Good morning, Normal.

Santas of Summer will return next month at Lil Beaver Brewery on Sept.

5 and 6, with free events where donations will benefit Toys for Tots of McLean County +organizers hope to support local families+.

Four Seasons Health Club will convert its longtime Four Seasons One facility (a 60-year-old building on Four Seasons Road) into the Four Seasons Legacy Center; the location will close Aug.

25 for cleaning and upgrades and reopen Sept. 3 (offering basketball, volleyball, aquatics, pickleball, badminton, and racquetball) as membership drops and all fitness programs move to the other club on Airport Road.

State Senator Dave Koehler secured over $11 million in extra funding for school districts in Tazewell, Peoria and McLean counties from the FY26 budget; the new funding model uses factors (such as enrollment and poverty) to help meet each district's needs.

Back 2 School Alliance distributed 4,000 backpacks with essential school supplies at State Farm Corporate South on Aug.

7 to support children in McLean County Unit 5 and Bloomington District 87 who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Community volunteers and local organizations—including State Farm and the Bloomington Bison—helped make the event a strong show of local support for students starting the new school year.

Normal’s public works director Ryan Otto announced that eight temporary traffic measures will be implemented on the ISU campus starting Sept.

3 to calm traffic and improve pedestrian safety. The projects include closing slip lanes, installing curb extensions, and adding traffic bollards—each designed to slow drivers and reduce accidents as community feedback is gathered.

The U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee will consider a bill to rename the Bloomington VA outpatient clinic for Civil War soldier Andrew Jackson Smith—a Medal of Honor recipient with local ties—as McLean County Veterans Assistance Commission chair Art Rodriguez pushes the recommendation. Rodriguez said the measure may also lead to a memorial for Black Civil War veterans in the community.

The Normal Police Department was featured in Netflix's Wednesday when a mugshot of 'Thing' with a stylish hairdo and mustache appeared in season two.

Officers Darien Bachman and Jeremy Flood said they felt honored by the cameo — noting it highlights the town’s unique name in a show about the abnormal.

A new traffic control stage will begin on West College Ave starting Wednesday, August 13—if weather permits—with westbound lanes kept open from White Oak Rd to Rt 150 and eastbound lanes maintained from Rt 150 to the Rivian Entrance while Wylie Dr. at College Ave. is closed for 4-5 weeks. The project will continue through Fall and drivers are urged to use caution in the area.

Corn Crib Pro Rodeo

7-9 p.m. — The Corn Crib — Family-friendly fun — Experience thrilling bull riding and bronc riding at this inaugural rodeo event in Normal, IL.

Paint Nite at BloNo Pizza Co.

6:30-8:30 p.m. — BloNo Pizza Co. — Supplies included — Create memories and masterpieces while being guided by a professional artist.

Hello Bob Live Concert

11 PM — Uptown Circle — Free entry — Enjoy 80’s alternative hits performed by local band Hello Bob.

Day of the Dozer

10 AM – 4 PM — McLean County Fairgrounds — Adults are FREE — Kids get to drive heavy construction equipment with professional guidance in a safe environment.

Family Paint Party

6:30-8:30 p.m. — BloNo Pizza Co. — Tips appreciated — Create memories and masterpieces at this family-friendly paint night led by a professional artist.