Daily
Normal
Friday, April 4th, 2025
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Normal.
Good morning, Normal. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 4th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Yesterday, the remains of Pfc. Robert Lee Bryant (a World War II soldier) passed through Bloomington-Normal in a funeral procession that led to the closure of Veterans Parkway from Shepard Road to Washington Street between about 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. His repatriation services will take place on April 12 at Park Hill Cemetery at 1 p.m. while his family escort was led by his great-great-nephew. Central Illinois Proud
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Bloomington native Melissa Chrisman moved back to lead the Convention and Visitors Bureau to plan the Route 66 Centennial in 2026 — leaving her communications job in Fort Worth. She is working with partners to plan the Red Carpet Corridor Festival on May 3 — a move to boost local tourism with new summer events. WGLT
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ A new scholarship has been set up at Heartland Community College for students in its 8-week Veterinary Assistant program—funded by John Penn, Mary Penn, and Henry Gauwitz through the Menssen Critter Care Trust. The trust honors the legacy of Eric and Jayne Menssen, who cared for abandoned and injured animals, as local demand for veterinary assistant jobs is expected to grow. Cities 92.9
- ➤ Educators in ISU’s K-12 lab schools are seeking union recognition for the Lab School Education Association after an administrative law judge ruled in their favor. The full board decision is expected soon & the union will then start negotiating its first contract with ISU. WGLT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Veteran’s Parkway was closed Thursday afternoon from Shepard Road in Normal to Washington Street in Bloomington—law enforcement escorted the remains of World War II soldier Pfc. Robert Lee Bryant, who was killed in action and identified after 81 years. His remains were flown in from Chicago Midway and escorted by his great-great-nephew to Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home—police said the closure lasted from about 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and advised drivers to use alternate routes. WJBC
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Illinois State football coach Brock Spack signed an extension on April 3 to remain with the Redbirds until the 2027 season. In 16 seasons he has led the team to six NCAA playoff appearances and two Missouri Valley Football Conference championships — a record that makes him the winningest coach in program history. WGLT
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR This compact, easy-to-use rangefinder is packed with features like slope adjustment, flag-lock with vibration feedback, and a USB-C rechargeable battery. Lightweight and accurate, it’s a great choice for casual or beginner golfers looking for reliable performance. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Normal.
-
Exploration Day in Bloomington-Normal
2:30-10 p.m. — Meet at Ryburn Place — Costs vary by activity — Explore historic sites and enjoy local dining in a vibrant community setting.
-
Rivian 5K Charity Run
10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Heartland Community College — Entry fee required — Participate in a fun run supporting local nonprofits with refreshments and an after party.
-
Children's Day/Book Day Celebration
2-4 p.m. — Illinois Art Station — Free entry — Celebrate reading with engaging activities for children and families.
-
Unit 5K Fun Run
2 PM — Maxwell Park — Registration fee required — Participate in the 4th Annual Unit 5K to support local education initiatives.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
A Budget-Friendly Golf Rangefinder with Premium Features
The REVASRI NK‑1000 rangefinder is a surprisingly capable option for golfers who want accuracy without spending a fortune.
Priced under $50, it includes features like slope adjustment, flag-lock with vibration feedback, and a rechargeable USB-C battery. Plus, it’s compact and lightweight, easily locks onto targets, and seamlessly switches between yards and meters. It’s a great pick for casual or new golfers looking for reliable performance at a wallet-friendly price point.
Bonus: Shop more top-rated and best-selling golf products.
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Normal.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The first rule of any kind of progress: showing up.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Normal
Welcome to the Daily Normal, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Normal, Illinois community. If you like the Daily Normal, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Normal.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Normal and across Illinois. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Normal
A free Normal community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailynormalnews.com/sitemap