Daily
Normal
Wednesday, February 11th, 2026
Good morning, Normal. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 11th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ VisitBN received a $513,378 grant on Tuesday, Feb. 10 to enhance Route 66 landmarks for this summer’s centennial celebration. The funds will support projects like re-activating the route and updating the visitor center (Cruisin’ with Lincoln) to boost local tourism. WGLT
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The McLean County Chamber of Commerce honored local businesses at its 16th annual Business Excellence Awards last Saturday, offering awards, networking, and SNL-inspired fun. The event showcased key local business achievements in the community. The Pantagraph
- ➤ Local florists and garden shops in McLean County are preparing for Valentine’s Day (their Super Bowl of business) with special offerings planned to meet rising customer demand. The Pantagraph
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The McLean County History Museum set up a rotunda display that shows 20 prominent Black historical figures from the community for Black History Month. Micaela Harris said the exhibit builds on work from the Bloomington-Normal Black History Project + preserves the stories of educators, veterans and performers. 25 News Now
- ➤ Illinois State University's Queer Coalition will host its second annual 'Fired Up' film series at Normal Theater, examining the AIDS crisis and the activism it inspired for community dialogue. The event blends history and art to educate local audiences. The Pantagraph
- ➤ An art exhibition at Joe McCauley Gallery honored veteran Nancy Benedict (a Marine who died last fall) by showcasing mixed-media works finished by her CreatiVets classmates at Heartland Community College; a flag ceremony celebrated her memory during the opening reception on Feb. 3. WGLT
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Two Heartland Community College students were awarded PEO scholarships by the Philanthropic Educational Organization Chapter IC of Streator to support their studies. The grants were recently given to help cover educational expenses. The Pantagraph
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Amid a severe drought, Bloomington officials ask residents to conserve 10% water while the city recalls Lake Bloomington’s 1929 creation — a project that transformed Money Creek valley through a massive logging effort into a lasting water source. WGLT
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The best time to prepare for an emergency is when there isn't one.
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