Twenty 4-H members from across the state were recently honored for their lifetime 4-H achievements. The winners were recognized during a ceremony held Nov. 19 in Champaign. Pictured (front, left to right) Erin Stichter, Grace Skelton, Shelby Ledbetter, and Parker Karrick; (middle) Eli Tobin, Courtney Wiedenmann, Alyssa Garner, Isabella Warmack, Clayton Skelton, Kaley Rouse, and James Martin; and (back) Devin Koester, Josephine Hubele, Clare VanSpeybroeck, David Kloppe, Zachary Perkins, and William Short. Not pictured is Kaitlyn Ball, Austin Brockmann, and Julia Taraszewski. (Photo courtesy of Illinois 4-H).

McLean County

State’s highest award presented to 4-H members

McLean County 4-H members were among 20 members from across the state who were recently honored for their lifetime 4-H achievements.

The Illinois State 4-H Award recognizes exemplary work in five major areas, including communications, community service, leadership, personal growth and project mastery. The winners were recognized during a ceremony held Nov. 19 in Champaign.

Winners received either a trip to National 4-H Congress, $1,000 toward the cost of another national 4-H event, or a $1,000 college scholarship as their prize.

Illinois 4-H Foundation Board Members Barbara Clark and Jan Sibley made the presentations of prizes to the winners.

In the area of Project Mastery, William Short and Eli Tobin of McLean County were among the winners.

William is the 16-year-old son of Janet and Doug Short of Normal where he is a nine-year member of the Linden Lead’em 4-H Club, as well as member of Team Metal Cow Robotics 4-H Club. He received the award for his work in the Robotics and Computer project areas.

Eli is the 18-year-old son of Tracy and Brian Tobin of Lexington where he is in his ninth year as a member of the Linden Lead’em 4-H Club. His award focused on his work in the Horticulture project.

In addition, Jill Parrent of McLean County was among nine teens who were awarded $1,000 scholarships based on their achievements in the Illinois 4-H program. The Illinois 4-H Foundation presented the Legacy of Leadership scholarships to 4-H members who have demonstrated and maintained a high standard of 4-H excellence and mastery during their membership tenure.

Jill is the 19-year-old daughter of Susan and Tom Parrent of Normal. She completed 11 years as a 4-H member in the Green Leafers 4-H club. She also held membership in the air rifle, archery and shotgun special interest 4-H clubs. She was a member of the Illinois 4-H State Leadership Team and served on the planning committee for the National 4-H Conference.

Bloomington man arrested for murder, aggravated assault  

Bloomington Police on Sunday, Dec. 11, arrested a 51-year-old city resident in the 100 block of Downing Circle on suspicion of threatening a woman with a gun.

The initial call of a domestic disturbance came in at 9:49 p.m., according to a news release from the department, and when officers arrived on the scene a few minutes later, the sound of gunshots could be heard inside the home. Officers forced entry into the home and took the man into custody. The man was arrested for attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a firearm.

According to police, the woman the man was targeting locked herself and her three children into a bedroom after the man forced his way into the home. At that point, the man fired several shots into the bedroom and attempted to break the door down until officers arrived. While several gunshots were recovered from the residence, no injuries were reported.

The man has been transported to the McLean County Jail and is awaiting a formal appearance before a judge.

Second edition of county historical book released

A second edition of the history-themed book, “McLean County Memories” has been released. The new book is rich in old photographs and takes a glimpse into the county’s history from the 1940s to 1960s. The initial edition of the series of books touched on McLean County’s early years as a settlement and covered the 1800s through 1939.

Several local organizations have made the books possible, including the Bloomington and Normal public libraries, the McLean County Museum of History and Wesleyan universities across the state. “McLean County Memories” retails for $44.95 and can be purchased online at www.mcleanco2.pictorialbook.com.  

Scholarships available for private flute, clarinet lessons

Illinois Wesleyan University’s School of Music, through its preparatory program, is offering a limited number of full-tuition scholarships for weekly and private lessons for flute and clarinet players in the spring and summer of 2017.

Lessons are offered on Illinois Wesleyan campus, 1210 N. Park St., Bloomington. Eligibility is offered to Bloomington and Normal students in grades 4 to 12. Scholarship applications are available at www.iwu.edu/music/k12/prep.html.

Completed applications are due Wednesday, Jan. 4. For information, call Lisa Nelson, visiting assistant professor of music, at lnelson@iwu.edu or call (309) 556-3547.

Bloomington

City tabbed as ‘most budget-friendly spot’ for tourists

Citing such amenities as the Route 66 tourist center, its rich lineage to former President Abraham Lincoln, a robust arts scene and reasonable lodging accommodations, the city of Bloomington garnered the top spot on The Exception magazine’s annual list of the most budget-friendly spots for tourists.

The magazine also noted Bloomington’s rich array of locally-owned restaurants. The full article can be read at www.exceptionmag.com.

Assistant city manager finalist for post in Colorado

Stephen Rasmussen, assistant city manager with the city of Bloomington, is one of six finalists in the running for the position of city manager in Littleton, Colo. Rasmussen and his five competing candidates will interview for the position before a seven-person panel between Feb. 1 and 3. Rasmussen has been in Bloomington’s employ since 2014. He previously served as chief administrator in Jefferson City, Mo. He also is a retired Army officer.

Milwaukee firm acquires Wehrenberg theater chain  

Milwaukee-based Marcus Theatres has completed its acquisition of Wehrenberg Theatres of St. Louis. Terms of the transaction, which closed Friday, Dec. 16, were not disclosed. Wehrenberg, the oldest and largest family-owned theater chain, operated 197 screens at 14 locations, including the Galaxy 14 cinema at 1111 Wylie Drive in Bloomington.

According to Marcus, its number of screens across the Midwest is increasing to 885 at 68 locations throughout the Midwest. In a statement, Rolando Rodriguez, president and chief executive officer of Marcus Theatres, said the company plans upgrades at “select theaters” within Wehrenberg’s former footprint.

Normal

Holiday waste collection schedule set

Residential garbage and recycling in the town of Normal will occur as scheduled on Friday, Dec. 23, but bulky waste collection services will not occur on this date. The town also will offer regular garbage and recycling collection services on Mondays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 without the bulky waste collection. Regular routes will resume the week of Monday, Jan. 9. For information, call the public works office at (309) 454-9571.

Landscape, waste collection winding down

The town of Normal is winding down its landscape waste collection service for the season. A final pick-up has been scheduled for this Thursday, Dec. 22. Regular routes are expected to resume Monday, April 3.

Throughout the winter, residents can dispose of leaves and other vegetation at the public works’ landscape waste drop-off site at 1301 Warriner St. It is open around the clock. The only natural items prohibited at the site are wood-based materials.

–McLean County News Briefs–