Good morning, Normal.

The Salvation Army’s Safe Harbor shelter in Bloomington held a two-day resource fair in March that helped about 50 emergency winter shelter clients connect with local service providers.

Shelter organizers said the event was successful—community groups helped clients get the papers they needed for housing, and more fairs may be planned.

Illinois Wesleyan University broke ground this morning on the Petrick Idea Center—an extension of its art and design school that will include an amphitheater, meeting and teaching spaces, 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing and embroidery machines—and has raised more than $17 million since the idea was hatched seven years ago; construction is expected to be complete in two years.

A school spokesperson said the Foodmobile service at Normal West High School will end in June as the Eastern Illinois Foodbank shifts its focus to rural areas that need more help—this change follows the opening of a Unit 5 school market for students.

Students at Thomas Metcalf School helped design a new playground as part of an engineering and civic engagement project led by makerspace teacher Brittney Tarr, and school officials unveiled the space yesterday at 7000 S.

University St. to replace the condemned playground. A student survey drove nearly every child to request a zipline—resulting in a two-person installation that now gives kids a fun and safe place to play.

Illinois Wesleyan University broke ground for the Petrick Idea Center on the southwest corner of campus.

The new center (14,850 square feet) expands the Ames School of Art and Design and will serve as a creative hub for the entire campus.

A one-of-a-kind playground opened at Thomas Metcalf School in Normal after students designed it through the Makerspace program when the old playground was torn down last March due to safety concerns — the design featured accessible elements such as a braille station and two new zip lines.

Heartland Community College sophomore Gage Codding—of Hopedale—won three state awards at the Illinois Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate State Leadership Conference, earning recognition for his business achievements.

Normal is battling the spread of Poison Hemlock along Constitution Trail today as spring shows the toxic plant with green leaves and white flowers that can make people very sick if touched or inhaled.

Town workers use methods (burning, mowing, and spraying) to control it, but experts say the plant grows easily in hard-to-treat areas.

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.