BNWRD

While no new rentals can be made in areas marked as single-family residential in Normal, a five-year transition period for current STRs is included in the ordinance approved by the town council on Monday.

A major sewer construction project is moving forward in Normal, near Sugar Creek, now that a tent encampment has dispersed.

A tent encampment near AutoZone in Normal was set to disperse Sunday due to a coming construction project, but a few residents still remain.

Actions related to housing development at Beech Street and Shelbourne Avenue, and updates to plans at Carden Springs were all approved at Monday's town council meeting.

The town council also authorized the filing of the Community Development Block Grant consolidated plan during the meeting.

State Rep. Sharon Chung of Bloomington is pushing a bill to expand the reach of the community's wastewater treatment facilities to boost economic development.

The City of Bloomington is getting a $600,000 state grant to build a green infrastructure park near to the community sewage treatment plant on the west side of town. It's the Sunnyside Park Sustainability Initiative.

We might have an answer to the pungent question in Central Illinois of late: Just what is that awful smell? It's likely a phenomenon called petrichor, according to a state climatologist.

The Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District plans to increase its tax levy next year by just under 5%.

A potential huge cost looms for drinking water producers — so-called forever chemicals or PFAS. Bloomington and Normal water departments expect regulation will eventually require removal of PFAS.