The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL

New Fire Chief Appointedfor Lincoln Department

By Kevin Barlowkbarlow@pantagraph.com LINCOLN - The city of Lincoln officially has a new fire chief.

Aquatic Center in for a Makeover

By Mary Ann Fordmford@pantagraph.com NORMAL - Fairview Family Aquatic Center is getting a $2.45 million face lift, Towanda Avenue is in line to be repaired and Normal's amphitheater is being renamed.

House to Begin Budgetdebate, Voting This Week

By Kurt Ericksonkurt.erickson@lee.net SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House could begin voting as early as Wednesday on the outlines of a bare-bones state budget.

Horseracing Industry Pushes for Slot Machines

By Mike Riopellmike.riopell@lee.netSPRINGFIELD - Two fake racehorses stood in the Illinois Capitol rotunda Monday, attracting confused looks and photo opportunities from tourists and school groups passing by. The full-size equine duo were placed there in an effort to draw attention to longtime efforts by the horseracing industry to get the state to allow them to have slot machines at racetracks.

Firefighters Douse Garage Blaze

BLOOMINGTON - Firefighters extinguished flames inside a garage Monday morning on Bloomington's northwest side. The fire, which was reported before 10 a.m., damaged the attached garage of a house at the northeast corner of Livingston and Blackstone streets. Nobody was home at the time, and the flames didn't damage the house, said Assistant Fire Chief Jim Tatman.

Battery Countdismissed Forirish Politician

By Greg Cimagcima@pantagraph.com BLOOMINGTON - Prosecutors on Monday dismissed a battery charge against an Irish politician who had been accused of hitting a woman at a wedding reception in September.

Burglars, Fire Hitb-N Restaurant

Police, fire, rescue Burglars, fire hitB-N restaurant

Grant Going for Youth Intervention Officer

By Mary Ann Fordmford@pantagraph.com NORMAL - Parents who have concerns about their children's behavior soon will have another option for help.

Porn Allowed in Trial

BLOOMINGTON - Jurors in the Jeff Pelo sexual assault case will be allowed to see some of the pornography found on the former police sergeant's computer that depicted violent acts against women, a judge ruled Monday. A relevant connection exists between the methods used to sexually assault the women shown in the computer files and the information police received from four Bloomington women assaulted in their homes between 2002 and 2005, said Associate Judge Robert Freitag.

Setting It Right

Setting it right Local

Man's Rapetrial to Beginnext Month

By Tony Sapochettitsapochetti@pantagraph.com PONTIAC - The trial for a Pontiac man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl is scheduled to begin next month.

Isu Will Makepresence Known in Roundabout

By Michele Steinbachermsteinbacher@pantagraph.com NORMAL - Illinois State University and town of Normal planners announced Monday that Normal's revamped business district will bear an ISU presence.

Sanity Hearing Delayed Until Junefor Man Accused in Double Slaying

OTTAWA - The sanity hearing for a man accused of killing an elderly Seneca couple was delayed until June 9 while psychiatrists get additional information. Keith Mackowiak, 39, faces the death penalty if convicted of killing Aloysius Twardowski, 84, and his wife, Catherine, 87, in their Seneca home during a burglary attempt in July. Authorities said he beat them to death July 12 with a shovel when he surprised them in their den.

Man Wielding Knife Robs Twin City Bank

BLOOMINGTON - Police are looking for a man who was armed with a knife when he robbed a near east-side bank branch Monday. The man showed a butterfly knife, demanded cash and fled west on foot with money from the bank about 10:15 a.m. from the Chase bank at 413 E. Washington St., said Bloomington Police Sgt. Randall Wikoff.

No Restitution Agreement Puts Robbery Plea in Doubt

By Tony Sapochettitsapochetti@pantagraph.com PONTIAC - An Ottawa man may have to go to trial instead of accepting a plea deal on robbery charges if restitution isn't calculated or agreed upon in time.

Chess Team Brings Home Trophy

By Michele Steinbachermsteinbacher@pantagraph.com NORMAL - In many ways, Colene Hoose Elementary School first- graders are just starting out in life, but some of them already have managed to make some impressive moves.

Ozinga Seeks County's Helpin Race for 11th District Seat

By M.K. Gueterslohmkguetersloh@pantagraph.com BLOOMINGTON - In his bid to represent the 11th Congressional District, businessman Marty Ozinga III spoke to McLean County Republicans Monday looking for their help.

U High Hit with Vandalism

By Phyllis Coulterpcoulter@pantagraph.com NORMAL - University High School in Normal canceled classes Monday, adjusted exam dates and postponed its graduation practice as a result of paintball vandalism in the school.

Teachers with Criminalrecords Target of Bill Ok'd

By Mike Riopellmike.riopell@lee.net SPRINGFIELD - Lawmakers Monday approved an effort to keep teachers who have run into serious criminal trouble out of classrooms.

Developers Pull Effort for Wind Farm Permit

LINCOLN - The developers of a proposed wind farm in Tazewell and northern Logan counties have pulled their application for a special- use permit for now, but they say the project will still go forward. Fearing the application may be rejected because of an alleged error in how property owners were notified, the company has decided to start over with the application process, said Bill Whitlock project development manager for the proposed Rail Splitter Wind Farm..