Mental Health

There are further signs of a thaw in the shared sales tax dispute between the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal on one side and McLean County government on the other. The county board has approved a three month suspension of paying sales tax money from the city and town.

Senior leadership from the Bloomington-Normal YMCA traveled to Washington, D.C. to join the national coalition's advocacy days. YMCA wants full funding for childcare funding and health promotions, among other priorities. At home, the BN YMCA is hoping to expand its services.

The new director will need to pick up the responsibilities including managing the department, its programs, budgets, large-scale initiatives and public engagement.

The McLean County Health Department will offer a one-day training session focused on the needs of adults aged 65 and older. It will guide trainees on how to approach, listen to and assess the needs of seniors they interact with.

A program that works to reduce caseloads at Bloomington-Normal emergency rooms and the McLean County jail has seen significant growth in the last two years. It's the Frequent User System Engagement, or FUSE program.

The shift is partly a response to changes in the nonprofit's grant funding. YWCA said it's also an opportunity to better assist with pre-release job training for incarcerated individuals.

Chestnut Health Systems and Lighthouse Institute are recruiting 48 families to participate in their new research study on how to provide young adults and their families with alternative forms of substance use support.

Bloomington residents and businesses can no longer possess or sell the herbal substance kratom and synthetic alternatives, following action taken by the city council.

Ridgeview High School in Colfax hosted conference rivals Flanagan-Cornell for a Midday Madness event combining sports and student safety.

A delay last year in finishing the external audit for McLean County government put grants at risk and further heightened periodic and recurring tensions. McLean County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnston said in a WGLT interview she thinks this year will go much better.