Saturday, April 12th, 2025

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Good morning, Bloomington. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 12th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Today, first responders lined up at a visitation to pay respect to probationary Normal firefighter Ethan Jeffreys—community members honored his service and dedication. The Pantagraph
- ➤ Normal firefighters honored fallen colleague Ethan Jeffreys during a visitation at Christ Community Church in Gridley as firefighters from Normal, the Bloomington Fire Department, McLean County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies walked past his casket. His funeral is held today from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. while firefighters from Bloomington and Peoria help cover fire calls. Central Illinois Proud
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Neighborhood Thrift in downtown Bloomington closed its doors today after nearly 16 years in business — owner Drew Barrett said his declining health, a down economy and rising prices drove the decision. The store’s remaining inventory will soon be sold in online auctions. WGLT
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Bloomington Fire Department responded on Friday at about 12:39 p.m.—finding melted plastic in the school’s mechanical room where smoke had spread—and evacuated and ventilated the building with no injuries. The cause of the smoke remains under investigation. Central Illinois Proud
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Eric Moore, a local volunteer firefighter and innovation worker at State Farm, won Heyworth's mayor race as a write-in candidate despite not being on the ballot and will take office on May 1 (he won by more than 100 votes). He said he will work with the village board to improve town communication and attract new businesses (a plan to address local concerns). WGLT
- ➤ On Thursday, the Illinois Senate passed a bill that stops law enforcement from searching a vehicle based solely on the smell of burnt cannabis in drivers over age 21 — and it approved a safe gun storage act that requires firearms to be kept locked away from minors. Legislators also passed a bill extending protections for staff at college-based public media, and all three now head to the House for further action. The Pantagraph
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ The owner of the former State Farm building in downtown Bloomington plans to invest $68M into turning the property into housing—officials will review the proposal in upcoming meetings. The Pantagraph
SHOP NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR We never have to worry about dead batteries and missed calls thanks to this portable power bank that can charge up to five devices at once. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Bloomington.
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Study of the Gospel of Mark
7:45-8:45 p.m. — Bloomington Public Library — Free entry — Read and discuss Mark's Gospel while exploring fundamental Christian beliefs and values.
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Biscuits n Gravy Band Live Performance
7-10 p.m. — THE STATION SALOON — Entry details not provided — Enjoy a night of classic rock and groovy tunes in the heart of Central Illinois.
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20 Over 60 Awards
4:30-6 p.m. — Rob Dob's Restaurant & Bar — Celebration of community leaders over 60 — Honoring impactful contributions by older adults in the community.
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DEWALT Days 2025
12 AM — Blain's Farm & Fleet — Free entry — Explore DEWALT tools and get expert advice during this special event.
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Unit 5K Run/Walk
2 PM — Maxwell Park — Entry fee applies — Support the Unit 5 Educational Foundation while enjoying a 5k run or mile walk.
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Bloomington Princesses at the Zoo
5-7 p.m. — Miller Park Zoo — $30 per guest — Experience an interactive evening with princesses and furry friends at the zoo.
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.

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