The McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington has announced its newest exhibit.

McLean County

IWU Nursing School receives f $100,000 grant

Illinois Wesleyan University’s School of Nursing in Bloomington is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education, officials announced this past week.

Funds have been earmarked for several specific purchases, including a virtual dissection table and extended digital library. In announcing the grant award, representatives within the Illinois Board of Higher Education said IWU received the award because its nursing school is considered high performing.   

Museum of History unveils new exhibit Saturday   

The McLean County Museum of History has announced its newest exhibit, Pedal Power!, is launching this Saturday, March 10. The series of displays, which will continue in the months ahead, features nearly four-dozen child-sized autos from the Bruce Callis Pedal Car Collection.

It spans nearly 50 years of production, encompassing vehicles from the 1920s through the 1970s.

Saturday’s opening will include a variety of festivities, beginning at 10 a.m. Events will include a ribbon cutting, followed by a presentation by exhibit curator Anthony Bowman.

For information on the tour, contact the museum at (309) 827-0428 or email education@mchistory.org.

Advocate BroMenn hosting Chase for Champions

Registrations are be accepted through Friday, March 16, for Advocate BroMenn Medical Center’s upcoming Chase for Champions event, which will pay tribute to McLean County and El Paso first-responders.

Chase for Champions has been slated for Saturday, April 14 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 10 Brickyard Drive, Bloomington. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. The program, open to adults 18 and older, is modeled after the TV series, “The Amazing Race.”

After the competition, honorees will be recognized at a dinner and silent auction. The cost is $60 per person. For information, visit www.advocatehealth.com/bromenn-chase or call (309) 268-5397.

Bloomington

Police discover body on Market Street  

Bloomington Police are in the midst of a death investigation after officers discovered a body during routine foot patrol in the early morning hours of Monday, Feb. 26. According to department officials, officers found the body of an unidentified man in the Market Street Parking Deck, 202 W. Market St., at 6:05 a.m. The McLean County coroner’s office declared the man dead at 6:45 a.m.

During their preliminary investigation, Bloomington Police have not ruled the death suspicious. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detectives Steve Moreland at (309) 434-2359 or Paul Swanlund at (309) 434-2373.

City Council adopts long-range solid waste plan

The Bloomington City Council on Monday, Feb. 26, approved a 20-year plan addressing solid waste services across the community. Bloomington aldermen signed off on the plan on the heels of similar overtures from representatives on the McLean County Board and Normal Town Council.

The three governing entities worked in tandem and enlisted the services of the Ecology Action Center to draft the plan. At its core, the newly minted document is aimed at addressing existing gaps in waste and recycling service. The entire plan can be viewed online at www.cityblm.org/government/departments/public-works/master-plans.

Normal

Plans for new Normal library on the backburner

An effort to construct a new Normal Public Library facility is on hold — likely for decades — as officials instead turn their attention toward options for expanding the existing site. Library officials recently announced plans of conducting a feasibility study, undertaken by a hired consultant, to offer up recommendations of such a plan.

Town officials began looking into the feasibility of constructing a completely new library a year-and-a-half ago, but recent budgetary challenges have muted plans of building a new facility from the ground up.

Police mourn loss of K9 member of force

Gunner, a loyal member of the Normal Police force, died Friday, March 2, according to officials within the department. Gunner had served as a member of the Normal Police Department’s K9 unit. He reportedly had been battling several health issues, as well as arthritis, in the time leading up to his death.

Ross Dress For Less to open new store in Normal

Although a specific date has yet to be set, discount clothing retailer Ross Dress For Less is poised to open a store in Normal at 200 Greenbriar Drive.

The national chain will assume Dick’s Sporting Good’s former space and will reside alongside such existing tenants as the Fresh Market and Michael’s. Ross’ plans have been anticipated.

Last year, in the hopes of staving off a long-term vacancy at a time of retail challenges, Normal officials announced plans to offer the company tax incentives to locate their store in the town.

–McLean County News Briefs–