Author: Ben Webster
Image courtesy of State Farm BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – State Farm is closing two of its buildings and is consolidating its office space into one in what the company sees as a “new chapter.” In an announcement shared with employees, CEO Joe Farney shared plans to bring all 13,000 Bloomington-based associates to the Corporate South campus. […]
Image courtesy of Unit 5 NORMAL, Ill. – A teacher in the Unit 5 district has been nominated for Illinois’ Teacher of the Year award by the Illinois State Board of Education. Donald Whitman of Normal Community High School was named the East Central Region Teacher of the Year last month. He is now one […]
Image courtesy of Scout Troop 920 BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Scout Troop 920 is hosting its 56th annual pancake and sausage breakfast at St. Mary’s School on March 14-15 from 6:30 a.m. to noon both days. Founded in 1965, the troop has hosted the fundraiser since 1971. It is currently the troop’s only fundraiser. “Since this […]
Image courtesy of IHSA BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Two high schools in the Bloomington-Normal area competed for IHSA Girls’ Wrestling honors at the State meet on Friday and Saturday at Grossinger Motors Arena. Normal Community West High School had two state qualifiers: Karsyn Robinson qualified as a freshman at 195 pounds, and Arian Sabu qualified as […]
NORMAL, Ill. – After just over a year of construction, Rivian has completed its expansion project at the company’s Normal manufacturing facility. The expansion increases the plant’s total footprint to more than 8 million square feet and was completed several months ahead of schedule. Tony Sanger, Rivian’s vice president of production facilities, called the early […]
Image courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – Despite wind chills expected to drop below 20 degrees Friday, Illinois State University’s Heating Plant remains prepared to keep campus buildings warm. According to Assistant Superintendent Josh Wiechman, the plant experiences conditions like these a couple of times a year. Built in 1916, the Heating Plant […]
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – Transfer students coming to Illinois State University are finding a warmer welcome in Normal through the Waller Family Endowed Scholarship. Three generations of the Waller family have attended Illinois State University, and the newest generation is now ensuring that legacy continues. Siblings Sara, a member of […]
Image Courtesy of the Children’s Discovery Museum NORMAL, Ill. – The Children’s Discovery Museum will be adding a new exhibit in 2026. The project, entitled ‘From the Farm to a Healthy Me,’ connects agriculture and food to nutrition and health. The exhibit will be located on the second floor of the museum and will cost […]
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – Finals Week at Illinois State University is just around the corner, and University College and the Julia N. Visor Center are resources students can use for academic assistance. The Visor Center, located between Hewett and Manchester residence halls, primarily serves students enrolled in 100-level general education […]
Image courtesy of Heartland Community College NORMAL, Ill. – Heartland Community College and Country Financial have partnered to fund a $1.38 million extension of the Constitution Trail. The Central Illinois insurance firm joined other donors in supporting the project, which also received a $200,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Steve Fast works […]