Zena Malek, the current Miss Illinois USA. She will help crown her successor in Normal when the pageant comes to the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center for the 2016 competition in September. (Photo from Miss Illinois Organization)

McLean County

Three Republicans throw hats in ring in coroner election

During the week of Nov. 23, three Republicans filed candidacy papers for the McLean County coroner position that is up for re-election next year. The candidates include Kathy Davis, the incumbent coroner; Ryan Gibson, fire chief in Dale Township; and Gary Morefield, a former deputy coroner with the county. The trio will appear in the March primary election slated for March 15, and the order they will appear on the ballot will be determined during a lottery selection process that occurred Tuesday, Dec. 1, after the Chronicle’s deadline. The filing deadline was Monday, Nov. 30.  

Bloomington

Robber takes undisclosed amount of money from Little Caesars Pizza

An undisclosed sum of money was taken during an armed robbery at Little Caesars Pizza, 2210 Cottage Ave., at 8:33 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23. According to Bloomington Police, the robbery suspect — a man — entered the store with a handgun and demanded money from an employee. No injuries were reported during the incident. The suspect was described as a light-skinned black man, standing approximately 6 feet tall with a medium build. According to the employee, the man at the time of the incident was wearing an orange shirt, black pants and gloves. His face was partially covered. The investigation is ongoing. Bloomington Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective John Atteberry at (309) 434-2548 or jatteberry@cityblm.org.

Bloomington Police arrest three juveniles for drive-by shootings

Bloomington Police on Tuesday, Nov. 17, arrested three boys on suspicion of firing shots during a drive-by shooting that occurred in the afternoon hours of Sunday Nov. 15, near Monroe and Oak streets. The investigation remains ongoing, and thus far police have declined to issue additional details about the suspects. Police are asking anyone with additional information to contact Detective Steve Moreland at (309) 434-2359 or anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (309) 828-1111.

Bloomington three arrest three on suspicion of possessing drugs, stolen guns

Bloomington Police on Thursday, Nov. 19, arrested a 20-year-old man and two juveniles in the 400 block of North Mason Street for incidents related to possessing drugs and stolen guns. The arrests were a combined effort of the Bloomington Police Department’s SWAT team, a Crisis Negotiations Unit and third-shift patrol officers who were involved in serving the warrant. During the raid, Bloomington Police seized two stolen handguns, ammunition, cannabis and drug paraphernalia.

Bloomington Police issue cautionary note about more scams in community

On the heels of a recent announcement, Bloomington Police issued a revised news release about more scam-related reports in the community. One of the most recent prevalent scams has been a so-called invoice scam, where the offender sends what appears to be a legitimate invoice to a business. In numerous instances, the invoices contained the business name E.D.M. Inc., in Chicago. Another recent incident that has been reported on multiple occasions in the community is a computer repair phone scam. The caller generally identifies himself as being with an outfit called Geek Support. Bloomington Police are encouraging residents and business owners to review the department’s brochure on identification theft.

Bloomington City Council backs $33.8 million facilities master plan

The Bloomington City Council on Monday, Nov. 23, voted in favor of a long-range facilities spending plan that will allocate $33.8 million toward building maintenance and repairs. The adopted plan is an outgrowth of a 2013 study by a consulting firm known as Faithful of Gould. In all, it impacts 40 municipal buildings in such departments as city administration, police, parks and recreation, public works and the water utility. Adoption of the plan is the first step in a far more lengthy process. No actual funds have been committed to the facilities improvements. Dollars will be allocated in the city’s fiscal year of 2017, which begins in May.

Normal

Heartland Community College administration, faculty reach tentative agreement

After months of sometimes intense proposal exchanges, administrators and faculty at Normal-based Heartland Community College announced on Friday, Nov. 20, that a tentative contract agreement has been reached. A federal mediator was brought in to facilitate the negotiations. Thus far, both sides have been mum on the terms of the agreement because it has not been ratified by the union representing Heartland’s faculty. Days before the ratification announcement, Heartland’s faculty threatened a 10-day notice of an intention to strike with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board. Heartland has about 90 full-time faculty members. The previous collective bargaining agreement expired June 30.

Statewide pageant to come to Normal in 2016

In a move that is all but certain to boost the local economy, officials with the Miss Illinois USA Pageant announced the annual event will come to the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center for the 2016 competition, scheduled to take place from Sept. 2 to 5. Local economic leaders have suggested the announcement means about $200,000 in tourism money can be pumped into local hotels, restaurants and other businesses. Annually, the pageant draws about 1,000 attendees, including 150 contestants.

–McLean County Area News Briefs–