Cathy Coverston Anderson, interim director of the McLean County Health Dept.

McLean County

Longtime assistant named interim health department director

Cathy Coverston Anderson, a veteran employee of the McLean County Health Department, will oversee the agency on an interim basis as a search for a long-term director gets underway.

The Board of Health is in the midst of seeking out a permanent successor to Walt Howe, who is retiring at the end of this week. Coverston Anderson officially begins her duties Saturday, Feb. 25.

She first joined the department in 1988 and was named assistant administrator in 2009. Coverston Anderson’s responsibilities will include managing the 90 full- and part-time employees who work for the department. 

Chestnut Health System plans major changes in years ahead

Behavioral health and human services agency Chestnut Health System has announced a series of changes to its McLean County operations in the years ahead. Alan Sender, Chestnut chief operating officer, announced the agency’s forward-looking plans at a recent news conference. One of Chestnut’s first plans, locally, is the planned relocation and expansion of its existing clinic at 720 W. Chestnut St., Bloomington. Operations will relocate to a nearby building at 702 W. Chestnut St.

Noting the growing need for Chestnut’s services, Sender said plans also are in motion to expand the number of beds within the crisis stabilization center and relocating the adolescent program to Madison County.

Tentative timetable set on McLean County jail expansion

Plans are in motion to have an official groundbreaking of the long anticipated expansion of McLean County’s jail. Crews have begun tearing up the parking lot that will give way to the expansion. Construction is slated to begin in April and wrap by October 2018.

The expansion will accommodate upward of 400 inmates, nearly double the current capacity. Additionally, county officials said the expansion will enhance professionals’ abilities of providing treatment to mentally ill inmates. The project has a $45 million price tag.

Bloomington

Man sentenced for 8th DUI; sentenced to prison 

Honorio Escola-Alban, 55, of Bloomington, will serve about three-and-a-half years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to his eighth offense of driving under the influence.

Escola-Alban was sentenced in Knox County on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Escola-Alban’s most recent offense occurred in August, when a motorist called police and reported he had been driving erratically on Interstate 74.

City to reconstruct Linden Street bridge; will cost $1.8 million 

The Bloomington City Council on Monday, Feb. 13 approved a plan to replace the deck of the Linden Street bridge at a projected cost of $1.8 million. The bridge is located between Dawes Place and Emerson Street.

The bridge, when operating at peak capacity, has four lanes. But it has since been reduced to two lanes — one in each direction — because of structural concerns. A portion of the project will be funded by motor vehicle fuel taxes, as part of the approved proposal. The work is slated to occur this year.

Miller Park Zoo is seeking volunteers. For more information, call Anthony Nelson at (309) 434-2250.

Volunteers sought for various positions at Miller Park Zoo 

With warm weather not far on the horizon, and attendance expected to increase, staffers at the Miller Park Zoo are in the midst of seeking volunteers for a variety of positions.

In addition to traditional opportunities — including running the carousel and assisting with various projects on the zoo grounds — several new options are available this year. The zoo is seeking animal handlers for outreach events and “ask me” persons to help answer visitors’ questions.

For information on volunteer opportunities, call Anthony Nelson at (309) 434-2250.

Normal

Normal Police discover explosives during drug raid

Normal Police discovered 128 explosive devices while combing through a suspected drug dealer’s home in the 800 block of West College Avenue on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Each of the devices contained dynamite and explosive powder. During the raid, police also confiscated 19 ounces of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The suspect, a 32-year-old man, was arrested for unlawful use of weapons, unlawful possession of marijuana and intent to deliver the drug. The Illinois Secretary of State’s bomb squad responded to the scene and has since destroyed each of the devices. An arraignment for the man’s offenses is scheduled for early March.

Motel 6 site sold; Portillo’s opening plans on track

The now-closed Motel 6 property at 202 Landmark Drive has officially been sold to Portillo’s, paving the way for the Chicago-style hot dog restaurant’s entry into Central Illinois.

The transaction was completed last week. Oak Brook-based Portillo’s announced nearly a year ago that it was planning to open in Normal, though a specific location was not divulged at the time.

In December, the Motel 6 property was revealed as a strong possibility. Immediately after the transaction, the Motel 6 property was shut down.

The building will be used for Normal Fire and Police personnel to simulate emergency events before it is razed in the coming months. Construction of Portillo’s new building will begin soon after, with an August opening slated.

–McLean County News Briefs–