Motorcylces through Meijer shock customers
Mike McLaughlin-4/9/10
Meijer customers were greeted by motorcycles at the Normal store yesterday.
The Normal Police department is searching for two suspects who rode their bikes through the store.
No suspects have been taken into custody as police continue to look at surveillance tapes.
Disorderly conduct charges are pending.
SGA elected, but do students care?
Adam Kopp-4/8/10
With student elections now over and the candidates elected, the difference between the number of votes and the number of students leaves a question mark. With 20,000 students, why did only 4,000 vote on who would be making their decisions for the next year?
One of the platforms of the newest government body in place, Redbirds Taking Action, campaigned raising awareness on elections.
Jeremy Schultz-4/8/10
Illinois State University hosted Marlen Garcia as the second keynote speaker during COM WEEK. Garcia, class of '93, has worked with the Chicago Tribune and USA Today upon graduating.
Former ISU alum speaks about Oprah Radio
Nija Givens-4/8/10
Illinois State and TV-10 alumna, Katherine Kelly was the keynote speaker at Thursday's COM WEEK 2010 event. Kelly is the operations manager for Oprah Radio. She advised students to accept their positions when starting careers.
Kelly stressed the importance internships and the knowledge students can build at their company.
Kelly was the last keynote speaker of the week ending Friday.
Vice-President Joe Biden Speaks in Peoria
Mike McLaughlin-4/5/10
Vice-president Joe Biden stopped in Peoria to speak at a domestic violence prevention conference with Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood.
WZND's Mike McLaughlin reports on the event.
Vice-president Joe Biden's speech
Redbirds Taking Action Win Student Elections
Jordan Goebig-4/5/10
The Student Government Association announced the winner's of student elections at their latest meeting. Sophomore political science major, David Marquis, won student body president and junior elementary education major, Lorryn Neely, won vice president. Their party, Redbirds Taking Action focused their campaign on diversity, communication, affordability, campus safety and school pride.
WZND Director Saves Neighbor In Fire
Jordan Goebig-3/29-10
One Illinois State Student went above and beyond the call of duty, when a long-time neighbor was in trouble. WZND's assistant traffic director, Hannibal Henry, rescued the disabled woman from a small apartment fire on College Avenue.
While many call him a hero, Henry thinks he just did the right thing.
Henry tried to put out the flames himself after pulling his neighbor out of the apartment. The woman was taken to the hospital for observation.
Student Trustee's Set for Elections
Ross Green- 3/29/10
Student Trustee candidates are gearing up for elections this week.
Sustainability Fee Featured on Ballet
Audrey Williams- 3/29/10
Students will have the option to vote for or against a new sustainability fee during elections this week.
The fee is set to cost students an extra 34 cents per credit hour in the fall of 2010.
WZND's Audrey Williams talked with ISU Sustainability Secretary Dorian Moore.
Redbirds Taking Action Ready for Change
Ryan Mostardo- 3/29/10
The Redbirds Taking Action political party is getting ready for student elections this week.
Sewer work closes street near campus
Jordan Goebig-3/15/10
Northbound Linden Street between Vernon Avenue and College Avenue will be closed to traffic beginning Monday, March 15, 2010 at 7:00 a.m., and remain closed until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2010, for storm sewer work associated with the Uptown Redevelopment Project.
Local traffic will still be allowed through between Vernon Avenue and Parkinson Street. No traffic will be allowed between Parkinson Street and College Avenue. Motorists are urged to use alternate routes
Bridge Repair Project causes closure
Steve Suess-3/3/10
Parts of Northbound Interstate 55 in Normal will be closed tonight as construction crews work on the Towanda Avenue bridge raised over the highway. IDOT will be working from 8:00 tonight till 6 AM tomorrow morning. Traffic will be detoured using Interstate 39.
ISU Police error wakes students up early
Steve Suess-3/3/10
Students who signed up for emergency text alerts received several messages and phone calls beginning around 5 AM this morning.
The emergency texts were labeled as test messages, but left many students confused as to why they were receiving them so early in the morning.
Illinois State University Police Chief Ronald Swan says the messages were caused by an error made by an officer this morning.
Normal Town Council discusses community's newest additions
Jimmy Musial-3/2/10
The Normal Town Council focused on new additions to the town at Monday night's meeting. On campus, CVS Pharmacy is currently underway and set to be open by by summer or fall.
Normal Mayor Chris Koos talks about the impacts he thinks the opening will have on the town.
Raziel Leiva-2/25/10
While most students are struggling to find jobs, Jeff Havens is sending out another message to students, "Get Fired." Thursday night, the comedian presented a satirical program to presenting surefire ways to lose unemployment.
Haven hopes that students get the true messages behind his comedy.
His book titled,"How to Get Fired", is set for release in April.
Students aim for "global response" to natural disasters
Joe Brand-2/25/10
The Honors program discusses natural disasters at Global Response Tuesday night.
Vogel stated that Red Cross helps on all natural disasters in their involved areas and has not seeked as much help for Haiti since Hurricane Katrina.
Redbird Arena reports damage to court
Adam Kopp-2/25/10
A Redbird Arena attendant notified police officers after finding damage to the basketball court Saturday morning. The attendant arrived for work and found 3 metal chairs on the court--causing deep scratches on the floor.
The damage is estimated at $500, but will not be fully assessed until the floor is renovated this summer.
Illinois State Honors Founder's Day with New Tradition
Joe Brand-2/18/10
Illinois State decided to take a different approach to kick off Founder's Day, and what better way than ringing the Old Main Bell 153 times.
Students and faculty were allowed to ring the original Old Main Bell today.
Students Celebrate Founder's Day Early
Katlyn Thompson-2/18/10
Illinois State is celebrating it's 153rd birthday today, but students began the celebration a little early.
Last Friday, the University Program Board hosted a birthday party for the university.
Events kicked off today with a bell-ringing ceremony and continue with a Convocation Ceremony at 2pm in the Brown Ballroom.
Academic Senate Commends Student's Creativity
Nikki Ntim-2/18/10
Last night the Academic Senate met to discuss issues affecting students, faculty and staff. One of the topics mentioned was the artistic contribution that Illinois State students bring to the university.
Normal Receives Federal Funds for Transportation Center
Jordan Goebig- 2/17/10
Town Normal leaders and Illinois state representatives announced today that the town will begin construction of a new four-story, 49 million dollar Multi-Modal Transportation Center.
The town is receiving 33 million dollars in federal funding and one million dollars from the state for the building, which will include a high speed rail corridor and multiple bus and shuttle services.
State Representative Debbie Halverson is excited for Central Illinois.
State Representative Dan Brady worked with the state government to get the job done.
Bowman Challenges Students to Use New Recreation Center
Nikki Ntim- 2/16/10
Illinois State University President Al Bowman informed students Monday night about a rock climbing wall that's being assembled in the new Recreation Center on University Street.
President Bowman issued a friendly challenge to the next student body president.
Construction on the new building is set to be complete in January 2011.
Forte Performs at Black History Month Dinner
Erin Buswell, Cody Meincke- 2/16/10
Grammy nominated singer and songwriter John Forte perfomed for ISU students at the Bone Student Center Monday night for the Black History Month Dinner.
Forte says every day should be a celebration of African American history and culture.
SGA Propose Student Fee Increase
Joe Brand- 2/14/10
ISU Student Government met this week to discuss raising student fees for next year.
Increases were proposed in many areas, primarily in ISU athletics because sports are funded only through fees, ticket sales, and donations.
University Presidents Plead for Money from State
Jordan Goebig- 2/11/10
Public university presidents are taking a stand against the budget crisis, writing a letter to Governor Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes this week.
In the letter signed by ISU President Al Bowman, the presidents express the concern they have with the future of public universities after having to rely on tuition to keep them running.
The presidents also requested that a payment schedule be set.
Normal Police Search for Suspect in Car Burglary
Mike McLaughlin- 2/11/10
The Normal Police Department is searching for a man that broke into a car on the 1300 block Hovey St. Wednesday afternoon.
The suspect stole an iPod and cologne from the victim's car.
Diversity Advocacy Highlights Segregation in America
Adam Kopp- 2/10/10
Diversity Advocacy showed a film Tuesday night showcasing how segregation still exists in America today.
Normal Enforces Parking Ban
Steve Suess- 2/9/10
The Town of Normal has issued a parking ban effective at 5:00 pm on Tuesday due to winter weather.
Normal Police will ticket vehicles parked on the street in areas of high density parking.
The parking ban will remain in force until 7:00 am on Wednesday.
President Bowman Informs Faculty of ISU Economic Hardships
Steve Suess- 2/9/10
Illinois State University President Al Bowman sent a letter to faculty today informing employees they will not receive a salary bonus this fiscal year.
President Bowman's letter stated lack of state funding as the primary source for the news.
The University may plan to raise tuition to help make up for missing state dollars.
The ISU Board of Trustees approved a 7.8 percent increase of tuition in July 2009.
Heartland Narrows Presidential Search to Three
Steve Suess- 2/9/10
Heartland Community College has settled on three finalists in their search for a new President.
Dr. Allen Goben, Dr. Doreen M. Larson, and Dr. Vicky R. Smith were chosen as the final three candidates.
All three Presidential hopefuls have previous experience as head executives.
Winter Weather Advisory Warns of Heavy Winds and Blowing Snow
Steve Suess- 2/9/10
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory that is set to expire at noon on Wednesday.
Up to an additional inch of snow is possible Tuesday afternoon.
Wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour out of the Northwest are possible tonight and Wednesday morning.
Police Respond to Harassment Calls
Adam Kopp- 2/9/10
Illinois State University Police resonded to calls of sexual harassment in Colby Hall Monday night.
A female student claimed a male voice was calling her phone using an unmarked private number.
The student received multiple calls from the offender over the weekend.
ISU, Normal Prepared for Winter Storm
Steve Suess- 2/9/10
Illinois State University and the Town of Normal are preparing for this week's large snow storm.
Tune in to WZND for live winter weather coverage including class cancelations and storm updates.
