging will take place Saturday, Oct. 29. Local businesses have pledged a variety of prizes. For information, call Anthony Nelson at the zoo at (309) 434-2250.

Normal

ISU officials aim to double international students’ enrollment

Amid International Education Week, which occurred earlier this month, officials within Illinois State University revealed they are working to more than double the number of students who attend the higher education institution from other countries.

Currently, ISU hosts about 450 international students, representing about 2 percent of this year’s enrollment of 21,039 persons. The goal, according to the university, is to increase that number to 5 percent in upcoming years. A series of outreach efforts are planned in the near future.

–McLean County News Briefs–