Children entertained their guests and family members at the Annual Unity Gives Thanks event in November. The youth performed an African dance while wearing shirts they decorated depicting their own native culture. (Photo courtesy Unity Community Center)

McLean County

Downs man dies in two-car accident outside Bloomington

During a fog-filled morning, a 70-year-old Downs man died of injuries sustained to his chest after a two-car accident Monday, Dec. 7, on County Road 2400 East. The victim, Norman R. Small, was officially pronounced dead at 12:20 p.m. on the day of the incident. Small’s vehicle caught fire at the scene of the crash. An Illinois State Trooper, who arrived not long after the accident, subsequently extinguished the fire. Toxicology reports were pending at the time of the Chronicle’s deadline.

Unity Center holds annual Give Thanks event

At the 12th annual Unity Gives Thanks dinner and ceremony, three area residents were inducted into the Unity Community Center Hall of Fame. Jerome Maddox, of the State Farm Corporate Philanthropy Department was inducted for his constant and strong support of the program. Michelle Cook and Sue Epstein, both long-time volunteers who cook for the center Monday through Friday during the school year, were invited into membership for their devotion and service to the youth.

The Unity Community Center, founded in 2003, is a multi-cultural, after-school program in which youth, ages 5 to 18, receive tutoring and educational enrichment from special programs.

Forty-seven youth currently receive this opportunity at the center, which is sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, State Farm Insurance Companies and the Town of Normal. Unity Community Center is a program of Illinois 4-H and all students are members of the Future Leaders 4-H Club.

Also recognized at the program was the music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota as the Distinguished Program of the Year for its consistent and engaging weekly music lessons and programs. Jason Janowiak was named Distinguished Volunteer for his daily tutoring of students for the past two years and assistance with other 4-H programs.

Certificates of Appreciation were given to: Terra Bertolini of the Ag in the Classroom Program; America Reads and America Counts; Children’s Discovery Museum; Eastsiders HCE Group; Michelle Cook and  Sue Epstein; Girl Scouts of America; Eric Hansen and Rachel Skelton, who are 4-H Co-Leaders; Heartland Community Church; Beth Kraft of SNAP-ED;  Department of World Languages; Dr. Susan Hildebrandt of Illinois State University; ISU Department of Agriculture McLean County Master Gardeners; McLean County Unit 5 School District, Sigma Alpha Iowa, State Farm Insurance Companies and the Town of Normal.

Unity youth entertained their guests and family members with a dance from Africa, wearing shirts they had decorated that depicted their own native culture. The shirts were gifts from the Children’s Discovery Museum. The Normal Sunset Rotary Club sponsored the dinner.

Bloomington

Man found dead inside structure ‘not meant for human occupancy’

After a 6-day search, a 21-year-old Bloomington man was found dead in a small structure outside his home about 3:54 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10. A news release from the Bloomington Police Department described the structure as “not meant for human occupancy.” The man, identified as Ryan Kindig, was reportedly last seen at some point Friday, Dec. 4, after having been part of a family argument. He indicated he was going to step outside to smoke a cigarette and never returned. In the intervening days, an exhaustive search took place. Kindig’s family issued a missing persons report Sunday, Dec. 6. According to county coroner Kathy Davis’ office, Kindig’s death is not considered suspicious at this time, though Bloomington Police are continuing their investigation.

DPW: All leaves will be picked up across city by Dec. 18

After falling behind because of such factors as weather conditions, the Bloomington Department of  Public Works has indicated it will pick up all remaining leaves no later than Friday, Dec. 18. A news release from the department, in part, states it “has prepared a plan that we anticipate will have all leaves — bulk and brush — collected. We are borrowing labor from streets and sewers and will have every piece of operational equipment out to assist with collection.” In the weeks leading up to the drop-dead deadline, DPW crews have been working extra hours, including Saturdays, to complete the pick-ups.

Bloomington man recognized by fire crews for life-saving act

Deemed a hero by Bloomington Fire Chief Brian Mohr and other members of the local fire department, David Cummings has been formally recognized for his actions on Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, Nov. 26 — that prevented a likely tragedy from occurring. When a structure fire occurred on the ninth floor of the residential North Woodhill Tower complex, Cummings noticed a neighboring unit was on fire, and its occupant was still inside. Cummings entered the unit with his extinguisher and put the fire out, which at that time had been limited to a mattress and bedding. While the department emphasizes persons should not entered burning buildings, a news release does note “Mr. Cummings recognized that everyone was not out of the apartment, and his quick thinking and immediate actions were heroic.” Mohr recently presented Cummings with an award known as the Challenge Coin as recognition of his brave acts.   

Smash-and-grab incidents on the rise in Bloomington

Seventeen so-called smash-and-grab criminal incidents have been reported in and near Bloomington, the city’s police department announced recently. The incidents, where thieves take purses and other items of value from locked vehicles, occurred between Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 5. Each of the incidents occurred in the early evening hours, and many were at cars parked outside fitness centers. Bloomington Police and other law enforcement agencies across Central Illinois are working in tandem to determine if there is any correlation between the local crimes and similar incidents in other communities.

Normal

New hotel to take place of former Holiday Inn site

After nearly a decade of dormancy, new life will soon be breathed into a vacant Holiday Inn property at 8 Traders Circle, near Interstate 55, on Normal’s north side. The Town Council on Monday, Dec. 7, voted to redevelop the property into a new 168-room hotel, carrying the Radisson nameplate. The $18 million project also will include a 12,000-square-foot conference center. Work on the new hotel is expected to begin in January.

New ‘Uptown Normal’ gateway signage will soon be installed

In a move dually touted as promoting Normal’s Uptown community and assisting with wayfinding efforts, town officials on Monday, Dec. 7, backed a plan to install gateway signage in one of the most high profile sections of the community. The signs will be installed in several strategic spots, including the intersection of College Avenue and Mulberry Street.

–McLean County Area News Briefs–