Rojo, a 10-year-old Sumatran tiger, is a new resident at  Miller Park Zoo. The tiger came from the Topeka Zoo. (Photo courtesy of Miller Park Zoo)

McLean County

State Farm to close offices, shift some operations to HQ

After notching a reported $7 billion underwriting loss in 2016, Bloomington-based State Farm Insurance announced last week it will be closing 11 of its satellite offices in a cost-cutting maneuver. The first wave of closures is slated in 2018 in California and New Jersey and will continue in subsequent years through 2021.

Over time, some of the specific functions within the satellite offices will shift to the remaining facilities, including the Bloomington headquarters.

State Farm in a statement said, “The company’s decision to exit these facilities was based on efforts to best serve customers by gaining efficiency through streamlining and improving processes, leveraging technology and concentrating employees in larger locations.” According to the company, displaced employees will have opportunities at the remaining State Farm locations.

Trial date set for alleged sex assault case at ISU

A trial date has been set for a Chicago man accused of sexually assaulting a woman last summer during an Illinois State University orientation event. Shawn Childs Jr., 19, will stand trial July 10 on charges he assaulted the woman with the help of his father, Shawn Childs Sr., 40.

The trial will begin nearly a year after the incident occurred. Childs Sr. is accused of placing a synthetic drug known as cathinone in the woman’s drink at the orientation event. Childs Jr. is accused of then assaulting the woman while she was under the influence of the drug. The incident occurred July 19, 2016, in Hewett Hall.

After errors spotted, county sending out amended tax bills

Four thousand property owners across the county will be receiving amended tax bills, county officials announced recently. The new documents are being sent because of an error reportedly made by a contracted company, Mail Services LLC.

The company erroneously repeated a 10-digit parcel identification number on each of the 4,000 tax bills. Taxpayers with questions are asked to call the County Administrator’s office at (309) 888-5110.

Bloomington

Fresh Thyme takes wraps off its new Bloomington store

Fresh Thyme, a Midwest-based grocery store chain that touts itself as a year-round, indoor farmers market, has officially opened its Bloomington location. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday, May 2, and the store officially opened its doors to the public the following morning.

The local Fresh Thyme, 403 N. Veterans Parkway, will carry produce from a number of growers across the Midwest, including some in nearby areas. The growing Fresh Thyme chain has stores in a dozen states.

City to continue fire hydrant testing into summer months

Members of the Bloomington Fire Department began testing hydrants this past week, and the exercise is expected to continue through early summer.

A city news release said the testing is being conducted to locate any broken or malfunctioning hydrants. Throughout the hydrant flushing, consumers’ water might appear discolored for a brief period of time, which is typical, according to the city.

Zoo adds Sumatran tiger, otter pups on exhibit

Rojo, a Sumatran tiger, is the latest addition to the Miller Park Zoo. The 10-year-old comes from the Topeka Zoo and is a member of what has been described as a critically endangered species after the footprint of their natural habitat has drastically reduced.

In other zoo news, the a pair of female otter pups, born in late February, are now on display with Tallulah, their mom. According to zoo officials, otter pups rarely breed outside their natural habitat, making the births notable.

Normal

Starbucks joins crowded coffee arena in Uptown Normal

Starbucks will open a location within retail space at the Hyatt Hotel, 200 Broadway Ave., in Uptown Normal late this summer. The Seattle-based chain will join two local coffee shops —CoffeeHound and CoffeeHouse — in one of the town’s most urban areas. Starbucks currently operates six coffee shops elsewhere in the Twin Cities.  

Town asking residents, others to rate public places on app

Town of Normal staffers recently unveiled a new app aimed at giving residents and other interested persons an opportunity to weigh in on the various amenities scattered throughout the community.

The goal, according to the app developers, is to spotlight some of the lesser known public spaces. Details on the effort and how the app can be downloaded are available on the town’s website, www.normal.org.

–McLean County News Briefs–