Community Corner

🌱 What’s next for Carle’s only inpatient mental health unit in Normal?

Be sure to catch Christmas on the Farm on the Normal Patch calendar

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Cheers Normal! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What’s next for Carle’s only inpatient mental health unit in Normal?
  • Want to present your research at ISU’s big WGSS symposium?
  • How ISU’s record enrollment and graduation gains shape Normal’s future

Also on today's calendar: Christmas on the Farm and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Normalfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Find out what's happening in Normalfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Snow late in the afternoon, with a high of 28 and low of 23 degrees.
  • Friday: Cloudy, brisk and cold, temps: high: 29, low: 6. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Saturday: Very cold with snow, 1-3", with a high of 7 and low of -11 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Retiring Carle BroMenn leader Colleen Kannaday reflects on 35-year health care career (wglt.org) — Carle BroMenn president Colleen Kannaday is retiring after more than a decade leading Carle’s Normal- and Eureka-based medical centers, including the only inpatient mental health facility in Normal. She reflects on advances like robotic surgery and cautious AI use, and voices concern about Medicaid changes, affordability, and fragmented local mental health care as she prepares to focus on volunteer work.
   

2. Accepting abstracts for the 29th annual WGSS Student Research Symposium (illinoisstate.edu) — Students and residents in Normal can look ahead to the 29th annual Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Student Research Symposium at Illinois State’s Bone Student Center on Friday, April 24, 2026. The free, day-long event will feature student presentations, performances, and a keynote by UW–Madison scholar Dr. Sarah Ensor, with abstracts due by the morning of March 2, 2026.
   

3. A holiday message from President Tarhule, December 9, 2025 (illinoisstate.edu) — Illinois State University’s president is celebrating strong enrollment growth, higher graduation and retention rates, and renewed accreditation—good news for the campus community in Normal. He also highlights a December 13 Winter Commencement for more than 1,200 graduates and urges Redbirds to carry this momentum into the new year while enjoying a restful holiday season.
   

4. Petition objection derails campaign for Rep. Eric Sorensen's primary opponent (wglt.org) — Residents in Bloomington-Normal are part of Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, where Rep. Eric Sorensen may now face no Democratic primary challenger after an objection knocked Montez Soliz off the ballot. The State Board of Elections will review the challenge in January, while two Republicans remain filed for the GOP primary, keeping the district’s 2026 race in flux.
   

📸 Around Normal

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My dog Tessa just got out lasting on Orr and Hanson.
    I'm driving around looking for her She lives on Columbia drive. Let me know and I'll go find her she's fast and chases every rabbit she sees so… (Nextdoor Sugar Creek)
  • If anyone knows of any apartments available for a 43 year old male who receives disability please send me a message.
    Trying to gather resources for a friend. Have reached out to LIFECIL as well for help. Thanks! (Nextdoor School-Rockingham)
  • Vonachen Group posted a job opening for Day Porter in Normal. Apply here.
  • Illinois State University posted a job opening for Dean, Mennonite College of Nursing 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: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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