Good morning, Normal.

Older residents in our community are increasingly using local shelters and food pantries as rising costs strain fixed incomes; the Salvation Army shelter, which now serves nearly one-third seniors, works with local groups to offer food, support, and housing assistance.

Local businesses lost power early Thursday during a storm that forced several to close and delay reopening on Friday morning, leaving them struggling to resume normal operations.

Crews in Normal were still assessing damage and restoring power after a severe thunderstorm struck on Thursday (Aug.

13). Cleanup continues as officials remove debris and check affected areas.

The Heartland Community College Board will vote Tuesday at 6 p.m. on a voluntary separation plan offering eligible employees — those with 15 years of service by June 30 — a one-time incentive benefit to achieve about $1.5 million in annual savings, though the plan will cost $2 million over three years.

CIRA submitted a $1.25 million grant request to upgrade Gates 3 and 4, which currently serve only small aircraft and are not ADA compliant.

The project will allow larger aircraft and is set to begin bidding within 15 to 18 months.

OSF Healthcare is working to restore services after Thursday’s storm caused power outages that closed its Center for Health and Family Medicine; its Pediatric office at 2200 Fort Jesse Road is open today alongside PromptCare locations (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and OnCall Urgent Care (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.).