Town of Normal

McLean County and Central Illinois are gearing up for America 250 with a bunch of events, everything from a community drone show on July 2 to readings of the Declaration of Independence at Connie Link Amphitheater in Normal and in Downtown Bloomington. It's not the first national anniversary involving a big celebration. Let’s go back 50 years to hear what they did for the nation’s Bicentennial.

The Town of Normal's Historic Preservation Commission will decide whether or not to approve demolition of three Uptown Normal buildings at its next meeting.

The vote was 4-2 with commission members Bob Broad and Mike Matejka voting against the changes. The recommendation will go before the Normal Town Council at its June 15 meeting.

Pontiac's Diaz Sign Art created a custom mural for Sprague's Super Service commemorating significant landmarks in the Town of Normal: the Normal Theater and Steak and Shake. It will be officially unveiled Friday, ahead of a 1950s-themed celebration as part of the Cruisin' through the Century Route 66 Centennial.

The 100th birthday of Route 66 is not lost on businesses and attractions who depend on it. In Lexington, Towanda, Atlanta and Normal, proprietors acknowledge the importance of the nostalgia-driven love for the Mother Road is not just a moment in its history, but a movement they are a part of.

Violators are subject to a fine of between $100 and $750 per day. The ordinance also allows the city manager to suspend or revoke a violator’s business license.

Electricity markets are volatile again this year and that will cost Bloomington-Normal residents on their heating and cooling bills. For the last two years, the so-called municipal aggregated rate negotiated by a group of cities and towns has seen a big increase — 30% this year alone.

Normal City Manager Pam Reece said the Federal Railroad Administration has assured the town it's OK with the delay.

The Normal Town Council on Monday approved three resolutions to proceed with work on the long-delayed Uptown underpass.

Data centers may have a big geographical footprint, but they don't necessarily use a lot of water compared to other industrial facilities. WGLT gathered some data to help put data center water use in context, based on what's been approved in Joliet between here and Chicago.