Uptown Normal

The Town of Normal has formulated a new way to choose whether, which, and how to place art in public spaces. The town has supported public art for decades, but recently, a controversy over a mural in uptown prompted staff to re-examine the process to make it more intentional.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos, speaking Thursday on WGLT’s Sound Ideas, urged people to get vaccinated, boosted, and to “take care of the basics” of protection from the coronavirus as COVID-19 cases, positivity rates, and hospitalizations set McLean County records.

Plans are underway for a new building in Uptown Normal that would allow for expansion of Maggie Miley’s and create an outdoor event space on its second floor.

The Normal Town Council has taken the next step toward building the estimated $23 million underpass project linking Uptown and Uptown South via a below-grade crossing of the Amtrak and Union Pacific tracks.

One of the oldest continuously operating organizations in Bloomington-Normal is celebrating its sesquicentennial. The Masonic Lodge in Normal is 150 years old.

Bloomington-Normal residents marched through Normal on Saturday in support of women's rights and against a new Texas law that bans most abortions after six weeks.

The Sugar Creek Arts Festival has been a summer staple in Uptown Normal since 1984—that is, until the pandemic forced the esteemed annual art fair and street fest online last year. The live version returns Oct. 9-10, moving to sweater weather for the first time after decades in sweltering July heat.

The developer of the Trail East project in Uptown Normal has pulled out of the deal. Bush Construction tells the town the time is not right to go ahead.

The sounds of great music will once again bounce around Uptown Normal as Make Music Normal returns after a one-year COVID hiatus.

The sounds of great music will once again bounce around Uptown Normal as Make Music Normal returns after a one-year COVID hiatus.