Bailey Wight, a 17-year-old Illinois 4-H member from Bloomington, won the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup Judging Contest held Nov. 5 in Louisville, Ky. which was held as part of the North American International Livestock Expo. (Photo courtesy of Illinois 4-H)

McLean County

Man, 24, dies in two-vehicle crash on I-55

A 24-year-old Cook County man died in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday, Nov. 16, on Interstate 55, according to information provided by county coroner Kathy Davis’ office. In a news release, Davis said James B. Kwak, of Burbank, died from injuries sustained by blunt force chest trauma during the crash. That incident happened about 2:45 p.m. near the interstate’s Veterans Parkway exit, north of Normal.  

Solar Bloomington-Normal participation surpasses expectations

Officials within the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and Normal-based Ecology Action Center announced recently the number of homes pledging to switch to solar power has surpassed an initial goal. The organizations this summer embarked on a campaign, Solar Bloomington-Normal. It included an assortment of workshops that provided information on the benefits and long-term savings that could be achieved by switching to solar power.

A rebate program was included to sweeten the offer. When the program ended, 434 property owners signed up. MRE and EAC had set a benchmark goal of 250 properties when the program was rolled out early this summer.  

Nominations sought for 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. awards   

The Bloomington and Normal human relations commissions are seeking nominees for the 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. awards. Annually, the commissions honor King’s legacy by recognizing two local high school students and two adults for notable efforts in promoting tolerance and understanding among people of different backgrounds.

Representatives of the commissions will announce winners during an annual luncheon in January. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19. Further information, including nomination requirements, are available on the city of Bloomington’s website, www.cityblm.org, and the town of Normal’s website, www.normal.org.

Bloomington

Man shot at Julie Drive home; Bloomington Police investigating  

A 44-year-old man sustained injuries from apparent non-life threatening gunshot wounds in the 1500 block of Julie Drive at 7:37 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9. According to Bloomington Police, the man was immediately transported to a nearby hospital when officers and EMT personnel responded to the scene.

The victim alleges he heard a knock at his door, opened it and encountered three unknown black men, one of whom was armed with a handgun. Based on the department’s recount of the situation, the man said he was struck in the head with a handgun and shot in the leg and arm. The suspects ransacked the home and fled the scene.

At press deadline, the investigation was ongoing, and no arrests had been made. Police are asking anyone with information to call John Atteberry at (309) 434-2548 or email jatteberry@cityblm.org. Persons wishing to remain anonymous also can call McLean County Crime Stoppers at (309) 828-1111.

Judge: man found fit to stand trial for stabbing, killing parents  

Brian Petersen, who is accused of stabbing and killing his parents in rural McLean County this summer, has been found to be fit in standing trial after a psychiatric and physiological examination by professionals, Judge Robert Freitag ruled this past week. Petersen’s parents, Bruce and Nancy Petersen, died from injuries sustained by multiple stab wounds.

During an initial court appearance in August, Petersen was found unfit to stand trial. But after months of help from mental health professionals, Freitag said the reports he received indicated Petersen was ready to stand trial. As part of Freitag’s ruling, Petersen has been transported from the McLean County Department of Human Services to the county jail.

Bloomington Police investigating shots fired report   

Bloomington Police fielded multiple calls of gunshots being fired in the area of Locust and Mason streets about 6:26 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16. A department news release stated officers had canvassed the area and were able to obtain an undisclosed amount of evidence on the scene. No injuries were reported in the incident.

During their investigation, officers did arrest a 20-year-old Bloomington man on unrelated charges of weapons and drug possession. The man was found to be in possession of marijuana and had a firearm without the proper licensure requirements. At press deadline, no one was in custody for the shots fired incident, and the investigation is ongoing.

City proposing nearly $27M in water infrastructure projects   

Nearly $27 million in municipal funds have been earmarked for water infrastructure improvement projects in the next five years, city of Bloomington officials announced recently. The ambitious plan, laid out by Bob Yehl, director of the water department, is baked into a larger scale $336.58 million capital improvement plan during the same span of time.

The water department is considered a self-sustaining entity within the city, though Yehl in a recent presentation said his department will attempt collaborative efforts with other entities within city hall, such as public works, to achieve savings and help realize the projects, which are designed to address aging infrastructure. More details are expected to come up to the surface in February.

Normal

Amid uncertainty, ISU officials cautious with finances

As the stalemate over Illinois’ budget drags on, decision-makers within Illinois State University recently announced they are being cautious with the institution’s finances. This school year, ISU’s board decided to increase tuition to help cover a shortfall that was linked to the lack of a state budget.

Although the state has provided ISU with two stopgap awards within the past year, the amounts are less than it received in prior years.

For now, Rocky Donohue, chair of ISU’s board, said the university is being cautious with all spending decisions. Based on available information, Donohue said ISU has enough money to sustain operations through the spring.

–McLean County News Briefs–