Page 28 - Uptown Normal News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Originally published on April 2, 2021 9:18 am Candidates competing for three open seats on the Normal Town Council sparred Thursday over how best to handle town finances and infrastructure, future development, and whether divisive politics is tainting town governance. Pantagraph Media hosted the forum, moderated by Central Illinois Editor Chris Coates. He asked candidates what they viewed as Normal’s recent successes, what policy ideas they’d bring to the table if elected, and how they’d prioritize infrastructure funding, among other questions.    The hour-long debate was livestrea...

Staff / WGLT The Children's Discovery Museum in Uptown Normal is tentatively planning to reopen May 1, but there are a lot of moving parts for its staff to consider. Executive Director Beth Whisman said staffing and building preparation are among the factors, but through surveys and outreach, the museum is looking to its members and the public for what to do in the coming months. “Well, if you look at most of the small businesses that were shuttered for long periods, it takes a while to get things back online. We've been closed for over a year now. Even with the activities we were able to...

Staff / WGLT Bloomington-Normal and Peoria lawmakers are asking the Pritzker administration to address what they call an “oversight” that has kept children’s museums closed while many other types of museums and indoor recreation options have reopened. Vaccinations are underway and case counts are down. But Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan continues to keep children’s museums closed. That’s because its museum guidelines say “hands-on exhibits should be closed or modified to eliminate the hands-on component.” For children’s museums, that’s pretty much everything. “T...

Emily Bollinger / WGLT More train horns are likely to be heard in Normal over the coming weeks, as crews work to repair damage caused by this month's train derailment. The Town of Normal is suspending the so-called railroad quiet zone, meaning all trains must blow their horns while traveling through the reconstruction work site. Normal Communications Director Cathy Oloffson said it's a matter of safety. “Railroad and contract employees are working on or near the tracks,” Oloffson said. “Trains must alert them as they are coming through town and will continue to do so throughout the...

The Normal Town Council meets remotely, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. The Normal Town Council on Monday night heard updates about this weekend’s train derailment and fires, including that specialized equipment should arrive Tuesday to transport debris. Also at the remote meeting, the council awarded Stark Excavating an $863,000 contract to complete a culvert project on Gregory Street; OK'd spending $365,000 on a Maxwell Park update; and renewed a  contract for City Manager Pam Reece.  Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner and Fire Chief Mick Humer attended the meeting to share updates on the week...