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🌱 How Normal shelters are scrambling to save storm-displaced pets now

Normal, Illinois Patch AM: a 5 min read

Hello Normal! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Normal shelters are scrambling to save storm-displaced pets now
  • What will Normal’s new assistant fire chief bring from Peoria?
  • How Normal celebrated 1976—and what’s planned for America 250 now

Also on today's calendar: Words Matter, Outcomes Change: Evidence-Based Stigma Reduction for Co-Occurring Disorders and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 82 and low of 62 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny; breezy, humid, temps: high: 81, low: 62.
  • Sunday: Clouds breaking and breezy, with a high of 72 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Bloomington-Normal pet shelters assist animal care efforts after heavy storms (wglt.org) — Animal shelters in Normal are taking in dozens of storm-displaced cats and dogs from Springfield’s damaged Animal Protective League and are urgently asking local residents for foster homes, donations, and supplies. The Humane Society of Central Illinois and Clover’s Cat Club in Normal are both caring for extra animals on top of their usual hundreds, just as more severe weather is forecast for McLean County.
   

2. Peoria fire division chief retires, joins Normal FD as assistant chief (wjbc.com) — Normal’s Fire Department is getting a new assistant chief as longtime Peoria Division Chief of Prevention Nate Rice retires there July 3 and starts in Normal on July 13. Rice, praised for his leadership and safety work, says he’s eager to serve Normal’s residents and support the department’s firefighters in moving the agency forward.
   

3. A look back at the Bicentennial in McLean County, filled with kitsch, celebration and warm feelings (wglt.org) — Normal residents can look ahead to America 250 events like Declaration of Independence readings at Connie Link Amphitheater while reminiscing about how the town marked the 1976 Bicentennial, from a big parade starting at Normal Community High School to dedicating a new city hall. The story also spotlights Normal families’ Bicentennial memorabilia and a local girl whose design won the Illinois Bicentennial license plate cover.
   

4. Special Olympics Illinois' Summer Games brings more than athletics to Central Illinois (wglt.org) — Bloomington-Normal will host thousands of athletes, coaches, and volunteers this weekend for the Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games, with competitions and celebrations spread across the Twin Cities. Normal is in the spotlight with local powerlifter Brian McWhorter competing, a victory dance in Uptown Normal, and Friday’s torch-lit opening ceremony at Hancock Stadium drawing families and supporters from across Illinois.
   

5. Prairie Pride Coalition awarded grant for LGBTQ+ programs (centralillinoisproud.com) — Bloomington-Normal LGBTQ+ residents will soon see new support through Prairie Pride Coalition’s PRISM program, funded by a $10,000 health-care grant. The effort will add transportation to affirming care, vocal therapy via ISU, McLean County’s first LGBTQ+ recovery group, and training to help local law enforcement better interact with transgender and non-binary people.
   

📸 Around Normal

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Normal

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Normal Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday June 12
  • Learn About Honey Bees! — Towanda District Library →
    Towanda District Library, 301 S Taylor St, Towanda
    11:00 am
  • Mermaid Splash Bash
    Town of Normal Parks and Recreation Department Anderson Aquatic Center - 100 S. Maple (off E College Ave) Normal
    6:30 pm
  • I Love Boosters
    Normal Theater - 209 W North St Normal IL 61761
    7:00 pm
    • Sunday June 14
  • Nuns World Tour →
    The Barn III, 1451 Timberline Rd, Goodfield
    11:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Velasco Landscaping came out and did some work for me.
    Raul removed plants and planted new ones in my landscaping around my house. He is great to work with and provides ideas for what to plant and where… (Nextdoor Cottage Heights)
  • Good morning.
    Anyone else wake up to a power outage today? I'm near Hovey & Adelaide. We lost power at about 6:00 this morning. No estimated restoration time yet. 🫩 (Nextdoor Morgan St)
  • Illinois State University posted a job opening for Campus Recreation Coordinator in Normal. Apply here.
  • Merry Maids posted a job opening for House Cleaner in Normal. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Normal here.

Ok Normal! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Normal

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Normal

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.