McLean County

Analysis: McLean County housing market strong this year

Across McLean County, home sales have been strong enough to likely outpace last year’s numbers, according to a recently released analysis from the Association of Realtors.

Through the first three quarters of 2016, home sales in Bloomington, Normal and elsewhere in the county totaled $385 million. In the first three quarters of 2015, home sales totaled $376 million.

There is one caveat to the upbeat statistics, however. The average sale price for a home in Bloomington or Normal fell $500, from $171,711 to $171,211.    

Ruben Patino-Sandoval, 46

Crime Stoppers seeking help in locating man accused of ID theft

Crime Stoppers of McLean County has asked for the public’s help in locating Ruben Patino-Sandoval, 46, who is in contempt of court after failing to appear on felony charges. Patino-Sandoval stands 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds.

He has brown eyes and short, black hair. Patino-Sandoval is named on a warrant, charging him with one count of aggravated identity theft on a person 60 years or older.

Crime Stoppers pays a cash award of up to $1,000 for persons revealing information leading to the arrest and indictment of criminals committing felony crimes within the county. The anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline is (309) 828-1111.  

Deondre A. Watts, 24

Bloomington

U.S. Marshals locate man accused of aggravated sex assault, abuse

After four months on the run, the U.S. Marshals Task Force has arrested Deondre A. Watts, 24, on allegations of aggravated criminal sexual assault and abuse on a victim within McLean County between the ages of 13 and 18.

The Bloomington and Normal police departments had been working in tandem to locate Watts, who was arrested by the federal agents in Sacramento, Calif. When local law enforcement asked for the public’s help in locating Watts in a June 20 news release, officials stated Watts could be responsible for additional acts of sexual assault or abuse in Bloomington or Normal. Watts currently is awaiting extradition back to McLean County.

27-year veteran retiring from Bloomington police force

Amy Keil, who has been a sworn member of the Bloomington Police Department for 27 years, is retiring Tuesday, Nov. 8. Keil joined the city’s force in 1989 as a patrol officer and in subsequent years educated children on the dangers of illegal drug use as the department’s DARE officer. Throughout her years of service, Keil has received numerous letters of commendation for her work.

National recognition for Bloomington’s planning efforts

The American Planning Association recently recognized city of Bloomington staffers for their long-range comprehensive plan, dubbed Bring It On Bloomington!

The city specifically was singled out for a number of components encapsulated within its report, including innovation, efforts to gauge feedback from the public, blending development with nature and economic responsibility.

“I am extremely proud that Bloomington’s Comprehensive Plan has earned this level of national recognition,” Tom Dabareiner, Bloomington community development director, said in a statement. “It truly reflects the quality of the plan and the process that went into developing it.” The APA awarded Bloomington a silver recognition, which placed the municipality in the 80-89 percentile of the organization’s scoring.

Normal

Construction forces changes to Advocate BroMenn access

Advocate BroMenn has temporarily altered how vehicles can access and exit the hospital’s main entrance and parking deck at 1304 Franklin Ave. in Normal.

The changes come as town officials enter the second phase of construction on Virginia Avenue. As work along the street has shifted in an easterly direction, hospital leaders have reopened Advocate BroMenn’s traditional entrance, west of the intersection of Franklin and Virginia avenues.

The new configuration will exist for the duration of the town’s construction project. Motorists entering the hospital campus will proceed in a loop, past the hospital entrances and twin medical office buildings and then leave the same way they came in. Normal and Advocate BroMenn are providing signage to assist motorists.   

Uptown Normal hosting trick-or-treating event Oct. 27

Uptown Normal is hosting a Halloween-themed event, Treat Feast, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, along the streets of one of the town’s main thoroughfares. Throughout the event, streets within the neighborhood will be closed to motorists. Businesses will open their doors to youngsters who are taking part in trick-or-treating. A variety of festive events are planned throughout the event. For information, visit www.uptownnormal.com.

Town Council meets with ISU students in annual outreach event

In an effort to bridge gaps, elected officials on the Normal Town Council met with more than 50 Illinois State University students during an informal meet-and-greet event Monday, Oct. 17. The gathering, in its fourth year, is designed to give students an opportunity to share with town officials their concerns and opinions on local legislation and ordinances. Several organizations have spearheaded the event, including the town and ISU, as well as ISU’s Community Connections of the Dean of Students’ office.

–McLean County News Briefs–