Good morning, Normal.

A new 18-foot-tall statue named Marge was placed Friday, Nov.

14 in front of Carl’s Ice Cream along Route 66 in Normal to join the longtime statue Carl. The statue—honoring the owner’s mother—holds a waitress notebook and a milkshake and was created over a year to attract more visitors to the shop.

Monsignor Doug Hennessy, a retired priest with the Diocese of Peoria, died Wednesday at 87 in Bloomington.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 3-7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Bloomington and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the church, with his burial later at Holy Cross Cemetery in Normal.

The Children’s Home of Central Illinois launched a wish list campaign to grant Christmas wishes for over 1,200 children with lists valued up to $75 for kids of all ages.

The lists are available now until Dec. 2 and community members can sign up in person or online.

The Twin Cities Facebook group ‘We’re in This Together’ connects neighbors in need with those who can help and has grown to nearly 21,000 members by sharing food, clothes, and essentials.

The group holds holiday events and has spurred a pop-up food pantry—helping local families cope with rising costs.

The Salvation Army in Bloomington is running its red kettle campaign with a goal of $1 million to cover a $300k shortfall and meet rising needs for food, meals and winter housing.

Red kettles are set up at six locations and more will be added after Thanksgiving—if the goal is not met, some services may be cut.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources warned hunters to use safety harnesses when using tree stands— the leading cause of hunting-related injuries and deaths— as firearm deer season begins Nov.

21-23 and continues Dec. 4-7. The release stressed that checking equipment, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and following manufacturer guidelines help prevent falls.

The Better Business Bureau warns that online holiday scams are on the rise in Central Illinois — shoppers are urged to check website details before entering payment information as red flags include poor spelling and prices that seem too good to be true.

On Friday, Miller Park Zoo announced that Moon Pie, a 7-year-old red wolf whose condition rapidly declined and did not respond to treatment, was humanely euthanized.

The zoo is now working with the Saving Animals From Extinction Program—seeking a new mate for his long-time companion Magnolia.

Jadon Nafziger, a 16-year-old athlete from Mackinaw, trains three times a week at Central Illinois Precision Shooting with a spring stand device — an aid for his disability — and has already competed internationally in Peru and the United Arab Emirates.

He is on the USA Shooting Futures Team and will pursue a spot on the U.S. National Development Team to compete in the 2028 Paralympics in LA.

City of Bloomington Turkey Trot

9-11 a.m. — Miller Park — Free entry — A family-friendly event featuring runs and walks to kick off Thanksgiving Day.

NPC Mid-American Winter Classic

10 AM – 10 PM — Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center — Ticketed event — Witness amateur athletes showcase their skills in bodybuilding and physique competitions.