Ryan Denham / WGLT
Originally published on April 2, 2021 5:24 pm
We’re nearing the end of a local election cycle unlike any other in recent history.
The pandemic has limited the personal contact that’s typically the foundation of Bloomington-Normal city council elections. That’s been partially replaced by a barrage of social media ads and campaign mailers funded by unusually large campaign contributions from outside groups. And candidates themselves are bunching up in larger ideology-driven slates than we’ve seen recently.
The sense among those interviewed by WGLT is that there is simply more at stake.
“It’s fascinating to see how seriously some groups and some individuals are taking this election,” said Joseph Zompetti, an Illinois State University professor and expert in political communication.
Illinois State University students picking up the pieces after Sugar Creek Apartments fire insurancenewsnet.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from insurancenewsnet.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Jessica Wenberg
Many college students who called the Sugar Creek Apartments home are adjusting to their new reality after Saturday’s fire, even as others are reaching out to help their displaced neighbors.
The large fire destroyed or heavily damaged 12 apartment units at the complex, near Linden Street and Vernon Avenue. Authorities said Tuesday it was caused by repair work going on in the building.
Sugar Creek resident Jessica Wenberg said she’s heard First Site is knocking down the side that sustained heavy damage. Her apartment has smoke damage and will be demolished with the other units on that side.
Charlie Schlenker / WGLT
The Normal Fire Department said Tuesday the blaze that heavily damaged or destroyed 12 units at the Sugar Creek Apartments on Saturday was caused by repair work being done inside a lower-level apartment.
The fire caused the roof to collapse and caused substantial damage throughout the building. Crews spent much of Saturday afternoon battling the blaze, after spending much of the morning cleaning up a nearby train derailment.
Normal Fire Chief Mick Humer said in a news release the apartment fire spread inside the walls and void spaces and extended into the attic before the fire department arrived.
Schneeschipp-Aktion der SPD in Stadtfeld spd-stadtfeld.de - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from spd-stadtfeld.de Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.