McLean County News Briefs

Chronicle Media

Home Sweet Home Ministries in Bloomington is marking 100 years of serving the community. One of its upcoming events is the Night in the Car Feb. 3-4 to raise awareness of homelessness. Go to www.facebook.com/HomeSweetHomeMinistries/.

McLean County

Coroner: Suicides increased across county in 2016 

Twenty-five confirmed suicides occurred in Bloomington, Normal and other communities across McLean County in 2016, officials in coroner Kathleen Davis’ office confirmed this past week. The number represents an uptick from the 20 incidents in 2015. Davis said white men over age 40 are the demographic most vulnerable to suicide. A free hotline number, 211, is available to help persons suffering from mental illness.

Red Cross in ‘emergency need’ of donors 

The McLean County chapter of the American Red Cross is in an “emergency need” of blood donors as the new year gets underway, according to a news release.

Winter traditionally is a time when blood donations drop off, though officials within the local organization said supplies have been lower than expected. If donations do not pick up, the organization might not have adequate blood products to supply to area hospitals.

Local nonprofit reaches centennial milestone 

Home Sweet Home Ministries, a Bloomington-based nonprofit organization, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Since its inception, Home Sweet Home has provided a range of services — including case management, housing solutions and providing meals — to persons in need within the county.

One of Home Sweet Home’s first recorded activities was a Thanksgiving meal, served in 1917. Several civic organizations, including the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, held a ribbon cutting ceremony early this month to commemorate the milestone.

Bloomington

Bloomington Police seeking armed robbery suspect

A man brandishing a gun fled Circle K, 1200 W. Market St., with an undisclosed amount of money at 3:24 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, according to the Bloomington Police Department.

The man, described as black and wearing a dark, hooded sweatshirt at the time of the incident, fled the store on foot. The suspect’s face was partially covered, according to an employee’s recount of the incident. No injuries were reported, and Bloomington Police are investigating the robbery.

The department is asking anyone with information to contact Detective Jared Roth at (309) 434-2379 or jroth@cityblm.org.

City planning changes to downtown traffic patterns

In an effort to strike a harmonious balance between mass transit vehicles and pedestrians, Bloomington officials are in the process of developing a long-range plan pertaining to traffic flow in the city’s downtown area.

According to a report, a proliferation of shuttles and other vehicles has caused pedestrian safety concerns in many areas of the downtown area on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights — days when activities and nightlife are higher.

According to city officials, a revised plan will require downtown shuttles pick up and drop off passengers in one strategic spot: the 500 block of North Center Street. From 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. during the three days, that specific area will be closed to all other vehicles. The full report is available on the city’s website, www.cityblm.org.   

Electric utility conducting routine tree trimming

Local electric utility provider Ameren Illinois will begin trimming specific trees in Bloomington in the weeks ahead. The company annually reviews trees that could interfere with electric power lines and removes tree branches and limbs as necessary.

According to utility representatives, the service is free and necessary to minimize the likelihood of power outages and safety hazards. Impacted property owners will be notified by mail before the trimming occurs. For additional information, visit www.mysafetrees.com or call (800) 755-5000.

Normal

ISU library to receive grant to restore circus literature

The Milner Library at Illinois State University recently received a $268,000 grant to digitize a collection of circus route books rooted in the 19th Century. The Council of Library and Information Resources, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization, provided the grant.

According to library staffers, the effort will occur with collaboration with representatives of the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wis., and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Fla. The circus route books include details of the people, positions and events during a circus show’s season.   

Three veteran ISU members depart from their posts

Three longtime members of the Illinois State University’s Board of Trustees officially stepped down from their posts this past Friday, Jan. 13, after finishing out their current terms. Jay Bergman, Anne Davis and Betty Kinser have indicated they are not seeking new terms on the board.

They brought a cumulative 35 years of experience to the decision-making body. Bergman, who has been on the ISU board since 2003, holds the distinction of being its longest serving trustee. Gov. Bruce Rauner will appoint three replacements, though a specific timeline of when that will occur has yet to be released from his office.

–McLean County News Briefs–